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 2010 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while reversing into her friend's driveway, the steering wheel lost power steering inadvertently. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact forcefully steered the steering wheel and pulled to the side of the curb in front of her friend's residence. The contact stated that as she turned off and restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel regained power steering; however, the failure reoccurred while driving and making turns. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the same independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering sensors had failed. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000. …
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle temporarily returned to normal functionality however, the failure reoccurred. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering message was displayed on the instrument panel and while her daughter was driving the vehicle. The contact's daughter restarted the vehicle; however, the failure returned while driving at a low rate of speed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where she was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was also notified, and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated the instrument panel. The contact also stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle as he proceeded to drive home. The dealer was notified about the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not included NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The contact was instructed to no longer drive the vehicle and to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and other various speeds, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000. The VIN was unavailable. The contact stated that the dealer had a long waiting list, so the vehicle taken to an auto repair shop and repaired there.
Although this vehicle is a 2010 HHR, it has less than 23000 miles on it, has been garaged kept and maintained impeccably. The warning light blinks at random and then the power steering fails. It does not matter the speed of the vehicle and happens at random. Once turned off and restarted, the power steering works for approx 5 minutes and then fails again. There was a recall on 2009-2010 HHRs for sudden loss of power steering issued in 3/2014, recall # 14V153000. This recall is not VIN# specific. However, when I contact the dealer for repair of this vehicle, I am told that the recall does not pertain to my VIN#, so its not covered. NHTSA has more than 135 complaints about HHRs since 10/2019 with more than half of them being steering issues. This clearly is a wider recall issue than originally thought. My vehicle is inoperable due to this safety issue. I filed a complaint with GM. …
Owner of 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 MPH and other various speeds, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was parked and turned off, then restarted. The warning light was no longer showing and power steering was restored. After driving for approximately 60 seconds there was again a loss of power steering functionality and the warring light illuminated. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included.
My vehicle is the 2010 HHR with electric assist steering. As with thousands of other Chevrolet HHRs, my power steering abruptly stopped working. It is the EPS system that is notorious for stopping abruptly and was and is the subject of a recall. However, GM refuses to repair mine like they have over a hundred thousand others with the same exact issue. They state that my vehicle, though exactly the same as thousands and thousands of others subject to the recall, is not included in the recall. . . How can this be? Same exact issue. . .
The power steering failed, it is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of my two very young children were put at risk. Suddenly as I crossed the rail road tracks and attempted to turn right onto another street, the power steering went out of my vehicle. I narrowly avoided a collision with another vehicle stopped at the stop sign on the street I signaled to turn down. It hasn't been inspected by anyone yet. The power steering light came on right as it failed and I had no assisted power steering, manual only.
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 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 231 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, 45% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 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 2010 Chevrolet HHR steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 3 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.