NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
231 reportsClear category filter25,557 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,557. UPDATED 05/06/14 MA UPDATED 05/09/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10574910
43,000 miles · Mar 6, 2014
Power TrainSteering
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, NO NOISE OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM THEN POWER STEERING INDICATOR CAME ON. NO POWER STEERING. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. EVERYTHING WAS INTACT. GOT BACK IN, STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. MAYBE 2 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD AND GOT THE POWER STEERING WARNING AGAIN. POWER STEERING WA…
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, NO NOISE OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM THEN POWER STEERING INDICATOR CAME ON. NO POWER STEERING. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. EVERYTHING WAS INTACT. GOT BACK IN, STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. MAYBE 2 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD AND GOT THE POWER STEERING WARNING AGAIN. POWER STEERING WAS GONE AGAIN. 4 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE-WOULD LIKE TO SEE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567720
63,000 miles · Feb 28, 2014
SteeringCrash
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR HIT A CURB BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. STARTED DRIVING HOME AND WITH IN 5 MILES IT HAPPENED AGAIN. DROVE IT DIRECT…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR HIT A CURB BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. STARTED DRIVING HOME AND WITH IN 5 MILES IT HAPPENED AGAIN. DROVE IT DIRECT TO THE MECHANIC. THEY SAID IT WAS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566550
68,527 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Steering
POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY GOES OFF WITHOUT WARNING. RESETS AFTER TURNING CAR OFF BUT GOES OUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. CONTACTED CHEVROLET FOR INFORMATION ON RECALL SINCE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THERE ISN'T ANY AVAILABLE. COBALT HAD RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND HHR HAVE THE SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR. T…
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POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY GOES OFF WITHOUT WARNING. RESETS AFTER TURNING CAR OFF BUT GOES OUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. CONTACTED CHEVROLET FOR INFORMATION ON RECALL SINCE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. THEY SAID THERE ISN'T ANY AVAILABLE. COBALT HAD RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND HHR HAVE THE SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565913
60,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrash
POWER STEERING UNIT WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. PULLED HHR OVER TO THE CURB TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND DAMAGED TIRE ON CURB. CAR VERY HARD TO STEER AND COULD NOT CONTROL WHEN PULLING VEHICLE OFF ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY FOR MY WIFE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE UPPER ARM STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE…
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POWER STEERING UNIT WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. PULLED HHR OVER TO THE CURB TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND DAMAGED TIRE ON CURB. CAR VERY HARD TO STEER AND COULD NOT CONTROL WHEN PULLING VEHICLE OFF ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY FOR MY WIFE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE UPPER ARM STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SAME POWER STEERING UNIT IN THE CHEVY CRUZE AND PONTIAC G6 HAS BEEN RECALLED. DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE HHR HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SAME PROBLEM REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BY MANY OTHER OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564653
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2014
Steering
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 35 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WHEN I FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT WORKS BUT FOR ONLY ABOUT 10-20 SECONDS THEN GOES OFF AGAIN. IT IS INFURIATING THAT IT ISN'T COVERED IN MY WARRANTY. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564197
35,000 miles · Feb 8, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering
ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN THE 3YR/36,000MILE WARRANTY, THE ESC AND ANTILOCK TEMPORARILY WENT OUT WITH DASHBOARD NOTIFICATION. NO ESC PROBLEMS SINCE, SO IT WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE A POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT ONLY OCCURRED ONCE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AT 35,000 MILES. NOW, AT 40,000, THE PROBLEM HA…
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ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN THE 3YR/36,000MILE WARRANTY, THE ESC AND ANTILOCK TEMPORARILY WENT OUT WITH DASHBOARD NOTIFICATION. NO ESC PROBLEMS SINCE, SO IT WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE A POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT ONLY OCCURRED ONCE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AT 35,000 MILES. NOW, AT 40,000, THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED SO THE POWER STEERING FAILS EVERY TRIP. THE CAR STEERS HARD WHEN THIS OCCURS, OBVIOUSLY. RESTARTING THE CAR RESOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563496
85,400 miles · Feb 7, 2014
Steering
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON THE DASH AS I AM DRIVING. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY, BUT AFTER READING SEVERAL WEBSITES I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL ISSUED. ONCE I TURN OFF THE CAR, AND TURN IT BACK ON THE STEERING WHEEL SOFTENS FROM ITS PRE…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON THE DASH AS I AM DRIVING. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY, BUT AFTER READING SEVERAL WEBSITES I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL ISSUED. ONCE I TURN OFF THE CAR, AND TURN IT BACK ON THE STEERING WHEEL SOFTENS FROM ITS PREVIOUS RIGID STATE. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT MIGHT OCCUR AND THAT IS DISTURBING. THROUGH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS THE SAME SYSTEM THAT IS IN THE CHEVY COBALT AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED, SO WHY NOT THE HHR? IT APPEARS THAT A LOT OF CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS AND WE NEED CORRECTIVE ACTION!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563376
42,000 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN ADDITION TO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION WITH FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN ADDITION TO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION WITH FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10562932
100,000 miles · Jan 17, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE WAS POWERED ON. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST ALSO FAILED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY ONCE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE ENGINE WAS POWERED ON. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST ALSO FAILED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY ONCE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 2/26/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10560396
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
Mar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗