Chevy HHR Key Stuck in Ignition Fix – Is this a Joke?
March 17th, 2011. By AbiK
I’ve heard one too many complaints now about the Chevy HHR ignition problem—the one where you can’t get the key out of the ignition, and in some instances the key won’t come out and the HHR is still running! In these parts, we’d call that a design defect. But seems like GM doesn’t quite feel the same way.
So while I had done some checking into this a while back when I had first posted about the Chevy HHR problem (and while we’re at it, let’s throw in the Chevy Cobalt problem, too) I had focused on official complaints being filed over at the NHTSA—not so much the solution because, heck, shouldn’t GM or Chevy be taking care of this gratis for folks who’ve been stuck in an HHR that won’t shut off? Is it just me? Or, shouldn’t there be some sort of Chevy HHR recall or at least a “come in and get your part replaced” notice?
Well, there’s been none that I’ve seen, and apparently none of you HHR owners out there have seen one either.
So I came across this guy’s video on how to fix the HHR problem. Kudos to him for taking the time to film 10 minutes of repair work, explaining everything step by step. But is this a joke?!? Don’t get me wrong—the video is great—but like I’m going to dislodge my car’s gear shift and put everything back together again. Right. And I love his comment at about minute 6:15: “pretty maddening to put in” followed by minute 6:36: “it sounds easier than it is” —I’ll bet! Bottom line, there’s a car mechanic somewhere (or HHR dealer) who’ll be making a few quid off HHR owners from this problem.
Is this how GM Customer Service works?
C’mon Chevy, step up to the plate.
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I thought iI was losing my mind. My 2010 HHR is running right now. I filled the tank so it wouldn't run out of gas overnight. I was in the car business for 25 years, so if my local dealer won't fix it, I will stand in the middle of their showroom and cause a scene.
Jack, GM issued a recall about 2 weeks ago, Ign switch is coverd now.. good luck
25995462 control, this is replacement part for aftermarket shifter suppose to be better than the old one can be ordered at gm parts direct you might have to email them for the new parts number
Well, Now I am a member of this not so elite club of HHR owners. Went out with the family tonight got home and my key would not turn the ignition off and my HHR was running. Thank God my husband was home tonight and was able to up do the battery cable and shut it down. This is not the first problem I have had with my 2009. It spent the first 3 months at the dealers while they tried to find out why the day after I brought it home is would not start, they gave it back after they couldn't find any problmes 3x and then finally it messed up again on them and they replaced the entire wiring harness. I will NEVER buy a chevy vehicle again.
I just got a letter in the mail today program 12045, Chevy is going to fix it for free until May 31, 2014. I never had a problem like this, but called and had them order the part today. If you paid for repair there is a course of action to take. good luck
yea i was wondering when to i would get mine when did you receive this letter Jeff
Sitting on my front porch waiting for my husband to get home to disconnect my battery to my 2009 HHR. I can still drive it, just can't get the freakin key out. Can't believe there hasn't been a recall on this problem. Thankful it waited til I got home though.
Same thing happened to me, key got stuck in the ignition as well, luckily I just popped the clutch and car shut off. Unfortunately the key was in the on position so the battery died. Chevy dealer came and towed it to the dealership said the problem was not a warranty issue, said my key chain was probably to heavy thats why it happened, $355.00 dollars later. Yesterday got a letter in the mail saying there was a design issue and that I would be fully reimbursed for the repairs. Said I would get a check in 1-2 weeks. We will see.
i have had problems with the ignition on my 2006 hhr.the car has 55000 miles, and i had the problem around 10000 miles ago,also i just paid $388.00 to get my power steering motor replaced. gm recalled thpontiac g4,55,6 , the cobalt, saturn ion, but they failed to recall the hhr wicth it has the same problems. why they did not recall the hhr is beyond me. it seems to me that gm should do something about this problems. they need to put up or shut up.
my hhr just done the same thing tonite key stuck wont turn off this is messed up that it has not been recalled i cant pay that to get it fixed
Just had my 2009 Chevy HHr at the Chevy dealer for service. Their is a recall for key stuck in the ignition. Call your local Dealer.
Had the same prob. with my 2009 HHR paid $258.00 to have the ignition switch changed, it worked fine. I recieved a letter about the problem from GM and filled out the form for re-inbursement, took the form to the dealer and was told that they would have to install yet another switch ( at no cost to me ) so I said fine. this was 1 week ago, My wife just called me and said the she removed the keys, got out of the car and locked the doors and realized that the car was still running. I have had the ignition problems, air bag problems, bad struts, and the signal lights now are acting up.
MY WIFE HAS A 2008 HHR, WHICH WE BOUGHT NEW. HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. SHE PUT CAR IN GARAGE AND TURNED OFF AND SHUT THE CAR DOOR, WITH HER PURSE INSIDE, WITH THE EXTRA SET OF KEYS IN IT AND THE OTHER KEYS IN IGNITION AND STARTED ON THE OTHER SIDE TO GET GROCERIES OUT AND SHE HEARD A LOWD CLICK AND ALL THE DOORS LOCKED. WE CALLED THE 800 NUMBER FOR ONSTAR, WHICH WE DID NOT RENEW THE SUBSCRIPTION ON, AND THE ONE ANSWERED SAID HE COULDN'T UNLOCK BECAUSE WE DIDN'T RENEW, BUT HE WOULD SEND SOMEONE OUT TO GET UNLOCKED. I ASKED HIM HOW MUCH AND HE SAID $150. I TOLD HIM TO FORGET IT, SO I CALLED OUR LOCAL POLICE AND THEY UNLOCKED CAR FOR FREE. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM, OF DOORS LOCKING?
Had same problem car not turning off today on my 2008 HHR 53000 miles. I went right to dealership they looked to see if there where any recalls they said there wasn't any.The dealership called to tell me that it was a bad ignition cylinder and the total cost would be $525.00. I said i wil be calling 1-800-222-1020 to talk to chevy directly to get reimbursed. I called she asked me what my VIN number was i gave it to her. She said my car had a special policy on it and the repair would be covered 100%. She called the dealership for me and when i picked it up i paid nothing. I think Chevy knows theres a problem but they don't want to issue a recall. They just want to see if you go the extra mile and call and complain then they will pay for it.
Mine is a 2011, and I am as we speak waiting for the dealer to come pick it up to repair. It only has 11,000 miles and is under warranty, thank goodness! So, should I be making sure they replace the ignition, or the gear, or what? I don't want to have to deal with this again.. Thanks!
Ok, so I just got a call from the dealer that they replaced the "lock cylander".. We'll see. The dealer actually came to my work and picked my car up, and are going to drop it back off within an hour. They also did an oil change, tire roation, and took care of one other small issue (replaced the Chevy 'bowtie' on the back of the vehicle because it was a bit 'off'). All within three hours. I would say that is fantastic customer service, the best I've probably ever had – assuming the fix for the ignition problem is permanent! In case you are in the Detroit metro area the dealer is Matthews Hargreaves Chevrolet in Royal Oak – they are fantastic! Good luck with this, everyone..
They should be replacing the gear shift Ellie this is the main cause of the problem
Update: I got the car back after the first round, and they had replaced the lock cylander. A couple of days later, same problem. I took the car in again and you were right, Bobby, they then replaced the gear shift. They said it was not going into 'park' completely and that was the cause of the issue. It has not had the problem since.
I had this problem as well but easier way to turn it off is to remove the steering wheel cover and look for a
green electrical connection under the steering wheel disconnect that and it will turn off
this may not be a recall but i just had it happen to me and its what they call a policy, if it locks up or whatever they will fix it, its not a safety issue to its not something they will replace unless there is an issue, i am taking mine to it today so lets hope i dont get robbed!
My 2010 Chevy HHR did this exact same thing yesterday. It has 31K on it. In my book that means it isn't even broken in. I was so freaked out and had to try with three guys (my father and two AAA tow truck guys) to remedy the problem so I could get it to the dealership. I put it in park and then the key wouldn't budge with the engine on (and a full gas tank too). We spent 30 minutes in 107 degree heat trying to get it to shut off. I finally drove it to the dealer, pulled the fuse to shut her down and left it for them to deal with on Monday. The tow truck drivers said they had seen at least 4 cars just like mine, same year and model, 2010 HHRs, same problem in our area of Northeast TX.
I guess the problem STILL isn't fixed. 2011 HHR, got in my car, drove to the grocery store, and couldn't turn off the key! It is a manual trans, so just applied the brake, and let out the clutch. Killed the engine, will call the dealer tomorrow, and have them fix it. WHY can't GM fix problems that have been occurring for years?????? No wonder they discontinued it, could fix even that small of a problem after YEARS of problems…………
I have a 2006 HHR. 1. My ignition sticks to the point I can’t turn off the engine. 2. Or the engine will shut off but the gear shift will not go into park, running my battery dead. 3. AND my gear shift can be pushed out of drive while driving. I just emailed the owner center in hopes for replacement. My husband found the tumbler under the steering wheel to get the ignition to release. This is ridiculous……
i'm reviewing the statements here looking for a solution for myself just happen to me came home from store and parked and key was locked had to pull fuse for fuel pump and disconnect the battery my hhr is a 2010 when i put it in park i can feel the selenoid in the colum retracting but i can not find that release button they talk about i folded my rear seat down to make access to battery easier so i can get into the rear door i'll probally end up getting the shifter and doing it myself gl with yours
I am having the same problems as the rest of the hhr owners. My mechanic told me that of all the customers of his that own these cars, I am the only one that is having problems with this thing. After reading most of the posts, I have concluded to myself that it isn't me. But instead, it's this piece of shit that I bought that is nickel and diming me to death way more than my Saturn ever did in the 11 years that I had it. As long it is some what safe to drive, and I can pay it down enough…it's history!
Also maybe the mechanic should go too!!!
Just bought my car a week ago. It had to go back to the dealership for some touch up body work. The employee backed the car up, shifted it into park and then found that he could not turn the ignition off and the ignition was lodged into the On position with the car running. It was then driven to another dealership who found out that GM had done a recall on the tumbler. So… now it is fixed, hopefully. I am worried as a family member had a Dodge years ago with the same problem. The ignition switch/ tumbler was changed out and afterwards it was nothing but a nightmare of problems with the ignition so she finally got rid of the car. I hope that the same thing does not happen to this. Right now I am frustrated and feeling that I should not have gotten rid of my Buick.
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 warrenties 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!
i have 2010 HHR which would not shut off when i arrived home from a hard day of work. I read owner bible and found plunger to hold, no luck, key will still not turn. I had to pull fuel pump fuse and disconnect neg on battery. lucky for me I still have COERAGE.
My wife own a 2009 HHR, the paint is pealing of the hood, I took it to the 'Rydell' Chevy dealer in Northridge CA and ask them why the paint was pealing off on top of the hood, the body shop supervisor said he didn't know, but he would call GM to see if they would take care of it. On Monday, 9/17/12 he called and said that they would pay half of the cost to repaint the hood, but my wife would pay the other half. I told him that the factory had produced a lousy paint job on the car and it was getting worse each month. that I didn't think it was fair for them to ask us to pay for a lousy paint job from the factory.
On Tues, 9/18.12, he called back and said that since I didn't agree to pay half, we would half to pay all of the cost. The car has a major poor paint job, and GM is refusing to take care of the problem
g
Is your hhr blue cause mine paint is coming off the hood too
This happened to me last night, my brother being mechanically inclined followed me to the local Chevy dealer and unhooked the battery and pulled the fuse to the fuel pump to shut the car down. My local dealership is fixing it free of charge per a special provision through GM. If you’re dealership is charging you that’s a problem! Although inconvenient and odd, this is the only issues I have ever had with my HHR, I still love the car.
I have the same problem with my 2006 hhr, i got the key out, the switch is messed up now you can just put any key in the switch part way and the car will crank. dealer said it will cost 500.00 to be fixed.
I have a 2006 HHR as well and my key keeps getting stuck too and its embarrassing. Not to mention that I have two toddlers that I have to keep with me in the car until I get the key out of the ignition.
I have a 2006 HHR with 114,000 miles on it and last night my key got stuck like everyone else mentioned. Lucky for me I had my smart phone on me and was able to access the internet to get the information and the you-tube video of how to remedy it, if only temporarily. I removed the small access panel on the bottom of the steering column and pressed in the small white plastic button to release my key. Now being an engineer and a teacher of engineering, I know there is a way I can keep this button pushed in at all times and not damage the car further, but I will have to wait till the week end to take apart the steering column cover to get to it, I will re-post when I have a more permanent solution, Aloha
Having the same problem with HHR 06 key getting stuck have to put a finger in the steering column to push a release switch…. Ok now why would they add this feature… they know there was a design or manufacture problem… Now both front door interior door handles are broken and they say you have to replace the whole panel…. We had a 06 Monte and had the same problem with the key…. Never will we buy a Chev again…..
My 2009 HHR just had this happen on Thanksgiving.I could not turn off my car or get the key out. I really feel like Chevy should stand behind it's product and fix this.
Well, just happened to me. 2009 Chevy HHR…ran up to the grocery store on a Saturday night and it would not turn off! Drove around and tried again….and again, to no avail! Went home and my neighbor disconnected my battery and a fuse. Chevy has not solved this design problem?! Really?! Wow. Never agin.
I have a 2009 HHR, it is Christmas Eve, and I just had this problem. Driving from Philly to Atlanta, it happened at a rest area just north of Charlotte. Fortunately I had just fueled up, but had to make it down to Atlanta hoping I had enough gas to make it. Now I am carless in Atlanta (a city known for its crappy public transpo) on Christmas Eve, HOPING that they can fix my car on Weds, given that I have to be back at work on Friday (and have to leave Thursday). I am absolutely HORRIFIED that Chevrolet isn't taking care of this issue, when they -obviously- know that there is a major major design flaw.
Yes, Yes my 06 HHR did the same thing. I'm either going to bypass the microswitch in the shifter assy, or make the latch in the column inactive. The I'm going to send the dealership in Chatham Ontario a link to this forum, so they'll know how to properly respond the their many other HHR customers. But unlike most of you, I love my HHR. I load it up with more than 1000 lbs., and it doesn't complain, and I can carry 5 passengers fairly comfortably, and I get 34 mpg constantly. So if the ignition is the only problem, suck it up…..
Call 866-790-5600 there is an extended warranty regarding this problem GM dealer should fix your car free.
Our 2009 HHR would not shut off and key could not be removed. Went to a dealer this past Satruday afternoon(1/19/2013)when it happened but repair department was closed. Gave me a loaner and are going to attempt to repair it Monday. According to sales people at the dealer they had never heard of this problem. All made honest attemps to get the key out to no avail. Evidently they don't go on line and read comments about their product. Calling GM tomorrow and inquiring about their admission regarding this being a manufacturing error. How do we get together for class action if they do not own up to this???????
1/21/13 8A.M. Additional info folks. Just called GM @866-790-5600 and spoke to a very genial representative who informed me there was an extended warranty on my 2009 HHR regarding the problem with the key getting stuck and the car not shutting off. She called the dealer who has my car and he was aware of the extended coverage. So all of you with this problem try calling this number and ask about this. They are going to fix it at no cost to me.
i have the same problems and it driving me crazy bout ready to give up but i love my car.
This happened to my 2010 HHR last night. I called a friend and my nephew and they came over and finally got it cut off by pulling some fuses. They took the cable off of the battery then we realized it was in the way of my garage door closing. We went to put it in neutral and it wouldn't go. We needed to hook the battery back up. Guess what?!! We couldn't get the hatch up because it is electrical! It's a good thing that I have a battery source that is used to jump off a car. We hooked that up to the terminals under the hood to get the hatch back up. After coming online and seeing how to access the button under the steering column I tried that today. It still won't release the key. I hooked the battery back up and when I do it pushes the plunger on the button down. I still can't get the key out. I guess I'll drive it to the dealership tomorrow to be repaired. Good thing I'm personal friends with the dealership owner,.
Awesome… Today, same issue… Called 8667905600 and it is covered! My car is an HHR2010. They called a tow service at there cost to have it towed and fixed. Tow service said they will try to jump stay it if that doesn’t work, then they will have it towed at no cost to me! I live thus site. STILL missing a days work though…
It's Sunday afternoon and all the dealers are closed. My 2010 HHR with 51,000 miles has a key stuck in the ignition and I cannot turn the key to the "off" position…so there I am with a car running and no way to turn it off. I found the plunger but that trick didn't work. So, I took the shroud off the steering column and unplugged the power to the ignition…it shut power off to the ignition and shut down the engine. Key is still stuck though. I'll be able to drive it to the dealer tomorrow (just plug the ignition back up and car starts) but sure don't look forward to dropping $500 on a GM induced design problem. This sucks.
my 2008 HHR key got stuck in my switch April 28, 2013 in my driveway. My husband could not get the key out of the ignition I will be calling the 800 number and the dealer tomorrow.
2007 HHR ignition problem happened today. Battery dead, key stuck in ignition, can't move shift lever, only good thing is the car is at home. Calling the 800 number in the morning, this is rediculous with all these issues a recall should have been made,
I just got home from a long trip and put the key in and my car is dead. I cannot get the key out of the ignition now. Not sure what to do.
My car is a chevy hhr lt 2008.
I have the same problem with the key getting stuck. If chevy will not fix this mistake it,s going to be the last chevy I will ever own. Piss off in mass.
2010 HHR, got home from work this morning couldn't turn the car off or get the key out. Add another one to the list
Got home and shut my 2008 chevy 2008 off then when I pulled out the key the whole ignition came out with it.
Just bought it a month ago
Called 866-790-5600 and got an appointment same day. Should be ready tomorrow.
2010 HHR.
2009 chevy hhr, key stuck in it with it running… just had it towed.. hope they will cover the bill….
I have a 2009 HHr and couldn't turn it off, my wife went into the restraunt to get us a table while parked, had to call her and go home removed the fuel pump fuse and then removed the battery leads
You know what is really sad about this problem.. GM knew this was such a problem. that instead of fixing the problem. then installed an opening and a button in the stearing column to push with your finger to get the key out. oh and they put the instructions in the owners manual. COME ON GM this is crazy. would it not have been better just to have fixed it.
2008 HHR 123k miles
Key stuck in ignition twice last night. Was able to get key out and thankfully car turned off. I have an appointment with dealer. Can anyone provide part numbers for the parts replaced in the gear shaft? The solenoid?
I pulled the red wire off what is a funky battery and i stalled my HHR. Hopefully the battery isn't dead in the a.m. First symptom was numerous attempts to turn ignition to "on." Last was a stuck-key! Can you see me buying a Chevy again?