This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The power steering stop working after driving a few minutes. It is becoming more frequent. This makes it hard for my wife to control and steer the car. When she turns the car off and restarts it works only to stop a few minutes later.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering ability seized. The vehicle was maneuver to the side of the road where it was turned off. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal function. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that after calling the dealer, the technician stated that the failure might be caused by a faulty power steering module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering warning lamp illuminated. The power steering failed and the vehicle was merged over to a parking lot. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, which reset the computer. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Husband driving to gas station in our community and power steering went out....he managed to drive it to our mechanics shop about 4 miles from our house....he turned the car off and restarted it and the power steering was working again....he explained what happened to our mechanic and he was advised it was a sealed pump and it was not power steering fluid leak....I can only imagine what could have happened if we had been on one of the 3 major hi ways that we travel once a week to get into St. Louis. We always research these types of problems on the internet and found numerous complaints for this same issue... the cobalt and HHR are literally the same car why was the cobalt recalled for this major and dangerous problem but the HHR is not.....never will I ever purchase another Chevy.....sticking with the foreign manufacturers from now on since Chevy fails to see that this is a problem.
Power steering fails consistently every time car is driven. First started around 96,300 miles and has continued for the next 9000 miles or so with little change in frequency. Car is not safe for my wife to drive. Could completely fail in a curve or in a steering situation and cause a serious or fatal accident.
- Conyers, GA, USA
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While driving the words "power steering" appeared on the dashboard where the odometer and other warnings appear and the vehicle became very difficult to control. This has happened several times while at a high rate of speed which can possible lead to a crash resulting in injury or death. Something is wrong with the power steering from all the research I have done this is a very common issue on the HHR. I've seen it all over discussion boards people describing the exact same thing, some have even resulted in crashes. Unless you have a little bit of strength then your not going to be able to turn this vehicle once the power steering goes out. I've seen it recalled on later years 2009 and 2010 yet they are having the same problem with the 2008 model as well. I think GM needs to take a look at this issue and fix it for the safety of my family.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The failure mileage was 56,000.
While driving on I4 power steering (ps) suddenly failed. Warn sound chimed then display stated ps. Fearful of driving on interstate pulled over to call aaa for tow. Looked online and saw recall for 09 & newer but not 08. Restarted car and power was restored so continued, cautiously home. Since that occurred it kept failing and the intervals became shorter until it would go out after driving less than 100'. called dealer to get ign switch repair and was told ps recall was added for my car in Oct. Took car in & was told ps not under recall but then said he found it & it was covered. They called next day & said, although there was a power steering recall for my car the issue I had was not part of the recall. Said the power steering assist was.bad and needed to be replaced at a cost of $189. He went on to say there will be a recall and I would be reimbursed but he did not know when it would come. Picked up car today and charge for repair was $230 and today said will not be recalled and will not be reimbursed. My 80yr old parents drove this car very infrequently and by the grace of god we no longer let them drive & now the car is only used by myself or my sister to take them to dr appts. If the steering went out while they were driving they would have def crashed as they do not have the arm strength to manually steer the car. I am very disturbed at the number of complaints listed here and nothing is being done. I found this site by accident, while searching to see what the recall did include, so I can only imagine how many people are having the same issue & just blindly trust the dealership or repair facility. Not sure how many deaths/accidents need to occur before something is done. Co-worker has 2010 HHR which is recall & issued are identical. Expect to hear something soon to resolve those still having issues.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the security warning light illuminated and other unknown warning lights flickered. The contact also stated that when driving up a hill or making a U-turn, the power steering and the security warning lights illuminated and unknown warning lights flickered. In addition, the vehicle jerked and the steering wheel seized on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on three occasions where the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
Chevrolet HHR 2008 model, the power steering will sporadically cut out, making it extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel. Steering wheel can not be turned by one hand. Very dangerous mine cut out while turning left in heavy traffic. You can cut the car off then back on and it works with no issues until it decides to cut out again.
I was driving to my music lesson.when the power steering. Stoped working. So I had to drive the car carefully.to get to my class. After it sits for awhile it works again or will stop working. Also it has gotten a lot worse and works only when it wants to.
When vehicle is in motion there is a single "click" sound ( no "beep" or chime ) along with "power steering" displayed on the driver information center, and sudden failure of power steering. Manual steering and turning is then required until ignition can be turned off/on. Restarting ignition restores power steering until vehicle is in motion again. All vehicle services have been done by dealership where vehicle was purchased. Vehicle was taken to dealer service center for maintenance and power steering diagnosis. Vehicle is not part of any power steering recall to date. Service specialist said that the diagnosis was inconclusive. Service specialist claimed they were given a diagnostic code that they did not know. Service specialist suggested replacement of power steering rack, and if that does not solve the problem, replacement of entire steering column. Power steering was not repaired, as requested by vehicle owner, until a conclusive diagnostic service can be done.
I have a Chevy 2008 HHR lt, and I been having problems with my power steering, a message keep coming on when im driving on the road at speed of 25 miles per hour. Making it hard for me to drive and turn, I called Chevy and they told me there is no recall for the 2008 HHR, but when I check online they have the 2006,2007,2009,2010,2011 HHR on recall why did they pass my car im having the same problem. Please help!
Power steering goes out in the middle of a turn making it hard to complete the turn and potentially causing an accident. Apparently, bulletin #14119 under recall #N140115 does not extend a lifetime warranty for 2006-2008 Chevy HHR power steering motor. Like it says...."note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ion to provide eps motor replacement for the life of the vehicle (source: Safercar.gov)." The customer service representative from Chevrolet said that the extended warranty is only valid for vehicles being recalled. The 2006-2008 Chevy HHR's are not part of the recall. I want my car fixed under this extended warranty. GM do more people need to die before you recall the vehicles and have them fixed?
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. While driving various speeds, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. After turning the engine off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering operated as normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 92,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the steering wheel lost power and was difficult to maneuver. The contact mentioned that the power steering light illuminated and a chime sounded during the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 40,200.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Midland, NC, USA