Steering. Review the 458 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

47 crash reports8 fire reports24 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,006 reports

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteeringCrash

ALL ELECTRONIC SHUT OFF NO BRAKES NO STEERING WOUND UP IN THE DITCH KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSIPOSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617803

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

LOST ALL ELECTRONIC POWER AND STEERING AND SHUT OFF WOUND UP IN THE DITCH WHICH STOPPED THE CAR KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSIPOSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617801

115,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014

Power TrainCrash

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. AFTER THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE SHORTLY AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED, SHE FOUND IT HAD ROLLED AWAY THREE HOUSES DOWNHILL. THE VEHICLE HAD DRIVEN OVER A CURB, SIDESWIPED A TREE, AND CRASHED INTO CINDER BLOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE COVER INTERLOCK WAS REMOVED. THE SHIFTER DID NOT LOCK INTO GEAR. THE LOCK WAS MISSING. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN ANY PAPERWORK TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUES. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY MULTIPLE MECHANICS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE WITH THESE DEFECTS. UPDATED 11/25/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617624

85,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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NHTSA ODI #10616828

70,500 miles · Jul 24, 2014

Steering

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THIS STARTED 3 DAYS AGO. THE POWER STEERING SHOWED ON THE DASH AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. READING THE MANUAL FOR THIS ISSUE A YEAR AGO IT SAID TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART THE CAR AND THE STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF. HOWEVER THE ISSUE PROGRESSED AND TODAY WAS GOING OUT EVERY FEW MILES. AND I WAS JUST AT THE CHEVROLET SERVICE FOR ANOTHER RECALL AND ASKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS AND THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE LIST. THIS IS A BAD SITUATION AND VERY UNSAFE. I BELIEVE THE POWER STEERING WILL BE GONE COMPLETELY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF SOMETHING COULD BE DONE RIGHT AWAY AS THIS IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE AND I USE IT TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615907

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2014

Electrical SystemSteering

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AS I BEGAN TO PULL OUT FROM THE PARKING LOT AFTER WORK ONE EVENING, I BEGAN TO HEAR A CHIME LIKE TONE, AT THE SAME TIME A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ "POWER STEERING..." I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR A POSSIBLE BROKEN POWER STEERING BELT, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE POWER STEERING PUMP .RE STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I LATER DISCOVERED THE POWER SYSTEM ASSIST CONSIST OF AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR AND NOT A HYDRAULIC. AS TIME PASSED, THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE FREQUENT. NOW, ONCE THE CAR BEGINS TO MOVE, IT TAKES ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES, IF NOT SECONDS, BEFORE I HEAR THE CHIME, THE MESSAGE SHOWS UP, AND HERE I GO AGAIN, STRUGGLING TO STEER WITH ONE HAND AND SHIFTING WITH THE OTHER, AT TIMES THROUGH VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. MY CAR IS A STANDARD SHIFT. IT HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO CROSS LANES WILE STEERING WITH ONE HAND AT THE SAME TIME YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS DURING HEAVY AND SLOW TRAFFIC. I AM BEGINNING TO SUFFER SHOULDER AND NECK PAIN WHICH COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM. I CALLED GM ON THIS ISSUE BUT THE GM REP. SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE POWER STEERING RECALL, ONLY RECALLED FOR IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT IF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND POWER STEERING ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER MODELS, MY 2006 HHR SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED FOR IGNITION SWITCH AND THE POWER STEERING ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615879

120,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615592

52,889 miles · Jul 22, 2014

Steering

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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY HHR AND ON SUNDAY THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND A GM MEDIA RELEASE RELATING TO THE POWER STEERING. (HTTP://MEDIA.GM.COM/MEDIA/US/EN/GM/NEWS.DETAIL.HTML/CONTENT/PAGES/NEWS/US/EN/2014/MAR/0331-POWER-STEERING.HTML) I CHECKED WITH A COUPLE OF LOCAL DEALERSHIPS AND WAS ADVISED THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL. IN THE MEDIA RELEASE IT CLEARLY STATES THAT "IN ADDITION, 309,160 NON-TURBOCHARGED CHEVROLET HHRS FROM THE 2006-2008 MODEL YEARS (AND SEVERAL HUNDRED 2009 MODELS) AND 96,324 SATURN IONS FROM THE 2003 MODEL YEAR THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THESE RECALLS WILL BE GIVEN LIFETIME WARRANTIES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR." EVEN THOUGH MY HHR IS A NON-TURBO 2006 MODEL, AND MY POWER STEERING IS NON-OPERABLE (HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY CASH PAYMENT BY ME) AS DESCRIBED IN THE MEDIA RELEASE, FOR WHATEVER REASON I'M NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW VIN #'S ARE SELECTED FOR A RECALL, BUT I FEEL SINCE MY VEHICLE APPARENTLY FALLS UNDER THE PERIMETERS OF THE RECALL WHY IS IT NOT INCLUDED. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AS I AM ON A LOW FIXED INCOME. REGARDS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615285

55,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014

Steering

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DRIVING DOWN THE I-80 AT 75 MILES PER HOUR. WENT TO PULL OUT TO PASS A SEMI TRUCK, ALARM WENT OFF, POWER STEERING SHOWED ON DRIVERS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. AS I TRIED TO MOVE BACK INTO SLOWER LANE I NOTICED I HAD NO POWER STEERING. AT FIRST EXIT I PULLED OFF . TURN CAR OFF. AFTER A SHIRT BREAK RESTARTED CAR TO TRY TO MAKE IT 20 MILES TO HOME THINKING POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY GONE. TO MY SURPRISE IT WAS WORKING AGAIN. DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES OUT AGAIN SO I JUST KEEP GOING TO HOME. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY STATED I AM NOT PART OF THE RECALL ISSUED ON HHR'S BUT I KNOW THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615131

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2014

Electrical System

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LETTER FROM SENATOR RUBIO ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING ISSUES WITH HIS 2006 CHEVROLET HHR; HE IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LOST BILLING TIME AND REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL OF THE HHR CHEVROLET; ATTN: JASON TEAMAN. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ENCOUNTERED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. MANY OF THE PROBLEMS WERE RELATED TO THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, WHERE THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, OR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THERE WERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO, WHERE IT WOULD TURN ON BY ITSELF. ALSO, THE LIGHTS AND WINDOWS DID NOT WORK. *JB UPDATED 04/13/15.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10614448

Official recalls

14V171000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 10, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Feb 10, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Electrical System:ignition:switch

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

08V444000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 3, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 296,422 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE DOOR ON THE STORAGE BIN IN THE TOP CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AS REQUIRED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: A REDESIGNED LATCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

08V046000 · Air Bags

Jan 30, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 181,516 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF RAIL AIR BAGS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' IN TESTS, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENERGY-ABSORBING PLASTIC PIECE TO THE HEADLINER TRIM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.