Chevy HHR Complaints Still Coming In
September 10th, 2012. By AbiK
A while back we asked readers to submit videos of their Chevy HHR problems; specifically, we’d asked for videos where readers were telling us their HHR won’t shut off. A number of readers submitted videos, and we’ve had hundreds of HHR owner comments going off on HHR problems. While there hasn’t to date been an official recall over at the NHTSA, some of our readers did report receiving a letter from GM stating that they could have their car fixed at no cost—however, it appears not everyone got that letter and the fix depended on what the HHR VIN number.
In the meantime, we’ve just received this comment from a woman whose HHR wouldn’t shut off when she pulled in to buy some gas—with an infant in the car, mind you—so she was forced to leave her car running while she fueled up. What was that about safety at the tank that we’re always told—? Something about NOT leaving the car running… Hmm, guess GM didn’t hear that one…
Just went to get gas and couldn’t get the key to move or engine to turn off – had to gas up with it running! As a woman alone with an infant in the car, Thank God for my smart phone and all you folks posting some “quick” fixes to put my mind at ease that I wasn’t the only one!
When I got to my inlaws, I was able to pull the fuse for the transmission/engine console and the engine cut off. Key is still stuck so had to pull fuse for lights and disconnect battery cable also. VERY INCONVENIENT!!
Not happy to hear this isn’t covered under warranties but I am going to try nonetheless. More pissed to be losing the time from work to fix something so ridiculous! I do not have time or patience for this. STEP UP, GM!
And just this morning we hear from a senior citizen who’s been put in a bind with Chevy HHR repairs. Read what she has to say:
I do not have a video but I have a 2006 Springtime Edition HHR and about 6 weeks ago the key stuck in the ignition and would not shut off all the power and ran down battery so had it towed to Chevrolet Dealer in Vicksburg, MI and it cost $420.
Now tomorrow I have to have it towed again because it would start and stop at stop light so took it to dealer and he put it on the computer and told me it was a short in the brain and estimate is $437.00 Could not decide to pay that much after having the earlier $420 so took it home and now it will not make it out of the driveway. Chevrolet should be ashamed of themselves for having a vehicle with problems like this, I only have 39,000 miles on it. I am a senior citizen with limited income and thought I bought a dependable vehicle but will never buy another Chevrolet. I intend to let Chevrolet know that I do not believe these problems are isolated but there are other people who bought HHR’s with problems much the same as mine and they should be responsible for the repairs.
Let us know if you’ve had Chevy HHR problems, and how you’ve fared with GM service (or not).
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Yes I Have A Chevrolet HHR. I Have Had Problems With This Car Since I Have Had It.The Whole Car Sound's Like Its About To Fall Apart, The Front End. I Have Changed Three Sets Of Tires Cause Of Chevrolet They Said They Replaced Things They Never Did. My Seat Belt Light Has Been On Going On Three Years I Have Paid For It To Be Fixed At Chevrolet, Has Not Be Fixed I Called GM And They Told Me To Take It Back But The Dealer Wants More Money. The Paint Started Chipping Before a Year And The Car Only Had Fourteen Miles On It. The Brakes has Always Had A Bad Noise. My Key Has Also Gotten Stuck. GM Needs To Recall This Car Bad! My Steering Wheel Has Had Smoke Coming From It The Second Year I Had The CAR, How Can We start A CLASS ACTION SUIT?!
ive had problems from the very beginning, right now i cant get my car out of park. i havent drove it for a week. before that i had to have the i couldnt get my key out and it wouldnt turn. my windshild leeks, my dash lights go off and on. one time i had to stop and park because i smelled something burning it was electrical. my steering wheel wont lock. my air bag light keeps comming on for no reason. my hazard lights just stopped working dont know why. these cars are lemons. i dont drive my car very much i drive 12 miles a day and usually dont drive on the weekends. so i average about 60 miles a week and mostly freeway. im out of money and stuck with a car thats a money pit. this car really suck
Yes, it does my car is 6 years old now is it to late for a class action suit
Yes, they are. Is it to late to start a class action suit
Yes they are, is it to late to start a class action suit
The latest problem with my 2007 hhr is slop in the steering column, took it in to get fixed thought it was a recall but it,s something else like an assist motor for the steering, The brakes rotors went in the Ist 5000k and have been redone 10 times , the dealer doesn,t fix the rotor but turns them , time after time. The front end shakes about every 5-10k . bearing on front have been replaced 3X .In the summer bug excremente would settle down in basin for the windsheild and stinks everyone out of the car, it was so bad. In the snow there are no guards on the back of the brakes so the snow packs in behind and the brake peddle is pushed to the top and you have no brakes, this should have been a recall especially in canada. The windsheild is so low it is possible to miss street lights in certain areas and cities that are higher up . The posts are so wide that if someone is crossing at a cross walk you can,t see them. I drive my car very gently, the only thing from the dealer and the manufacturer is them blaming each other and no one taking responsibility for a piece of shit car built in mexico.
I have a 2009 HHR and I LOVE IT !!
Best car I ever owned .. not 1 thing has ever gone wrong with this car..
I travel all over the US and get great gas mileage and feel very safe driving this car.
I own a business and can get more product boxes in the back than in any SUV or wagon I ever owned.
And no I do not work for or have any affiliation with Chevrolet or GM what so ever.
Just a very happy HHR owner !!
Maybe you have not had it long enough yet.
I have the 2008 HHR, I have had NUMEROUS issues. My car a couple months after receiving it had the panel under the driver side door start falling off. My airbag light begin coming on about a year in. The key occasionally gets stuck in the ignition where you have to force turn the steering wheel to get it out. The radio no longer receives AM. I am highly disappointed by this GM product to a point I might buy a foreign brand next time around.
I have a 2008 HHR that we bought “practically new” as the gentlemen down at the shop called it. I have had to fix the resistor fan 8 times in owning it a little over a year, I recently found water in the compartment that holds the battery in the trunk end underneath the pull out carpeting and tailgate tray that hides the donut tire. When I say water, it took 10 pieces of large paper towels to get it to the point where it wasn’t a miniature lake. This is a safety hazard and I am trading this monster in as soon as I am done paying on the title. I refuse to die in this car because it wasn’t made correctly at all. The steering wheel shakes, I had the key get stuck but I tried the old trick of “break pedal with turning the steering wheel” the key let go after an hour of fussing and enough cuss words to make any sailor blush. I swear I hate this car. It WAS amazing as a ‘first’ car but hell its not worth this bull. I cannot keep replacing my damn resistor fans or having the whole dashboard lights (on full blast at night mind you) cut off and leave me with no way to see how fast I am even going or if I need to stock up on gas any time soon during a lengthy drive. This car is definitely worth trading in and dusting your hands of all the trouble its cause, no matter the year it seems.
The steering wheel and key getting stuck were recalled and are fixable free of charge at a Chevy dealership. It seems the Dealership did not repair the recalled items. Take it to a local Chevy dealership and ask for ALL of the recalled items to be repaired on your vehicle. I also thought the HHR were only made through year 2009. I have a 2009 and had the two issues, I never had “water” or circuits go out. I have over 100,000 miles and other than the recalled issues and an issue with the window operation (not a warranty item but happened on all the models of this year) I have had no problems. I was also hit on the side of the car at an intersection and survived (that 2009 was totaled). I have been overall happy.
I have a 2009 HHR @ 15,000 miles front stabilizer links were replaced because of rattle noise in front suspension. Had fuel sending unit replaced 2 years later for erratic fuel readings, sometimes as much as a quarter of a tank when restarting vehicle. One week later it was back at dealer because ignition key jammed up & car could not be turned off ( I pulled out fuse for fuel pump and eventually shut vehicle down.) Yesterday power steering decides to cut out while driving at any speeds. Vehicle has 48,000 & now out of warranty. Chevy Cobalt had p/stg problem & they were recalled. I checked other sites and have seen quite a few complaints regarding the p/stg.Once again there is no recall on these vehicles even though they share the same components as the Cobalt. I really like this vehicle in spite of these problems. GM needs to get on the ball & fix the power steering before some one gets killed.
I have an 2007 hhr…its a nitemare. How do I apply for the lawsuit to get these recalls fixed?
I am so glad to see that i am not the only person having problems with my HHR. You name it this car has had the problem. I couldn't even give this car away right now because everyone in this area has either witnessed the cars weird behavior, seen it on the side of the road, watched it being towed, heard about it or sat with me while i cried over the stupid car.
My 2009 has started itself in the middle of the night, turned wipers, lights, radio and or horn on. Mind you this is even after i had pulled the battery out of the remote start key pad. I've had it stall going down a busy highway, i live in oil country and that is dangerous. Once it totally shut down for no reason while going down the highway, and because i had no control over the car i ended up in a ditch, blowing a tire and ruining a rim. That was another costly experience, had to get a front end alignment and since i had to buy one tire and a rim i bought all new tires. After that the check engine light has been on & no matter what anyone does it wont go off. Oh yeah, and it wont let you update the tire pressure sensor. Which as i have read in the car manual can cause a long list of warnings on your little screen and even has caused problems with the emissions system. No real problem but the computer reads it as a problem. I've had the gas pedal stick & the gas pedal not give me any power.
The key has been stuck multiple times in the ignition and ran down the battery. Finally figured out, thanks to You Tube, how to get the dam keys out. But, not before having to replace a battery. It locks on its own and you cant get in or even unlock it; locksmiths out here are not cheap and can take 4 days to get to you. Ever been locked in your car & cant get any door to open? Now that's creepy; i had to crawl all the way to the back of my car & got out by popping out the plastic piece on the tailgate and using a flathead screw driver to pop it open. Even had times neither of my keys would even start the car, let alone turn in the ignition.
It is forever having some kind of electrical problem. I could go on forever listing things that have happened just from the Theft Protection thing on here; i dont need to worry about any crooks, because even they won't touch this car. The latest problem is the the MAP Sensor, supposedly! Suddenly, while driving in heavy oil tanker traffic, my car showed the warning: "engine power reduced" & then 2 seconds later " engine disengaged". This was at 2 am on a friday night. Where i live this is not a good time for a woman to get broke down on the highway.( Watch the news about Williston, ND) Thankfully i was able to coast over to the side of the road and into a parking lot. Not before almost getting squashed by multiple trucks and trailers.
Chevy needs to recall these death traps, and quit trying to do their stupid little fixes that never last. and if they continue to refuse to recall them they should be forced legally to do it. Is there anybody out there willing to ban together to force them or get the government to force them to totally recall these vehicles. I cant afford to keep fixing mine and i can no longer afford to buy a different vehicle or trade it in. I had to go to being self employed because half the time i couldnt make it to work because of the stupid car. Now i cant afford to make payments on anything. I have been very lucky though that i have a couple of very good friends who are mechanics, so they do most of the work. But still i got to buy the parts & still pay them something. Somebody do something
Hi ahuschka, You're definitely not alone with HHR problems…you can also see this post where there are almost 200 comments from folks sharing their experiences, their fixes, and more–might be helpful to you http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/blog/maybe-c…
I ro had the ignition problem. I still have the engine light thing going on in mine and have now for the past 2+ years. My remote start wont start anymore. My car powers off while I am driving it and I was told by chevy that the car runs off of 3 computers that take turns operating the car and its possible one is bad but without it stahling while they drive it they cant helpm (isnt that what a diagnostic is for). I am appauled at the money we pay for vehicles and housing today, so to pay 25,000 for a heep of headaches just kills me.
Everybody keep this in mind every car has a manual way to get out, you cannot get stuck inside ( unless your a baby or an animal) in this case the hhr is the up and down lock on the door
I have a 2007 and the power steering keeps on going out
I have the same problem and its electric so its not an easy fix!
I have a 2009 its the worst car to own, my brakes, noise in the wheels, check engine lights stay on car want turn off, its a nightmare Help please.
I have a 2007 hhr and my brakes are clicking the motor feels like its going to fall off. i already had an accident with the car i am thinking is because of the problems with the steering column . The dealer keeps telling all is fine can someone help me.
I have a 2009 HHR and I love it. Close to 50,000 miles and no problems whatsoever. Will make a great classic in my experience. My first car was a 1939 chevy which was a classic at the time. Sure beats the VW, again in my experience.
I HATE this car! My power steering just went out out of nowhere. When I tried to add power sterring fluid, thinking that I could easily do it myself, I was told that it would have to go to the dealer because it's electric! Not only that but the brakes are HORRIBLE! I just put new brakes on the car and a month later they were out again! I live in the northwest part of the states and its EXTREMELY HORRIBLE in the winter weathers. I'm upset with the dealer for this bogus purchase but even more angry at myself for allowing the dealer to put me in this piece of crap car. I would NEVER suggest this car to anyone, especially those with children!
I have a 2007 and it the best car i have ever owned, drove from Philadelphia to Raliegh NC before filling up
and I have 2,4 liter engine. Of course this car has every option available. I wish they would bring it back. Just
have front pads replaced at 47, 000 miles. Also show winner at ten car shows.
I Have a 2006 HHR with over 100,000 miles and it has been a great car. It does have issues that I can't seem to get resolved without costing an arm and a leg. The first problem I had was with warning lights coming on. Took to dealer, they said sensors needed to be replaced. I thought it was still under warranty but it wasn't so they only replaced 1. They said three needed to be changed. Fuel mileage went from 32 to 28 mpg. Now I have trouble with a short in the radio and while driving down the road the doors lock and unlock by themselves and sometimes the lights come on when the car is in the driveway with no one in the car then they go off. Has been a great car but the problems are very frustrating.
I own a 2008 Chevy HHR LT and I have never had a problem with it. For the past three years I have driven my car from my home at the Jersey shore to Tampa, Fl and back. I love my car and frankly I was surprised to read all the negative reviews from owners of this car. I didn't even know they stopped making them. I was thinking about buying a new model.
3 of the 4 power windows will not open…guess I am lucky that the drivers window works for now…many goofy problems…but the 2.0 Turbo SS is a blast to drive…
Does anyone know what the problem with the power windows is?
This is a LOVE…HATE type of vehicle!
I have a 2009 HHR. I bought it used with 80,000 miles on it. I noticed within a week that there was a vibration in the front end. I had it aligned, new tires and wheels balanced at least 3 times. Finally replaced the entire front end and started over with the wheels balanced and wheel alignment. It is still vibrating. It feels like it is going to shake apart. I have also had issues with the key getting stuck in the switch. I have put it in gear and rocked it and finally get the key out. I am a little nervous now after reading about the cars moving out of park and crashing from a parked position. I really enjoy driving the car, but am getting extremely frustrated with the vibration in the front end and no mechanic I have found is able to find the issue.
I bought a 2011 HHR in March of 2011 – it started out with just little minor things. Now the electrical system may be going out of it. The front end sounds like it is falling out from under it and It has had a vibration since we drove it home. I contacted Chevrolet and they stated that every vehicle (New or old) would have some issues, some off the lot and some a little later. The radio now won't turn off, (they said I have an internal short) and the control panel is taking spells that it goes absolutely crazy. I like my car and the purpose for it was to have a reliable car to take my son back and forth to the Doctor. I really would love to know a solution. Thanks!!
I have had to have my 2011 HHR's engine repaired already and all of the fuel injectors. I am surprised I cannot find more complaints about this year of HHR.
I have a 2008 HHr which has been a nightmare & a money pit. Took back with brakes shaking not long after purchase to be told it was normal. Then had a leak in the windshield that it took 5 trips back to dealer before they found. I have put several sets of brakes, new rotars, turned rotars & it starts shaking again in just a few weeks. Had an electrical problem & it just quit as I was driving home from work(thank goodness it was in the predawn hrs I drive to work). Next was an issue with the catalytic convertor & emmision system, which it took 2 visits to get fixed. also my drivers inside door handle broke off, i have to roll window down…reach out & open then roll it back up as I do not have the money to replace. I drive 70 miles daily to work & back and i am constantly afraid I am going to be stranded.
I have a 2008 HHR LT that I purchased brand new. Where do I begin; I have been left stranded 2 times from my ignition faulting out (I would put the key in and it locked up with my key in it) Chevy swapped out the ignition both times and said they would continue to for the life of the car…HOW FANCY!!. My car randomly powered down on me when I was driving it, not sitting at a light, but when I was physically driving it. My rotors went bad after 3,000 miles. I have replaced my rotors 3 times and have had my third set machined for a 4th time on rotor parts (I now have spare rotors in my garage). My car has always sounded like I was dragging my undercarriage (sounds like tin cans), I have had my engine light stuck on for the past 2 years (replaced every code it gives me and its still on). I have replaced 3 sets of tires on my HHR. It will be 6 yrs old this April and it only has 74,000 on it. _SCV, CA
Cont..
The AC/Heater has also been making a strange sound since day one but everytime I take it in they would claim they did not hear it and therefore could not repair. I wasnt able to identify the location until after it past its warranty period. My interior light switch (unreachable by anyone up front) fell apart internally. the switch is floating around inside of the socket. My passenger door lock will not unlock or lock with the rest of the car, and that ame door has a power issue when rolling up the window (this has been going on the last 3 years) As for the exterior… The chevy emblems were made with some sort of dual layered material and the gold foil material has bubbled up in both of the emblems. As I drive around I have noticed the same problem on almost all HHR's that are not brand new. The rim center wheel caps I have on my car have randonly fallen off and continue to do so randomly. A matter of fact I am waiting for a recently ordered one in the mail as I write this. I have replaced a total of 5 now at $50 a pop bringing me to a grand total of $125.00 just for center cap replacements.
Cont (3)..In the last 12 months I have dumped $1,500 into my extremley well kept car in just regular maintnece and replacements parts (center caps, rotars, tires, interior center console that blew out of my dash, bushings, etc) This car is a "MONEY PIT"
As of today I have a list of 14 things wrong with my car. Aside from the ignition being fixed chevy has done nothing about my powering down issue, or my ratteling noises, or ac/heater issue! I stopped going to chevy long ago and I now maintain it elsewhere and keep full records of everything I do to it. I can only hope someday I will be part of a class action lawsuir that compensates me for the last 6 years of RIDICULOUS UPKEEP, and damages. I was left for 13 hours on the side of the road the second time my ignition went out because AAA needed a flatbed and did not have one available at 8:30pm that night. You do the math…yup my car and I were left until 10 am the following morning (mind you I am a single mother who clearly needed to be elsewhere)_Santa Clarita, CA
MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING A 2007 HHR WHEN WE WERE INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS COLLISION IN WHICH THE HHR WAS TOTALED YET THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMTS, TOW TRUCK DRIVER ALL WONDERED WHY THEY DID NOT ACTIVATE. THEY ALL ASKED IF AIRBAGS WERE DEACTIVATED AND I INFORMED THEM NO. MY DAUGHTER WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR A HEAD INJURY.
Hi Steven, your situation unfortunately sounds like many of the other cases that individuals have started to file lawsuits for–ie, GM airbags allegedly not deploying during a crash after the car shut off unexpectedly. If you'd like to submit a complaint regarding your similar situation for an attorney who's handling these cases to review, you can do that at this link–see the complaint form on the right of the page. http://www.bigclassaction.com/lawsuit/gm-issues-m… We hope both you and your daughter are recovering from the accident and wish you both well.
2009 HHR ,ignition would not turn off ,took to dealer ,they replaced it under a "service bulletin " on the repair form ,they had it listed as install upgraded ignition switch ,so they are aware of the problem ,just don't want to do the right thing & recall them.
its called now.. we found this out today.. too bad we lost control of ours on 03/14/2014 after being sideswiped… its now totaled…
My 2009 HHR has had the struts and ignition switch replaced under warranty.The dealer replaced the switch while I waited as the car could not be turned off. Good service that time. It now is out of warranty with 50000 miles and sounds like the front end is falling off when I go over bumps.Also has a loud creaking noise when the rear end bounces in cold weather that goes away after driven awhile. I cannot find anything loose,but am afraid to drive the car on the highway for fear of something falling off and causing an accident. Also bottom of drivers door is rusting on inside that dealer said will be warrantied when it gets worse.Car has a cold draft and little heat coming from floor vent for which dealer cannot find the problem. Drivers door lock gets stuck and can lock you out at a gas station.I have to leave the window down to make sure I won't lock myself out. Dealer lubed it once,then replaced power lock,but it still sticks when it is cold outside. I agree with anothers comment about low windshield making it hard to see stop lights and wide a-pillers causing a bad blind spot. I actually hit a car because I didn't see it in the right front blind spot.
.
my 2009 hhr has been plagued with the power steering, and ignition switch.. sadly we have taken it to the dealership multiple times and there is never a fix.. the car was sideswiped on 03/14/2014… we lost control of the car and then we collided with a guardrail.. we was going a whole 15mph.. the car was a total loss.. the side airbags came off but not the front ones.. then get told by the other parties insurance company due to all of the GM stink we had to take a lower amount on our car.. because the cash value actually went down.. my 2009 hhr was only worth $7000.. what the heck is wrong with this picture.. get lowballed on our car and then have injuries but hey GM got their money.. so what do they care..
I have a 2011 HHR and while I love the car, I am finding that I am not trusting it very much. The other day I was driving down the road & the controls went wild on the dash & my car just shut off. I already have an internal issue with my radio that causes my radio to do weird things. I have contacted dealerships but I get dismissed – I'm assuming because they can never find a problem or because I am a woman. I was gonna trade it in but the price they was gonna allow me isn't no where near the pay off. I really wish that I had left it on the lot. Just my opinion.
Our 2006 HHR has had numerous issues. We have had sway bars replaced several times. It doesn't take long for the clunking to return. Power steering goes out frequently then comes back on after car is turned off and restarted. Throttle body cable has been cleaned several times then replaced. Motor started rattling then quit. It will not start. Steering wheel does not lock when car is off. Had the shifter repaired as it would not go into gear. Radio and speakers are junk. Turned on the back window sprayer only to find windshield washer solvent spraying inside the car. Tube had disconnected. Had to take inside of the car apart to fix it.
the clunking is a bushing. easily fixed, but You have to tell the Chevy folks how to do their job. I have a 2006 HHR also. I love the car, but have had the key lock issues and other ones before. Since I have had them repaired, great car.
I have a 2009 HHR with about 84,000 miles on it. A few weeks ago, the computer display started going haywire. It displayed things such as "service ESC", "service traction control", "low fuel", etc. The car shifts through first and second gear way too hard, speedometer and tachometer bounce all over the place, acts like it doesn't want to accelerate, and now the engine light has come on. It doesn't do it all the time. Any ideas?
I've had pretty Good Luck with my HHR except that my interior is FLOODING with water, up to 2 inches in the driver's side floorboard, alarmingly I pulled up the carpet and electrical harnesses are submerged! The internet is filled with blogs about this problem and Chevy is reluctant to deal with problem. They probably will send out recall call letters years from now where most owners have gotten rid of them. It really angers me that I have this problem. Maybe I should talk with a lawyer if it's not resolved.
I have the same problem. been going on for years. Mine is on the passenger side. I try to park it with the passenger side a little higher than the drivers side . this seems to help unless it is a torrential downpour.
We bought our 2007 HHR new for my wife. It's been remarkably trouble-free thru the 70,000 miles it has now. Always dealer serviced per schedule. It's been a great car really. Wish some others had our experience.
I have spent more money on this car than I have on all my other cars combined. The engine light came on last week and the repairman told me it would cost about $1500 to have it fixed. His suggestion was that I get rid of the car. He says he works on a lot of cars and this is almost the worst he's ever seen. If a repairman will pass up a $1500 fee and tell you just to get rid of the car, you know it's bad – and he's obviously an honest mechanic.
My 2008 would not shut off and had to pay $250 to fix it at a dealer a couple years ago. Now there's another recall on the key switch which has caused deaths…. I'm having the switch replaced again but this time GM is paying for it. Parts due to arrive soon the dealer says…..
I have a 2006 HHR that I bought new. Within the first year I had to have the rotors replaced. This has been an ongoing problem. I have had Chevy dealers, multiple independent garages work on it and no one can figure out why after a few months the rotors are warped again. I also have a loud clunking sound when I drive over a a bump. The chevy dealer told me at one tome the steering gear box needed replaced and it would be $1000 forget that.My husband has a 2008 Saturn Vue that has the same clunking sound in it. My brother says he thinks it is in the steering in both cars. I have spent thousands replacing everything in the front end I have had to have the catalytic converter replaced , also when it rain it leaks in the passenger
side floor they can't seem to figure that one out either. Because of that I have had to replace my heater motor 3 times because it is always corroded from where the water leakes through it. Very annoying.
the clunking sound on mine was bushings on the sway bar. after they were replaced…no problem. of course, i had to tell them what part to order…
I bought this 2008 HHR new here in Las Vegas. I am a low mileage driver, 6 years old and only 35000 mi in it. I have several issues that was taking cared of. I experienced the key stucked and won't turn off, but I managed to turn it off after trying and never had the problem again. Next , Sept 2012 power steering stop working while driving, took it to the dealer where I bought the car and they replaced the power steering assist motor. In Nov 2012 right side rear door lock broke down and they replaced it. July 2013 radiator was replaced because the loose fan punch a hole thru it. The same date brake rotor was serviced for being warped. April 2014 the engine light that keep coming on when the temperature gauge read 0 ( the temp gauge work sometimes for about 4 month) . The dealer replaced the faulty coolant thermostat and so far the problem with the engine light and the temp gauge have been resolved. Thank God for the GMPP that I purchased ,all these problems were fixed under extended warranty. I love this car and planning to keep it.
Hi every owner of an HHR. I have replaced the steering column 3 times in my car in 3 years, Sway bar, rotars, etc, etc, etc. I am trying to have Chevrolet buy back the car. Any ideas
I am not a car expert, however a steering column should last the life of the car. I have a 2006. I recieved a letter offering lifetime warranty of power steering, very vague. It is well known that power steering goes out and a recall on newdr models. I did as letter said and took to dealer when the power steering went out. It turns out only power steering motor is covered under the lifetime warranty although they have replaced other components in cars that were recalled snd acknowledged there are problems in all of the steering. I have contacted 2 reps and they insist I have to pay 1100.00 out of pocket to replace column and say its not safe to drive.
This is unacceptable. I would make a report to National highway safety and maybe we can force a recall. You should be reimbursed for this expense as clearly this is a defective part. The lifetime warranty that does not cover the defective parts is useless. And to maintain the car is safe (just has manual steering) until you take it in to dealer and then say its dangerous is bad faith.
Wishing you yhr best.
I have a 2009 HHR that is the wost car i ever i will never buy GM again th key stock in ingintion my friend had to turn the car off manually, change tire do not know how may time to replace the transmission which going to cost me 3500 dollars mind you i just drive car to work and back, driver side signal stop work after the change the key when it stock in ingintion chevy on capital san jose said it ghave nothing to do with that and for some one to look at it it 150 dollard check airbag light is allways on. i cannot aford to buy a knew car and i do not know what to do because i need my car to go to work.
I have a 09 hhr and for the past 3 yrs my ac cycles on and off when it is over 93 degrees outside. I live in arizona and have two small kids so ac is a must. I’ve taken it to 3 different mechanics and none of them can figure it out. I cannot stand my hhr and wish I could afford to get a different car!
it may be the ac knob–as it opens the "door" inside the dash to let in the cool air. while the a/c is running, and it cycles off, push gently around the knob that changes if from cool to heat. on mine, if you hold it down and an angle, the "door" will open and cool air again. some times, I have to turn the knob all the way to cool…then three clicks to the right…and cool air…crazy. check out hhr forums….they help
thanks for your information people, I could have made a big mistake. I really thought they where nice looking pieces of history and thinking of buying one myself., it sounds to risky and a waste of time and money. I can not believe these big time corporations can get away with this. GM you suck.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/ 10608946. Front end shake bought it used about 8 months ago shakes when i first got thought was brakes replaced brake rotors and pad still shakes had it inspected nothing found made complaint to NHTSA http://www.safercar.gov
I purchased my 2006 HHR used w/approximately 55k miles. The water pump went out w/in the first few months. Not a big deal at 55k miles. The $400 price tag from the dealer was a joke. Apparently, it's difficult to access. Since then this is what I have experienced:
1. The front brake rotors warp rather quickly making the brake pedal pulsate and steering wheel shake when slowing down. I have had the rotors replaced 2 or 3 times now. From what I have been told, these brakes are undersized.
2. After heavy rains I would have a puddle of water on the front passenger floor. This is a known defect. A rubber sheet under the cowl beneath the windshield detaches because it was inadequately sealed. I did a Google search and was able to repair this myself.
3. The car clunks when going over bumps. I was under the impression it was the struts and shocks. Appears to be the tie rod bushings. I haven't fixed this yet.
4. Ignition switch is sticky. A few times I haven't been able to turn the vehicle off w/o driving around a bit and jiggling the key. This is part of the recall and will be repaired.
5. My BIGGEST complaint with this car is the heating and cooling system. These systems work once every 100 tries. This is my work vehicle and it's not fun riding around in it when it's 90° outside. I have replaced the control unit in the dash and it hasn't helped. There are times when the heat just blows at my feat continuously. NIGHTMARE FROM HELL!!! I am going to have this diagnosed when I have the ignition switch replaced under the recall. I have read somewhere online that this may be due to some electronic device beneath the dash that may fail due to the leak at the windshield. It says the entire dash has to be removed to access it. If that is the case this car is out of here.
the clunking in the front end are the sway bar bushings . I put in control arm bushing, motor and transmission mounts . didn`t fix problem . just installed sway arm bushing and clunking is gone . hope this helps.
It is so troublesome to me to own this 2010 hhr every time you look around there are problems with the care. First my ignition switch wouldn't turn off. Had to leave it running while I go in the bank and get gas. Then I had my brake pads and rotors replaced and my car begin to shake on the driver side, I went back to the dealer and they were supposedly replaced them again and the problem was suppose to be solve but it not it began to shake again within a month. My power windows doesn't work and my driver side door will not open from the inside. I had it replaced and it broke again. Now my a/c and coolant gauge will not work. I don't know what to do about this car. I really believe we need a new car from gm c. It should be there courtesy for our pain.
On June 23, 2014. I purchased a 2009 HHR from a huge, local car dealer. I went into the same dealership because I had bought a 2007 Pontiac G5 a year earlier. The Pontiac had ignition problems and was in recall. So, I contacted the car dealership several times and they just told me to wait until I received a letter from them. After months still no letter re: recall on the Pontiac. I was called into the dealership in June, 2014. They took my Pontiac (knowing it had been on recall) and sold me a 2009 HHR (which was also on recall). I knew nothing about the recall for 2009 HHR. So, this well known car dealership knowingly sold me 2 cars they knew had recall issues. What nice people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (NOT!!)
On my 2006 HHR, the driver's inside door handle (or mechanism) has failed 3 times (once within 12 months of previous, hence under 12 month part warranty), and now the front passenger's side door handle has failed. GM does not make a repair, requires replacing the entire inside door panel at $500+. GM Customer Service sends you back to the dealer.
I'll probably get an aftermarket repair for the door this time (the door panel must still come off, 2 hours labor), then get rid of this car. In other respects, its been a very good car.
Bought an 06 in 06 with 13000 on it.Amongst the small problems,broken heater fan, radio, wiper assembly,transmission shifting computer gliches, linkage stuck, key stuck,numerous front end parts, exhaust from cat back, steering motor, water leaks from ac…and I’m sure I left some out and yes those are the little problems. The big problem happened a year ago when the engine needed replaced at 70000! Yes you heard it right at 70k with regular oil changes it through a rod and was rendered useless.
Bought a 2011 HHR last year with 37K on it. Replaced the front brakes and rotors in December now 17K miles later I am having problems with them. And of course out of warranty. Had problems with the brakes on it before as well. Now I am having trouble with all the doors. Drivers door handle is broken. $400+ for parts and labor. The rear doors are also at issue as well. I have a 1993 Jeep Wrangler with 200K miles on it that has less issues than my 2011 HHR. All I can say is Shame on you Cherolet…