NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
424 reportsClear category filter78,500 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Steering
ON SUNDAY JULY 27 2014 ON A VERY CURVY ROAD, THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING., THERE WAS WARNING DONG, THEN A MESSAGE, "POWER STEERING" LUCKY WE WERE DRIVING SLOW. THERE ARE BIG DROP OFF ON THE ROAD. AT HOME I RESTARTED THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING WORKED. I CALL MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, HE COULDN'T FIND A RECALL FOR MY CAR. …
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ON SUNDAY JULY 27 2014 ON A VERY CURVY ROAD, THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING., THERE WAS WARNING DONG, THEN A MESSAGE, "POWER STEERING" LUCKY WE WERE DRIVING SLOW. THERE ARE BIG DROP OFF ON THE ROAD. AT HOME I RESTARTED THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING WORKED. I CALL MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, HE COULDN'T FIND A RECALL FOR MY CAR. I LOOKED UP GM WEB SITE. IT STATED 2009 & 2010 WERE ON RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, " ALL OTHER 2006 THRU. 2008, NON TURBO MODELS NOT SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL WILL BE GIVEN LIFETIME WARRANTIES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR" I CONTACTED GM,THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10616774
125,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Steering
DRIVING AND HEAR BEEP TONE AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN EXTREME WEATHER EITHER HOT OR COLD BUT WILL EVENTUALLY GO OUT ANY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. LESS DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEED BUT AT LOW SPEED MAKES TURNING VERY DIFFICULT. RECALL ON 2009 AND 2010 BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY OTHER YEARS ARE NOT INCLUDED. …
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DRIVING AND HEAR BEEP TONE AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN EXTREME WEATHER EITHER HOT OR COLD BUT WILL EVENTUALLY GO OUT ANY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. LESS DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEED BUT AT LOW SPEED MAKES TURNING VERY DIFFICULT. RECALL ON 2009 AND 2010 BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY OTHER YEARS ARE NOT INCLUDED. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10616703
67,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST HAD FAILED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
NHTSA ODI #10616383
100,969 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,969.
NHTSA ODI #10616286
133,142 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Power TrainSteering
AS I WAS HEADING OUT TO WORK MY CAR DINGED POWER STEERING ON THE DIC AND BECAME VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND THE PANEL SHUT DOWN. THE PAST WEEK THE CAR WILL SURGE IN AND OUT, AS IF IT'S RACING. THE CAR HAS LOST ALL POWER STEERING TO THE VEHICLE AND IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, THIS IS JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER IT CAME OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP…
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AS I WAS HEADING OUT TO WORK MY CAR DINGED POWER STEERING ON THE DIC AND BECAME VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND THE PANEL SHUT DOWN. THE PAST WEEK THE CAR WILL SURGE IN AND OUT, AS IF IT'S RACING. THE CAR HAS LOST ALL POWER STEERING TO THE VEHICLE AND IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, THIS IS JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER IT CAME OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL FIX FOR THE IGNITION, I FIND IT VERY ODD I'VE HAD NO POWER STEERING ISSUES UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE. I ALSO CALLED GM WHO IS AWARE AND CANNOT DO ANYTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10616207
69,200 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,200.
NHTSA ODI #10615033
42,000 miles · Jul 13, 2014
Steering
I WAS DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD WITH SHARP TURNS. MY CAR BINGED A SOUND, A POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THAT INSTANT I HAD NO POWER STEERING GOING INTO A SHARP TURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610146
90,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Steering
I OWN A CHEVY HHR 2007, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON EVERYTIME I USED THE CAR SINCE APRIL 2014. BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE TURNS, I ALMOST CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT IN HIGHWAY A MONTH AGO. SO, I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE TALKING TO CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS TOLD MY CHEVY HHR 2007 ISN'T QUALIFIED FOR LIFETIME WARRAN…
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I OWN A CHEVY HHR 2007, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON EVERYTIME I USED THE CAR SINCE APRIL 2014. BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE TURNS, I ALMOST CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT IN HIGHWAY A MONTH AGO. SO, I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE TALKING TO CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS TOLD MY CHEVY HHR 2007 ISN'T QUALIFIED FOR LIFETIME WARRANTY OF POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACEMENT, WHICH IS CONFLICTED WITH THE NEWS GM RELEASED ON MARCH 31ST, 2014. THE NEWS CAN BE FOUND AT HTTP://MEDIA.GM.COM/MEDIA/US/EN/GM/NEWS.DETAIL.HTML/CONTENT/PAGES/NEWS/US/EN/2014/MAR/0331-POWER-STEERING.HTML IT STATES ON THE NEWS 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." FROM WHAT THEY SAID, MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED. BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE AGENT THAT THE POLICY HASN'T BEEN ADDED TO THE SYSTEM YET, AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WILL HAPPEN. WHICH MEANS, I, A CHEVY CONSUMER HAVE TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING MOTOR. BECAUSE OF THE OLD POLICY, AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT MY CAR WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW LIFETIME WARRANTY. I AS A DRIVER DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE STEERING MIGHT BE OUT OF THE CONTROL AGAIN, AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE GM IS BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY OF THE DRIVER/CHEVY CAR OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609558
37,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. DJR
NHTSA ODI #10609236
64,500 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Steering
I WAS TURNING MY CAR AROUND, AND AS I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO 1ST GEAR, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THAT WAS ODD. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON, POWER STEERING RETURNED. SINCE THEN THE POWER STEERING HAS CONTINUED TO GO OUT. AT THIS POINT, POWER STEERING GOES OUT EVERY SINGLE TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. MILEAGE AND SPEED DO NOT MATT…
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I WAS TURNING MY CAR AROUND, AND AS I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO 1ST GEAR, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THAT WAS ODD. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON, POWER STEERING RETURNED. SINCE THEN THE POWER STEERING HAS CONTINUED TO GO OUT. AT THIS POINT, POWER STEERING GOES OUT EVERY SINGLE TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. MILEAGE AND SPEED DO NOT MATTER. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A RECALL? I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED OR TO GET A NEW CAR. WHAT DO I DO? WILL THIS GET WORSE? ARE OTHER THINGS GOING TO GO WRONG NOW? I HAVE TO GO TO WORK AND I HAVE TO TAKE MY SON TO DAY CARE. HOW SAFE IS IT TO DRIVE THIS CAR? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10608604
Official recalls
4Apr 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.
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
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: 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
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: 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.
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> .
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> .
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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