NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
I HAVE HAD MY 2006 HHR IN DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR A HARD SHIFTING TRANSMISSION. THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK THEY DROVE IT AND IT WAS FINE. THIS HARD SHIFTING HAPPENS MAYBE 25PER CENT OF THE TIME BUT WHEN IT DOES IT SHIFTS VERY HARD AND CONTINUES. I AM AFRAID IT WILL PUT ME DOWN WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
THE POWER STEERING DOESNT WORK ANYMORE, BOTH OF THE FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF, WATER LEAKING IN PASSENGER FRONT COMING FROM THE MOTER AREA SOMEWHERE I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BUT NO RECALLS AND I HAVE READ ON NUMORUS FORUMS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT GM STILL HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL. *TT
KEY GETS STUCK / CAN NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY. IF YOU CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY WITHIN AN HOUR, YOUR BATTERY WILL BE DEPLETED. THERE IS AN ACTUATING ROD IN THE SHIFTER THAT PUSHES A MICRO SWITCH THAT COMPLETES A CIRCUIT TO PULL A SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO ALLOW THE IGNITION SWITCH TO BE TUNED TO THE OFF POSITION (AND REMOVE THE KEY) WHEN IN PARK. THE PLASTIC PART IN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY BREAKS AND ALLOWS THE ACTUATING ROD TO FALL OUT. THE FIX FOR THIS IS TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. $185 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. THE QUICK FIX FOR THIS IS THERE IS A PLASTIC PLUG ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. INSIDE YOU HAVE TO FEEL FOR THE END OF THAT SOLENOID AND DEPRESS IT TO RELEASE THE KEY. GM TSB #06-07-30-004F ACKNOWLEDGES THE COMMON OCCURRENCE OF THIS FAILURE FROM 2006 TO 2010 HHR, COBALT, AND PONTIAC G5 . ALTHOUGH, IF YOU ARE OUT OF WARRANTY, YOUR DEALER MAY BE RELUCTANT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT COST. TIRES, BALL JOINTS, BRAKES, WHAT HAVE YOU, FAIL AND ARE, NO DOUBT, A COMMON OCCURRENCE. IF FACT THAT IS TO BE EXPECTED. BUT THE SHIFTER IN AN AUTOMATIC? I WOULD THINK THAT THE SHIFTER IN AN AUTOMATIC SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. IMO, THEY INSTALLED A POORLY MADE PART. TO ME, THIS IS OBVIOUS SINCE THEY ARE STATING IN THAT TSB, 2006 - 2010 SHIFTER ARE EXPECTED TO FALL APART AS MINE DID. I HAVE A 1965 PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE, THE OLDEST CAR IN MY POSSESSION, THAT THE SHIFTER NEVER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. IN FACT I'VE NEVER HAD AN AUTOMATIC SHIFTER PROBLEM WITH ANY CAR. IT WAS STATED IN A FORUM THAT GM SHOULD HAVE CONSIDERED A METAL COLLAR OR RING AROUND THE PLASTIC BIT THAT HOLDS THAT PIN TO REINFORCE IT AND THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE NEVER BECOME A NUISANCE. ALSO, WHEN THAT PIN FALLS OUT, THE SHIFT LEVER IS FREE TO MOVE WITHOUT PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON ON THE FRONT OF THE SHIFT LEVER, SO IT COULD ACCIDENTALLY BE MOVED TO ANOTHER GEAR WHILE DRIVING, EVEN REVERSE!! I GUESS THAT IS NOT ENOUGH OF A SAFETY ISSUE FOR GM TO WORRY ABOUT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT LUNGED FORWARD AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I OWN A 2006 CHEVY HHR, AND WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM (WHICH APPARENTLY, AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED). WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, AND GO TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, IT WON'T LET ME TAKE OUT MY KEY, AND MY STEERING WHEEL WON'T LOCK. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTHIME THAT I TRY TO TURN OFF MY CAR NOW, WHICH IS AT LEAST ABOUT TEN TIMES DAILY. I HAVE TO "SLAM" IT INTO PARK TO GET THE KEY OUT. I AM NOT SURE THOUGH THAT WHEN THIS IS DONE IF MY CAR IS TRULY IN PARK. I WENT TO MY CAR REPAIRMAN, WHO SAID THAT THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE IF I CONTINUE TO "SLAM" IT IN PARK, I COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK THE SHIFTER- WHICH IN MY MIND COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT/ OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I AM TAKING MY CAR IN ON WEDNESDAY FOR THIS PURPOSE, NOT SURE YET WHAT THE COST WILL BE, BUT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BY DOT. *DT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AND WOULD RESET ITSELF WITHIN A MILE. THE DEALER ADVISED PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED, AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE, BEFORE THEY WOULD PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
WHY ISN'T THE HHR BEING RECALLED AS WELL AS THE COBALT, AS THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME STEERING COMPONENTS? *TR
SHIFTER REFUSES TO GO FULLY INTO PARK RESULTING IN INABILITY TO REMOVE KEY FROM STEERING COLUMN. SHIFTER DOES NOT LOCK INTO GEAR AND CAN MOVE FREELY BETWEEN GEARS WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY HHR. EVERY SINCE THE WEATHER HAS BEEN GETTING WARMER MY CAR HAS BEEN LOOSING IT'S POWER STEERING FUNCTION. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT ANYTIME OF THE DAY AND AT ANY PLACE. I CAN BE AT A COMPLETE STOP OR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WILL LOSE ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS FOUND IN THE 2005 - 2010 CHEVY COBALTS. IF I PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON IT HELPS FOR A WHILE UNTIL IT DOES IT AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW, TODAY IS MARCH 21ST 2011. WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT THE ODOMETER WILL SAY POWER STEERING AND THERE WILL BE A CHIME THAT GOES OFF. MY MECHANIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR SINCE IT NEVER DOES IT WHEN I LEAVE THE CAR WITH HIM. *TR
2006 CHEVY HHR LS PERMANENT FAILURE. GEAR SHIFT STOPPED LOCKING. GEAR SHIFT MOVES FREELY INTO ANY POSITION WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. CAR MAY ROLL. WILL NOT RELEASE KEY FROM IGNITION. *TR
POWERING STEERING WENT OUT DURING RIGHT HAND TURN AT SLOW SPEED. MY WIFE DID NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE CAR INTO THE TURN. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND I CHECKED MY MANUAL FOR TROUBLE SHOOTING,FINDING NONE. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND POWER STEERING WORKED. TEST DRIVING FOR TWO MINUTES THE POWER STEERING WENT AGAIN. PROBLEM SEEMED TOO BE AFTER CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR AWHILE AND SYSTEM WAS USED LONGER. CAR WAS REPAIRED BY HAVING THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED BY CHEVY DEALER SHIP. I STILL HAVE OLD PARTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE DRIVER STATED THAT AS SHE DROVE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SHE LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STRUGGLED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECREASING SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HIS VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD AFTER THE IMPACT AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HIS VEHICLE ALSO RICOCHETED INTO A HEAVY TRUCK AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 11,000.
POWER STEERING FAILURE DURING OPERATION. VEHICLE CHIMES THEN "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON DASHBOARD LCD. ALL POWER STEERING FAILS AT THIS POINT THOUGH IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT RE-ENGAGES FOR A SHORT TIME - THOUGH NO WARNING BEFORE IT CUTS OUT AGAIN. DEALER SAYS THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE EPS MOTOR (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) $450. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY HHR THAT KEEPS STALLING OUT AND JERKS FORWARD. IT HAS JERKED SO HARD THAT I ONCE HIT SOMEONE IN THE REAR. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN NEVER SEEM TO FIND THE CAUSE. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AND FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, HE WAS ASSISTED IN EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE DOOR WOULD NEED REPLACING IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE DOOR HANDLE REMAINED FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE KEYS WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY RELEASE BUTTON IN ORDER TO DISENGAGE THE KEYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND REMOTE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,920. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF UPDATED 1/5/12 *CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE ON FORTY SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BOTH FRONT STRUTS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I RECENTLY HAD REPAIR WORK DONE ON MY WIFE'S 2006 HHR LT2. THE PROBLEM WE WERE HAVING WAS THAT SHE WOULD RANDOMLY LOSE POWER STEERING WITH A WARNING CHIME AND A NOTIFICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS WOULD BE TEMPORARILY RESOLVED BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. I WASTED LITTLE TIME AND HAD IT TESTED AT CLASSIC CHEVROLET IN SUGAR LAND,TX. THEY SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS FAULTY. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT. NOW I'VE BEEN A LIFELONG GM CUSTOMER AND I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS EXPENSE, NOT ONLY WAS IT A FAILURE UNASSOCIATED TO NEGLECT BUT IT WAS ALSO A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO HIGHLY DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB BY MANY OTHER HHR OWNERS. AFTER GM ANNOUNCED THE RECALL OF 1.3MIL VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE HHR WAS NOT LISTED YET BUT THE CHEVY COBALT AND PONTIAC G5 WERE. THE HHR SHARES THE SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR AS THE COBALT AND G5. GM PART # 20763801. JTEKT NORTH AMERICA IS THE PRODUCER OF THIS MOTOR. FROM WHAT I DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET, GM HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST JTEKT IN RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE. IT IS STILL UNCLEAR TO ME HOW GM HAS NOT INCLUDED THIS MODEL IN THERE RECALL. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BY CHEVROLET FOR MY EXPENSES. *TR
DEALER STATES CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEMS: NO POWER STEERING NOT FIXED BY REPLACING FUSE (EPS SYSTEM), ALTHOUGH GM RECALLED MANY VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEM AND ARE AWARE OF ISSUE, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. WINDOWS SQUEAL UP & DOWN ON SUNNY DAY, & GET STUCK SHUT. WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME OFF OF WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION. FRONT END SWAY BARS REPLACED, CONTINUED PROBLEM, TIRES WEARING UNEVEN, FEELS LIKE BAD BEARINGS, UNABLE TO DUP. REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID POURS INTO INTERIOR OF CAR. FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT THEN REAR TURN SIGNAL. INTERIOR WAS SOLD AS SCOTCH GUARDED/REPELLENT OF LIQUIDS INTERIOR IS FAR FROM GUARDED AGAINST ANYTHING WATER STAINS FABRIC. ELECTRIC POWER MIRRORS NO LONGER WORK. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE, RECALL ON FRONT HEAD AIR BAGS NEVER DISCLOSED TO ME NEVER OFFERED TO REPAIR. *LN
I HAVE A 2006 HHR AND THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BROKEN OFF. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING , ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN, STICK MY HAND OUT OF THE WINDOW, OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE, ROLL MY WINDOW BACK UP AND THEN KILL THE MOTOR. I, TOO, WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $400.00 TO REPLACE THE DOOR PANEL. THIS IS A TOTAL RIPOFF!!!!!!!!!!!. GM/CHEVROLET OR WHOEVER MANUFACTURED THIS CAR SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR PUTTING IN A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC. THERE SHOULD BE ANOTHER WAY TO FIX THIS WITHOUT PUTTING OUT $400/$500 FOR A BROKEN PIECE OF PLASTIC! AND THAT PROBABLY DOES NOT INCLUDE TAX AND LABOR! *TR
POWER STEERING FAILURE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. 2006 CHEVROLET HHR POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE BEING DRIVEN. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING WILL REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR THE TIME BEING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES. HHR SHARES SEVERAL COMPONENTS WITH THE CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WILL HHR BECOME PART OF THE RECALL? *TR
WAS COMING OFF THE INTERSTATE ON AN EXIT RAMP IN A CURVE AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT!! ALMOST RAN INTO THE CONCRETE SIDE WALL OF THE OFF-RAMP....SCARED ME TO DEATH! TOOK IT TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. CONTINUES TO DO THIS TO THIS DAY... POWER STEERING TURNS OFF AFTER THE CAR IS DRIVEN AWHILE AND 'WARMS UP'. RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HHRS SAME AGE AS MINE. A FRIEND'S HHR 2007 DID THE SAME THING AND IT COST HER $900+ TO GET IT FIXED!!! I WOULDN'T COMPLAIN, WOULD JUST HAVE IT FIXED, EXCEPT THAT FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH MANY HHRS AND COBALTS MADE IN 2006!! THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED ME TO WRECK! I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF A DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE...DON'T HAVE THE $ TO FIX THIS REPAIR! *JS
THE DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR HAVE BROKEN. YOU CANNOT OPEN THE CAR DOOR FROM THE INSIDE UNLESS YOU LOWER THE WINDOW. IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED SUCH AS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE OCCUPANTS COULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. EVEN WHEN REPLACING THE DOOR HANDLES BY PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS YOURSELF, THE HANDLES JUST BREAK AGAIN BEFORE TOO LONG SINCE THE SAME MATERIALS/PARTS ARE USED. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS 100'S TO 1000'S OF OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2006 HHR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A CHEVY HHR AND THE REAR BUMPER SUPPORT IS RUSTING AT ONLY 52+ MILES. WATER IS LAYING ON THE STEEL SUPPORT AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT STOPS THIS WATER FROM COLLECTING AND RUSTING THE SUPPORT AWAY. MY CAR HASN'T EVEN BEEN THROUGH IT'S FIRST TUNEUP YET AND I HAVEN'T OWNED THE VEHICLE 1 YEAR YET. I HAVE BROUGHT THE COMPLAINT TO GMAC CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AND MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER WANTED ME TO PAY $112.00 FOR THEM JUST TO INSPECT THE RUSTING REAR BUMPER SUPPORT. THE DEFECT WAS FOUND BY PHILIP A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HAYES COLLISION CENTER IN SACRAMENTO, CA 916-482-7819 A CONTRACTED COLLISION CENTER FOR THE SAME DEALER THAT WANTS TO CHARGE ME THE MONEY TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM. MIKE DAUGHERTY CHEVROLET IN SACRAMENTO, CA 916-482-1600. HAYES COLLISION CENTER WAS CONTACTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GMAC CUSTOMER CARE CENTER RAPHAEL EXT 41461 @ 1866-790-5700 AND MY GMAC CUSTOMER CARE AND GMAC INQUIRED IF THE RUSTING SUPPORT WAS IT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OR THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. PHILIP AT HAYES COLLISION CENTER TOLD GMAC THAT THE RUSTING REAR BUMPER SUPPORT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED. HAYES WAS WONDERING WHY THE PART WASN'T MADE OUT OF HIGH GRADE ALUMINUM INSTEAD OF STEEL BECAUSE WATER IS GETTING UP UNDER THE BUMPER COVER AND LAYING ON THE STEEL BUMPER SUPPORT WHICH IS DAMAGING A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM. STOPPING A REAR COLLISION IMPACT FROM HARMING THE PASSENGERS. THE RUST IS LIKE CANCER AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL THE SUPPORT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. WEATHER OR JUST A SIMPLE CAR WASH CAN CAUSE WATER TO GET ON THIS STEEL PART AND CAUSE FURTHER RUSTING. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY RESOLUTION TO THIS MAJOR ISSUE FROM EITHER MIKE DAUGHERTY CHEVROLET OR GMAC CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. *TR
I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND SOMETIMES WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS TO PULL OVER BEFORE IT SHUTS DOWN. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE WHOLE CAR STARTS SHAKING AS IF YOU POPPED THE CLUTCH TOO FAST, EXCEPT THIS CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH TRAIL AND ERROR IF I START MESSING WITH THE COMPUTER BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CHANGES THE INFORMATION THAT IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH BOARD IT WILL SOMETIMES RESET ITSELF AND ACT OKAY. OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO LET IT SIT FOR OVER 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START UP AGAIN. THERE IS NO SET TIME THIS OCCURS, SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS A FEW TIMES A DAY AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL GO A MONTH WITHOUT HAPPENING. IT SHUTS DOWN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. SOMETIMES I'M GOING 65 MILES AND HOUR AND OTHER TIMES I'M GOING 20 MPH. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIX IT UNTIL THEY REENACT THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR THEY COULD NOT REENACT THE PROBLEM, YET THEY SAID THEY CAN SEE THERE IS A PROBLEM WHEN THEY READ THE COMPUTER. I PAID $20,000 FOR THIS CAR AND AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I CAN'T DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR IT WILL SHUT DOWN AGAIN. I HAVE TO TAKE THE BACK ROADS TO GET AROUND. *TR
THE KEY TO MY 2006 HHR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OUT AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE LOCKED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING, WHICH PUT MY PERSONAL SAFETY AT RISK AND IF I LEFT MY VEHICLE FOR ANY REASON IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN STOLEN. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INITIAL START, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD FALL FURTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD THAN NORMAL. WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR, THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STEERING AND REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN BEARING. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER WHERE THE FRONT HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,084 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING WILL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT HAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESUME FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT TIME OF COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,500. UPDATED 06/17/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AT ANY SPEED, ANYTIME AND ANY PLACE. UPDATED 06/30/10.*JB
HVAC BLOWER MOTOR QUIT. NO MEANS OF CLEARING WINDSHIELD FOGGING WITH BLOWER INOPERATIVE. COULD SMELL THAT SOMETHING WAS HOT OR HAD BURNED UNDER THE IP. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE HEARD A CHIME AND NOTICED THE POWER STEERING CAME ON OUR CAR. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WE CAN STILL TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT WAS JUST DIFFICULT. *TR
STARTED OF A FEW YEARS AGO IF I TURNED THE WHEEL ALL WAY TO LEFT OR RIGHT POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT. HAD TO TURN MOTOR OFF THEN ON AGAIN TO RESET. NOW IT GOES OUT DURING NORMAL DRIVING EVEN ON FREEWAY. IT GOES OUT A FEW TIMES A DAY. HAVE TO RESTART ENGINE TO GET POWER STEERING BACK. *TR
2006 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN 2010, AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS RECALLED FOR IGNITION AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *JB UPDATED 04/15/14
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE IN 2006 CHEVY HHR WITH 2.4L ENGINE. CAR HAS APPROX 45000 MILES AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD COME LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES, BUT IT WOULD ALWAYS FAIL AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD SHIFT INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, CAUSING THE KEY TO REMAIN STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HER OWN RISK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,100.
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY HHR. EVERYTIME I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, I LESS THAN A MINUTE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND CONSIDERING IT IS MY WIFE'S PRIMARY VEHICLE I WORRY ABOUT HER BECAUSE MY SON IN WITH HER OFTEN. *TR
MY CAR, CHEVROLET HHR LS 2006, LOST POWER STEERING MORE THAN 10 TIMES AS OF DECEMBER OF 2009. I HAD MY CAR REPAIRED AT CHEVY DEALER 4 TIMES ALREADY FOR SAME PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT CAME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND RECENTLY IT HAPPENED MORE OFTEN. I LEASED THIS BRAND NEW CAR IN 2006. AT THE END OF 3 YEARS LEASING, I BOUGHT IT IN 2009. I TOOK GOOD CARE OF IT ALL THE TIME. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE FIRST HAPPENED IN DEC. OF 2009. WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD, SUDDENLY IT WAS HARD TO MAKE A TURN, AND MY CAR WAS THROWN FORWARD EACH TIME WHEN I GOT OIL TO MOVE FORWARD. THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING" POPPED UP ON THE DISPLAY PANEL. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO CHEVY DEALER BECAUSE THE DRIVING WHEEL COULD NOT BE MOVED AT ALL AFTER RESTARTED THE CAR;HOWEVER, WHEN MY CAR WAS AT CHEVY DEALER, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED AND THEY COULD NOT FIND OTHER PROBLEM. THEN 2 MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND DISAPPEARED AFTER HALF DAY. AFTER THIS REPEATED 3 OR 4 TIMES, MY CAR WAS TOWED THE 2ND TIME TO CHEVY DEALER ON FEB.26, 2010 BECAUSE THE DRIVING WHEEL COULD NOT TURNED. THIS TIME THEY FOUND SOMETHING AND FIXED IT. IN THE FOLLOWING 3 MONTHS, THIS PROBLEM WAS HAPPENED AND GONE AT LEAST 3 TIMES. WE WERE SCARED AND DID NOT DARE TO DRIVE FAR FROM HOME. ON MAY 24, 2010, MY HUSBAND GOT SAME PROBLEM WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HE DROVE TO CHEVY DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THEY FIXED IT. ONLY ONE WEEK LATER, ON JUNE 2ND, THE CAR WAS TOWED THE 3RD TIME TO THE CHEVY DEALER FOR SAME PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING MODULE. MY HUSBAND PICKED IT UP THE NEXT DAY, BUT JUST AFTER 2 MILES DRIVING, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, SO HE HAD TO DRIVE BACK TO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY. THEY FIXED IT AND DROVE 50 MILES TO TEST IT AND IT WAS GOOD. YESTERDAY I DROVE IT HOME AND IT WAS GOOD TOO. BUT THIS MORNING, SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. SINCE IT IS SATURDAY, THE CHEVY STORE DOES NOT OPEN. WE CAN NOT GO ANYWHERE, EVEN GROCERY STORES. THIS REALLY IS A DISASTER, WE ARE SO SCARED! *TR
STEERING I-SHAFT FAILURE. *TR
COULD NOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WITH GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK. THIS CONDITION WAS REMEDIED BY PUSHING THE GEAR SELECTOR HARD INTO PARK FOR A WHILE. THEN TOTAL FAILURE CAME WHEN NO AMOUNT OF PUSHING THE GEAR SELECTOR HARD INTO PARK WOULD ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. I REMOVED THE GEAR SHIFT COVER AND REACHED IN AND FOUND A MICRO SWITCH THAT WHEN TRIPPED ALLOWED ME TO REMOVE KEY. I CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND CHEVROLET FACTORY TOLL FREE LINE AND THEY DID NOT SAY THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT. I PURCHASED REPLACEMENT PART # 25864102. I PERSONALLY INSTALLED THIS AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A STEEL PIN IN THE GEAR SELECTOR PLASTIC SHIFT ROD. THE PLASTIC IS WEEK AND ALLOWED THE PIN TO DRIFT APPROX 1/2" TO LEFT WHICH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE KEY REMOVAL MICRO SWITCH TO BE TRIPPED AS IT SHOULD BE TO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. I CALLED CHEVROLET BACK (TEL # 1-866-790-5600) AND THEY SET UP CASE # 71-781779261. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE DEFECTIVE PART TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER TO ANALYZE THE PART FOR REASON OF FAILURE. I TOOK THE PART TO THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER12/4/09. I CALLED CHEVROLET SEVERAL WEEKS LATER AND THEY SAID THE DEALER THREW THE PART AWAY SINCE CHEVROLET DID NOT CONTACT THEM PROMPTLY. I HAD ASK FOR CHEVROLET TO REFUND THE COST OF THE PART ONLY (NO LABOR) BUT CHEVROLET SAYS THEY CAN'T HELP SINCE THE PART IS NOW GONE. I LATER SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET HTTP://WWW.MYCARSTATS.COM/ AND FOUND MANY CASES LIKE MINE (APPARENTLY CHEVY COBALT SHARES GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM BASIC INTERNAL DESIGN STYLE). I CALLED CHEVROLET BACK, THEY STILL DENY THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR CAR WITH THE KEY IN IT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. APPARENTLY THIS MAY ALSO DRAIN THE BATTERY BECAUSE ALL CIRCUITS ARE NOT SHUTOFF WHEN YOU CANNOT ROTATE THE KEY FAR ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE KEY. I FEAR THAT MY REPLACEMENT PART MAY NOT LAST EITHER. THE CAR WAS ~ 48 MO OLD AND ~ 47,000 MILES WHEN TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED. *TR
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE POWER STEERING STOP WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,441. PM
WHILE OPENING THE LEFT FRONT DOOR FROM THE INSIDE THE PLASTIC CHROME DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS WILL IMPAIR THE ABILITY OF THE OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED OVER 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM WOULD CHIME THREE TIMES AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL IMMEDIATELY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HARD AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO UTILIZE BOTH HANDS AND EXTREME BODILY FORCE TO CONTROL IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS SINCE THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,270.
2006 CHEVY HHR.. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED SUDDENLY. MY CAR HAD ONLY 17,000 MILES ACCRUED. DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
2006 CHEVY HHR - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT LOCK INTO POSITION, CAN FREELY SLIP TRANSMISSION SHIFTER FROM PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE AND LOWER GEARS WITH LITTLE PRESSURE AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE SHIFTER LOCKING LATCH. GM HAS RECALLED 2010 MODELS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES BUT NONE OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL HHRS DEALERSHIP WANTS $150.00 TO TRY NEW BATTERY TO SEE IF IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THIS SOLUTION DOES NOT WORK THEN THEY WANT ANOTHER $160.00 FOR NEW SHIFTER UNIT... LABOR FOR BOTH THESE ITEMS ARE NOT INCLUDED, JUST COST OF PARTS. I BELIEVE GM RECOGNIZES ISSUE: GM TSB #06-07-30-004F. *TR
PARKED 2005 CHEVY HHR AND KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM IGNITION. THIS IS PERMANENT UNTIL AN NEW SHIFT ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED AS THE SOLENOID HOLDING THE KEY IS LOCKED. THIS HAPPENED IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE. HAVING THE KEY LOCKED IN THE IGNITION MAKES THE VEHICLE THEFT PRONE. THIS MALFUNCTION IS NOT A DRIVING HAZARD BUT CREATES A THEFT HAZARD IF IT HAPPENS WHERE THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SECURED, LIKE MY HOME GARAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 04/27/11
2006 NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE SERVICED 8 TIMES FOR MULTIPLE FAILURES RELATED TO EITHER ELECTRICAL/BRAKING/ABS/ WHEELS/EMISSIONS/ TRACTION CONTROL/COMPUTER/POWER STEERING AND OR COMPUTER ISSUES/ALL REPAIRED/AND RESOLVED AT GM DEALER/VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY WHEN ISSUE OCCURS THE FAILED SYSTEM IN QUESTION OVERRIDES DRIVER LAST INCIDENT FAILURE OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC RESULTING IN REMOVAL FROM SERVICE WHICH TOOK 3 WEEKS TO REPAIR/HAD THE CONDITIONS BEEN DIFFERENT THIS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18000.
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE PART REQUIRES THE COMPLETE DOOR PANEL BEING REPLACED FOR A COST OF $466. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN AN ACCIDENT AND I COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR AND IT WAS MY ONLY OPTION FOR A WAY OUT. *TR
2006 CHEVY HHR LT I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT AND ROLL OVER VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON OCTOBER 17TH, 2009 AT WHICH TIME MY AIR BAGS, BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE, FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, BOTH MYSELF AND MY PASSENGER WERE INJURED. I HAVE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH GM AND AM AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT TO MAKE OTHERS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
FRONT PASSENGER DOOR ON 2006 CHEVROLET HHR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES SAME SPORADICALLY. NO DAMAGE TO DOORS FROM PHYSICAL DAMAGE, THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING. *TR