Three problems related to steering is tight have been reported for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR based on all problems reported for the 2006 HHR.
Power steering comes up in messsge center over 10 mph. Steering is very hard. When you turn the motor off and restart it resets. Over 10 mph power steering comes up again. Brought it to local dealership and diagnostic test done but test comes up with no problems. Gm recalled only the 2010 Hhr for this problem, not the other year models. I purchased my 2006 Hhr new in December 2005.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that the instrument panel shorted intermittently and caused electrical failures within the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel was extremely tight and intermittently locked without warning. Upon using the cigarette lighter, smoke emitted inside the vehicle indicating that there was an electrical fire with the wires. The fire extinguished without having to contact the fire department. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v171000 (electrical system) and 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) but was unable to determine when the recall repair would be performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that the steering failed. The power steering light illuminated before the failure occurred and the steering wheel was hard to turn. The vehicle had been turned off for a moment to have the steering return to normal function. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 74,000 and the current mileage was 74,300.