2006 Chevrolet HHR: sudden loss of power

Filed Mar 25, 2024 · Steering · 146,000 miles · NV

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.

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Steering · 138,000 miles · IA

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.

Filed Nov 9, 2018 · Fuel system, Steering · 135,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Aug 9, 2018 · Steering · 137,000 miles · VA

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).

Filed Dec 12, 2016 · Engine · 140,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a period of reduced engine power while being operated 45-50 MPH. The engine power reduced warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 01/26/2017*ct

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Steering · 172,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering ability. The power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Aug 18, 2016 · Electrical · 119,985 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. While driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled without warning. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was previously serviced for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v632000 (electrical system); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,985.

Filed Feb 23, 2016 · Electrical · 24,400 miles · HI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The fuse box caught fire and caused the battery to drain completely. Bystanders helped to extinguish the fire. On another occasion, the vehicle lost all power and functionality and the ignition key remained stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and repaired, but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 24,400.

Filed Feb 20, 2016 · Driver assistance, Steering · 106,000 miles · CA

While driving this vehicle, the power steering light flashes on dash board and I lose all the function of the power steering. It has now happened 4 separate times in two weeks, the last when I was turning a corner and nearly hit a car on the side of the road because I could not steer the vehicle. I have a safety recall letter from general motors stating that I had to pay out of pocket to fix and then they would determine if it fell under there recall. When the letter states to bring it to the dealership should the power steering light ever comes on the dash panel, which it has done know 4 times when the power steering failed. I could been killed if I had been going faster or killed some one. This is an issue with the gm faulty mechanics. First it was the ignition having to give my vehicle up for nearly 6 weeks to have it fixed. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by general motors and paid for by general motors, not the consumer. What is it going to take, another death because of the mistakes. Even after they notified me that is a safety issue via letter, but I first pay out of pocket and then determine if they will reimburse me for it. The first time I was in downtown la going to work and once again when I turned left while driving, the second on the 405 in rush hour traffic, just as I was accelerating and changing lanes, the light flashed on the dash board (power steering) and I lost all power steering capability. The third was the week of february 15, 2016. Turning left again and the fourth time just yesterday again when I turned left.

Filed Jan 2, 2016 · Steering · 120,000 miles · IN

Gm says drivers will instantly know if the electric power steering system fails because a chime and dashboard message will appear. The car can be steered without power assist, but it can require a lot more muscle to turn the wheel, especially at low speeds. Because of the difficulty, the car could be more susceptible to a crash. Our vehicle was in motion on a city street when suddenly, we lost all power steering. Other makes and models with the same equipment has been recalled already. When shutting off the vehicle and restarting, the power steering is restored briefly and will fail again while driving.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · MO · crash · 1 injury

Car speeded up and down ,car started to spin in circle,lost power steering,lost control of car, flipped and rolled over 3 times down a 30 yd. Cliff . No head air bags worked at all ,only the steering wheel air bag worked. Took over 2 hrs. To be found by police. Had to use cell phone signal to be found.

Filed Nov 25, 2014 · Steering · 90,000 miles · FL

The first time this happen I was on the interstate with my wife and kid in the car. The road curved to the right and as I was going around it, I lost power steering. Luckily I was able to use force and maintain control around the corner. If my wife was driving she might not have been able to because it took everything I had to turn the wheel and get around the corner. Since then it has happened almost everyday, sometimes a few times a day. When this happens I get a dashboard message that says "power steering". My wife will not drive the car unless its just a quick trip to the store, and we refuse to put our son in that car. This is a very dangerous problem and I don't know how this has not been recalled yet.