2008 Chevrolet HHR: loss of power steering

Filed Jul 17, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · TX

Needless to say, General Motors has dealt with their share of recalls lately and while much of the GM recall news has been devoted to the ignition failures which have forced new CEO Mary Barra to stand before the US Government, this new recall has nothing to do with the ignition cylinder failures. Although the ignition problems can cause a steering issue and some of the vehicles included in the ignition recall are also included in this new recall, this recall pertains specifically to the power steering system. It seems that in the 1.3 million affected vehicles, one or more components of the electric power steering assist system could fail and when that happens, the car will not have the same level of power assist. The General Motors statement announcing this recall is a bit on the vague side in terms of explaining exactly what is causing this loss of power assist, but the automaker has explained that it could be due to a problem with the power steering motor, the steering column assembly, the power steering control unit or a combination of the power steering column and the power steering control unit. Regardless of which of those components fail, it will become much more difficult to steer the car at low speeds, although when driving at higher speeds it may almost be unnoticeable. However, with the increased possibility of accidents, GM isn’t taking any chances so they have made the decision to add these 1.3 million cars to their already lengthy list of recalled models. My 2008 HHR is not listed in any recalls by it's VIN

Filed Jun 24, 2022 · Steering · TX

Power steering dashboard light came on. Difficult to steer vehicle. Losing power steering is dangerous. Will report the matter to the Chevrolet dealership. No other inspections were done. The dealership may inspect the vehicle. Trying to find recalls to fix this problem for free, but it looks like Chevrolet has not provided a recall for this problem although there are numerous complaints about the failed power steering in their HHR vehicles.

Filed Jul 23, 2021 · Steering · CA · crash

Power steering went out completely causing me to swerve on the highway to side of road. The steering locked up and it was raining and I would of crashed had anyone else been on the highway. I was going about 55 mph at the time. I then proceeded to CAREFULLY at about 30 mph force my car to drive another half mile to nearest exit ramp. The entire time I was driving in the middle of the lanes and a huge liability as far as safety is concerned. Thankfully I made it with no harm to myself vehicle or anyone else. I pulled over to side of road and slept in car till the rain stopped. Prior to this I backed into a fence when the steering failed backing into a carport resulting in body damage to front end under left headlight. Months before I had asked the Chevy dealership to diagnose issue and they found nothing wrong as in the beginning the car would still steer at its own leisure. The light didn't come on when they looked at it. After the night in the rain I have taken the fuse outta the power steering part and just manually steer. This should be replaced as it is a common issue to ALL HHR. Mine isn't covered as it is an SS but clearly it should be covered by a recall. Hopefully I don't die before this is taken care of.

Filed Aug 28, 2020 · Driver assistance, Steering · 138,000 miles · NJ

Power steering went out while driving, service ESC code came on. Car has done this numerous times over the past year, I have replaced the steering column, the power steering motor, the car ran fine for weeks and today while driving down the road the service ESC code came on and I lost power steering

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 183,000 miles · WV

The power steering went out as we were dealing with a starter issue. It indicated only once on the dash that there might be something wrong with the power steering. Now it's completely gone. The dash doesn't show any information that there could be an issue. It's very hard to take turns. Both wide or tight. It takes a lot of strength to get the steering wheel to move. If I drive it, moving from lane to lane is difficult. I now have it back in the shop for the mechanic to check it out and run a diagnostic test on the electrical system.

Filed Jun 23, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 123,300 miles · TX

The power steering is suddenly inoperative. No power steering. It just came on the warning lights one time, power steering, and I can't find a fix. The vehicle was parked in my driveway when it happened.

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Steering · 109,534 miles · TN

I am having power steering problems. I can be driving down the roadway at any speed between 20-80mph and all of a sudden there will be a message under the speedometer that says 'power steering failure' and I will have lost all of my power steering control. I can pull over to the side of the roadway and turn my engine off and then restart the car and the power steering will work again. This has been occurring for the last 8 months too my car.

Filed Jan 4, 2019 · Steering · 83,120 miles · WV

Power steering went out

Filed Dec 2, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 78,000 miles · MS

Power steering failure while moving down road

Filed Jul 2, 2018 · Steering · 101,000 miles · CA

I was driving on the highway and the power steering light came on the instrument panel and my steering was hard to turn. It's very hard to steer like if I was driving an older model car with no power steering. Not very safe for me and the family

Filed May 21, 2018 · Steering · 100,000 miles · TN

Loss of power steering on highway. Nearly run over by logging truck trying to get to the shoulder. Restarted car and problem went away for a while. Now, the steering loss happens almost every time I drive. This is the same system that gm recalled for 2008-09 hhr's,(14v153000) and extended to the 2008 hhr through gm bulletin #14119. Gm is refusing to acknowledge the recall!

Filed Mar 30, 2018 · Steering, Wheels · 132,250 miles · MO

Driving on a city street around 40 miles per hour when alarm sounds and I have no power steering. Very hard to turn drove home and it did it again today....also tire sensors alarm stating tires are deflated...when they are fine..