464 of the 1,367 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet HHR are about the steering — 34% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
464
Complaints
19
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
While replacing 3 motor mounts, engine oil pan,transmission oil pan, also CV axles, wheel bearings needed replaced. When i got my car back the power steering wasn't working. My mechanic said there was a recall for my year, make and model for the power steering assist. I haven't gotten this fixed yet due to lack of funds . I am filling this out to see if is recalled.
NHTSA complaint #11663581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.
NHTSA complaint #11629295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The (EPS) system in my 2006 Chevy HHR has experienced multiple malfunctions. The power steering suddenly cuts out without warning while driving at both low and high speeds, making it extremely difficult to steer, especially when attempting to turn or change lanes. This failure happens intermittently, and the EPS motor is suspected to be the root cause. I have replaced fuses and relays, but the issue persists. This system is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction poses a severe risk to my safety and the safety of others. When the power steering fails, it becomes nearly impossible to turn the vehicle, which is especially hazardous during routine maneuvers such as lane changes or turns at intersections. The sudden loss of steering capability, especially at higher speeds, has left me vulnerable to potential collisions. Given the unpredictability of the issue, it could easily lead to a fatal accident if it occurs while navigating tight curves or avoiding road hazards. The problem has been confirmed by a certified mechanic, who validated that the power steering system is malfunctioning and recognized the danger it poses. The mechanic advised that this issue is prevalent in vehicles of this make and model & suggested filing a formal complaint to prompt further investigation by the manufacturer. To date, the veh has been thoroughly examined by an independent service center. They confirmed the malfunction of the EPS system but were unable to fully resolve the issue through standard repairs like fuse or relay replacements. A "Power Steering" message illuminates on the dashboard. A few seconds later, the power steering system fails completely, leaving the vehicle almost impossible to control. These warnings have been intermittent, but their frequency has increased over time. The first occurrence was about a year ago, Given the ongoing danger and prevalence of this issue among other 2006 Chevy HHR owners, I am requesting that GM initiate a formal recall.
NHTSA complaint #11614139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Power steering cuts off and very hard to steer until you turn off vehicle and turn back on but then will go out again while driving .This is very un safe when my wife is driving Kids to school.I have read that 2009-2011 has same issue and have been recalled why isn’t this one if it’s same problem .
NHTSA complaint #11595986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the key locked inside. The locksmith assisted the contact with entering the vehicle. The contact stated that it was difficult to pull out of the parking space due to a loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was driven to a local mechanic but was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.
NHTSA complaint #11579304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
while driving the car after a few miles, the door locks start going up and down, the power steering light comes on and is hard to steer, the check engine light comes on, the speedometer stops working and the tach malfunctions. the car surges while moving foward. if you shut the car off it will reset itself. once you start the car again it starts to malfunction again. one gararge owner did some tests but didn't fix the problem
NHTSA complaint #11562300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The power steering went out. Very hard and unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11558570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at various speeds and while idling. The contact stated that the failure occurred at least once every hour. The contact learned that the electronic power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,973.
NHTSA complaint #11426119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
While driving in town lost the power steering on a turn making it difficult to steer and control the car. Self explanatory for keeping control of the car. Not sure what the problem is for sure the motor or other components. There was a vehicle safety recall but I was not notified that my vehicle may have been included. Problem still exists. No inspections as no accident occurred. Got a chime when unit failure immediately when it got disabled. No warning or message before or prior to failure.
NHTSA complaint #11425858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. INVALID VIN.
NHTSA complaint #11365899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING LIGHT CAME ON CANT TURN WHEEL
NHTSA complaint #11365502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR
NHTSA complaint #11341540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED SEVERAL FUSES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. DEERY BROTHERS INC LOCATED AT 200 S. GEAR AVE, WEST BURLINGTON, IA 52655, AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #11338134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING STOPS FREQUENTLY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11316483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVY HHR LAST FEBRUARY I QAS DRIVING IT ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT SUDDENLY STARTS BEEPING SAYING POWER STEERING IT DOESNT SAY THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS YEAR BUT I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE BECAUSE IT STARTS OUT DOING IT EVER NOW AGAIN TO EVERYTIME U DRIVE IT. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS I GOT MY REPLACED WHICH WAS 200 DOLLARS BUT IM GLAD I DONT HAVE TO. GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #11315786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, ON THE INFORMATION OBDI AND I HAVE POWER STEERING. I HEARD IS A RECALLED ON THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11303051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND I CAN NOT TURN.POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE APPEAR IN THE DASH PANEL. THIS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE I'M DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #11255688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHEN DRIVING MY POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF AND THE LIGHT POPS ON HOWEVER WHEN I TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKS AGAIN FOR A FEW MINUTES. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND TURNED AND IT SHUT OFF AND I ALMOST HIT A POLE BECAUSE OF THIS THANK GOD MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS NOT WITH ME THIS TIME
NHTSA complaint #11252619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I WAS HEADING OUT TO MY CAR AND TRIED TO REMOTE START MY CAR AND IT DID T WORK AND I TRIED IT TWICE AND THEN GOT IN MY CAR AND NOTICE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER STEERING CAME ON AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND BEGAN MOVING AND I STOPPED AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN IT WAS HARD TO TURN AND HAD TO USE TO HANDS AND I DID RESEARCH AND THIS A KNOW PROBLEM AND THE REMOTES AND THIS POWER STEERING ISSUE SHOULD BE RECALLED OR IT MAY HURT OR KILL SOMEONE
NHTSA complaint #11228664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN AND DANGEROUSLY WENT INTO MANUAL MODE. UPON STOPPING AND STARTING THE P.S. WORKED FOR 5 MINUTES THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN. ONLY 151K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11220455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING IF I PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF THEN BACK ON POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK ON BUT ONLY FOR A COUPLE MINUTED
NHTSA complaint #11219609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CUTS OUT INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11206978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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POWER TESTING MOTOR CAN FAIL RANDOMLY AND AT ANY TIME CAUSING THE CAR TO REVERT TO MANUAL STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASING CHANCES OF A CRASH. DEFECTIVE IS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR CONTROLLER AND OR THE TORQUE ANGLE SENSOR! WIFE WAS MID-TURN WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED AND SHE ALMOST RAN INTO A TREE. 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED WHILE SHE WASN'T IN A TURN.
NHTSA complaint #11192920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING POWER STEERING TO SHUT OFF WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. ALL MODELS BUT HHR WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE
NHTSA complaint #11192256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE, WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF, IT RESETS ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND NOW MY MECHANIC READ THE CODES AND IT SAID TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN
NHTSA complaint #11187333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING KEEPS "CLICKING OFF" SEEMS LIKE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT THERE ARE NO FUSES BLOWN. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF THE POWER STEERING WILL RESET BUT AS SOON AS I TURN IT BACK ON THE POWER STEERING WILL TURN OFF AGAIN. IT QUIT FOR AWHILE BUT NOW ITS BACK IN FULL FORCE. I BASICALLY HAVE NO POWER STEERING NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11171021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I HAVE HAD A TERRIBLE TIME WITH THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 CHEVY HHR. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THERE IS NO APPARENT CAUSE. THESE CHANGES FROM WORKING TO NOT WORKING AND BACK CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AT ANY SPEED. FORTUNATELY I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO WRESTLE WITH IT AND STEER IT MANUALLY SO FAR. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ABOUT IT BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR IT. THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND CHARGED ME OVER $300, BUT THAT DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD. ALSO TWICE A MESSAGE APPEARED ABOUT REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE ENGINE HAD ALMOST NO POWER TO GET UP HILLS. I WAS CREEPING ALONG AT ABOUT 10 MPH ON A SUPER HIGHWAY. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED IT ON AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND THE ENGINE HAD NORMAL POWER AGAIN. ALSO THE DOOR LOCK LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN I'M DRIVING. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE PROBLEMS CAN'T BE DIAGNOSED UNLESS THEY SEE IT ACTING UP. OF COURSE IT DOESN'T DO THESE THINGS WHEN IT IS IN THE SHOP. I AM REALLY DISGUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #11150306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WARNING SOUND COMES ON AND POWER STEERING GOES ACROSS THE DIGITAL DASH SAYING POWER STEERING THEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT. SOME ONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED UNLESS IT'S RECALLED. HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IF THE SAME THING. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR 3 WEEKS AGO. I CARRY 3 KIDS WITH ME
NHTSA complaint #11141438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
EVERY COUPLE WEEKS WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, THERE WILL BE A DING SOUND WITH A MESSAGE INDICATING POWER STEERING FAILURE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND KEEP TURNING IT ON AND OFF. EVENTUALLY IT SEEMS TO RESET ITSELF AND WORK AGAIN. I CANNOT STEER IT AT ALL WHEN IT FAILS AND IS AT TIMES HARD TO GET OFF THE ROAD IN TIME BEFORE IT LOCKS UP. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I HAVE TO DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY TO GET TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11121809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
MY 2006 HHR LOST POWER STEERING. THE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO STEER IT. EVERYTIME I CUT IT ALL OFF AND CRANK IT BACK UP THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND I CAN DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE TO 5 MINUTES USUALLY IN THE LIGHT SAYING POWER STEERING WILL COME ON AND THE STEERING ISSUE WILL OCCUR AGAIN. I LOVE MY HHR AND THIS IS MY FIRST CHEVROLET PRODUCT BUT I REALLY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT AFTER MUCH MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THE HHR AS WELL AS OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES HAVE HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINT. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEY WOULD LOSE ALL POWER STEERING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A COST THAT US WHO HAVE PURCHASED AND PUT OUR TRUST OF SAFETY INTO CHEVROLET TO HAVE TO BARE. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN ACTUALLY LEAD TO VEHICLE FATALITIES DUE TO THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE POWER STEERING DUE TO IT BEING A KNOWN FACT BASED ON VERY MUCH RESEARCH AND COMPLAINTS FROM SO MANY OWNERS. THIS FACT SHOWS AND PROVES THAT IT IS THE FAULT OF THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED OR BUILT OR FAULTY PARTS USED BY CHEVROLET/GM. PLEASE CONSIDER THE DANGER THAT THIS FAULT CAN CAUSE TO OWNERS AND DO A RECALL TO HAVE THESE ISSUES REPAIRED SO THAT IT DOESN'T END UP CAUSING MORE DAMAGE OR TAKING A LIFE BECAUSE SOMEONE LOSES CONTROL OF THERE CHEVROLET DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. THANK YOU, [XXX] FROM HALIFAX VIRGINIA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11118714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.