NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
231 reportsClear category filter502,325 miles · Dec 7, 2012
Steering
I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 29 OTHER NOTED COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, HAVE HAD. POWER STEERING WORKS FINE ONE MINUTE THEN WARNING CHIME SOUNDS, POWER STEERING MSG. APPEARS AT THE SAME TIME STEERING GOES OUT. I HAVE TO RESET IT BY TURNING OFF AND ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. SOME TIMES IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES IN A DAY,…
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I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 29 OTHER NOTED COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, HAVE HAD. POWER STEERING WORKS FINE ONE MINUTE THEN WARNING CHIME SOUNDS, POWER STEERING MSG. APPEARS AT THE SAME TIME STEERING GOES OUT. I HAVE TO RESET IT BY TURNING OFF AND ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. SOME TIMES IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES IN A DAY, TO NOTHING FOR A FEW MONTHS. I WAS KINDA HOPING THE PROBLEM FIXED ITSELF, BUT HAH, WISHFUL THINKING ON MY PART, CAUSE IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS RECALLED?? I REALLY LIKE THE CAR OTHERWISE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487717
50,000 miles · Nov 6, 2012
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APP. 70-75 MILES PER HOUR IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE POWER STEERING TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER AND PARK. I SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE CAR BUT COULD FIND NOTHING OBVIOUS. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT OFF-RAMP THE …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APP. 70-75 MILES PER HOUR IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE POWER STEERING TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER AND PARK. I SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE CAR BUT COULD FIND NOTHING OBVIOUS. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR TO DRIVE TO THE NEXT OFF-RAMP THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. THE PROBLEM REPEATED 3 MORE TIMES THAT TRIP. SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING ALWAYS CORRECTS THE PROBLEM. SINCE THAN WE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. NO PATTERN AS TO WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483547
49,500 miles · Oct 29, 2012
Steering
YESTERDAY MORNING COMING HOME FROM CHURCH OUR 2010 HHR POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AND THANK GOD NO ONE WAS COMING IN THE OTHER LANE. IN THE MIDST OF THE TURN THE WARNING BELL SOUNDED AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED "POOR STEERING", NO OTHER WARNINGS BEFOREHAND. AND ALL POWER STEERING WAS GONE. IT WILL COMEBA…
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YESTERDAY MORNING COMING HOME FROM CHURCH OUR 2010 HHR POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AND THANK GOD NO ONE WAS COMING IN THE OTHER LANE. IN THE MIDST OF THE TURN THE WARNING BELL SOUNDED AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED "POOR STEERING", NO OTHER WARNINGS BEFOREHAND. AND ALL POWER STEERING WAS GONE. IT WILL COMEBACK FOR A FEW SECONDS IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT GOES RIGHT BACK OUT EVERYTIME. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO FIND I AM NOT ALONE, 1000?S OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED AND HAD THIS SAME EXACT EXPERIENCE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED, DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? MY WHOLE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED (ME, MY HUSBAND, OUR 17 YEAR OLD SON, AND 2 GRANDBABIES!) WE TOOK THE CAR IN TODAY (10-29-12) TO BE LOOKED AT (THAT COST $85.00) AND THEY SAID THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT WILL BE ANOTHER $250.00! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482551
53,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Steering
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON, AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY FOR THE LAST FOUR DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482288
65,289 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE CAR MAKING IT VERY HARD TO TURN. THE WARNING ALARM SOUNDED AND THE WORD "POWER STEERING" LIT UP ON THE DASH PANEL. I PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT IT OFF. THE STEERING WORKED PROPERLY UPON RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480899
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
SAME ISSUES AS OTHERS. KEY WILL NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION, WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION. ISSUE IS NOTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR 2009 MODEL YEAR, BUT NOT FOR ANY OTHER MODEL YEARS. WHY NOT FOR OTHER YEARS WHEN OBVIOUSLY IT IS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME PART, OVER SEVERAL …
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SAME ISSUES AS OTHERS. KEY WILL NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION, WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION. ISSUE IS NOTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR 2009 MODEL YEAR, BUT NOT FOR ANY OTHER MODEL YEARS. WHY NOT FOR OTHER YEARS WHEN OBVIOUSLY IT IS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME PART, OVER SEVERAL OF THEIR MODELS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480089
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2012
Steering
BECOMES HARD TO STEER. ?FUSE---2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479278
45,500 miles · Oct 6, 2012
Steering
MY POWER STEERING JUST CUTS OUT FOR NO REASON,,ANY TIME IT WANTS TO,,FIRST THE CHIME GOES OFF AND THAN THE DASH READS ( POWER STEERING ) AS THE STEERING GET HARD AS A ROCK TO TURN ,,,IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE POWER COMES BACK,,,SOMETIMES FOR DAYS SOMETIMES FOR MINUTES AFTER 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THIS …
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MY POWER STEERING JUST CUTS OUT FOR NO REASON,,ANY TIME IT WANTS TO,,FIRST THE CHIME GOES OFF AND THAN THE DASH READS ( POWER STEERING ) AS THE STEERING GET HARD AS A ROCK TO TURN ,,,IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE POWER COMES BACK,,,SOMETIMES FOR DAYS SOMETIMES FOR MINUTES AFTER 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THIS FIXED...OF COURSE THE PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN,,,WITH MY LUCK IT ONLY HAPPENS AT NIGHT WHEN THE DEALER IS CLOSED,,AND I AM NOT ABOUT TO LEAVE IT OUTSIDE RUNNING ALL NIGHT. THIS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHEN ITS ABOUT TO GO POWERLESS ,,,ON THE HIGHWAY ,,WHILE MAKING A TURN IN TRAFFIC,,,THERE IS NO REASON IN ANYONE MIND THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE OR IS IT THAT SOMEONE HAS TO DIE FIRST BEFORE ANYONE GETS UP AND DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478814
36,444 miles · Sep 30, 2012
Steering
I WAS COMING HOME AND HEARD A CHIME, THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, WORKED FOR A FEW MINUTES, LONG ENOUGH SO I COULD PARK IT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRED IT UNDER W…
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I WAS COMING HOME AND HEARD A CHIME, THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, WORKED FOR A FEW MINUTES, LONG ENOUGH SO I COULD PARK IT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS THANKFUL FOR THAT, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER CAR OWNERS THAT DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND MAY BE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A MUCH FASTER SPEED WHEN THE POWER STEERING SHUTS DOWN. THERE SHOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL ON THIS DEFECT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477995
50,100 miles · Sep 29, 2012
Steering
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE CAR AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS. YOU CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND THE STEERING COMES BACK, BUT 15 SECONDS LATER IT GOES OUT. CANADA HAS A RECALL ON THE SAME ISSUE WHY DO NOT WE. ALSO THE SAME PART IS IN THE CHEVY COBALT AND THAT IS RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10477977
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 ↗
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