Chevrolet HHR Complaints

3,575 consumer complaints on file.

#10454796April 11, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
I HAVE TWO ISSUES GOING ON WITH MY HHR. LAST EVENING I PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF ENGINE AND RELEASE. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES WHILE I WAS TRYING TO RESEARCH HOW TO TURN OFF MY CAR. MY CAR RAN IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 2 HOURS WASTING GAS UNTIL WE FIGURED OUT HOW TO TURN OFF CAR. THE MANUAL STATES THAT YOU CAN PUSH A TUMBLER AND TURN THE KEY TO RELEASE IT. THE MANUAL IS NOT CLEAR ON WHAT THE TUMBLER IS BUT THE ONLY MOVABLE PIECE INSIDE STEERING WHEEL BASE DID NOT HELP TO RELEASE THE KEY. WE FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO PULL THE FUSE TO SHUT DOWN THE ENTIRE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSING AROUND THE TIME I STARTED CALLING AND THEIR OPTION TO COME LEAVE THE CAR WITHOUT OTHER TRANSPORTATION WAS NOT A GOOD OPTION FOR ME WITH KIDS. ONCE FUSE WAS OUT THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE KEY IN IT WHICH IS CAUSING A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL OF STRESS FOR ME. I HAVE TO PUT FUSE BACK IN THIS MORNING AND TAKE TO DEALERSHIP TO GET MY CAR FIXED. FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS THE FIX SHOULD BE THE SAME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF THIS IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE WHY THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WILL WE AS LOYAL CUSTOMERS GET A REFUND WHEN THEY ACTUALLY DO DECIDE TO RECALL THIS APPARENT DEFECTIVE CAR. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT POPS ON FOR UNSPECIFIED PERIODS OF TIME AND SAYS IT NEEDS SERVICED. IT CAN GO OFF FOR DAYS AND WEEKS AT A TIME AND THEN DECIDE TO POP BACK ON. I HAVE ALSO BEEN READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN THE COMPLAINTS AND WONDERING WHY THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454883April 11, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER PARKING IN THE DRIVE WAY AROUND 11:30 PM THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I TRIED TO USE THE RELEASE PLUNGER BUT ENDED UP REMOVING THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN COVER AND FORCING IT OVER THE KEY. THEN I PULLED THE WIRE HARNESS OFF WHICH SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR BY PUTTING THE WIRE BACK ON AND TWISTING THE KEY. THE DEALER SAID THE KEY WAS BENT AND CHARGED ME $400 TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. THEY OBVIOUSLY USED PLIERS TO REMOVE THE KEY. WHILE IN THEIR WAITING ROOM I READ AN ARTICLE IN A MARCH ISSUE OF MOTOR MAGAZINE THAT SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL CARS INCLUDING HHR'S AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHY. I FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON RECALL AND NOT BE CHARGED TO US. THE KEYS MAY BE TOO SOFT OR IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454496April 9, 2012
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD SIGNALED "POWER STEERING" AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER STEERING MAKING TURNING VERY DIFFICULT. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN, POWER STEERING RESUMED. THE PROBLEM DIDN'T RETURN AGAIN FOR ABOUT 150+ MILES. EACH TIME IT HAPPENED, THE "CURE" WAS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART. HOWEVER, THE TIME BETWEEN RECURRENCES BECAME SHORTER AND THE OWNERS MANUAL'S ONLY INFORMATION SAID TO 'RETURN TO THE DEALER'. I DID THIS AND THE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS (I DON'T HAVE THE BILL HANDY RIGHT NOW). FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND ON THIS NHTSA SITE, THE STEERING FAILURE IS A KNOWN DEFICIENCY AND A FREQUENT COMPLAINT OF HHR OWNERS. CHEVY NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO MAKE REPAIRS AND RESTITUTION - THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE - WHEN THE STEERING FAILS, IT IMMEDIATELY MAKES TURNING DANGEROUS! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454497April 9, 2012
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 5/11/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED SIX TIMES. UPDATED 05/22/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454502April 9, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WAS RESET HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE SAME TRIP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454523April 9, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BARRIER. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE FAILURE TO RESET. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL OF THE FAILURE CAUSING FUTURE CRASHES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454554April 9, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTISTATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED WHILE INSIDE THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONECT THE FUEL PUMP FUSE FROM THE FUEL BOX IN ORDER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454561April 9, 2012
STEERING
POWER STEERING MOTOR GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND FIXES ITS SELF ONCE YOU SHUT THE CAR AND START BACK UP. KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION CAN'T TURN THE CAR OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455159April 9, 2012
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGITION. ONE HOUR LATER THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING AND KEY IS STUCK. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. ITS 7PM WILL HAVE IT TOADED TO DEALERSHIP IN AM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454405April 7, 2012
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY OVERPASS AT ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THE MESSAGE, "POWER STEERING." THE STEERING WHEEL ALL BUT LOCKED UP AND IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR THOUGH I FOUND A WAY TO GO ON THE FREEWAY AND EXIT AT THE FIRST CHANCE I HAD. I CALLED MY MECHANIC FIRST WHO SAID HE WANTED TO SEE THE VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I TOLD HIM I HAVE A AAA MEMBERSHIP AND HE SUGGESTED I HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGE SINCE HE DID NOT YET KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I HAD THE HHR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME AFTER A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY; WAS DOING THIS INTERMITTENTLY AT THIS POINT BUT DID IT AT RANDOM TODAY. GIVEN THE FACT THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND THE RESULTING SAFETY ISSUES, I AUTHORIZED THE MECHANIC TO MAKE THE REPAIR ONCE HE RECEIVED THE PART. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND SEE THIS STEERING PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF IN THE 2008 HHR AT APPROXIMATELY 38K MILES WHICH IS HOW MANY MILES I HAVE ON IT; THE PROBLEM CAME UP AS IF LIKE CLOCKWORK. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR WORK SINCE THERE ARE UNDER 40K MILES ON THE CAR. IS THERE ANY PLAN FOR CHEVROLET TO CALL A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM SO WE CAN EITHER HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AT GM'S EXPENSE OR FOR THOSE OF US THAT MADE THE REPAIRS ON OUR OWN TO HAVE A REIMBURSEMENT? MY REPAIRS ARE GOING TO BE $400+. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR UNLESS THE REPAIRS ARE MADE. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454365April 6, 2012
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION TO GET GAS. I COULD NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF NOR REMOVE THE KEY. MY 2009 COBALT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS FIXED DUE TO A VEHICLE RECALL. HOWEVER, MY 2009 HHR HAD NO RECALL ON IT EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE EXACT SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS AS THE COBALT DID. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE STEERING ON THE HHR SINCE IT SHARES THE EXACT SAME MECHANICALS AS THE COBALT. THE COBALT HAD A RECALL DUE TO STEERING, HOWEVER THE HHR DID NOT. A SEARCH FOR COMPLAINTS ON=LINE YIELDED MANY RESULTS. IT APPEARS THAT THE HHR'S ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS YET THE CONSUMERS ARE LEFT WITH PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. MY GM DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE HHR USES THE EXACT SAME FAULTY PARTS AS THE COBALT AND HE COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE HHR WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL EITHER. HE STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO FIX JUST AS MANY HHR'S AS THEY HAVE COBALTS... THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT COBALT OWNERS DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES AND HHR OWNERS DO. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454239April 5, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454276April 5, 2012
STEERING
I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. I ENTERED INTO ANOTHER LANE BEFORE I COULD GET IT BACK IN MINE. I STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE. A YOUNG MAN STOPPED AND ASKED ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND I TOLD HIM IT TERRIFIED ME, BUT THAT WHILE TURNING MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I HAD LOST MY POWER STEERING. HE SAID MY POWER STEERING WAS ELECTRICAL AND TO TRY AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. I DID, AND THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE. MADE IT HOME. HOWEVER, HAVE HAD ABOUT 10 MORE INSTANCES OF THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, WHILE TURNING, AND WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT FREEWAY. IT IS IN THE CHEVROLET DEALER AS OF TODAY. $1,307.00 TO FIX. THEY CHECKED MY VIN # AND SAID I DON'T QUALIFY FOR ANY RECALLS. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. GM SHOULD RECALL THESE, AND OR PAY US FOR THIS PROBLEM WE HAVE HAD TO GET FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454078April 4, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING REMOVED THE FUSE AND LATER TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ALL WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454072April 4, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WENT TO TURN IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF PULLED FUSE. TOOK VEHICLE THE THE DEALER SHIP REPLACED IGNITION LOCK WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454079April 4, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO SHUT ENGINE OFF ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. REMOVED THE FUSE AND LATER TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ALL WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454081April 4, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TURNED IGNITION KEY TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. REMOVED THE FUSE THAN LATER TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ALL COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454180April 4, 2012
STEERING
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, CHIME SOUNDS, DASH DISPLAYS POWER STEERING MESSAGE AND POWER STEERING IS GONE. HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND WHEN GOING AROUND CORNER NEARLY CRASH TWICE NOW DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW 1/2/06 AND IT ONLY HAS A TAD OVER 40,000 MILES SO WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. VEHICLE HAS SAME POWER STEERING PUMP AS COBALT FOR WHICH A RECALL WAS DONE. SAME EXACT PART MEANS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT JUST BE LIMITED TO THE COBALT AND G5. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COBALT & G5 WERE RECALLED BUT NOT THE HHR. I BELONG TO A VERY LARGE HHR COMMUNITY AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND HAD THIS HAPPENED WHEN ROADS WERE ICY IT COULD HAVE CREATED A SERIOUS ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS THE OTHER VEHICLES THE SAME YEAR AS MINE WITH THE SAME PART HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IT'S AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE OTHERS AROUND THEM WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THE COST TO REPAIR SHOULD REST ON CHEVROLET AND NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. I AM A SINGLE ELDERLY WOMAN STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A REPAIR, NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO BECAUSE OF A KNOWN FAULTY PART. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453961April 3, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF REMOVED FUSES TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453964April 3, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF REMOVED FUSES TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet HHR