NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
424 reportsClear category filter98,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING. SAME UNIT WAS USED IN CHEVY COBALT AND SATURN ION WHICH WAS RECALLED BY NHTSA BUT YOU FAILED TO INCLUDE HHR OWERS WHO HAVE THE EXACT SAME UNIT IN THEIR VEHICLES WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET IT RIGHT. GOOGLE HHR STEERING FAILS ON INTERNET. WE WERE ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING…
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POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING. SAME UNIT WAS USED IN CHEVY COBALT AND SATURN ION WHICH WAS RECALLED BY NHTSA BUT YOU FAILED TO INCLUDE HHR OWERS WHO HAVE THE EXACT SAME UNIT IN THEIR VEHICLES WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET IT RIGHT. GOOGLE HHR STEERING FAILS ON INTERNET. WE WERE ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE HHR WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED. DO YOUR JOB. MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524355
87,500 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY FAILED AT LOW SPEEDS, AND DID NOT RESUME WORKING WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522303
45,900 miles · Jun 23, 2013
SteeringInjury
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CUT OUT AND I INJURED MY SHOULDER TRYING TO KEEP CAR ON THE ROAD. GM HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM REPORTED WITH THIS MODEL BUT HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT DID NOT SEND A WARNING , RECALL, OR EXTEND THE WARRANTY LIKE THEY HAVE DONE ON OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I CHANGED THE FUSE AND STILL HAVING THE …
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THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CUT OUT AND I INJURED MY SHOULDER TRYING TO KEEP CAR ON THE ROAD. GM HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM REPORTED WITH THIS MODEL BUT HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT DID NOT SEND A WARNING , RECALL, OR EXTEND THE WARRANTY LIKE THEY HAVE DONE ON OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I CHANGED THE FUSE AND STILL HAVING THE ISSUE. HAD TO STOP EVERY 30 MILES SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTART TO GET HOME THAT DAY. IT WAS EXTREMELY STRESSFUL DRIVING AND NOT KNOWING IF IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN . OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE WARNED BY GM , I AM LUCKY IT WAS NOT MUCH WORSE , ONLY MY SHOULDER . MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED . WAITING FOR FATAL INJURIES OR DEBILITATING INJURIES BEFORE FIXING A SERIOUS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE ACCEPTABLE, BUT THE COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521248
60,000 miles · Jun 16, 2013
Steering
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH OUR 1 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT FOR MY HUSBAND TO TURN. WE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE PANEL CAME ON AGAIN. TODAY, 6/16/13, NO LIGHT CAME ON WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR AND WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO OUR DE…
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THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH OUR 1 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT FOR MY HUSBAND TO TURN. WE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE PANEL CAME ON AGAIN. TODAY, 6/16/13, NO LIGHT CAME ON WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR AND WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO OUR DESTINATION WITHOUT INCIDENT. ON THE WAY HOME, IT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520038
42,502 miles · Jun 13, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. POWER STEERING FAILURE IS INDICATED ON DASH WHEN IT HAPPENS. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING, THE STEERING IS FINE. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519736
116,000 miles · Jun 5, 2013
Steering
I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I GOT NEW TIRES AND TOOK IT IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE RACK AND PINION MIGHT BE BAD. THE PROBLEM WAS THEY COULD NOT GET THE TIRES TO STAY STRAIGHT. WHILE THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT, T…
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I NOTICED MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I GOT NEW TIRES AND TOOK IT IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE RACK AND PINION MIGHT BE BAD. THE PROBLEM WAS THEY COULD NOT GET THE TIRES TO STAY STRAIGHT. WHILE THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT, THEY STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL (AND WHEELS) SPUN REALLY FAST ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT. THE SHOP WANTED $1000 TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION BUT I BELIEVE IT IS STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. GOT A SECOND OPINION AND THEY AGREED WITH ME. I AM NOT EXPERIENCING AN NOISES OR SHAKING. WILL TRY CHANGING OUT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR THIS WEEKEND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515221
71,005 miles · May 28, 2013
Steering
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, A WARNING CHIME CAME ON AND MY DASH READ, POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF MY CAR. I RE-STARTED MY CAR AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. I WENT HOME AND CHECKED FOR A RECALL AND NOTICE…
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WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, A WARNING CHIME CAME ON AND MY DASH READ, POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF MY CAR. I RE-STARTED MY CAR AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. I WENT HOME AND CHECKED FOR A RECALL AND NOTICED HUNDRED OF COMPLAINTS FROM THE COBALT AND THE HHR WHICH WERE USING THE SAME POWER ASSIST MOTOR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT CANADA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PART AND IS OFFERING A 10 YEAR WARRANTY. SEE LINK HTTP://WWWAPPS.TC.GC.CA/SAF-SEC-SUR/7/VRDB-BDRV/SEARCH/RECALLDETAIL.ASPX?LANG=ENG&MK=0&MD=0&FY=0&TY=9999&FT=&LS=0&SY=0&RN=2010447&CF=SEARCHRESULT. EVERY PLEASE FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH GM ESPECIALLY IF THIS WAS ALREADY RECALLED IN CANADA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513945
8,700 miles · May 13, 2013
Steering
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON THE DASH AND THE STEERING IS VERY HARD, I TURN OFF THE CAR AND BACK ON,THEN IT IS FINE, NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, DEALER SENT ME TO CHEVY DEALER WHICH SAID NO RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER REPAIR, ASKED FOR CORP NUMBER AND GOT BOGUS NUMBER WHICH IS NOT CORP NUMBER, I CA…
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WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON THE DASH AND THE STEERING IS VERY HARD, I TURN OFF THE CAR AND BACK ON,THEN IT IS FINE, NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, DEALER SENT ME TO CHEVY DEALER WHICH SAID NO RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER REPAIR, ASKED FOR CORP NUMBER AND GOT BOGUS NUMBER WHICH IS NOT CORP NUMBER, I CALLED BACK AND ASKED AGAIN AND THAT NUMBER THERE IS NEVER ANY ANSWER. HAVE ALREADY DONE THE EMAIL AND SPOKE TO REP WITH CHEVY BEFORE ON THIS AND SHE STATED THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND WOULD LET ME KNOW BUT TO BRING TO DEALER AND HAVE FIXED BUT TO KEEP RECEIPT FOR PAY BACK IF RECALL HAPPENS, IS RECALLED IN FRIENDS COBALT (SAME PART #) BUT NOT IN HHR, I HAVE NOW FILED COMPLAINT WITH BBB. I AM WOMAN AND CARRY MY SMALL GRANDKIDS IN THIS CAR EACH DAY BUT I AM GETTING STRONGER IN MY ARMS HAVING TO STEER THIS WAY. WHY IS THIS HHR NOT ON THE LEMON LIST YET? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511705
76,000 miles · May 11, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN A CURVE.I CAN TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART IT AND STEERING WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME. THESE CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN CANADA, WHY NOT IN THE USA. MAYBE IT'S POLITICAL. I HAVE BEEN TO THREE CHEVY DEALERS AND GOTTEN A DIFFE…
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POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN A CURVE.I CAN TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART IT AND STEERING WILL WORK FOR A SHORT TIME. THESE CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN CANADA, WHY NOT IN THE USA. MAYBE IT'S POLITICAL. I HAVE BEEN TO THREE CHEVY DEALERS AND GOTTEN A DIFFERENT STORY FROM EACH ONE. GM IS REPLACING THESE MOTORS IN COBALT MODELS, AND ALSO ON SOME SATURN MODELS. THIS IS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR. THE FIRST DEALER I WENT TO SAID I PROBABLY NEEDED POWER STEERING FLUID. I TOLD HIM IT WAS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR AND DID NOT USE POWER STEERING FLUID. HE WAS THE SERVICE MGR! I WAS TOLD HE WOULD CHECK WITH THE FACTORY AND CALL ME THE NEXT DAY. AFTER TWO WEEKS I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND SAW THE SAME SERVICE. MGR. HE ACTED LIKE HE DID NOT REMEMBER ME BUT SAID THEY HAD A LOT OF THESE HHR IN WITH POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. SO GO FIGURE. ANOTHER DEALER TOLD ME $1800.00 TO REPAIR. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR COST IS $107.00 AT MOST CHEVY DEALERS, PLUS INSTALLATION. YOU GET NOTHING BUT B/S FROM DEALERS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, A WOMEN OR OLD PERSON COULD NOT STEER THESE CARS WHEN POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING.!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511514
75,000 miles · May 8, 2013
Steering
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, CAUSING ME TO MANUALLY PULL MY CAR OVER. TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THEN THE CAR IS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3X TO THIS POINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511185
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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