Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2007 Chevrolet Hhr submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 424 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 424, in the owner's own words
Power steering went out while I was driving and it put me in danger and other drivers because it was hard to control the vehicle, the steering wheel was really tough to turn. The vehicle wasn't inspected by a professional because the problem just occurred.
Power steering lights up and I am unable to turn the steering wheel. When I shut the motor down and start back up, the steering starts working again. This has been doing this for about 4 years now. I took it to White Allen Chevrolet when it first started happening and they told me that they drove it around and that it did not happen while they test drove the car. It happens intermittingly. I never know when it is going to happen. When it first started, it only happened about once every six months or so. Now it is happening every time I am in the car. Sometimes when I pull out onto a street and into traffic the power steering light comes on and I have to find a spot to get off the street so that I can turn the motor off and restart the engine. Today 09/18/2025, it cut off 3 times. I am checking to see if there is a recall on this model for the power steering. I have found out that it does not use power steering fluid but that it has a motor under the steering wheel that controls the power steering.
My power steering keeps going out. It randomly makes it hard to turn which could cause a crash. It's common in other hhr models, mine has not been inspected personally yet. It has a chime and then the console says "power steering". There were no signs before it started. It goes away when you restart the car but will come back randomly. I was advised by an auto repair place to replace the battery, but it didn't help.
Power steering motor went out. Went to the dealer to get special coverage 14119 ( I was aware of the issue ). Dealership refused to do work for free as stated in service bulletin. Called GM Corporate and they also said work would would not be done for free. 14119 specifically stated that power steering motor would be changed and I quote " at no cost to the customer " unquote. They want $175 just to look at my vehicle. When does the " at no cost to the customer " come in, apparently we seem to have forgotten that. I would like some legal clarification to this from the nhtsa.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while exiting the driveway of a restaurant, the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a second independent mechanic who informed the contact that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and the electrical system was burned. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
While driving, more specific while turning the powersteering goes out at any given time. It has also done this while switching lanes on the freeway.
The power steering keeps going out. This caused my 15 year old daughter to nearly run into a concrete barrier wall on her way to school. It sent her into a panic and scared the life out of her.
The power steering intermittently (but quite regularly) goes out. The "power steering" warning also comes up on the display panel on the dash. If vehicle is restarted, the power steering seems to resolve itself again but only temporarily. This problem is becoming much more frequent. This is a safety issue because without the power steering in working order, the steering wheel becomes difficult to turn and this happens not only on the road but also on the highway as well when the vehicle is going 70 miles per hour. We have not had the vehicle serviced or looked at for this issue. It has been ongoing for several months but seems to be getting worse/more frequent.
While driving the vehicle approximately 45mph, the power steering light came on the dash. While driving straight was not an issue, attempting to pull off the road was difficult. I checked owners manual which told me to take it to a dealer. This in itself was bothersome. I opened the hood and called my mechanic, who told me to check fuses. I replaced the fuse and the vehicle was fine for about 4 weeks, but once again driving 30-35 mph, the light came on the dashboard. I have saved both replaced fuses, I’m wondering after reading other reports whether the fuses are even blown? Either way, this is not a safe situation to be driving any speed without power steering. Mine is a 2007 Chevrolet HHR with approximately 163 k miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while reversing out of the driveway, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the power steering functionality did not return. They pulled the vehicle back into the driveway using manual steering and excessive force. The contact reached out to the local dealer to schedule an inspection however, the inspection was not performed due to a scheduling issue. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was firm and difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated and flashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the system was reset. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT
2007 CHEV HHR..LOST POWER STEERING. THANK GOODNESS ONLY 1 MILE FROM HOME. FORTUNATE NOT TO BE ON HIGHWAY. WHY NO RECALL FROM GM..IS SAME AUTO ON RECALL FOR IGNITION SWITCH..FIXED ON RECALL IN 2014
ADD RANDOM SPEEDS 30-80 MPH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP WITH SHUT OFF, RESULTING IN NO POWER STEERING WITH NO WARNING OTHER THAN THE LITTLE CHIME BEEP AFTER IT SHUTS OFF. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE AND I WANT REIMBURSED BY DEALERSHIP. AT TIMES I WAS DOING OVER 70 MILES AN HOUR GOING AROUND CURVES AND TURNS AND IT WOULD SHUT OFF.
MY POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT AND FLASHES A WARNING LIGHT THAT SAYS POWER STEERING THEN THE POWER STEERING TURNS OFF AND IT'S HARD TO STEER IT HAPPENS JUST GOING AROUND THE CORNER AS SOON AS I START TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL IT GOES OFF IF I TURN MY CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT COMES RIGHT BACK OFF AND I CAN DRIVE BUT THEN IT WILL COME BACK ON A LITTLE BIT LATER WHILE I'M TURNING OR WHEN I JUST START THE CAR OR IF I TRY TO BACK UP RANDOMLY IT WILL JUST COME ON UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN IT WILL GO BACK TO REGULAR BUT WILL ALWAYS GO BACK TO POWER STEERING. *TR
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT MAKING IT UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE MY 18 YEAR OLD SON WAS DRIVING AND COULD NOT STEER OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE CAUSING HIM TO WRECK AND DENTED THE CAR UP AND BUSTED THE OIL PAN LOCKING THE MOTOR UP JUST BY LUCK HE WAS NOT INJURED WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME AND IT HAS SAT HERE CAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW MOTOR I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS WHOLE ORDEAL I'VE BEEN OUT A LOT OF MONEY AND HAVE NO VEHICLE NOW PLUS MY SON WAS VERY TRAUMATIZED OVER THE WHOLE MATTER I TRULY LOVED THIS CAR NOW IT'S JUST WASTING AWAY AND I'M OUT A LOT OF MONEYNOT TO MENTION HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLING UP AND DOWN AND THE STEREO JUST QUIT WORKING AND THE BATTERIES I PUT IN IT KEPT GOING DEAD I'M TRULY UPSET OVER THIS
WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WILL STOP OPERATING AND THE CAR MUST BE STEERED MANUALLY. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS MAY HAPPEN AND SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN MANY TIMES IN ONE DAY AND OTHER TIMES WE MAY DRIVE SEVERAL DAYS WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN TRAVELING ON A 2-LANE ROADWAY FOR MYSELF BUT EVEN MORE SO FOR MY WIFE. THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES BY BOTH THE NHTSA AND GENERAL MOTORS YET NO HELP IS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
DRIVING AND POWER STEERING RANDOMLY QUITS WORKING BEEN HAPPENING FOR 5 DAYS.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT SECONDS AFTER THE WHEELS START ROLLING. IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER AFTER THAT. TURNS R CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE UNLESS YOU ARE GOING A DECENT SPEED. PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK OR NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING IT OFF THEN BACK ON AGAIN WILL RESET THE STEERING AND IT BUYS YOU A FEW SECOND OF EASY TURNING BEFORE U HEAR A CLICK NOSE UNDER THE DASH AND ASSISTANCE IS GONE. THIS IS A HAZARD TO THE PERSON DRIVING AND ANY VEHICLE OR PERSONS AROUND WHILE TURNING.
THE HHR IS IN MOTION AT RANDOM SPEEDS, TEMPERATURE, LOCATION, ETC. AND THE DIC LIGHT FOR "POWER STEERING" COMES ON. WE HAVE CHANGED THE APPROPRIATE FUSES (UNDER THE HOOD AND PASSENGER SIDE CENTER PANEL) AND STILL HAVE SAME RESULT-NO POWER STEERING. WE HAVE CHECKED THE PLUGS/CONNECTORS ON THE STEERING COLUMN HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR ANY LOOSE CONNECTIONS OR BROKEN CONNECTORS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING INTO A CURVE AND IT SHUTS OFF. WE CHECKED THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD AS WELL. WHILE WE HAVE POWER STEERING, THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY TOUCHY AND HARD TO DRIVE IN A SAFE MANNER. NOW, OUR LEFT TURN SIGNAL WILL SOMETIMES STAY ON AFTER THE TURN IS COMPLETE AND WON'T CLICK OFF. WE LOVE OUR CAR BUT THIS IS GETTING TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AS WE USE IT TO AS A FAMILY CAR WITH KIDS.
POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILS DURING NORMAL DRIVING WITHIN 100 YARDS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT YET DUE TO THIS PROBLEM.
I HAVE A 2007 CHEVY HHR LT SEDAN. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVING FINE UP UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MAYBE A BIT LONGER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED IT AND IT DROVE FINE FOR A DAY OR SO. NOW, IT IS BECOMING WORSE! I RAN A SHORT ERRAND YESTERDAY AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR NO LESS THAN 8 TIMES. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP HERE AND WAS TOLD IT WASN'T ON THE RECALL LIST. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $130 AND HOUR JUST FOR DIAGNOSTIC WORK. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT ONE EVENING WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD NO PLACE TO PULL OVER AND HAD TO TURN INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. THIS ISN'T JUST A COSMETIC OR TRIVIAL PROBLEM! SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED OR BADLY INJURED. CHEVY/GMC NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS.
WHILE DRIVING ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING ASSIST QUIT WORKING AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING" APPEARED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER SCREEN. LATER I DISCOVERED THAT SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT RESTORED THE POWER ASSIST.
ELECTRIC STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT . WORKS 5 MINS THEN TURN THE CAR OFF TRY AGAIN WORLD 5 MINS AND GOES OUT AGAIN. SNATCHED US OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. CAN'T TURN STEERING WHEEL
INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE LAST TWO DAYS WHILE DRIVING HOME THE POWER ASSIST WENT OUT ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING HOME. STANDARD FREEWAY SPEED. HOT DAY 95 TO 100 DEGREES. THE FIRST DAY I REPLACED THE FUSE STEERING WORKED. TODAY IT WENT OUT AT THE EXACT PLACE ROUGHLY 20 MINUTES DRIVING. VERY FRIGHTENING ALTHOUGH I WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF THE ROAD. TODAY. THE CAR SAT FOR 30 MINUTES AND TO MY SURPRISE IT STARTED WITH UP WITH POWER STEERING. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY MY YEAR WAS PART OF THE RECALL IN CANADA BUT NOT THE US. PEOPLES LIFE ARE AT STAKE AND THE BURDEN OF THIS REPAIR IR REPLACEMENT SHOULD FALL TO THE MANUFACTURE INCIDENT DATES THUS FAR 6/10/19 AND 6/11/19
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .