My power steering is going out randomly making it unsafe to drive, I see there's a recall for 2010 chevy hhr power steering which is exactly what's happening with my vehicle. When I turn it off and turn it back on it will work for a minute then click and go back out, yet when my vin was ran the recall doesn't show up for my car even though the recall states 2010 chevy hhr.. mine clearly has the…
2010 Chevrolet HHR steering problems
moderate 231 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
231
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
8crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 231 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Steering accounts for 45% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 231 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.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Slow speed made u turn power steering light came on hard to steer,took to a repair shop near by they came back and told me electric motor needs replaced, vehicle only has 45500 miles on it.. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet hhr. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering failed. When the brakes were applied, the pedal pulsated and the electric power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to operate the vehicle with the power steering after switching to a different key. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of…
Driving on interstate and the steering warning light came on, the steering became almost impossible to manage. Pulled off at next exit thinking I would check the fluid level. Couldn't locate the fluid reservoir and read the manual to find out that the power steering is electrically controlled. Came close to losing control of the vehicle at high speeds. *tr
Electronic power steering assist went out twice over the past weekend. The first time in a parking structure while trying to turn into a tight spot. Later will driving at approximately 35 miles per hour. Power steering returned to normal function each time after turning off the ignition. Nobody was hurt in either event, but with snow coming to the midwest I fear what might have happened on a…
2010 Chevrolet hhr. The engine died while driving. *mw the dealer informed the consumer, the steering column and steering box needed to be replaced. *jb
Had steering trouble with your 2010 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 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 231 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 195 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 49,500 and 82,368 miles, with the median around 63,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 49,500; a quarter make it past 82,368. 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/2010/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.