While turning I've had the electric steering go out my vehicle. During one occasion I was avoiding someone that had pulled out in front of me. I've taken the vehicle to the dealer and they say everything is normal but yet the vehicles electric steering comes and goes while driving. *kb
2009 Chevrolet HHR steering problems
moderate 127 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
127
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 127 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 127 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2009 HHR has a defective electric power steering motor that can fail without warning at any speed, requiring significant physical effort to steer—a critical safety hazard that Canada recalls but the US has not. Expect repair costs of $335–$800 if failures occur outside warranty, and be aware that even completed repairs may fail again within weeks.
The 2009 Chevrolet HHR has a widespread electric power steering system that fails without warning while driving. Owners report the power steering assist cutting out intermittently at any speed—from parking lot speeds to highway driving at 60+ mph. When failure occurs, the steering wheel becomes very hard to turn and requires significant physical force. A warning light appears on the instrument cluster and a chime sounds, but the loss of assist is abrupt and frightening. Restarting the vehicle temporarily restores function, though failures recur unpredictably within minutes or miles.
Owners cite diagnostic code P0475 (electric power steering motor failure) and note that Canada issued a recall (Transport Canada Recall #2010447) for this exact problem in 2009–2010 model year HHRs, yet GM has not issued a US recall despite thousands of complaints. The same motor part number has been recalled in Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Saturn Ion, and Chevrolet Malibu models. Dealers report replacement costs ranging from $335 to $800, and many owners were denied warranty coverage claiming the steering is not a chassis component. Some replacement motors have failed again shortly after installation. A few narratives mention steering column noise, vibration, and seizure at low speeds, though the electric motor failure is the dominant issue.
This is a critical safety defect affecting a large population of vehicles, with multiple owners describing near-crashes and actual accidents caused by sudden loss of steering control.
Same Chevrolet HHR steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering Motor Failure / Loss of Assist
The electric power steering assist motor fails without warning, causing sudden and complete loss of power steering assist. The steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn, requiring manual effort. A warning message displays on the driver information center, and a chime sounds. Restarting the vehicle temporarily restores function, but failures recur unpredictably.
When: Occurs at any speed while driving—reported at 5 mph in parking lots and 60+ mph on highways. Failures often recur within minutes or a few miles after restart. Some owners report failures starting around 50,000 miles; others at lower mileages.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist suddenly stops working; Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn; Power steering warning light illuminates on instrument cluster; Warning chime sounds; Power steering message displayed on driver information center; Difficulty controlling vehicle during turns or lane changes; Temporary restoration of assist after engine restart
Codes mentioned: P0475
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of electric power steering assist motor. Owners report costs ranging from $335 to $800. Some repairs have been performed under recall in other GM models (Cobalt, Pontiac G5/G6, Saturn Ion, Malibu). In the HHR, many owners were initially denied warranty coverage and forced to pay out-of-pocket. Some motors have failed again shortly after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transport Canada Recall #2010447 (issued December 16, 2010) covers 2006–2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2003–2007 Saturn Ion with electric power steering. The recall specifies replacement of the EPS motor with 10-year/240,000 km extended warranty coverage. GM issued Technical Service Bulletin 14119 under Recall N140115 for 2006–2008 and early 2009 HHR models, offering EPS motor replacement for the life of the vehicle. However, US NHTSA has not issued a recall for HHR models (as of the narratives), while the same motor has been recalled in Cobalt (Campaign 10V073000, PE10005) and other GM models. Some dealers claim the vehicle is not covered by recall or that the steering is not a chassis component. A Canadian special extended warranty program (10 years/240,000 km from first registration) covers EPS motor replacement for affected vehicles.
Steering Column Noise and Vibration
Owners report loud scraping, clicking, or grinding noises coming from the steering column, especially when turning or moving the wheel back and forth. Some report vibration or shaking of the steering wheel, which can occur continuously or intermittently during driving. These issues have occurred before and after steering column/motor replacement repairs.
When: Reported at various mileages including low mileage (4,000–40,000 miles) and higher mileage (100,000+ miles). Some owners describe the problem recurring after repair, often within weeks or months. One owner reported issues at 133,344 miles that recurred after professional repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud scraping or grinding noise from steering column; Clicking or rattling noise from steering area; Steering wheel vibrates or shakes; Noise occurs when turning the steering wheel or making turns; Vibration intensifies at certain speeds or under braking; Difficulty turning steering wheel smoothly; Noise present after engine restart or short rest
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs have included steering column replacement, steering shaft replacement, resurfacing of front brake rotors, and rear brake jobs. Despite these repairs, vibration and noise have recurred. One owner reported spending thousands of dollars on repairs with no resolution. Dealerships have been unable to consistently identify and fix the root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nhtsa Recall Campaign 14V153000 (Steering) was issued, and some vehicles were repaired under this recall. However, the root cause of the noise and vibration has not been consistently resolved by either dealerships or GM. One dealership replaced the steering column, and another informed an owner that the column needed replacement following a repair. Some owners have not received communication from GM regarding recalls related to their specific production date.
Steering Wheel Seizure or Extreme Stiffness
The steering wheel becomes locked, stuck, or extremely stiff and difficult to turn in either direction at low speeds or in parking situations. Some owners report the wheel 'locking up' after driving for several minutes, especially on hot days. The problem is intermittent and occurs without warning.
When: Reported at low speeds and in parking lots. One owner noted the problem happens almost every time the car starts, typically within 5 minutes of driving. Another described it becoming more frequent as temperatures increased.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes locked or extremely difficult to turn; Steering wheel locks up at low speeds or in turns; Difficulty maneuvering vehicle, especially during parking; Intermittent locking; problem may disappear after restart; Problem occurs without warning or diagnostic codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have been unable to diagnose the problem when examined, as the condition does not always present at appointment time. One owner was instructed to bring the vehicle back when the condition is occurring. No repair costs or parts were documented in the narratives for this failure mode.
Steering Wheel Turns by Itself / Uncontrolled Movement
The steering wheel unexpectedly turns to the right by itself while the driver is attempting to maintain control. The driver must apply significant effort and force to prevent the wheel from turning involuntarily. This behavior is extremely dangerous and unpredictable.
When: Reported during slow-speed driving and normal traffic conditions. One narrative indicates this has happened multiple times.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns to the right involuntarily; Driver must hold steering wheel very firmly to prevent uncontrolled turning; Vibration in the steering wheel toward the right; Vibrating sound accompanying the self-turning behavior; Problem occurs without driver input on the steering wheel
Steering-Related Electrical System Shutdown
The electrical system in the vehicle shuts down or malfunctions, causing the power steering to go out along with other electrical functions including the speedometer, cruise control, transmission shifting, and dashboard display. Some narratives mention transmission failure occurring simultaneously with steering loss.
When: Occurred at various speeds and driving conditions; one owner described multiple system failures during a single drive.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering goes out; Speedometer stops functioning or displays incorrect speed; Cruise control will not engage; Transmission will not shift or shifts with difficulty; Dashboard displays show dashes (----) instead of information; AC turns on and off intermittently; Check engine light comes on; Vehicle stalls or nearly stalls during driving; Warning dinging or alert sounds
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed a 'blown fuse' as the cause of power steering failure. Another dealership reported seeing 'mixed messages' on diagnostic scope with a 'power steering' code paired with an incorrect code.
Steering Control Loss Following Recall Repair
After a dealership performs a recall repair for steering issues (replacement of power steering motor or column), the steering control fails or malfunctions immediately or shortly after the vehicle is returned to the owner. The recall repair itself does not resolve the underlying issue or introduces new failures.
When: Reported to occur within 1–2 days after recall repair completion, and recurrences within days or weeks of the initial repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure immediately after recall repair; Steering wheel control buttons (horn, turn signals, etc.) stop working after repair; Steering wheel vibration and noise continue or recur after repair; Power steering assist loss after motor replacement; Steering column noise continues after column replacement
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had the steering column and shaft replaced at a dealership, along with brake rotors and rear brake job. Upon return, the horn and steering wheel control buttons did not work. The dealer returned the vehicle again on a second attempt, claiming to have corrected the problem. Another owner had an EPS motor replaced and the problem recurred immediately after pickup. One narrative mentions that the motor replacement was done under a 10-year/240,000 km warranty program, but the failure recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some vehicles were included in NHTSA Recall Campaign 14V153000 (Steering) and/or covered under the Canadian special extended warranty program (10 years/240,000 km EPS motor replacement). However, repairs under these programs have not consistently prevented recurrence, and some vehicles have experienced immediate failure after the repair.
Synthesized from 127 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet hhr. While reversing at a low speed, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v153000 (power steering). The failure mileage was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the bottom part of the steering column as the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the ignition became fractured while in the on position as the ESC and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the key remained stuck in the ignition and the contact was unable to shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was left with the engine running overnight. The next morning, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised that the ignition switch and the solenoid in the steering column had failed. The failed components were…
Had steering trouble with your 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 127 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 110 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 48,675 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,675; a quarter make it past 84,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/HHR.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.