Are steering problems common on the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?

Yes. Steering accounts for 231 of the 515 complaints filed for this model year, or 45% of all complaints, making it the dominant reported problem area.

Is there a steering recall for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?

Yes. NHTSA recall campaign 14V153000, reported March 31, 2014, covers the electric power steering system on 2009-2010 non-turbo HHR models among other GM vehicles.

At what mileage do steering failures typically happen?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 63,000 miles for steering complaints on the 2010 HHR.

Have steering failures caused crashes or injuries?

NHTSA records 8 crashes and 3 injuries linked to steering complaints on the 2010 HHR, including reports of sudden loss of power steering assist leading to collisions.

2010 Chevrolet HHR Steering Problems

Steering complaints make up 231 of 515 total complaints (45%) filed for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, with a median failure mileage of 63,000. NHTSA lists 8 crashes and 3 injuries tied to this component, and a related recall (campaign 14V153000) covers the electric power steering system.

Steering complaints: 231; 45% of 515
Crashes reported: 8
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 3
Median mileage: 63,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical steering symptoms owners report

Power steering suddenly cuts out while driving, making the wheel heavy and hard to turn.
Steering assist fails intermittently — it returns briefly after the car is turned off and restarted, then fails again within minutes.
A dashboard warning chime and power steering light come on just before assist is lost.
In several cases the steering wheel locked or seized entirely, leading to collisions with fixed objects like mailboxes, curbs, or a fire hydrant.
Loss of steering assist has occurred at highway speeds around 45 mph, causing the vehicle to veer and crash.
Owners report the problem recurring even after a dealer previously said the power steering had been replaced.

When 2010 Chevrolet HHR steering complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 10, 2011, latest Oct 4, 2024.

231 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q3 to 2024 Q4; peak 2014 Q2 (21).

Steering recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR

NHTSA 14V153000Mar 31, 2014Steering1,373,177 vehicles
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. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

Steering complaints by HHR model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2006458 (46%)
2007424 (58%)
2008297 (48%)
2009127 (25%)
2010231 (45%)
201125 (12%)

Frequently asked questions

Are steering problems common on the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?: Yes. Steering accounts for 231 of the 515 complaints filed for this model year, or 45% of all complaints, making it the dominant reported problem area.
Is there a steering recall for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?: Yes. NHTSA recall campaign 14V153000, reported March 31, 2014, covers the electric power steering system on 2009-2010 non-turbo HHR models among other GM vehicles.
At what mileage do steering failures typically happen?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 63,000 miles for steering complaints on the 2010 HHR.
Have steering failures caused crashes or injuries?: NHTSA records 8 crashes and 3 injuries linked to steering complaints on the 2010 HHR, including reports of sudden loss of power steering assist leading to collisions.