2011 Chevrolet HHR: loss of power steering

9 of the 203 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet HHR describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 44,645
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

2011
9
2010
76
2009
55
2008
121
2007
143
2006
185

What owners say

Filed Jan 1, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 142,980 miles · KY · 1 injury

I tried to used remote start from my fob. It worked the first time but nothing after that..stationary these were the events that followed: all at the same time lost power steering (power steering assist) landed me in the hospital with torn chest muscle while car was moving on a interstate no A/C (compressor does not come on) stationary service airbag light came on while car was moving on the interstate service tire monitors stationery no temp reading stationary

Filed Aug 18, 2016 · Steering · 131,000 miles · GA

While driving my eps power steering went out in my car while the vehicle was in motion on city street it became really hard to control my vehicle I heard clicking coming from under the steering wheel panel also the power steering came active on my dash panel while driving

Filed May 9, 2016 · Steering · 59,692 miles · OH · crash

Traveling at 30mph power steering went out and car drove over curb & hit fire hydrant. Unable to steer car at all. Cited by police for failure to control.

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Steering · 17,000 miles · FL

Power steering failed to operate while parking. This happened while teaching my wife how to drive. She was practicing 3 point parking. Upon turning the wheel to the right prior to backing up it felt like the steering of a 53 chevrolet, then after backing into the drive way it would not come back straight. Being a retired mechanic I was very surprised that a car with only 17000 miles would have such a problem. But after investigating the internet, I found that many others have had the same problem. Seems to work ok though with normal driving, but what will happen in the event of the necessity to turn sharply all of a sudden, I have no idea and I don't care to find out.

Filed Oct 31, 2014 · Steering · 44,645 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated while driving aproximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became hard to turn as the warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuse was blown and the power steering assist motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 44,645.

Filed Aug 3, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 40,000 miles · CO

While driving.. Car suddenly stalled losing power steering all dash board lights on gages flickering causing car to shut down. Unable to start.

Filed Jul 23, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 74,560 miles · CA

While driving.. Car suddenly stalled losing power steering all dash board lights on gauges flickering causing car to shut down. Second incident 7/19/14. Same scenario car suddenly stalled losing power steering all dash board lights on gauges flickering causing car to shut down. Dealership stated initial due to recall. Second incident dealer stated not due to recall but more of a common problem, however unable to replicate stall and determine where faulty wiring. Getting lots of error codes with no real cause as to why car stalls.

Filed May 19, 2014 · Engine · 40,000 miles · CO

Driving on I-25 on the west side of eisenhower pass & the engine shut off leaving me with no power steering or breaks. I was able to thread my vehicle through semis & spring break ski traffic to the side of the road to a runaway semi lane. The car restarted after I stopped shaking & was able to make it home to basalt. 2 months later the same thing happened on co hwy 82 on a straight away between carbondale & glenwood springs. I was able to safely maneuver the car to the side of the road. Both times I checked the internet for recall information finding nothing. The recent media attention alerted me to the current recall & have called my dealership & made an appointment for the ignition switch to be replaced.

Filed Aug 6, 2013 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 38,000 miles · AL

Was driving at 45mph when all of the sudden all gauges, power steering, and engine went erratic. Lost power steering going down hwy. Car darted to the left a little. Took the car to dealer for a diagnostic. Was told by dealer that the data link circuit shorted causing electric short to power steering control module and it would be $1125.00 to repair. I have filed a complaint with gm but haven't heard back from them. This should be a recall issue due to possible loss of control of car and causing a crash. Also a possible fire due to the electrical short they described to me on the invoice. The power steering and gauges are all still going erratic because I am trying to see if gm will fix this safety problem. This should be a safety recall do to the fact that a young driver or even female driver or anyone in fact could lose control of vehicle when the power steering control module decides to go out and come back on then go out again.