POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING. RESETS AFTER TURNING IGNITION OFF THEN BACK ON. *TR
2007 Chevrolet Hhr
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet Hhr do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 565.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Hhr years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
598 reports with mileage · 128 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 424 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
726 reportsMY 2007 CHEVY HHR HAS DEVELOPED A SUDDEN ISSUE WITH THE "POWER STEERING" SHOWING ON THE DRIVER'S DISPLAY AFTER A COUPLE OF DING SOUNDS. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOSES ALL POWER STEERING. THERE IS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, IT IS INCREDIBLY TERRIFYING, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS I WAS. ON THE FIRS…
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MY 2007 CHEVY HHR HAS DEVELOPED A SUDDEN ISSUE WITH THE "POWER STEERING" SHOWING ON THE DRIVER'S DISPLAY AFTER A COUPLE OF DING SOUNDS. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOSES ALL POWER STEERING. THERE IS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, IT IS INCREDIBLY TERRIFYING, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AS I WAS. ON THE FIRST OCCURRENCE ON MAY 3, THE LIGHT CAME ON, I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A GAS STATION AND ALLOWED THE CAR TO REST FOR NEARLY HALF AN HOUR. I THEN RESTARTED THE CAR, AND THE ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. THEN TODAY, THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND AGAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THEN BACK ON. THE CAR HAD THE WARNING LIGHT AND LOSE OF POWER STEERING HAPPEN 5 TIMES TONIGHT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,725 AND THE CURRENT MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,725 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,739.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 39,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNAB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURE TO RESET. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL OF THE FAILURE CAUSING FUTURE CRASHES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES FOR MONTHS. MY WIFE HAS BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND JUST RECENTLY MAD ME AWARE OF IT. I CONTACTED A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING ON THESE CARS BUT REQUESTED I SUPPLY A VIN # AND HE WOULD CHECK FURTHER. A LOCAL REPAIR S…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING POWER STEERING ISSUES FOR MONTHS. MY WIFE HAS BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND JUST RECENTLY MAD ME AWARE OF IT. I CONTACTED A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING ON THESE CARS BUT REQUESTED I SUPPLY A VIN # AND HE WOULD CHECK FURTHER. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP LOOKED AT THE POWER STEERING BUT HAD NO IDEA HOW TO BEGIN TO FIX IT. I SEE BY CHECK ONLINE THAT THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING MOTORS ON THE HHR. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW OR IF THIS IS BEING ADDRESSED BY G.M.? IS THE NTSB INVOLVED IN THIS AT ALL? *TR
HHR 2007 121,000 MI WARNING LIGHT POWER STEERING ASSIT FAILURE. LAMP INDICATOR LITE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, WAS ABLE TO GET TO DESTINATION. IMMEDIATELY CHECKED INTERNET CHEV 2007 HHR POWER STEERING FOUND 72 COMPLAINTS. I READ IF YOU RESTART CAR IT RESETS AND WORKS FOR AWHILE. SO IS IT BROKE OR IS IT THE COMPUTER?…
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HHR 2007 121,000 MI WARNING LIGHT POWER STEERING ASSIT FAILURE. LAMP INDICATOR LITE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, WAS ABLE TO GET TO DESTINATION. IMMEDIATELY CHECKED INTERNET CHEV 2007 HHR POWER STEERING FOUND 72 COMPLAINTS. I READ IF YOU RESTART CAR IT RESETS AND WORKS FOR AWHILE. SO IS IT BROKE OR IS IT THE COMPUTER? RESET IT SEEMS TO WORK SO HOW IS IT BROKE? OR IS IT BREAKING SLOWLY? I SEEN WHERE PEOPLE ARE REPLACING MOTOR 300 DOLLARS... COBALT SAME THING ... IS THERE CLASS ACTION SUIT BEING FILED? THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT THEN OUR FAULT AND WE PAY? CHEVOLET I HOPE YOUR TAKING NOTE OF YOUR CLIENTS CONCERNS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WOULD R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WOULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WITHIN MINUTES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. ..UPDATED 04/16/12 *BF UPDATED 04/25/12
POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AFTER SEVERAL MILES I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK AND THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIME IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS AND DAYS. TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE ... NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING MOTOR INSTALLED FOR $350.00. CHEVY COBALT RECALLED AND 1.5 MILLION OTHER CARS RECALLED AND THE HHR WAS NO…
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POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AFTER SEVERAL MILES I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK AND THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIME IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS AND DAYS. TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE ... NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING MOTOR INSTALLED FOR $350.00. CHEVY COBALT RECALLED AND 1.5 MILLION OTHER CARS RECALLED AND THE HHR WAS NOT ... SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR ... RECALLED HHR IN CANADA ... NOT USA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE KEY WOULD BECOME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE KEY WOULD BECOME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Official recalls
414V171000 · 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
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.
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> .
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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