2008 Chevrolet HHR: steering wheel locks up

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 Nov 24, 2015 · Steering · 108,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at appoxitmately 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in a manufacturer's recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage 108,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the security warning light illuminated and other unknown warning lights flickered. The contact also stated that when driving up a hill or making a u-turn, the power steering and the security warning lights illuminated and unknown warning lights flickered. In addition, the vehicle jerked and the steering wheel seized on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on three occasions where the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Steering · 38,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the parts needed for the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Steering · 90,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized causing excessive force on the steering wheel to be required. On one occasion, the vehicle was restarted and operated as normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2014 · Steering · 75,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The contact mentioned that the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Steering · 168,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While driving at low speeds, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000. Updated 10/22/2014 updated 02/03/15

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Steering · 100,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the power steering failed and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2013 · Steering · 80,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2013 · Steering · 85,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel seized and became hard to turn. The failure was experienced several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 85,000.

Filed Oct 12, 2012 · Steering · 40,500 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel locked without warning. The contact turned the engine off and maneuvered the steering wheel with force several times before there was a normal response. The contact was able to resume driving. The failure occurred five times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 40,500.