I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC TRYING TO MERGE AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASH AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I GOT HOME AND SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND THE STEERING WAS FINE.I DROVE TO THE STORE AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IT HAPPENED AGAIN,THE LIGHT ON THE DASH FLASHED AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER ALSO DRI…
2008 Chevrolet HHR steering problems
critical 297 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
297
Recalls
0
Crashes
9
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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. T…
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT. USUALLY WHEN TURNING. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OUT, I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND IT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS ROUNDING A CURVE, AND I ALMOST HIT A TREE BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THAT IT WAS GOING TO DO THIS. AFTER THAT, IT WENT OUT ABOUT 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, EVERYTIME WHEN MAKING A TURN. I WENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND MY MECHANIC SAID THAT HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE PO…
AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT THE ONLY WARNING I HAD WAS THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE THAT CAME UP AFTER IT QUIT WORKING IN A TURN THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THERE OTHER CARS LIKE THE COBALT AND IONS THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL VERY DANGEROUS ONCE YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND …
MY 2008 HHR LOOSES POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING, THEN SUDDENLY RETURNS POWER CAUSING TO OVERSTEER. THIS IS A SEVER SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS A COME AND GO TYPE PROBLEM,I DO NOT DRIVE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER FEARING BODY DAMAGE TO PERSONS AND VEHICLES OTHER THAN MYSELF. I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD WE CAN NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AS IT IS INTERMITTENT. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE DISPLAY IS ON E…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2008 Chevrolet HHR?
It's a serious issue. 297 complaints have been filed, including 9 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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