Problems with 2006 Chevrolet HHR STEERING

I was taking my children to the dentist, so i was going to go over the mountain. i had just went through a very curvy road and was on a straight part when the power steering went out. i pulled over to see if i was leaking power steering fluid not realizing until later it is electronic. i turned the car of and back on. it was reset. i drove over the next part of the mountain slowly like 25 to 30 mph. i made it over the mountain on to the main highway. it went out again. i did the same thing pulled over turn the car off and on again. i did not get to drive but a couple of miles and it went out again. i made it to a country store and parked the car. i called my parents to see if they could come get us/ tow the car. they called the dealership who advised them that i drive the car back to them. since i could not afford to pay to have it towed, i drove to the dealership. it went out again on the trip home 2 more times. i made it to the dealership taking the long way back not over the mountain. they could not find out if my car was on a recall list for the power steering. since i am on the list for ignition problem, i am refusing to drive the car until it is fixed. my children and myself may have been killed or injured if the power steering had went out as i was driving over the mountain. where i live the roads are curvy especially the mountain i went over! i really think the steering issue needs to be on recall before people are seriously hurt. the young generation have no experience driving without power steering and i thank the good lord i knew how to drive tractors without power steering. *tr

As i was driving down the highway, the power steering light came on. the power steering was out and i did drive home that way. i subsequently learned that if i turned off the ignition and started up again, it would start working again. the power steering has gone out 5 more times since then when i was driving or exiting the freeway. *tr

Just after i had a ignition switch installed from a recall , i was driving to work at 55 miles an hour when the steering stop working and was forced to the side of the road. i turned off the motor and restated it and the steering started working again. this has happened at least once a day for the last two months and i could turn off the switch and back on and it would start working again. it does not matter how fast or slow or if i'm at a stop light it has stopped working. i have took the car to the dealer and told them of the problem all they said that they would call the district manager to see what they can do. this was this morning and i will call them back tomorrow to find out what they will do or not do. this is very scary and i will not let my wife drive the car for that reason. if i had not been on my toes watching what i was doing while driving i might have had a accident. when it does go out it is very hard to steer and if i was in traffic and have to make a sudden turn i would not be writing this message to you to complain about this problem with the car. *tr

Power steering is shutting off while the car is being driven. this has happened on all road types and speeds with the last incident accruing while my 19 year old child was driving the car in a residential area while in the process of actually making a turn. i am told by the local chevrolet repair shop that the power assist motor needs to be replaced. this is the mechanism that has been recalled in the chevy cobalt. why has the 06 hhr not been added to the recall? *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled and was not able to restart. the vehicle was towed to the dealer who reprogrammed the computer, provided the contact with a new set of keys, and repaired the vehicle according to nhtsa campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical system). the failure recurred and the key remained stuck in the ignition. the vehicle also failed to shift out of park, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver, and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor, the gear box, and shifter needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

We were on vacation at ft. myers, fl, on the highway, going 70 mph and the ding-ding-ding sound went off and we lost power steering. if i would have been driving i would have crashed as i have weak arms from a neck injury. my husband was able to steer it without the power steering as he is strong. the steering would come back on then go back off erratically. we got the car back home to mississippi and put it in a garage on monday, 23 june 2014 at 9:30. i missed work to do that and am presently still waiting on turan foley to get the power steering unit to my mechanic who ordered it tuesday 24 june 2014. today is 27 june 2014. this was a very dangerous situation. we had been notified that our ignition switch must be replaced and have been waiting 3 months on the part. i called turan foley and spoke with the parts lady about the power steering to see if i could get a car in the waiting time. she said no as the 2006 power steering for hhr's has not been recalled. i inquired about the ignition switch i've been waiting 3 months for and she looked in her records and said she'd notified us by letter and phone 3 june 2014 the part was in. she did not send us a letter or notify me or my husband by phone. there is no record whatsoever that we were notified. we would have fixed it before vacation as we've been very concerned about this. gm has some very dangerous parts of the car malfunctioning-in my case my power steering and possible ignition switch defects. i will have to pay my mechanic $310.00 for the power steering. i am very unhappy with the gm product, my hhr 2006 model. gm has done a great disservice to their loyal customers. i used to be one. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. while starting the ignition, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the power steering also failed. three days later, the engine stalled while attempting to start the vehicle numerous times. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. the approximate failure mileage was 40,000. .... updated 08/05/14 *bf the consumer stated while driving the vehicle lost power steering the power steering went on and off repeatedly while driving. three days later the vehicle would not start. the starter was replaced which resolved the issue.the vehicle had a recall for the ignition not steering loss. updated 08/11/2014 *js

Steering power lost while you turn and power steering comes on. *tr

Power steering motor kicked out caused loss of power steering. the loss of power steering causes issues while driving making the car very difficult to drive. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering failed as the power steering warning light illuminated. the failure occurred on numerous occasions. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 85,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving 20-60 mph, the power steering became extremely rough and the steering sensor illuminated. the steering wheel vibrated and became difficult to turn. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

2006 chevrolet hhr. consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall and power steering and other vehicle problems. *smd the consumer stated two days after getting the vehicle back from the dealer, the vehicle had to be flat-bedded back to the dealer, because it wouldn't start. it was determined the ignition switch needed to be replaced. also, the right passenger outside mirror fell off, the right passenger wiper arm broke, the rotors were replaced twice in two years, and the rear shocks were replaced.*jb

A sudden loss in power steering occurs every time i operate my 2006 chevy hhr for more than a few minutes. after ignition, the power steering will initially work correctly. at a random time soon after driving, the power steering will inexplicably fail, resulting in a failover to manual steering. simultaneously with the failure, an error message appears in the information display - "power steering". to see a video of what happens, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfnp159d3pg that video was taken by another person, but exactly describes my failure. i went to mr. tire a couple weeks ago to have them evaluate the problem. they said that the dealer has to fix that problem. they did show me that gm canada issued a recall for this exact problem. it is titled "recall - loss of power steering assist" bulletin # 10413. in canada they will replace part # 19257876 or 19257875 motor kit, p/s asst for no charge. why won't they repair this in the usa? it is quite difficult to drive with manual steering. i have injured my hip now and can't turn the wheel anymore. anyway, here is the official condition: a sudden loss of power steering assist can occur at any time while driving the vehicle. if the power steering assist is lost, the vehicle can still be steered, however, with greater effort (manual steering). the slower the vehicle is moving, the higher the steering effort. unless a driver compensates for this additional steering effort, loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash. when the power steering assist is lost, a chime will be heard and the message center will display a "power steering" warning message. typically the next time the vehicle is started, the power steering assist will return (briefly) and the message will no longer be displayed. *tr

While driving at approx. 35 mph and in the middle of a 108 degree turn (on-ramp to the inter-state), the power steering warning lamp came on and the power steering quit working. it was very difficult to maneuver the vehicle on to the inter-state and off the road safely. after shutting the ignition off and restarting the car the power steering was working normally again for approx. 30 minutes, then quit working again. this happened several times in 1 day. i had seen a report on 5/29/14, that 2009 and 2010 hhr are being recalled for this problem, but mine is not. it seems that my 2006 hhr should also be included in this recall. i am still awaiting the new ignition parts to come into my dealer to satisfy the ignition recall. i am beginning to feel very unsafe while driving this vehicle. *tr

There is a chime and the power steering goes out. now you can restart the car cutting it off and then it will come back in. but when turning and its a stop light its hard very hard to turn. you lose control when turning. you can't stop on the highway when it goes out and restart. gm won't recall 2006 hhr in us but in canada. really that is odd! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a loss of power steering without warning. in addition, the steering wheel seized. the vehicle was restarted and operated as normal. the contact mentioned that the failure recurred numerous times. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 95,000. the vin was not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the power steering warning lamp illuminated and the steering wheel became very hard to maneuver. the contact mentioned that after turning the vehicle off and restarting it the power steering would resume normal function. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 107,000 and the current mileage was 107,083.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. while driving 70 mph, the power steering failed to respond. the dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. the failure mileage was 160,000. updated 8/12/14*cn

I was driving and the power steering light came on and no power steering this condition continued until i stopped the car and restarted it.... i have a recall for the ignition and now i am afraid for my wife to drive it!! this is as dangerous a condition as the ignition which has happened repeatedly!! *tr

This is my 2nd complaint about power steering on my 2006 hhr after complaining the first time and no guaranteed help financially and told to pay 200 dollars to have my vehicle inspected at a gm dealers .i replaced 2 solenoids and had no problem for about 1 1/2 years. my power steering goes out while driving with no warning. the problem is back this is the 3rd time this month .but today frightened me while driving my daughter to school i was driving 70 mph went to exit hwy and boom no power steering then indicator(turn signal) was out because of power steering light started flashing after the fact .this is very dangerous morning traffic with semi trucks zipping around me .i have gone down this road with you on this matter before .it is a obvious problem with this make and model of car. i have read 1000 + complaints about this problem on every site i have looked at to find a fix. why wait until a life is lost before you handle it. also you have a faulty part in automatic transmission shifter that you are aware of a small plastic pin that falls out and sticks and you can not shift it into gear. i bought the new shifter that is made much better and i need to have it installed. i will try to stay with the one problem power steering . i find it shocking that you have this many complaints on several sites and nothing has been done looking again after 2 years. its not the ignition key that worries me as much as power steering. this needs to be recalled and fixed. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. in addition, the contact mentioned that the vehicle would suddenly decelerate. the contact stated that the failures occurred after the vehicle was serviced for nhtsa recall campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 105,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the power steering assist failed and the steering wheel became hard to turn. the failure continued to occur intermittently for a period of two months. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

2006 chevrolet hhr. consumer writes in regards to vehicle power steering and starter failure. consumer seeks financial assistance. *smd

Excessive steering wheel vibration at highway speeds, and on city streets signal light stay on when turning into another street that your have to manually turn off signal lights( this has being a problem since i purchase, documented by local chevy dealer) . i believe this cars have problems with their entire steering column not just their ignition switch. *tr

As i was coming to a stop at a stop light. the power steering displayed and the power steering went away. it was hard to steer and after i stopped and turned off the ignition and started the vehicle again then the power steering was working again. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle became difficult to steer. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was contacted about the failure. the failure mileage and vin was not available.

On april 17, 2014 i started my 2006 chevrolet hhr by remote to warm it up. after it was warmed up i got in it to drive to work. the car was really jerking bad then the indicator light came on and had power steering on it. i was still in the apartment complex drive so i turned it around and managed to go back to my parking space and parked it. this morning i decided to try and drive my car again. i managed to get to work that is only 2 1/2 miles from where i live. i was driving under 30 mph since i drive through town to get to work. as soon as i turned into my workplace's parking lot the power steering indicator light came on again. i parked the car and turned it off then back on. the power steering indicator light was still on and now the steering wheel is locked up. i have read several complaints about this problem with other hhrs but the year 2006 is not on recall while 2009 and 2010 is for this problem. *tr

Turned the ignition key on to start the car and proceeded to back out of a parking space. i discovered that it seemed unusually difficult to turn the steering wheel. i looked at my instrument dash panel and it displayed that there was a problem with my power steering. i pulled back into my parking stall, turned off my ignition and restarted the car but had the same problem. i next turned off the ignition, moved the key in the ignition keyway a bit and then restarted the car again. this seemed to solve the problem. the "power steering problem" was cleared from the computer read out on the dash panel and i was able to easily steer the car again. upon further investigation i learned that this particular problem has to do with a faulty electric power steering assist motor installed in many gm vehicles, some of which have already been recalled. this could develop into a very serious situation should this incident happen to occur when one least expects it to, especially while traveling at higher speeds. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. while driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning and required excessive force to maneuver. the contact managed to drive home, but the failure recurred multiple times. in addition, the accelerator pedal malfunctioned intermittently. as a result, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the pedal became lodged. the contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the failures after it was repaired according to nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v171000 (electrical system) and 14e021000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but they could not diagnose the vehicle for free. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. the approximate failure mileage was 158,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the instrument panel shorted intermittently and caused electrical failures within the vehicle. the contact mentioned that the steering wheel was extremely tight and intermittently locked without warning. upon using the cigarette lighter, smoke emitted inside the vehicle indicating that there was an electrical fire with the wires. the fire extinguished without having to contact the fire department. the vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed. the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v171000 (electrical system) and 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) but was unable to determine when the recall repair would be performed. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Making turn into parking lot hear a ding and not steering, after shut off car and motor cools the steering works happen again a few times sometimes going straight sometimes making turns, car is not safe to drive. *tr

Started the car and began to pull out of the drive and the power steering is not working, it had been just fine the day before. the car now steers like a 1960's car with manual steering. *tt

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. the contact indicated that the power steering sensor light illuminated during the incident. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who repaired the failure but no information was available. the manufacturer was notified. the failure mileage was 112,500.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the power steering warning lamp illuminated as the power steering assist failed. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 180,000.

My power steering just randomly went out. it has continued to do this. *tr

Was driving on hwy 231 in northern alabama at posted speed limit of 65mph, suddenly car made a chime sound and the "power steering" message came on. unable to steer vehicle safely as the steering seized. was able to get it to the chevy dealer, but while the 2009-2010 hhr has a recall for this exact problem, it currently does not cover the earlier models even though it is obviously the same problem. awaiting cost of repair... *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering failure warning message illuminated along with a chiming noise as the power steering assist malfunctioned. the failure caused the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. the failure mileage was 81,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the power steering warning light. the vehicle could not be restarted. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who stated that the steering column and electric motor needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

I was driving my car and all of a sudden the dash board made a tone, it said "power steering" on the instrument panel and i lost all power steering. it was extremely difficult to turn the car and after getting it stopped, i turned the ignition off, sitting there for a few minutes i restarted the car and their was no issues until i backed out, then it did it again. i ended up sitting their for a while longer (aprox 15 minutes) and restarted the car again, backed out of the parking place and was able to drive off with no problem's. since then i have not had another incident with the power steering. i notified chevrolet the next day and they said my car wasn't in the recall so, they were not going to do anything to fix it. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle became difficult to steer. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was contacted about the failure. the failure mileage was 70,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the current and failure mileage was 180,000. dr

2006 chevrolet hhr. consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice. *smd the consumer stated the steering wheel and front end were shaking, and there was a noise coming from the vehicle. the technician found a worn out bearing, the steering shaft had an internal failure and the sway bar links were worn. the steering column, intermediate shaft and sway bar links were replaced. also, it was difficult to shift out of park at times. it was determined a liquid had been spilled in the shifter. also, the consumer was unable to remove the key from the ignition. *jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required intermittently without warning. the problem recurred multiple times. the vehicle was not taken to a mechanic for diagnosis and the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the approximate failure mileage was 100,000. the vin was not available.

Have owned the vehicle since 32k miles, 2nd owner i think. starting about 1 and 1/2 yr ago the electric power steering (eps) started turning off while driving under any condition. when this happens it is very hard to turn the car. car must be stopped and engine turned off and on again to reset eps system. this is very dangerous and happens at random.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated when he made a left turn at 35 mph, the steering wheel seized which made it difficult to control the vehicle. the contact stated that the power steering warning light also illuminated. the contact diagnosed that the power steering motor needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was repaired. the approximate failure and current mileage was 95,000. updated 06/17/14*lj updated 08/15/2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph and making a turn, there was a sudden loss of power steering with the illumination of the warning indicator. the vehicle was driven with difficulty in turning the steering wheel. the failure recurred seven times. the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 62,750.

This has happened a few times with this vehicle, usually at speeds in excess of 50 mph. when being cut off by another vehicle, hitting the brake hard and steering away from the offending vehicle cause the hhr to fishtail and get very squirrelly. it just starts going back and forth in a rocking motion and only settles down by taking my foot off the brake. it feels like the car could easily go into a roll over. i have had it inspected by les schwab and they replaced the struts and shocks, but saw no real problems. this latest incident occurred many months after that work was completed, so that apparently was not part of the problem. it will also occasionally give me a shimmy in the steering wheel when decelerating from a moderate speed. however, that does not occur most of the time... rotors appear to be fine. *tr

This incident is identical to nhtsa action number : pe10005 which is for the chevrolet cobalt/pontiac g5. my power steering gave out, the driver information center said power steering and there was a chime. the power steering was restored when i restarted the car. this problem has occurred 3 times so far. the first time in the morning after a 20 minute drive, while stopped at a stop sign. then again in the morning after 20 minutes of driving on a highway at 45 mph while in a curve. then again in the evening on straight highway going 65 mph after only 5 miles of driving. i see this problem was recalled for the above mentioned cars. my hhr is experiencing the same problem, and chevy hhr forums show other hhrs are experiencing this problem along with the saturn ion. *tr

Spouse made turn at stop sign and steering became difficult almost running into curb. chime sounded and dash light came on. managed to get to chevrolet garage and verification of steering problem. steering motor replaced at a cost of $300+. not on recall list despite number of incidents. gm covers some of these but not this model????? *tr

Power steering has become intermittent. upon restart it's fine and then goes out periodically between 2 and 30 minutes after each restart. anyone who needs power steering to drive, not just a convenience, would have a very hard physical time making a 90 degree turn, especially if the steering went out while making the turn. *tr