Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light, the ESC service, the ESC off, and the traction control warning lights illuminated, followed by the loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the power steering assist motor and the power steering assist module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall or TSB. The failure mileage was 185,000.
When driving my 2009 HHR the steering wheel shakes & vibrate at different intervals. Usually while slowing down to a stop & sometimes after during high speeds. Recently the noise it made was frightening. I had to use my emergency flashers & drive 50 mi per hr. on the freeway to arrive home safely. I took my car to Mark Chevrolet & reported it on 08/02/2021. The car's mileage was 133344. The car is not an everyday vehicle that is driven often. I received the car on 08/17/2021 after the steering column & shaft were replaced along with resurfacing front brake rotors & rear brake job. On August 18, 2021 while driving on the freeway I went to blow my horn at a hazardous situation & discovered none of the steering wheels controls were working, horn & etc. …
The vehicle has started losing power steering at low speeds intermittently. In researching the problem, a recall on the electronic power steering for this 2009 HHR was found. In addition, I found that GM issued a bulletin (14119) under recall n140115, stating that for model year 2006-2008 and early production 2009 hhrs, to provide EPS motor replacement for the life of the vehicle. Since I have not had this vehicle since 2009, I contacted the dealership to look up the recall history and found the EPS motor was replaced once already. However, this late 2008 production/mid-2009 delivery HHR is losing power steering at low speeds again. While myself and teenage daughter have driven it on the road. The dealership could get no diagnostic code of this and has told me there is no open recall on this vehicle and we are responsible for paying for the motor replacement. …
Have owned 1- 2008 & 1-2009 HHR ss with 2.0l turbo charger and manual 5 speed trans,and right at 100,000 miles the front suspension makes a horrendous noise like the front suspension is going fall out from under it when hitting small bumps . Also if you move the steering wheel back and forth it will make a very similar noise. The 2008 got totaled from a lady pulling out in front of me had changed the sway bar end links prior to accident made no change. Meeting the same mileage on the 2009 and already making the same exact noise . Almost afraid to drive it on the freeway for fearing of loosing the steering and killing anyone. I have read up on this concern and have seen alot of people with same noise and have spent 1,000s of dollars and noise still there. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was included in four recalls. The contact was advised to have the vehicle receive the recall repairs despite no failures occurring. Once the vehicle received the recall repair for the power steering and had the power steering assist motor replaced, the power steering failed. The following day, while driving approximately 5 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The contact parked the vehicle and restarted the vehicle; however, the power steering was still inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they were able to repair the vehicle; however, the diagnostic results were not provided. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was unsure of what was replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The steering wheel turns to right by itself while driving slow. I have to hold the steering while real tight and firm to stop it from turning right. On aug 26 2017 at 5 pm, I was ready to make a slight right turn, but the steering wheel took control over me, the car turned right by itself before I turned the steering wheel. This morning while driving in slow traffic, the steering wheel turned towards right, I had put strength and hold firm and strong with my hands on steering wheel to stop it from turning right by itself. While driving fast, I felt the steering wheel vibrate towards right and heard vibrating sound...it could be life threatening if the steer wheel is out of control.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag message displayed on the instrument panel before the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle then started to stall. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The failure occurred on several occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer wade Chevrolet located at 1670 hilton dr, st. George, ut 84770 was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 141,000.
My steering wheel begins to violently shake, onset about 10 minutes into driving, speeding up or braking has no effect on the frequency or level of shake. My steering wheel will be normal, about 10 minutes into the drive, going the same speed will begin to shake. I can stop and park the car, restart it, will not shake until I am driving again about 10 minutes into the drive. While shaking, it becomes very difficult to move the steering wheel even to get into the next lane. This has happened while city driving, I am too afraid to take it on the highway or go over 40 MPH as I feel like I have no control of the vehicle when the steering wheel shakes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was loose. The contact stated that after making a turn, the steering wheel failed to return to the center. The contact manually returned the wheel back to center. The vehicle was previously repaired at south haven Chevrolet Buick GMC (10159 m-140 south haven mi 49090, [phone]), and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The contact was informed that the recall repair was a one time free repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Taken the car to dealer multiple times, for power steering failure as well as the car stalling.. Was told there was nothing that could be done about the car... Was side swiped on road on 03/14/2014... Car barely tapped us and we lost control of the car due to power steering issue... Ran into the guardrail.. Car was totaled while the other car (a 2005 Toyota prius) drove home... Driver had head injuries while passenger had contusions to his right hand from airbags. This car is a death trap waiting to happen..
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.
Steering complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 127 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, 25% of the model year's 508 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet HHR steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-153 (electric power assist system, Mar 31, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet HHR steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.