NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
231 reportsClear category filter77,000 miles · Jun 15, 2016
Air BagsSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 10-25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 10-25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND EPS MOTOR CONTROLLER UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED FOR SOME REASON, THE DESCRIBED FAILURES WERE ANNOUNCED AS RECALLS ON OTHER 2010 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES, BUT NOT THIS MAKE/ MODER, ACCORDING TO THE VIN. THE POWER STEERINGG LOCKED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND MADE DRIVING CONDITIONS VERY DANGEROUS. AS WELL AS IF THE AIRBAG HAD OPENED AT ANYTIME, WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO MALFUNCTIONS LOCKING/UNLOCKING DOORS AND OPENING/ CLOSING WINDOWS, AND THE VEHICLE SKIPS AT SPEEDS 10-40 MPH. UPDATED 6/11/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #10874465
80,120 miles · May 4, 2016
Steering
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS..STARTED RANDOMLY BUT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE..CAN DRIVE APPROX. 1 MILE EACH TIME WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER ASSIST FAILS....DEALER INFORMS ME MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL...THIS STARTED HAPPENING SHORTLY AFTER BREAKING 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE...THE MILE…
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POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS..STARTED RANDOMLY BUT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE..CAN DRIVE APPROX. 1 MILE EACH TIME WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER ASSIST FAILS....DEALER INFORMS ME MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL...THIS STARTED HAPPENING SHORTLY AFTER BREAKING 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE...THE MILEAGE SEEMS TO BE CONCURRENT WITH MOST OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM..I AM LEARY OF DEALER REPAIRING THIS AS THEY TOLD ME TO CHECK MY POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT USE POWER STEERING FLUID.
NHTSA ODI #10863040
68,500 miles · Apr 14, 2016
Steering
TAKATA RECALL 2010 CHEVY HHR LOOSES POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON 4/8/2016 AND 4/13/2016. NHTSA ISSUED RECALL BULLETIN 14115B JULY 2014 BUT LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS IT DOES NOT AFFECT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE SINCE IT DOES NOT COME UP WHEN VIN IS SEARCHED.
NHTSA ODI #10855535
116,687 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Steering
MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR BAD POWER STEERING MOTOR AND IT HAS BROKE AGAIN AND DEALER WANTS ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS I WAS JUST DRIVING TO WORK THAT MORNING AND THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN AND NO WARNING LIGHTS THE LASTIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR HAD 84,117 MILES
NHTSA ODI #10849590
161,100 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Steering
STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP. CAR IS VERY,VERY,VERY HARD TO STEER. POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT ANY TIME AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED ,02/15/2016, AND COMPLAINED ABOUT POWER STEERING LOCK UP.
NHTSA ODI #10837587
80,000 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE VIN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10837536
70,000 miles · Feb 14, 2016
Steering
STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING IN PLACE AS IT SHOULD WHEN YOU PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY, BUT THEN THE STEERING REMAINS LOCKED WHEN YOU INSERT THE KEY AND ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR. THE WHEELS ARE NOT IN A TURNED POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN IT'S APPROPRIATE POSITION. IT TAKES WIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL AS M…
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STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING IN PLACE AS IT SHOULD WHEN YOU PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY, BUT THEN THE STEERING REMAINS LOCKED WHEN YOU INSERT THE KEY AND ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR. THE WHEELS ARE NOT IN A TURNED POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN IT'S APPROPRIATE POSITION. IT TAKES WIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL AS MUCH AS YOU CAN UNTIL THE KEY CATCHES TO GET IT TO START. THE KEY WILL COMPLETELY TURN TO THE "ON" POSITION, BUT IF THAT STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED THERE IS NO CONNECTION AND THE STEERING MUST BE WIGGLED UNTIL THE KEY ENGAGES. ALSO, THE STEERING DOES NOT RESPOND AS WELL AS IT DID BEFORE THE 1ST RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT FEELS AS IF THE WHEELS ARE NOT RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT'S HARDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND STAY IN MY LANE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL ON THE STEERING THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED BUT IT IS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #10826100
85,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL PULSATED AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THE POWER STEERING AFTER SWITCHING TO A DIFFERENT KEY. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL PULSATED AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH THE POWER STEERING AFTER SWITCHING TO A DIFFERENT KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10811400
62,000 miles · Dec 3, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON EVERY OCCASION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON EVERY OCCASION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.....UPDATED 01/13/16 *BF UPDATED 01/22/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10808161
150,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10806570
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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