This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet HHR steering problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 HHR | 424 |
| 2008 HHR | 297 |
| 2009 HHR | 127 |
| 2010 HHR | 231 |
| 2011 HHR (this page) | 25 |
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 25 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 25 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.
Of the 6 model years of Chevrolet HHR we track for steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (25).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 HHR's steering system is a minefield of failures spanning complete power loss, electrical shorts, and pulling issues that dealers refuse to fix. Owners consistently lose power steering assist without warning—some on highways, some in parking lots—and report steering wheels that lock or become rock-hard to turn. One owner crashed into a tree after power steering failed on a residential street; another hit a light pole when the steering wheel suddenly locked to the right. A third reported torn chest muscle and hospitalization after remote start triggered simultaneous power steering loss on the interstate.
Electrical faults are the root cause in many cases. Diagnostics reveal data link circuit shorts causing the power steering control module to fail, sometimes with repair costs exceeding $1,100. Owners describe cascading failures—gauges flickering, warning lights blazing, engine stalling, and the radio cutting out mid-turn—all pointing to deeper wiring problems that dealers cannot replicate or repair.
Steering pull to the left or right is endemic. Owners report the problem from day one; dealers perform alignment repeatedly but claim the vehicle is within spec. One owner went through three tire sets and two brake sets trying to fix related shaking and pulling, all without resolution.
Dealers and GM have handled complaints poorly. Owners describe being blown off during dealership visits, told problems are normal wear, charged for unnecessary parts, or offered inadequate compensation like $2,000 vouchers after serious accidents. Some 2010 models had power steering recalls, but 2011 owners were denied coverage, even after crashes.
Same Chevrolet HHR steering reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Loss or Failure
Complete loss of power steering assist while driving or during low-speed maneuvers, forcing the steering wheel to become extremely hard to turn or locking up entirely. Owners report sudden failures with no warning, often triggered by electrical faults or module issues.
When: Reported across various mileages from 17,000 to 64,000+ miles; failures occurring both at highway speeds (30-45 mph) and during parking maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering assist while driving; Steering wheel becomes extremely hard to turn; Steering wheel locks in position; Power steering warning light illuminates; Sudden jerking or pulling of steering wheel; Inability to control vehicle direction; Clicking noise from under steering wheel panel
Codes mentioned: Power steering control module failure, Blown fuse in power steering system, Data link circuit short, Electrical short to power steering control module
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealer diagnoses including blown fuses, faulty power steering assist motors requiring replacement, and faulty steering shafts. One owner cited repair cost of $1,125 for power steering control module replacement due to data link circuit short. Many repairs attempted without resolving the underlying issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2010 HHR models subject to power steering recall; 2011 model owners report being denied warranty coverage or assistance. Dealers initially denied problems until warranty ran out. GM offered minimal assistance such as $2,000 voucher or rental car coverage only for ignition recall repairs, not power steering issues. Ignition switch recall was completed on some vehicles, but power steering problems persisted. No systematic recall or TSB for 2011 model steering issues documented in narratives.
Steering Pull or Drift
Vehicle pulls or drifts to the left or right without driver input, causing alignment concerns and uneven tire wear. Problems persist despite multiple dealer alignment attempts and claims that the vehicle operates within specification.
When: Reported from purchase with as few as 50-100 miles; some issues appearing at 17,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls to the left; Vehicle pulls to the right; Continuous drift requiring driver correction; Uneven tire wear on right front; Vehicle veers off road without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed wheel alignments multiple times; one owner had alignment performed at least 3-4 times. Alignment was found out of specification on at least one vehicle and corrected, but the pulling persisted. Dealers claim vehicle operates within tolerance specifications and refuse further work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or manufacturer assistance documented for steering pull issues. Dealers blamed alignment and tire conditions rather than steering system defect.
Electrical Shorts Affecting Power Steering and Electrical Systems
Electrical faults in the wiring harness or control modules causing cascading failures in power steering, gauges, warning lights, and engine management. Data link circuit shorts specifically reported causing power steering control module failure.
When: Reported across range of mileages; some issues apparent early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: All gauges become erratic or flicker; Dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Power steering loss coinciding with electrical glitches; Engine stalling during electrical fault events; Check engine light and reduced engine power light activation; ESC and service traction lights illuminate; Radio cutting out when steering wheel is turned
Codes mentioned: Data link circuit short, Check engine codes (specific codes not detailed in narratives), ESC module faults, Traction control faults
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostic revealed data link circuit short causing electrical short to power steering control module, quoted at $1,125. Dealers unable to replicate stalling or identify faulty wiring in other cases. Resetting warning lights temporarily masks problem but does not resolve underlying electrical fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One electrical short case was initially attributed to ignition recall, but second similar incident was denied as recall-related. GM has not issued comprehensive electrical harness or data link circuit recall. Owners report GM assigned contact person as 'nice but not helpful.'
Steering Wheel Vibration and Shake
Violent shaking or vibration in the steering wheel during normal driving, braking, or hydroplaning events. Often accompanied by pulling and brake issues. Unresolved despite multiple tire and brake component replacements.
When: Reported at various mileages; one owner replaced 3 tire sets and 2 brake sets attempting to resolve
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes or vibrates violently; Shake occurs when braking from 45 mph or slower; Vehicle attempts to change position in lane during shake; Brake pedal pulses; Shake triggered by hydroplaning on water; Car pulls to left during shake
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced 3 complete tire sets, 2 brake sets, 1 rotor set, and had rotors turned. One owner put significant money into tires and brakes without resolving shake. Dealers claim shake is normal and refuse to investigate root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers dismiss steering shake as normal wear and refuse investigation. GM has not issued recalls or service bulletins addressing steering vibration. Dealers instead sell tires and brake components.
Hard Steering or Stiffness During Turning
Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn or feels stiff, particularly during sharp turns at speed or during parking maneuvers. Power steering assist does not respond properly to turning inputs.
When: Reported across various mileages and driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel hard to turn; Steering becomes very difficult to turn at low speeds; Steering wheel does not return to center after sharp turns; Notchy or rough steering feel; Thumping noise when cutting wheel hard to the right; Steering stiff like older manual-steering vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: One owner, a retired mechanic, reported steering stiff like a 1953 Chevrolet despite the vehicle having only 17,000 miles. Replacement of power steering motor did not resolve notchy steering feel in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer recalls or TSBs documented for hard steering issues.
Steering Wheel Locking or Jamming
Steering wheel locks up or becomes immobilized, preventing driver control during an emergency maneuver. One documented accident resulted from steering wheel locking to the right and hitting a light pole.
When: Incident reported on vehicle that had already undergone two recall repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel jerked to the right and locked; Complete loss of steering control; Vehicle struck fixed object (light pole) as result
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented for the locking incident itself. Vehicle continued to experience recall-related issues after the accident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Two recall repairs were completed prior to the locking incident; vehicle was given to owner via VFW and Progressive 'Keys to Progress' program on Veterans Day 2014. After locking incident, vehicle required additional recall repair. No manufacturer assistance documented for the lock-up event.
Remote Start Triggering Multiple Electrical Failures
Activation of remote start feature caused simultaneous cascading failures in power steering, air conditioning, airbag system, and tire pressure monitors. Owner reported hospitalization with torn chest muscle from loss of power steering while vehicle was on interstate.
When: While vehicle was in motion on interstate highway
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering assist during highway driving; No air conditioning compressor operation; Service airbag light activation; Service tire pressure monitor light activation; Owner sustained torn chest muscle injury from loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented. Owner was hospitalized as a result of the failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narrative.
Steering System Noise and Rattling
Rattling, thumping, or clicking noises originating from steering components or dashboard, indicating loose or worn steering shaft or linkage.
When: Reported at 64,000 miles and early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from dashboard; Loud thumping noise when turning wheel hard to the right; Clicking noise from under steering wheel panel; Noise occurs during parking or slow-speed movements
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed faulty steering shaft requiring replacement on one vehicle. Dealers unable to detect noise on other vehicles despite owner reports.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs issued for steering shaft or dashboard rattle. Manufacturers and dealers have not provided solutions.
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet hhr. While operating the vehicle, a rattling noise was heard coming from the dashboard of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Pioneer Chevrolet (1315 pike st, marietta, oh) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Chevrolet HHR?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 38,000 and 68,524 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,000; a quarter make it past 68,524. 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/2011/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.