NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
231 reportsClear category filter57,213 miles · Oct 2, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
10/1/13 AS I LEFT WORK, HEADING HOME, THE CAR DROVE FINE FOR APPROX. THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES. OUT OF NOWHERE, THE STEERING BECAME TIGHT, AS IF IT LOCKED UP. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THE CAR ALMOST INSTANTLY PRODUCED MORE HEAT, I FELT THE HEAT AROUND MY FEET AND IT CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. I LOOKED AT THE DIC PANEL…
Read full complaint
10/1/13 AS I LEFT WORK, HEADING HOME, THE CAR DROVE FINE FOR APPROX. THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES. OUT OF NOWHERE, THE STEERING BECAME TIGHT, AS IF IT LOCKED UP. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THE CAR ALMOST INSTANTLY PRODUCED MORE HEAT, I FELT THE HEAT AROUND MY FEET AND IT CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. I LOOKED AT THE DIC PANEL AND POWER STEERING WAS FLASHING. THERE WAS A SMELL AS IF THE CAR WAS BURNING. WITH FORCE, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT TO SIT. AFTER READING THROUGH THE USER MANUAL, I FOLLOWED THE SUGGESTIONS FROM THE MANUAL, TURNED THE WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT HOPING IT WOULD LOOSEN AND LETTING THE CAR SIT IDLE. AFTER ABOUT TWO HOURS OF SITTING, MY BROTHER DROVE THE CAR HOME WITH NO PROBLEM. 10/2/13 I TOOK THE CAR, EARLY MORNING, TO BE INSPECTED BY A LOCAL REPAIR COMPANY. AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS ON THE CAR, I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE DIAGNOSTICS BEGAN IMMEDIATELY POWER STEERING CONTROL CIRCUIT WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN ISSUE, THE ONLY ISSUE FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT, THAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT COULD BE THE REASON WHY ONE MINUTE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND HOURS LATER IT WORKED FINE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT NORMALLY SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS RECALLED BY THE AUTOMAKER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546481
56,500 miles · Oct 1, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. THE CAR DINGS 3 TIMES, THE CONSOLE FLASHES "POWER STEERING" AND THE CAR BECOMES VERY HEAVY AND HARD TO TURN. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON RESOLVES THE ISSUE IN THE SHORT TERM, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AT RANDOM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546357
33,500 miles · Sep 30, 2013
Steering
2010 HHR WITH 35,000 MILES, STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON AND CAR WOULDN'T STEER. STOPPED CAR AND STEERING CAME BACK ON FOR A WHILE THEN WENT OUT AGAIN. DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES OVER WEEKEND MAKING STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR STATING IT WAS OVERHEATING, PER COMPUTER. COST ME 271.00, I AM…
Read full complaint
2010 HHR WITH 35,000 MILES, STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON AND CAR WOULDN'T STEER. STOPPED CAR AND STEERING CAME BACK ON FOR A WHILE THEN WENT OUT AGAIN. DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES OVER WEEKEND MAKING STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR STATING IT WAS OVERHEATING, PER COMPUTER. COST ME 271.00, I AM RETIRED AND IT HAS PUT ME IN A FINANCIAL SQUEEZE. REASON I BOUGHT A NEW CAR TO AVOID HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS, STILL MAKING CAR PAYMENTS. DEFINITELY BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT ON THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546289
40,000 miles · Sep 30, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED WITHOUT FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED WITHOUT FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 2/11/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10546206
45,000 miles · Sep 21, 2013
Steering
FOR NO REASON THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING ,,MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER,,AFTER YOU SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT,, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON ONLY TO STOP AGAIN WHEN IT FELT LIKE IT ,,AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL AS HIGH,,IF IT WERE SNOWING OR ON SLIPPERY ROADS THIS COULD OF BEEN A MAJOR FATALITY,,,VE…
Read full complaint
FOR NO REASON THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING ,,MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER,,AFTER YOU SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT,, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON ONLY TO STOP AGAIN WHEN IT FELT LIKE IT ,,AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL AS HIGH,,IF IT WERE SNOWING OR ON SLIPPERY ROADS THIS COULD OF BEEN A MAJOR FATALITY,,,VERY UNSAFE IF CHILDREN ARE IN THE VEHICLE
NHTSA ODI #10544794
65,000 miles · Aug 29, 2013
Steering
DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT. THE PROBLEM RESET WITH A KEY CYCLE. THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT DURING THE LAST MONTH.
NHTSA ODI #10537841
53,400 miles · Aug 23, 2013
Steering
ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD SOME WARNING BEEPS AND MY INFO SCREEN SAID "POWER STEERING". MY STEERING BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO USE ESPECIALLY AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THE STEERING WORKED AGAIN. NOW IT GOES OUT EVERY SO OFTEN. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE HHR…
Read full complaint
ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD SOME WARNING BEEPS AND MY INFO SCREEN SAID "POWER STEERING". MY STEERING BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO USE ESPECIALLY AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THE STEERING WORKED AGAIN. NOW IT GOES OUT EVERY SO OFTEN. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE HHR, BUT NO RECALL YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536900
57,150 miles · Aug 19, 2013
Steering
I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON, THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CURB. NO INJURIES AND NO OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IF INEXPERIENCED DRIVER OR ELDERLY PERSON WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536216
58,000 miles · Jul 26, 2013
Steering
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS TIGHTER, AFTER EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY THE VEHICLE BECAME EVEN HARDER TO STEER. I PULLED INTO A HAS STATION CHECKED ALL THE FUSES ALL WE'RE FINE, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN, AFTER A FEW MILES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME …
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS TIGHTER, AFTER EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY THE VEHICLE BECAME EVEN HARDER TO STEER. I PULLED INTO A HAS STATION CHECKED ALL THE FUSES ALL WE'RE FINE, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN, AFTER A FEW MILES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAD 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532070
83,290 miles · Jul 23, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE IM DRIVING. IM UNABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL W/O USING ALOT OF FORCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10526379
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 ↗
Illustration