2009 Chevrolet HHR: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 19, 2023 · Steering · 185,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light, the ESC service, the ESC off, and the traction control warning lights illuminated, followed by the loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the power steering assist motor and the power steering assist module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall or TSB. The failure mileage was 185,000.

Filed Feb 17, 2020 · Steering · 69,000 miles · MI

The vehicle has started losing power steering at low speeds intermittently. In researching the problem, a recall on the electronic power steering for this 2009 hhr was found. In addition, I found that gm issued a bulletin (14119) under recall n140115, stating that for model year 2006-2008 and early production 2009 hhrs, to provide eps motor replacement for the life of the vehicle. Since I have not had this vehicle since 2009, I contacted the dealership to look up the recall history and found the eps motor was replaced once already. However, this late 2008 production/mid-2009 delivery hhr is losing power steering at low speeds again. While myself and teenage daughter have driven it on the road. The dealership could get no diagnostic code of this and has told me there is no open recall on this vehicle and we are responsible for paying for the motor replacement. I am very disturbed that this problem 1. Generates no code, 2. Is being unacknowledged by gm, and 3. Seems to be an on-going threat to safety for many hhr drivers. Gm has made a mistake in not including my make/model (or so it seems) in the bulletin pertaining to replacing the eps motor for life and is failing to acknowledge that they may have additional vehicles on the road needing to be serviced, especially when the driver states there is a problem posing a serious safety concern. Note, the production of my hhr being in 2008, delivered in 2009 and failure by gm to acknowledge under bulletin 14119.

Filed May 17, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 99,600 miles · CA

Check engine light. Reduced engine power. Esc off. This occurred on vehicle startup and while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle goes into a low power mode and cannot be driven more than five miles per hour.

Filed Oct 7, 2016 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. After attempting to manually restart the vehicle, the contact stated that the key could not be turned to start the vehicle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system); however, the recall could not be performed because the technician could not remove the ignition cylinder. The contact was informed that, in order to remedy the failure, they would have to fracture and detach the housing at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 138,000. Parts distribution disconnect. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Steering · 51,000 miles · TN

I was making a left hand turn when my power steering suddenly stopped working. The power steering light was on the dash board and vehicle was very difficult to drive. On 09\10\2014 I called serra chevrolet in madison tn and told a service rep named [xxx] what had happened and what I needed to do to get this fixed. She told me that I needed to call back in a couple of weeks when a new recall was issued. I asked if this could happen again and she replied "its possible." so I asked her what I could do to fix this and she said "well you can bring it to us and pay to have it fixed and when a new recall was issued I could get my money back from them." if they have this part in stock should they not fix it now and not let this power loss happen again? I have to work and I'm very nervous this will happen again without warning. I also never received a recall notice a year ago or I would have had this done then. Thanks information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 3, 2014 · Steering · 31,300 miles · IL

Loss of power steering was indicated on the dashboard display as well as by a series of dings. Power steering was restored the next time I started the engine. It failed again the next day. It now fails within moments of starting the car every time. I contacted the dealership, but they had no information on when parts would be available for the recall.

Filed Jun 28, 2014 · Steering · 48,675 miles · OH

While operating the vehicle into a gradual left turn, a series of chimes sounded from the vehicle and a message was displayed in the communications center stating the message "power steering". The vehicle had lost power assisted steering but retained manual steering. This was reset by turning the vehicle ignition off and restarting the vehicle.

Filed May 12, 2014 · Steering · 126,400 miles · NH

Loss of power steering when attempting to turn into side street. Warning message on dash. Car was brought to dealership, expecting problem to be repaired free of charge under gm recall/bulletin 14115 or 14119, but was told by dealership that this VIN had no steering recalls or bulletins as of yet. Paid almost $1000 to replace column and power steering motor. I would expect to be reimbursed. This is a company owned vehicle.

Filed Apr 25, 2014 · Steering · 42,000 miles · TX

Power steering quit working. Restarted vehicle and power steering resumed working. Over next two weeks intermittent loss of power steering became more frequent. A recall issued for this exact problem on this make and model does not include my VIN number. Therefore chevrolet will not acknowledge the problem with this vehicle for repair at their expense. The symptoms are the same as in the federal safety agency complaint number 14v153000.

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Steering · NM

Lost power steering and will not return. The power steering was recalled on the impala and one other model ( cobalt ) I think but not the hhr.

Filed Oct 10, 2013 · Steering · 78,913 miles · AZ

Power steering message on the driver information center (dic) and loss of power steering causing difficult steering and an unsafe driving condition.

Filed Oct 23, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 70,123 miles · TN

I received a power steering failure message on the dash at the same time that I lost power steering while going home from dropping off my child at daycare. I drove home without the power steering, when I shut off the car and restarted it I had power steering again. This power steering failure has happened multiple times on the highway, residential neighborhoods and in parking lots; in total about 10-15 incidents in the last month.