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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2011 HHR I keep reporting all of my problems to Chevy in Nashua but they refuse to agree with it all. Keep me informed and on your list.
I live Pinewood acres
Dover,Delaware 19901
We have two Chevy HHR
The Chevy HHR ls has had the steering problem fixed HOWEVER NOW THE INGINE LIGHT STAYS ON .
AT THE 100.000 MATIENCE I SPENT $3,000.00 DOLLARS ,,NOW AT 129,000 MILES the INGINE light will not go out and I’ve spent $2,000.00 in repairs.
The 2008 HHR lt has INGINE
the car gas gets stuck. the key has gotten stuck. the car keeps running when the key is out. the car starts without a key, I come out of work to find it running. the engine light is on more than off and ding ding the traction and jerking starts once again. must I keep going?”
I’m just now starting to feel the jerk in my 2008 HHR
My headlight wiring harnesses keep getting too hot and melting
I have a Chevy HHR that has given me no real problems untill lately, I can’t keep the battery charged and it’s a new battery. I hoped I wouldn’t have to take it to Hammers Chevrolet in our town. It’s so expensive to have the dealer where you bought it work on it but they are the only Chevy dealership in town. I’ll have to get one of those little machines that tell you where the drain is coming from before I even take it Well, thanks alot Nancy
My 2008. Hhr is jerking it cuts off at every light..what do people suppose to do about this problem
Go to a nearest AutoZone, Advanced or big name auto part store and they should have a machine/computer to help identify the problem. Hope this helps.
Carl
We had to have the entire head redone, innate flaw, the valve guides fall appart. We had to have the fuel filter and fuel pump (both inside gas tank) replaced. Needs a second catalytic converter. Repalced both wheel bearings. Now shifting very rough. Need a new car but cant afford one or more car repaurs. Chevy wont help.
I understand where you are coming from.I have been smelling gas. Took my 2008 HHR to get an oil change and they said that my gas line is rusted. I can’t afford to get it fixed, So I have to keep driving it like that.
Be extra careful. Gas fumes are highly flamable.
Hi my 2008 rusted out as well. My mechanic replaced mine with a less expensive option. I paid 230.00 i have had it for a year now. No more gas leaks.
Hi, The gas line on my 2008 HHR also rusted out. My mechanic recommended replacing it with an HHR replacement line from the dealership, which, when installed, would run about $900. Is Chevrolet planning a recall for this? I’ve owned probably more than a couple of dozen cars in the past 45 years and never a gas line rust out.
I have a09 an the gas line rusted ,wheel bearings ,strut,rocking arm,occasionally the code saying service air bags,seevice tire pressure monitor, now engine powering dwn .junk
I own a 2006 chevy hhr for about 6mos now.
LOVED my Little car & still do.
Problems are just beginning!
Had the ignition changed by Michael Chevrolet in Fresno, Ca no charge.
Now when im driving the gage starts going crazy
Saying “POWER STEERING” jerking real hard, loosing power & lock symbol comes out on dash.
My husband no longer wants me to drive it, he’s afraid the steering wheel will lock while driving.
I still have the ignition problem.
I also have a son who’s beeing seen weekly for dr appts WHAT TO DO?
THANKS FOR READING
Have a nice day
Diana Ruiz
Hi Diana, I own the same vehicle and Ive had it for 4 months. The exact same thing happened to me yesterday. I panicked and made it to Autozone. I am wondering if you received a reply from a mechanic on this site, as I do not see one as of yet? Diagnostic gave me a code U 0073. Also I noticed the control box has a crack on it and wires were moist from the rain.
Thanks
Obdulia
They use a cheap electric power steering motor! Mine went out. Luckily they have a decal on it now and reimbursed me for having to replace it two years ago. 2006 hhr is the worst car I’ve ever bought!! Bad fan control motor, bad sunroof, leaked under the glove box all over passenger floor when rained on! ( FIX for that design flaw on YouTube), solenoid in shifter box was crap and keys wouldn’t come out, traction control light coming on and it shifting so hard I was waiting for the trans to fall apart! (That was the exshaust solinoid! Replaced it and never had that problem again) car sucks!
I own a 2006 HHR and mine shifts very hard also, especially when it is going into 2nd gear. My engine light is on and the code is reading a transmission speed sensor. The sensor is inside the transmission, while other cars are on the outside. Told it would cost $925.00-$1800. It sounds like the same problem you had. Did your engine light come on when yours shifted hard? Maybe I can try doing what you did to stop the problem. Hopefully that will be cheaper.
cHECK THE BATTERY. MAKE SURE THE CONNECTIONS ARE TIGHT AND THA NOTHING IS GROUNDING. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THOUGHT MY HHR WAS TAKEN OVER BY DEMONS
I have a 2009 HHR, I have already had the key stuck in the ignition so I drove it to the Chevy dealer and let them get it out. They fixed it because there was a recall. Now my back wiper goes on and off when I step on the brake???? What’s up with that!!! I was told my car is not grounded correctly, or not at all??? Thanks you,
Also wanted to ask…has anyone had their timing chain break??
I have a 2008 Chevy HHR SS with Turbo. My check engine light has been going off and on for several months. I bring it to the dealership and they can’t find anything wrong so they reset it. A few weeks later same thing, on and on and on. Last Thursday my car started to overheat and the light came on. I pulled over and turned the car off immediately. Waited 1/2 hour and turned it on and it cooled down but the engine light came on again. Had the vehicle towed to the dealership the next morning. They said I needed to replace the water pump, replace the thermostat, replace the variable valve timing actuator. When the took my car apart they were surprised to find my balance chain loose and needs to be replaced. Only 87,000 miles on it. I called GM and they won’t help. Will cost $3,600 to fix. Seems horribly unfair for them to not take accountability for this.
Yes I have it’s going to cost me 4600 for a new motor it ate throw the metal gid w/o any sounds like it was going bad
Yes e bought a 2006 about 7 weeks ago. Used but every week since we bought it something has gone wrong and had to be fixed. Repairs have cost me.more then i have invested to purchase. Now the engine turns over with a running niose but t start completly. I have been told my timing chain is broke. I cannot afford to fix it. Wondering what to do.
My 2007 HHR has 168000 miles on it. The key switch and power steering were replaced under recalls and everything works as it should. I had to have a wheel bearing and a grease boot replaced about a year ago, and the timing chain is likely next, but not because of any faults, just because it has so many miles on it.
I’ve had one issue with it and it’s a persistent grounding issue. The stereo whines even when off, and it’s obviously a ground loop, but there’s really nothing that can be done about that without rewiring the whole stereo.
I have a 2010 HHR. It does not have a key fob. Only a Key entry on the driver’s side. The doors have locked on their own as though someone locked them from the inside. Has anyone else had this problem?
I have not been able to unlock my 2009 HHR door. They replaced the unlock button, but it was still a problem. They gave me a key fab, and said don’t lock the doors from the inside anymore.
I just started having same issue last week with my 2006 HHR. The security light was coming on when the power steering message appeared, it shifted/jerks extremely hard, clicking sound comes from gear shifter, gauges go crazy, and it acts like it’s going to die. Now instead of security light coming on its my check ingine light that stays on. I’m sitting in a parking lot now afraid to drive it because the jerking and hesitation like it’s about to die as well as engine light. I do not want to cause more damage or even cause an accident, so here I sit stranded.
Replace your power steering fuse! Mine did the same thing
2009 HHR has 116000 miles on it one day when to crank it up , nothing doing ! towed to shop they put a starter on it , called be to pick up. I drove it out on the road and all the warning lights flashed on the trans , it changed gears so hard I though the trans was going to blowup . but it cleared up about 100 yards down the road , I thought the computer reprogramed its self. but the time I drove it , it started doing the same problems all over. the garage told to take it the chev. dealer . I did thet keep 2 weeks and I picked it up . I drove it a few miles and it did it again the chev deader said they fixed a wring short under the passenger seat. I took it back , they keep 1 week called me to tell that the body control module was bad, and wanted $750 to fix it. I got a brand new one om line from a chev dealer in Arizona had a garage install it and reprogram it. drove it 40 miles and it stared it all over again . it back to the garage now waiting to hear from at this point I asker if he or some else wanted to buy it its for sale!!!!!!!!!!! no more gms for us! hello Toyota and honda from now on!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have a 06 hhr. i love it. only problem ive had was to replace wheel bearings and ball joints. normal wear. but i must say you have to keep the upkeep or one can run into lots of problems doesnt matter what car you have.
I have a 2006 chevy hhr, I picked my son up from school, came home and parked it. The next day when I got in, it wouldnt start. Just wondering if anyone else had this problem. I checked everything … All is good.
I have 2009 HHR with about 79000 miles but problems started long ago. While driving reduce power and car goes into limp mode after 2 hrs it resets like nothing’s wrong this happens with out warning dealer can’t find anything WRONG and says bring it when it happens again. How can I bring it in then? I’m nowhere near when it happens. GM needs to buy all these cars back.
I have had my check engine light come off an on for the last 3 years and dealership can’t find anything either. GM says too bad. Now i need to replace the water pump, replace the thermostat, replace the variable valve timing actuator. When the took my car apart they were surprised to find my balance chain loose and needs to be replaced. Only 87,000 miles on it. Will cost $3,600 to fix. Seems horribly unfair for them to not take responsibility.
I have a 2011 HHR. Doors unlock, check engine light, “service ESC”, “service traction”, “traction off” and several times now it will just shut off. I’ve taken it to a dealership three times to be repaired: tune up, repair a broken ground, replaced the transmission control module and replaced the throttle body. Still doing the exact same thing. Emailed complaints to GM and they simply don’t care. Need help in finding what is wrong with my car before I get killed on I-20
Throttle body needs to be replaced I just changed mine and problems stopped. Bought it from parts geek. Make sure to match it with the right engine 2.2 , 2.0 ,or 2.4 liter cost me 131 dollars and easy to install.
Don’t buy an HHR I have an 08 with only 28 k miles on it, I have a list a mile long on the POS. My main problem is A\C went out already. But to make it short stay away from this LEMON!!!
I have a 2009 Chevy HHR, with 91,465 miles on it. I am the 3rd owner, and purchased it in February 2017. I’m having problems with it jerking While I’m driving, and am pressing the gas to go, and when I’m pressing the brake to slow down. I’ve had brakes and rotors changed. I’m wondering if it’s the transmission or just needs a transmission flush.
I have a 06 Chevy HHR LS and sometimes I get they car lock and power steering lite will come on and go off and I hear a clicking noise and also the Tom’s will bounce up and down and I lose power steering. I bought the car new and have kept up with the maintenance on it.
Rpm’s
i have the jerking on the car as well i have an 2008 hhr and i fixed the headlight month later went out fixed again not 15minutes later the light is out again brights work but not regular i really regret this car it has been nothing but a pain
My 2011 HHR has problems galore. The back driver side door does not want to open most of the time..only sometimes. I had to replace my driver door because the windows would not work with the buttons. I replaced the whole door for this, and now the passenger window control still is wanting not to work, but works fine with the control on the passenger door. Traction lights and abs light come on all the time during the Winter and ofter during the Summer. Passenger side windshield wiper is not not working. Couldn’t tell you how many times we replaced breaks in the 4 years we have had it. We have changed the headlight bulbs more often than the breaks and that says a lot. Sometimes when I try to stop, the brakes skip and take a bit to catch. Currently, My headlights seem to have taken on a life of their own. They switch between high and low beams constantly while driving and I am not touching the switch. Now, the lights refuse to go off, even when the car is not running. WHAT IS HAPPENING???? I don’t have money, so I need a really cheap fix or idea PLEASE…. I, also, cannot afford a different car.
Well I’ve had my car for about 5 years….soon as I’m done paying for it, it falls completely apart. For the last 6 months I’ve been replacing the head lights which aren’t cheap and I keep paying for a warranty so they keep replacing them. Now in the last two months my key gets stuck in the ignition and the battery dies and the trunk and doors lock which sucks because I have to jump my car from the back and did i mention I’m in Wisconsin …its 15 below right now and my car is stuck at work right now it wouldn’t start and it’s entirely too cold to be climbing in a trunk to jump my car from the back seat….i loved my car at first now it’s just a piece of s*** I’m so sick of putting money into it it’s ridiculous….is GM gonna not put these cars on the market anymore….hope not….its a P.O.S.
myself have a the, the problems with my door locks jumping up and down, once that start the transmission will not come out of low gear,sometimes it happen as soon as I start the car and again maybe a 1/2 hr
I have a 2007 Chevy HHR that is giving me a problem- the first thing it has done was the engine light came on then it went off this was on Friday, now on Monday it started and I leaving to go to lunch and the power steering show up across the dash, I checked the fuse but it was okay and the light went away but this morning I went to go start my car to warm it up and the engine light was on again and it won’t start! I’m having it towed to a car shop now to see what the heck is going on. By any chance has anyone have this problem and an answer to fix this?
We just drove our 2006 Chevy HHR 2 hours and 40 minutes out of state to give it to a daughter who is in college. On the way there we noticed we went thru a lot of gas. . .well when turning it over to her, I could smelled an intense odor of gasoline. SURE ENOUGH the gas line has rusted out and gasoline was pouring out all over the city street. We are now in the process of paying for it to be towed to a Chevy dealership and were told it will be about $400 to repair!!! Has anyone ever been successful in being reimbursed by Chevy – either partially or fully? Thank you in advance. S.
I bought my 2010 HHR brand new. It has had all of the issues. Here is the list – Key stuck in ignition, would not shut off, two blower motors, steering column, stereo cut out, brakes replaced numerous times, power steering cut out, doors stuck shut, loses power and dash lights come on. Now the Ac just suddenly quit. How many people are going to die before Chevy does something about these piece of crap cars?? Massive rip off. I’m 54. I have had Chevy’s all my life. No More!! Done. You suck Cheverolet!!
We have a 2011hhr that has had some of the same problems as listed above. Our newest problem is that it got to where you need to carry a set of jumper cables because it may start and may not. We took a 3 hour trip yesterday and we started smelling a bad odour land looked over the inside of the car to no avail. We finally got home and started the search again . My wife started to roll the Windows up some and the battery was dead . We located the battery and it was so hot you couldn’t touch it . We then realized that the smell was gas from the battery. I don’t think that a battery should ever be put in the cab of a car. It could have affiliated us. I still do not know why that it got so hot. I was trying to find it on Google when I found this site .
Owen my 2009 hhr for 5 years has 165,000 its been a great car till resent twice in 3 months I was driving along and it just stopped . All lights blinking on and off it finally stops with the battery completely dead . When I jump it it starts and runs like nothing happened. I have a recall notice I got a few months ago that involves the ignition and power steering , could this be the problem.I have taken it to my local dealer a month ago for these repairs only for them to keep it two days and call me for a third because they were too busy to get to it RK Chevy in vineland NJ
bought a new 2007 hhr lt in aug 2006. now has 96000 miles. never been to shop other then oil changes. still has original battery. I have replaced 3 sets of headlights myself. I have a low beam out now. bummer
My wife bought a 2011 HHR with about 32,000 Miles on it, I think it was early 2013. The HHR is a joke of a vehicle. Pulls to the left once in awhile.Rides really rough. Had Ignition switch replaced(recall) Replaced the Cam Sensors 2 times before 100,000 Miles.Water pump replaced around 60,000. Service light came on at 106,000 miles,Took to a shop and was told Cam Sensors again were bad or dirty(there was a light noise and was told water pump noise). Not even 10 miles down the road BAM. Towed home only to find out that the plastic guide broke on timing chain and blew the Motor so bad that bent valves and cracked the cast head. Put in another motor. 3 months later. Radio. Only Tweeters work.Have not resolved that yet.Also watched my wife drive in and noticed front tire moved alot when she stoped. Badly worn rubber Transmission Mounts. I Have Owned Chevy’s or GM’s for 30 plus years. 2 Suburbans with over 200,00 miles.No Serious Issues Normal wear and tear. 2 La sabres and sold them still running with close to 300,00 miles and no big issues except 1 Trans had to be rebuilt (now on my 3rdLa sabre). All 5 Vehicles I Mentioned are Mid 90’s. Other GM’s i had with no Major Issues..The HHR is Junk
I have a 2009 HHR. I was financing it thru a buy here pay here. At first I had no problems. 3 months after I got it the car started jerking when the AC was on. Took it to the car lot and they claimed there was nothing they could do. So I took it to a Chevy dealer and they claimed that I needed a new engine and transmission and it would cost me more than the car was worth. My significant other fixed the exhaust manifold leak. (not sure if I said that right).
Then when getting in the car to go somewhere it would crank drive maybe 50ft and shut off. Saying some kind of default setting. So we had to disconnect the battery a few times to get the car to drive to where we needed. Also 3 months after I got it the whole driver side would flood when it would rain. Literally have an inch of water sitting on the carpet. No idea what to do with this car. It’s frustrating. Especially when I was hoo-dooed when I got this car from the buy here pay here lot. Anyone have any answers that could help?
I was reversing in a gas station when all of a sudden power steering came across my information cluster. The steering wheel was hard to turn. I turned it off the engine and started it again. It had no issue but I had my technician read the computer with diagnostic machine and came across that was ECU failure. My question is who do I need to call to complain to GM because other people have had issues with this just like me.
I’ve had everything you can think of replaced on my 2007HHR.. This is my second engine. Door handles broke in inside. Transmission replaced.. wheel bearing multiple times.. Problem with key in ignition. Wiper motor replaced. And on and on and on..
Having problems with my 06 hhrfirst my Tc light comes on then a few minutes later check engine light is on went to Auto zone got diagnostic say I need a cam sensor I just got it 2 weeks ago now I’m reading all these complaints I don’t know what to do am I gonna have problem after problem
Lawrence Boaz my wife bought a 2009 HHR and when it got 116000 miles on it the car would not start , not even a click ! towed it to a shop and they put a starter on . when I pick up the car almost before, I got on the road good the warning lights on the dash went crazy flashing on. the transmission shifted very hard!! I though the transmission was going was to blow up!! about 100 yards out on highway it cleared up. I thought the computer reprogram its self . then drove it again , this time it did the same thing as before ever thing. the owner of shop where they put the starter on told me to take to the GM shop. and I had it towed to chev dealer. they keep it 2 or 3 weeks and said it was a wire short under the right seat . I picked it up from the GM shop. and I drove about 5 or 6 miles and it did the same thing as be for. I took back the GM shop and said it needed a new BCM unit and it would $750 to fix it. so I bought a new one from chev dealer and had a napa shop install it. they kept it about 3 weeks and the installed the BCM and I drove about 60 miles and it started doing the same as before . I took it back to napa shop it is now siting there ! waiting on the shop to call me and tell me its ready. at this point i not sure if i want it back!!!! I have payed the towing $ 210 , $770 to GM shop, napa shop $430.92 , BCM new from gm dealer $200 , towing $205 total of $1893.44. for car that wont even crank up!!! gm does not know how to fix there product they are selling to honest people. It is a crying shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no more gm for us!!!! from now on it will Toyota or honda it is a sad day for Americas car makers!!!!
My 2006 HHR ABS and T/L lights won’t go off.
My 2006 Hhr randomly goes crazy! All gauges going up and down, Anti theft light on, traction control light, power steering light, sometimes loose power steering! Car puttering as all this is happening. Had diagnoses, no readings.
Replaced with new battery, New blower motor and resistor, All grounds checked, 1 repaired.
650.00 later and 3 Days, problem recurs but again randomly. Key fob not working.
Wondering could this cause a issue like this?
Dashboard lights are going crazy! Dinging sound and guages bopping back and forth…Sometimes shifting sounds difficult…Every light on the dashboard will come on. Info strip says ESC off. Sometimes SVC Tire Monitor. In TEXAS a car will not pass inspection with a check engine light on! This is intermittently happening usually after warming the car up or sometimes driving on a dirt road. I keep being told that it’s a ground problem. Still isn’t fixed after being in the shop intermittently for over two months! Life is miserable and so is my checkbook! $3000 so far for various things and it’s still not right! Come on Chevy!!! This issue is apparently NOT uncommon in HHR’s. Mines a 2009….What’s the FIX???
Bad design period , one thing you should do is have cheap battery post on rear battery next thing run a least a good ground wire temp under car to main ecm ground connection two under hood by driver side and those darn ecm connectors need maintenance stuck where they are by an experienced tech . Only make sure battery neg is not connected or it will destroy ecm . Next time never buy a trap with so much crap tied into the steering an tranny to get a good An throw there money making limp mode
My wife received a 2006 HHR from our daughter. She brought it back from California to North Dakota with no problems. However shortly after it would start then immediately stop, sometimes after leaving it set for from 2 hours to days it would start again and run. Finally it would not start at all. When starting sometimes the starter would keep running. I replaced the ignition switch and cured the run on but it still would not start. I ordered a new fuel pump and took it to a garage to have it installed. The mechanic bypassed the wiring harness to the fuel pump and discovered the fuel pump was good. After checking the wiring the mechanic found the wires were bad where they come out of the bottom of the fuse box. So far it is running good.