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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Where do I even start? I have a 2009 HHR. While I love the look and feel of the car, it's been more trouble than it's really worth. Within 2 weeks of having the car, I had to have rotors replaced. Two weeks after that, I was driving along and heard a scary clunk. Managed to get the car to work, had a tow truck driver come pick it up and took it to the local dealer. Get a call and find out the caliper bolt BACKED out. (They were counting lucky stars that day that I wasn't injured). Six months later, more brakes. We've had to do new brakes on this thing every six months. Recently found out that my back brakes don't work. Took it into Chevy and they said there was nothing to repair. Their explanation for the brakes is that it must be the way I drive, but my husband and I switched cars after the most recent brake repair and the car did the same thing. His truck brakes are still good. If I have to hit the brakes to avoid an accident, it's a hope and a prayer that they'll work. Usually, it's a terrible clunk and a kick back into the brake pedal. I've had to head towards a ditch several times because the brakes wouldn't catch. The next issues is the electrical system in the car. Sometimes the warnings ding and sometimes they don't. My wiper blades have several settings, but two speeds. I can't hit a bump in the car (I live in ND good luck on that, right?) without it sounding like the car's bottoming out and falling apart. I've replaced the battery more times than I even care to admit. . . The car's crap, beautiful crap, but crap.
I bought a 2011 HHR about 2 years ago – and so far I had no real problems and had the recall fo the Igntion Key months ago. I was advised by the Chrysler Dear that the brakes had been changed when purchasing the car, and upon signing the contract, I noticed just the front brakes were replaced with no detail. The car was bought with 29,000 miles. Less than a year later I replaced the rear brakes as I did not want to damage the drums, and I periodically had the brakes inspected – and 2 weeks ago I replaced the front brakes at 45,000 miles as I did not want to damage the Rotors. My son’s brother-in-law noticed that the front Rotors were kind of thin – I had always assumed that the front Rotors were cut when the dealer replaced the brakes. The car has run smooth all the time – and I’m hoping the 2011 may have corrections say compared to a 2009? I keep thinking though that the dealer replaced the front brakes at 29,000 – were they checking for a problem. Were issues on the 2011 corrected as the last model yeaar of the HHR? I like the car, but I ride the car gentle too with no heavy long distance driving of the HHR – not recommended as a car for long distance riding. I use a safe tire, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Tires, whilch gives a smoother, safer ride also in Rain and Snow. I keep thinking though that if the dealer cut the Rotors at 29,000 miles…why are the Rotors thinner – I just replaced the pads as I was thinking I replaced the front brakes sooner than normal on my own volition – and thinking I’d replace the Rotors the next time I replace the brakes. I had the Tiger Paw Tires on 3 previous cars with the tires lasting longer than any other tires that I used since the late 1960’s, and bought my granddaugther the same tires for her 2002 Saturn – and again, the tires are the safest I’ve ever used as a replacement. I did notice though for the first time after a year using the Tiger Paw Tires that the wear on the front tire edge was uneven wear which was unusual compared to wear on the other cars. The shop that did the alignment when the tires were new said struts after the warehouse store said was alighment issue (and they did not rotate that day). My mechanic know for 44 years said was a balancing issue, and advised to go back to the warehouse store to rotate and balance – which I did although probably best to have good tires on the front. But I never had problems before with the Tiger Paw Tires even afer years of use of the same tires on two Buick LeSabres and a new Mercury Gran Marquis. Not sure if GM is covering up something about brakes/front end?
I had that problem with mine as well. The problem is that some of the HHR’s were fitted with a sports package on the front which means the rotors on the front of the car are larger than what a normal HHR has. Because of this, the calipers are also big. If your mechanic puts the standard size rotors on there based off of the VIN number, the rotor will be too small and the brake pads that fit into the the “sports” caliper will only be on the rotor halfway. Which means your brake pad will wear out faster and you run the danger of the two brake pads meeting at the unused portion making it possible to have no braking friction at all on the rotor… (i.e. your car won’t be able to stop.) Talk to the mechanic about the sports package rotors on the next brake job. See if that helps.
I had problems with my brakes from the day I bought them. They had said they fixed the problem before I took it home but the same thing happened again a few months later and I’m super gentle with my hhr (I delivered tiered cakes in it without a single spill). I ended up taking the car to Midus and they said the rotors and brakes the dealership installed were crap. They recommended a small truck replacement that fit and I haven’t had another problem in years.
I'm not sure where I'm posting to, but I have a 2006 HHR that I bought in Nov. of 2005. Each time I had a problem with it I went online and found others had the same problems and answers how to repair. I had problems with rotors and never had any trouble with rotors on any car that I've owned. I took it to the dealer and they only turned them and charged me. I had to replace rotors and replaced brakes at the same time. Next the traction control light kept coming on and then the gears shifted hard, looked online and found it to be a problem with others with the intake valve and exhaust valve and it gave the part #'s to order parts. Instructions were online how to replace them and when we removed them the little holes were clogged from where the engine was bored out at factory and the particles were not cleaned out. We replaced with new ones but probably could have cleaned the ones that were in it. We installed a new gearshifter because we couldn't get the key out and had to look online and find out about the plug under the steering wheel. Kept hearing a noise when I was accelerating and found out it was cracks in the according shaped part that goes into the motor from the catalytic converter. This had a longer warranty but by the time we found out what it was that millage had passed. Now it sounds like the bottom is going to fall off and I was goggling when I came across this blog but it seems most are old. There are to many of the same problems that there shouldn't have a recall. I just wonder what will break next with all biogs with door handles and radios and ect.
I have a 2006 HHR that I’m having a problem with the Traction Control and the Car with a lock pops up on the screen. With the gears shifting really hard and the car keeps jerking. It almost seems like the car is going to seize and die. Is this what you experienced? Do you know what you did to fix the problem?
Mine does the same thing, now my battery light comes on and it finally died, had it towed, replaced battery but light is still on! May be alternated but my dad has one and he said people have been having trouble with the ground wire.
There is an ignition and gear shift recall…I just got mine replaced, it fixed all of these issues!
It only happens to me in the cold weather. If I turn it off as soon as I start the car good to go. leave it on and randomly the car starts to die, brakes stop working lights come on etc. Since spring have not had a problem. I am guessing this winter I am in for the same thing. Not going to pay Chevy to even look at it.
I recently have been having problems with my 08 HHR. I’ve owned it for a little over 2 years and it has about 83K miles on it. Three weeks ago I was driving home from a camping trip with my family when we heard something sound like it fell off the car. I was on the thruway so I got off at the nearest exit and as soon as I hit the brakes there was a grinding noise. I wasn’t too far from home and finally made it after fearing the tire would fall off. My mechanic looked at it and found that the bolt on the caliper backed out! Yesterday I was driving in heavy traffic and when I went to get off the exit and push the brake, my tire locked up and luckily my car was able to skid to the side of the road before completely stopping! My 8 year old was in the car, not to mention I’m pregnant. Had my car not skid the literally 15 feet to the side of the road ot could’ve been fatal! I think my guardian Angel was with me yesterday. Anyway, my fiance gotout and looked at the tire ( opposite front from the pprevious incident) and found THAT bolt had backed out like the other and the caliper was actually in my wheel well which is why my tire locked up on me! I’m wondering is there is something wrong with these parts that they keep backing out!
I have a 2010 chevrolet hhr and when going down the road the car pushes the brakes by itself pulling your car across 3 lanes of highway and there is nothing you can do to get it to stop unit it stops itself. I have had it to the dealer and they reset the computer system. They can not guarantee that it will not do it again. This is during the summer. I want rid of this car. If in the winter this happens I do not think I will be able to control the car in snow and where I am located all winter is snow and I have to drive 30 miles to work and back. It is very scary and there is nothing that can be done.
I have an 08 hhr and I noticed that only in the summer time and when I don’t drive it for a few days my car just dies on me it is very scary it doesn’t sputter or anything. I’ll start the car pull out of my driveway stop to cross on coming traffic and when I press the gas to go the only reason I even know the car is off is because it’s not going anywhere all the gauges are fine and it looks as if it never even shut off while the whole time my car is rolling into traffic so I have to wait for the car to stop and then it starts right up again. Oh and the abs just shuts off on me while I’m driving down the road for no reason at all when I come to a light and press the breaks it skips so I have to come to a complete stop and turn off the car and turn it back on I have almost rear-ended 5 or more people due to this. I am very scared to drive this car especially with my kids and I can’t afford to trade it in and get a new one. And all the dealerships are telling me that it will cost me 100 bucks just for them to check it out but since I have no check lights on in my car they won’t be able to find the problem. So I’ll be out 100 bucks.
Mine is doing the same thing and now the doors won’t lock with the interior buttons or the remote. You can lock them manually but you can’t lock the hatch.
I can’t believe all the issues I’m seeing. My door handle just broke. I also don’t know why I have to keep replacing my brake light fuse. It keeps going out every few days. When I press the brake the lights come back on but they seem to be connected to the radio lights. When my buttons on the radio stop working then I know I have to replace the fuse. Stop annoying. And I’m afraid sometimes going to hit me from behind. This car is a nightmare.
I purchased my 2006 HHR back in 2011. I have had problems with it since a month after having it. First the passenger window would go up/down when it wanted to, then the sunroof wouldn’t close. A month after that it stalled on me in the middle of traffic on the interstate. I brought the car back to the dealer and they swore up and down nothing was wrong with it. Next, the key got stuck in the engine and I had to pay $400 to fix that because everything had died by the next day. Then the radio would be on some random station that wasn’t even programmed before the key would even be in the ignition. The latest to happen was the cheap inside door handle broke which has caused me tendonitis in the elbow from having to roll my window down, open the door from the outside and then roll the window back up. Now my brakes are bad and I have to replace those too. I will NEVER EVER buy a chevrolet/GM again!
I have 2006hhr and im having all kinds of trouble everything is going wrong with it email.me please thanks
I WAS IN MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND PUT MY CAR IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION LISTENING TO MUSIC AND THEN I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THAT COST ME $448.37. I RECEIVED A REIMBURSEMENT LETTER FROM GM CUSTOMER SERVICE STATING IT WAS A RECALL FOR KEYS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR A REIMBURSEMENT AND I GET THERE AND THE GENTLEMEN LOOKS AT MY DOCUMENT OF REPAIR AND SAYS I DON’T KNOW IF YOU WILL RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT CAUSE I THINK YOUR PART NUMBERS ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONES STATED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I DON’T UNDERSTAND ? IT IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. MY VIN NUMBER CHANGED THE PART NUMBER BUT IT IS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, WHICH IS CHEVROLET HHR 2006. I AM REQUESTING AN INQUISITION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A REPLY. COULD SOME BODY HELP ME OUT HERE.
I had the exact issue with my 2009 back in 2010 or 2011. In 2014 they did a recall. I called today & they said to send them the receipt that it was repaired and that they MIGHT reimburse me. So don’t throw out your receipt.
This was a re-call. You should have received something from GMC along with a paper that you would fill out & take to your dealer at time of repair. Lesson is, NEVER pay cash for anything that has been re-called. Simply tell the dealer that GMC will be paying them, get in your car & drive away. There have been several problems with my HHR. The struts have went bad twice, the ignition problem & also a power steering problem that was re-called. Now, my horn alarm is randomly going off. I will be calling my dealer as well as GMC 4-28-2015 to see why this is happening. I noticed on line that a lot of the HHR owners are complaining of this same issue.
Omg mine is doing the same exact thing! What is it?
Omg mine is doing the same exact thing! what is it! Do you know…
Twice my key would not turn.
my remote start (whole key fob) does not work and hasnt since it was “fixed” from recall.
my car has aprx. 44500 and need new rotors..bushing..and link bar…also my fog lights have fallen. when I took it got repair the guy said lots of HHRs have zip ties holding up their fog lights…
I am having the rattling and noise in the suspension.I have a 2008 HHR LT I hAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH IT BUT THE WHOLE FRONT END SOUND LIKE IT’S FALLING OUT.DOES ANYONE KNOW IF A RECALL HAS BEEN ON THIS ONE.PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT. THANKS
I have a 2006 and I had the same problem, it sounded like the front end was all loose. I thought it was the struts because we have had horrible pot holes and they are hard to miss!. Anyway it turned out to be the Caliber pins/bolts. My brother replaced them and the noise went away! Of course, now the bearings are going in the drivers side front! But that is reg. maint and I am having that fixed this week. It is unfortunate that the HHR’s have had problems, they are such a cool looking car. Shame on GM for not perfecting this vehicle, I can see from others some people are having a lot of problems. I have been lucky, my dealer has taken care of all the recall issues and a problem that I had with the alarm. I have had no problems since then and I had bought it when it was new and a I still have it. I love my car!
I hope this helps you and is the problem so you can have it fixed.
I bought a brand new 2009 HHR back in 2010. Within the first year I drove her home & couldn’t get the key out of the ignition nor turn the car off. A tow truck driver had to come out and cut the wires & drag her back to the dealership. I had the brakes replaced in 2012 and a month later she didn’t stop & I got into a wreck. It might have been faulty breaks or that she’s so light she just tends to skid. I just know something was off. Then I had the breaks redone eleven months later. Now every light comes on. Check air bags was first, then check traction, then check esc, now my engine light is on. My back windows no longer work for the back passengers. I the driver have to roll them up and down. And it’s not that they’re locked either, I’ve checked. My back passenger door won’t always unlock which is really dangerous because that’s where my baby’s car seat is and the car is too small to put the car seat anywhere else. She is a nightmare. To put the cherry on top she got a recall for the ignition, which I already fixed but they wanted to do it again. I did not get a refund, but they repaired it this time around for free. While there I told them about the airbag light. No recall for it, they told me. I just got a recall for it today. I am so upset with Chevy and their product. I’ve never had so many issues before with a car and this one is only 6.
I have had so many problems with everything on my Chevrolet HHR 2009. If it wasn’t for the fact that I cannot afford a new car, I would have gotten rid of it along time ago. I love the space this car gives me, and decent gas millage, but the not stop recalls and problems (not on recall…YET) are unbelievable. It seems most people do not report to NHTSA their defects, which means you pay for the repairs, or in my case, not.
Had ignition switch replaced, car still thinks power is on, even with Key removed.
Power window controlers do not work – window gets stuck.
I have a 2010 hhr. This summer I had to replace the starter and alternator. It was running fine after my husband came home from work. A few min later it would not even turn over. Then my breaks started acting funny. Now my check engine light has come on and speratically all the gages go crazy. The car will start sputtering. If I pull over and turn it off for a few min it will start like normal. I had the codes read and it was p0300. I was told that this had to do with the air intake. I’m so tired of all this. I’m ready to get rid of it.
I have a 2009 HHR I bought new. Recently the wiring harness had a fire, the car only has 79,000 miles on it. I took it to the dealer in hopes it would be warranty work. The dealer wanted to charge 2,500 bucks. I had to repair the vehicle myself. I photo documented the job, while doing so I discovered that there was a positive wire spliced together by the factory under the carpet. In short, what happened is I had snow on my boots, the floor got wet and it caused the harness to short out and burn. It was definitely a factory defect.
I have a 2006 Chevy HHR and I am having All kinds of issues. First my Driver Door Handle on the inside just snapped off, Second the Dash Gauges are not working ( that started today), then my TC warning light comes on sometimes and no one can find out why. I don’t have the money to keep fixing these issues and I don’t have the money to go buy a new or used car, I have read and it seems to be a common issue with these HHR’s. I need some advice on what I can do.
Hello. I have the 2006 LT and I too have had the rattling, loose sound in the front on drivers side for years. Have had the breaks done multiple times(have to get them done again as we speak. this will be the 3rd time and I have had the car since ’08), had the sway bar links and control arms replaced so far twice. No matter what fixing I have had in the front that noise stays. However I am getting my breaks done AGAIN and this is sickening. The car keeps falling apart and we have to pick it up again. Why doesn’t GM just recall the whole car?
Hi to all. It’s incredible how much trouble can cause this little wagon. but I have owned an 2006 LT since new (unique owner) and the only concern that I have is the poor suspension vs the vehicle weight at the front. Beside that, 100k miles since 0.4 miles and no big problems at all, only normally maintenance (brakes, tires, spark plugs at 90k,thermostat at 85k, nothing big trouble). I don’t know if mine was an abortion of the plant or if the few good ones. And for your information, I live in Puerto Rico, where the roads are a complete disaster, to work your drive in a complete traffic jam from your home up to your work, the weather is terrible when is raining and the humidity and always were are up 7 downhill.
I have a 2008 HHR LT that I bought used in 2012. It has a little over 72K miles on it. I have had the recalls for ignition and power steering modules done as well as shifter replaced, all four tire pressure sensors replaced and now have an appointment to check why my engine temperature sensor/gauge is only working part time. Over all, I like the car – functional space, comfortable, etc., but this will be the last GM product I own. Piece of junk.
I have an 08 HHR LT. Bought it in 2013 so it already had a lot of miles on it. And I got it from the dealership so you would figure that they had fixed all the issues with it. I had it for a week and the check engine light came on found out it was the battery that they wanted me to pay for and I hadn’t even had it for a month. Almost a year plus 5 or six days after my year warrenty was up my car steering wheel locked up and wouldn’t turn and the spark plugs did something weird. Since my warrenty was over I couldn’t use it to get the car fixed and had to pay for it out of pocket. I ended up spending 1000$ in a two month period trying to get that car fixed. Just this past weekend the cadalidic converter was breaking down that just came to 900$. I’m paying more for this car then its worth at this point and can’t trade it in because of how much the car is worth. And the lemon laws don’t apply to this car and I wonder why. And the steering wheel still shakes when I hit the brakes no matter how many times I take it in. If anyone has any ideas on what to do with this car I would appreciate it because I am so thoroughly done with it. I can’t take it anymore!!!
I own a 06 Chevy HHR (P.O.S) I have had the same issues as well. My drivers side handle has broken twice and the key keeps getting stuck in the ignition. Chevy needs to recall this whole vehicle, it is a pathetic excuse for a car and chevy should be ashamed of this shit. Fuck you Chevy!!!
I bought my 2006 HHR new after a year my key got stuck in the ignition while running. I disconnected the battery. Since then the shift locked, a plastic part broke. The transmission knocks, the gauges went crazy back windshield wipers started when I turn it off the engine stops. While driving on the highway it just stopped. Very dangerous.
Hi so I’ve talk to gm I’ve and over my mom had an accident in 07 was charged and had to go to court no one new then than this ignition prob was present other than gm when my hhr would not shut off in winter of 2013 was last straw I feared for my life my family long time gm employed in Canada will never buy a gm death trap again this would be the second time a gem product fails first was my Chevy sprint seat belt buckle fauliure as I’m laying in hospital gm has the nevre to send my parents a recall for for the seat belt on a car no more than 1week ago I crashed and almost does from said seat belts now I’m disabled fixed income n no money for treatments for pain gm ignore me my sis in law has a cobalt if she could afford a new car it would get scraped gm drilled a hole in her steering columns so she can remove her key and shut her car to ff too fun I’ve got a Nissan cube now and say let gm die
yesterday I was driving my C and 5 miles down the road engine shuts off and will not start up again come to find out something shorted burnt up starter and still cost me175 dollars for a new starter.now when I hook the battery back up starter keeps running and it still has to go to the shop to figure out what’s wrong with it
I have a 2006 HHR. The front passenger side sustains heavy flooding when there is a downpour of rain. I have since found other websites with similiar issues. It is a flaw in design. Very inconvenient and messy.
I had this also on my 06 LT2. Turns out there is a hole with a patch on it (so the cabin filter can be changed) under the plastic piece that sits at the bottom of the windshield. The patch falls off and into the hole letting water inside the car. This destroyed my heater motor and resistor. Still haven’t fixed the heater but I glued the patch on permanently. However my sunroof leaks now so I’m looking into how to adjust it.
Lots of other problems. I had the traction control problem…eventually you won’t be able to get your car out of park, replaced a front end hub and still have the front end clunk to name a few. I gave the car to my son and decided to take it back. I don’t trust it. I’m slowly fixing things.
I have a 2009 HHR that has been a very good car. Consumers Report recommended this car and I bought it some what for that reason. Am I just lucky or what. Fingers crossed as I sure cannot purchase a new car. The car is a very practical car and has many uses. Wish me luck on keeping it till I pass on, which maybe soon as I am 90 years old
My 2008 Chevy hhr is the biggest pos I’ve ever owned. Key stuck in ignition causing battery to die and starter to fry (I believe) speakers go in and out, lights on mirror stay on constantly, the rear light won’t work at all I can’t even lock my doors. After being locked out of my car twice and having to pay for a locksmith I decided to leave it open. My engine light stays on. My power steering goes out whenever it feels like it. Makes for interesting driving. Oh and my lights only work when they feel like it. The latest thing is the rear hatch is stuck and I cannot open the thing at all. I am fed up with this pos. Chevy really should just recall whole car. There are so many problems it would be cheaper…..
I HAVE PROBLEM IN HHR 2009 TWICE IN THE SWITCHT GET LOCK 2 YEAR AGO I WHENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIX OTHER THINGS TODAY IM GOING TO THE DEALER WHITH THE RECIVED THEY STILL ME 1.393.74
2009 HHR. I have also been locked out of my car over and over and over. I dont lock anymore either. Engine light has been on for three months. For what i am told is no reason. Traction control works when it wants. I have had all the recall work done already. And suprise suprise…when the ignition recall work was done? THAT is when i started having problems with the car turning itself off. Today? I bumped one of my kids bicycles in the driveway. They had left it behind the car. I didnt see it. No damage to bike or car. But? Now the HHR? Wont stay running. Sputteres and dies. Starts…sputters…dies. seriously? This thing was taken down by a childs toy. Never….ever….ever…again.
My hhr has driver door that keeps jamming up and a key wont open it. All the door handles broke on the inside so you have to roll down the window. The window has failed as well. I have been trapped in a hot car before in arizona. I BROKE A WINDOW. The car also gets stuck in park with engine running. The dealership charges 400 a door with a 100 inspection fee. CHEVY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND USED IT AS A PLAY TO RIP PEOPLE OFF FOR A 5 DOLLAR PLASTIC PART cost. IF YOU EXAMIN THE DOOR PART UNBROKEN IT IS CREATED TO SNAP OVER TIME. I have inside information as well. They need to go down. What if a baby becomes locked inside. The windows are smaller then normal and hard to brake.
I have had 2 problems with my 07 HHR first after the dealer replaced the ignition switch during the recall, I had to brake hard cause of someone who pulled infront of my on a transition from one freeway to another. and the back skidded a bit, and the ignition turned off. the key was almost in the off position. Nothing bad happened thankfully, switched to neutral and started car while rolling and it started right up. I went to the dealer and they wanted to charge me for a diagnostic of my problem, ummm no it was a part you just installed. But Apparently there is no warranty on recalled parts. Second problem was the Power steering going out. I took it to the dealer after finding several complaints for my year of HHR and the recall of 09-11 models. They needed a diagnostic fee. Spider in wallet was laughing. it was intermittent and wouldnt always happen. Needless to say the steering failed me trying to avoid or minimize damage in the accident. And the airbags didnt pop… So now after my insurance paid for the car, total loss, and picked up the car I get the extended recall notice in the mail regarding the steering. So now I’m without a car.
We own a 2006 Chevrolet HHR that has too many problems to even list. My concern right now is the car won’t go in drive only reverse. The dealership just told me the transmission fluid was burnt and will require a new transmission. We were told to consider a used transmission for $1600.00 or a new one for $3500.00. Has anyone else experience this issue at 140,000 miles?
I have a 2007 HHR. I took it in to the dealership because of the ignition recall. However, if the car slows down to stop or backs out slowly, it cuts off. I am really worried because me son drives this car back and forth to college. No lights come on and no warning…… it just dies.
I bought my 2006 hhr at a used dealership about a year ago and every time i turn around something is breaking. Being a used car i figured there would be some repairs needed but ive already had to replace the rotors, ignition, starter, and the battery. It also it literally falling apart on me, the first time i washed my car the chevy symbol on the back came off and the sun visor on the back left side came off while i was driving on the free way. my most recent problem im now having is my radio isn’t working and the sound that the blinker used to make seemed to stop at the same time. :/ its a cute spacious car but its just been one problem after the next.
Every time it rains my front passenger side floor floods really bad nobody is taking responsibility for this. It’s bs to spend so much money on this problem. I do have pics and video
Wow, I can’t believe all the problems here.
I bought my 2009 HHR, new.
This year I drove the entire route 66 & part of Mexico. To Louisianna & AR from MO, every year, with NOT one problem ever. Just clicked 69k miles on it. Been up * over mountains thru desert & back country roads, by myself.
I go camping every summer using the fold flat seats to put a twin mattress in.
I am a senior woman, love my HHR!
Just had new brakes last week & getting new tires this week.
Made the last payment.
Never one problem on snow, ice, whatever the weather.
Mine is electric blue, no back panel window.
I just can not say one bad thing about it.
I won’t be getting rid of this one!
Debora in Springfield MO..
OLE TRAVELIN GRANNY t
I have a 06 HHR. I bought it when it was only 5 yrs old. I paid it off in 3 years and have been glad to have no car payment for the last year. But I freaking hate this car!!!! First it was the power steering. I couldn’t get out of my driveway without it going out. Then the handle broke and now I have to roll my window down to get out. Then I couldn’t get my key out of the ignition. So then I had to use the key release under the stewing column. I’ve done that for two years. All because of a plastic piece that broke in the shifter that releases the key. So now my gear shifter moves freely. Does not lock into gear. Then my radio started acting up. Speakers work when they want to. Then the car kept stalling. Found out it was the ignition switch problem they finally recalled. Now my auto lock on the car works sometimes. Today while enjoying some a/c sitting in the car, I had the vents on the dash pointed directly on me. Then without touching anything, the air redirected to the defrost vent then to the floor then back to me. All in its own. It has done that twice.
I got the ignition switch recall done. Assuming it would fix the key not coming out but I was wrong. So I called them back and they told me there was nothing they could do because there was no other recalls on my car. Even tho I have a recall letter for it and the power steering. So I called headquarters. They said it’s technically not a recall and if they do a diagnostic and that is not what is wrong with the car that I will have to pay for the diagnostic. So I did it and that was the problem so they ordered the part and another day off work I had to take for another appointment. So I can now get my key out and the shifter locks. Even tho they got grease all in my floorboard fixing it. However. They will not fix the power steering unless the power steering goes out while the car is at the dealership. And since that hasn’t happened it’s not fixed.
This is the absolute worst car ever. It has me stressed out and pissed off all the time. And with all the complaints on this car, they should recall and scrap the whole Damn car. It is a death trap!! I will never buy another Chevy ever again. Their car is BS and their policies are BS. I have told my story to everyone I know and I have trash talked Chevy to anyone who was considering buying a Chevy. They won’t do what is right. And their product is crap. Good luck to anyone who has an HHR or any Chevy really. They’ve known about the problems and they don’t give a crap.
I have a 2007 hhr check engine light comes on sporadically. Got dealership to put it on machine at 98,000 miles it has a burnt valve. So I was told $1900 to replace the engine head. I was going to get the left side checked which my steering wheel shakes when I apply brakes.
We have a 2012 HHR we went to Gm about the recall they fixed the ignition switch and changed door lock but now passenger door won’t open and I remote not working if I’m I’m an accident I can’t get out unless I remember to roll down Windows
I bought 2009 HHR LT back in 2010, had only 15,000 miles, last year replaced struts, front hubs, had one hellava klunking sound when going over any bumps, checked different forums and this seems to be a problem with HHR’s, so I changed out the stabilizer links, lasted about 48 hours and the klunks are back. Today when I left work for home the service traction control came on along with the ((ABS)) light, its been on and off. I just bought my wife a 2009 HHR LT (used) 10 days ago, now she said there is a noise coming from under the car I will have to check out this week end. Still have to go have the recall fixed on the keys/ignition. I love my HHR but this crap is getting irritating with all this happening at once. My car has 58000 mile now and my wife’s have 56,000 miles, there was no speakers in her car, the tire/air sensors are not working on it either. Thank goodness my car will paid off in 8 months, Oh yeah, already changed the brake pads once last year. Chevy should certainly have made these things recalls, especially since so many people are experiencing the same problems.
You all need to report these to the following link:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml
This is the OFFICIAL government location to file a complaint with these issues. I have filed mine there, and if people actually report complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), they WILL look into it, but we ALL must report it!
I have a 2006 Chevy HHR and have been in accidents twice in the last 4 years due to having to stop abruptly on the highway and the brakes skidding instead of stopping. both times my car pulled to the left across several lane leaving me facing oncoming traffic and being hit. Once on a straight stretch of road they locked when I had a small animal run in front of the car, the car skid a long way and I ended up having to change the tire because it made a flat spot on the tire. Has any one else had an issue like this?
Go get your ignition switch replaced free a charge per the recall. Go back if you already had it done and do it again. Also report this to Safecar.gov (NHTSA site).
I have a 2011 Hhr that I purchased with only 65k.. well when I test drove the car I advised the dealership of the alignment I felt it needed it pulled slightly to the left. I was advised it was fixed only to find out that was not the case it needs an intermediate shaft and Im told that its on me to get fixed when apparently it was needed before i purchased the car. The dealership is the chevy dealership and the cost is far out my pocket. The dealership stated it will take years befor it affect the car and how it drives but that is so not true because it is horible.. What can I do and I’Ve oly had the car since March 2015…HELP!!
i have a 2006 LT that i purchased in 07′. I have never been to a mechanic as much as i’ve been to with this car. Want to get rid of , but can’ t afford mthly payments right now. Year one..heater blower fixed twice. Sunroof fixed. Later sunroof fixed again, actuator replaced( not it needs to be replaced again). Steering shaft is about to be replaced. Ice built up in door jams causing bend in door. Motor in hatchback stopped working two years ago, so i put things in trunk from back seat. Also in first couple of months of purchase i had to take back to dealer because key could not be removed from ignition. while driving it sounds as if the wheels are gonna come off or car break apart. Mechanics assure that wheels are secure. Had to have radio replaced (warranty covered) when dealer sold me a bad battery that burnt out the radio when car had to be jumped and dealer had to replace battery. windshield wiper arm also replaced. Probably more just too much to mention. Paperwork on file shows all repairs. Car looks good outside, but i would never recommend anyone to purchase this vehicle.
Car slows down then stops in middle of traffic. Dangerous scary unacceptable to one life. Bad car
my hhr will not start unless I put it in neutral . also it clunk when it changes gear I have to put it in neutral befor I stop or it will stall . I will never by another gm product.
HHR 2010 recently the Ignition light goes on and off. It tells me tire pressure is low. This morning the car would not start using the auto start feature
well its been 17 months of blinky lights and crazy dashlights on my 2006 HHR the GM dealership that I bought it from could not find the problem This appearently is the BCM I really don’t know but this is getting nuts. I really like the car just getting very fed up.