2009 Chevrolet HHR Complaint Log

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES ON AN OFF. ISSUE CAN NOT BE REPLICATED ON PURPOSE AND THERE IS NO COMMON DENOMINATOR FOR MAKING THE LIGHT COME ONE. SPEED OF VEHICLE HAS RANGED FROM 0 (IN PARK) TO 60 M.P.H. CONDITIONS OF ROAD HAS RANGED SUNNY AND DRY TO COLD AND WET. MANY ON-LINE FORUMS HAVE ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ERROR WITH 2008 - 2009 CHEVROLET HHR'S.

AT SPEED ON STEEP DOWNHILL WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND ROTORS WERE TURNED AND NEW BRAKE PADS INSTALLED ALSO A REPAIR WAS MADE TO A STEERING COMPONENT. LESS THAN 5,000 MILES LATER THE SAME ISSUE HAS RETURNED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD FAILED. THE FAILED COMPONENTS WERE NO LONGER LISTED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,536.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14E021000 (IGNITION SWITCH). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOW IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

FRONT DISC BRAKES PULSATE AND CAUSE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. *TR

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 09 CHEVY HHR AND WITHIN THE FIRST 150 MILES WE GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE FUEL WAS RUNNING LEAN. HE RESET THE COMPUTER AND TOLD ME TO PUT FUEL ADDITIVE IN THE TANK. I DID SO AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON AND THE ENGINE IS BEGINNING TO STALL AND LOSE POWER....WHAT ARE WE TO DO, CAR STILL HAS A FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT CAN'T GET HELP... *TR

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE STILL RUNNING. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND HAVE IT REPAIRED. IT COST $600.00 TO REPAIR THIS AND THIS CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM ON OTHER HHR'S. I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME KIND OF SYMPTOMS THAT MY CAR WAS HAVING BEFORE THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE SERVICE AIR BAG SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. ..UPDATED 10/15/14 *BF UPDATED 03/30/2015 *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 43,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

HIT BY A MAZDA MIATA AT ABOUT 30 MPH HHR WAS TOTALED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND START THE VEHICLE. WHEN USING THE KEY FOB, HE WAS ABLE TO USE THE REMOTE START FEATURE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHUT IT OFF BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,254 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN INTERNAL CYLINDER FAILURE. UPDATED 09/07/11

AUGUST OF 2010 1ST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG OCCURRED. CHEVROLET DEALER REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. 2ND INCIDENT OCCURRED IN EARLIER 2013 WHEN SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THIS SERVICE AIRBAG WOULD STAY ON FOR A DAY OR TWO, THEN GO OUT. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER IT WOULD COME ON AGAIN, THEN GO OUT. IN MAY OF THIS YEAR THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME AND STAYED ON. ON JUNE 2ND OF THE YEAR, 2014, I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER. THEY ADVISED THE AIRBAG "SHORTED" AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED @ $1200.00+. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, AND HAVE HAD AT LEAST 3 ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS UNDER WARRANTY. DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY FAILURE I FEEL THIS LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG. *TR

POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY IN 2009 HHR. *TR

ENGINE BECAME SLUGGISH, UNRESPONSIVE TO GAS PEDAL, AND SHUT DOWN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATION. INSTRUMENT WARNINGS: ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SOMETHING ABOUT TRACTION... CALLED ONSTAR - TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSTICS SAID "WRONG READINGS ON THE THROTTLE BODY" AND "WRONG GAS PEDAL POSITION". DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE BODY. *TR

7/10 - CENTER CONSOLE LIGHTS INOP. DEALER REPLACED INTERNALLY SHORTED RELAY. WARRANTY 11/10 - ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK/SERVICE AIRBAG & POWER STEERING MSG ON DIC. DEALER TOWED IN, REPLACED STARTER AND FOUND LOSS OF COMM W/ BCM DUE TO INTERNAL SHORT. DEALER REPLACED BCM. WARRANTY 12/10 - ENGINE TURNS OVER WONT START. DEALER TOWED IN, FOUND POWER TRAIN RELAY OPEN. REPLACED RELAY. WARRANTY 4/11 - SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT. DEALER FOUND OPEN CIRCUIT AT PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG. RECONNECTOR CONNECTOR ADDED DIELECTRICAL GREASE. STABILITRACK LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON (EVER). WAS TOLD SYSTEM IS OKAY, SOME MODELS DON'T HAVE WARNING LIGHTS. (GO FIGURE, WILL NOT RETURN TO THAT DEALER) WARRANTY 2/12 - SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT. COMES ON AND GOES OUT 3 - 4 TIMES DURING FIRST 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING FIRST TRIP OF THE DAY. HAPPENS 90% OF THE TIME. IF I CAN FIND A DEALER I CAN TRUST I WILL HAVE THEM CHECK THIS AND THE STABILITRACK PROBLEM. MILEAGE IS NOW 63,000. *TR

I ARRIVED AT A FRIENDS HOUSE AND WENT TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND GUESS WHAT THE CART WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT, SO I CALLED THE ROADSIDE ASST SINCE MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY TOLD ME TO MAKE IT HOME AND GIVE THEM A CALL BACK AND THEY WOULD SEND A TOW TRUCK OUT TIME WENT ON AND ONE NEVER SHOWED UP, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ROAD SIDE THAT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE A DROP BOX FOR SERVICE, I KIND OF FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE, THIS HAS RUINED MY WHOLE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, I CANT GO ANYWHERE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HE WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH UNTIL THEY WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 8/6/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. HOWEVER, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT CANCEL IN A TIMELY MANNER AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. UPDATED 08/14/12

ELECTRICAL. *TR

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 19 JUNE 2010. PARKED VEHICLE, COULD NOT TURN IGNITION SWITCH OFF. RAN THROUGH ALL THE GEARS AND BACK TO PARK, STILL THE SAME, COULD NOT TURN VEHICLE OFF. HAD TO LEAVE VEHICLE RUNNING WHILE I PHONED TO FIND A CHEVROLET DEALER THAT PROVIDED SAT. SERVICE - LUCKILY ONE IN THE JACX FL AREA. TOLD THEM OF PROBLEM AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY SO THEY COULD REPAIR, WHICH THEY DID. WOULD ASSUME THAT THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AS THEY HAD THE PART IN STOCK TO REPLACE RIGHT AWAY. MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT IF IT IS A NEW/UNKNOWN PROBLEM THEY WILL NOT HAVE PART IN STOCK AND HAVE TO ORDER BEFORE MAKING REPAIRS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION! HAD A DEALER NOT BEEN AVAILABLE ON A SAT. AFTERNOON, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE. PROBABLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY IN HOPES OF SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE, WITHOUT HOPEFULLY DAMAGING THE COMPUTER MODULE. ANY WAY YOU LOOK AT IT THIS, IT IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ONLY OFFERED TO FILE A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21, 069.

WHEN GENTLY BRAKING TO A STOP THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HAS A CLICKING OR CLUNKING SOUND, NOT HEARD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD. MINOR PULSING CAN BE FELT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. FIRST TRIP TO DEALER THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG BUT TURNED THE DRUM AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A TIME. TWO MONTHS LATER PROBLEM IS BACK. THIS TIME DEALER REPORTED THEY TIGHTENED UP THE MUFFLER. MUFFLER IS ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE, THE PROBLEM IS ON THE RIGHT. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. OTHER HHR OWNERS REPORT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME WHEEL. CHEVY DEALERS TELL US "THEY ALL DO IT". IT IS NOT CORRECT AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 10K MILES ON IT AND PROBLEM SURFACED SOON AFTER (NOT DOING IT AT PURCHASE). NOW HAS 19K MILES. 2009 HHR LT2. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 GMC HHR-SS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST HER SEAT AND WAS PINCHED BY THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE BUCKLE DID NOT INJURE HER; HOWEVER, THERE WAS SOME MINOR DISCOMFORT. SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT IF A CHILD WERE IN THE SEAT, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION BECAME FRACTURED WHILE IN THE ON POSITION AS THE ESC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION AND THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITHOUT INCIDENT AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTACT ONSTAR WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO RESTART THE ENGINE. UPON DOING SO, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BATTERY HAD DIED. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AND ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER FUNCTION. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON IN DASH TOOK TO DEALER REPAIRED UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER AROUND 16,000 MILES MORE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF. OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR IS ALSO TURNING ON AIRBAG AT 10 POUNDS INSTEAD OF OVER 35. *TR

AT 18,000 MILE MY 2009 CHEVROLET HHR STARTED SHAKING AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE GOING DOWN A 5% MOUNTAIN GRADE. WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER LEVELING OFF THE BRAKING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND AT 24,000 MILE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE ROTORS HAD OVER HEATED AND WARPED. AT 44,000 MILE THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AGAIN AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE GOING DOWN A 5% MOUNTAIN GRADE. BRAKE PADS DO WEAR OUT. ROTORS DO NEED TO BE TURNED. VIOLENT SHAKING FROM ROTORS WARPING BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING IS NOT NORMAL. IT IS AN INDICATION THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM MAY BE UNDERSIZED FOR THIS VEHICLE OR THAT INFERIOR PARTS ARE BEING USED. THE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN APPLIED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT OVERLOADED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO SUDDEN BRAKING. THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS FROM FREEWAY DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A CLUNKING NOISE AND SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS, HUBS, RIMS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE YET THE FAILURE RECURRED LESS THAN 100 MILES LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF; HOWEVER THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN AND REMAINED IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT DISABLED THE FUSE AND THEN DISENGAGED THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 09/16/11

WHEN HHR IS STOPPED ON A HILL, FOR A RED LIGHT OR FROM BEING PARKED ON A HILL OR EVEN A SLOPE, IT DRIFTS BACKWARDS AS SOON AS YOU GO FROM HAVING THE BRAKES ON, SUCH AS AT A RED LIGHT, TO HITTING THE GAS TO GO FORWARD WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THERE IS A CAR BEHIND YOU BECAUSE THE HHR ALWAYS DRIFTS BACKWARDS. YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO HIT THE GAS QUICK AND HOPE THE CAR BEHIND YOU ISN'T TOO CLOSE. ALSO, WHEN BACKING UP WHILE ON A HILL, THE CAR DRIFTS FORWARD EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE HITTING THE GAS CAUSING THE HHR TO COME WITHIN INCHES OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CLOSE CALLS AND CONTINUE TO DO SO. IT'S A PANICKY SITUATION BECAUSE YOU'RE BASICALLY 'STUCK' BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU TAKE YOU'RE FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE, IT DRIFTS AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO, BUT HOPE YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE SITUATION WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT'S SCARY, SO YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS AND HIT IT IMMEDIATELY AND PRAY THAT YOU DON'T DRIFT INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU OR BEHIND YOU, DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION. THIS DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY - IT WILL HAPPEN EACH TIME. *TR

THIS IS THE THIRD BRAKE FAILURE IN THIS NEW CHEVY HHR. BRAKES STARTED FEELING SOFT. I WAS DOING 65 MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY (DENVER C470) AND NEEDED TO BRAKE HARD. BRAKES WERE SOFT AND THE CAR PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT - NEARLY TAKING ME INTO THE CAR BESIDE ME. THERE WERE NO DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS. HAD IT TOWED TO MEDVED CHEVY IN CASTLE ROCK, CO. THEY REPORT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS FULL. APPEARS TO HAVE AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE. THEY HAD ALREADY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOTH FRONT CALIPERS. SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THEY REALLY HAD NO IDEA OF WHAT WAS WRONG, BUT THEY REPLACED THE MODULATOR VALVE SINCE IT WAS THE ONLY REMAINING COMPONENT THEY HAD NOT REPLACED. IN NONE OF THE 3 FAILURES COULD THEY FIND EVIDENCE OF ANY FLUID LEAKS. HE SAID THEY HAD WORKED WITH GM ENGINEERING WHO COULD NOT OFFER ANY OTHER SOLUTIONS. I'M PERSONALLY VERY WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT LET MY WIFE OR ANYONE ELSE DRIVE IT. *TR

AFTER PURCHASE OF A NEW 2009 SS HHR. DURING THE MORNING I BACKED INTO MY GARAGE AND NOTICED A VERY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL. I THEN STARTED TO PROCEED INTO THE GARAGE AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLES BRAKES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH MY BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO HIT THE SIDE OF OUR HOUSE. THIS BECAME A ROUTINE SITUATION UPON "COLD STARTUPS" AND WHEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER,(CLASSIC CHEVY CHEVROLET, GRAPEVINE, TX) AFTER SEVERAL POOR STOPS, MY SERVICE ADVISOR ADVISED "YEAH WE KNOW ABOUT IT". BUT THERE WAS NO FIX AT THE TIME WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A POSSIBLE FIX HE ADVISED THAT " I MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED WHEN THE FIX FROM GM ENGINEERING WAS ISSUED REFUSED TO SERVICE THE CAR. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THE BULLETIN ADVISED THAT "THEY ARE WORKING ON THE ISSUE." I NEVER GOT THE REAR OF THE CAR REPAIRED DUE TO THE FAILURE PRESSURE FAILURE. *TR

THIS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR 2.2 LITER ENGINE 4CYL. DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE MORNING,IN CITY TRAFFIC I WAS GETTING IN TO THE FREEWAY FLOW I HAD TO STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL ON AN OFF, WHEN I NOTICE THE CAR GOT SLUGGISH AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE AMOUNT OF REQUEST ON MY FOOT, I WAS LUCKY AND GOT OF THE FREEWAY THEN I NOTICED THE INFO ON THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL WAS WARNING! "ENGINE POWER REDUCED", TURNED ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR STARED WORKING NORMALLY, THIS SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN A WEEK LATER AND THEN SOONER UNTIL THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND FINALLY DID NOT START ANY MORE I HAD E DIAGNOSTICS READ OUT AND DESCRIBED "WRONG READINGS ON THE THROTTLE BODY" AND "WRONG GAS PEDAL POSITION," I REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY A $400.00 PART DID NOT FIX IT THEN THE GAS PEDAL $90 DLLS PART, AND THAT FIXED IT! I' AM AN ELECTRICIAN FOR THE CITY,I WORKED IN THE ELECTRONICS MFG 25 YEARS, SO I ALWAYS WANT TO KNOW THE SOURCE OF PROBLEMS SO I DISASSEMBLED THE GAS PEDAL, AND FOUND THAT THE CARBON ON THE POTENTIOMETER WAS WARN OUT, SO I NOTICED THAT THE STEEL SWEEPERS WHERE ASSEMBLED BACKWARDS AND THEY WERE SCRAPING THE CARBON AWAY OF THE LITTLE PC BOARD PART NO.807819 THIS IS INSIDE THE GAS PEDAL ASSY. PART NO.GM 20757615 MANUFACTURED II 5 24/08 OTHER INFO ON THE PEDAL (6PV 933 902-02) THE ENCLOSURE HAS THE HELLA BRAND LOGO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, A FRACTURED ARM, AND A FRACTURED FEMUR THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT SELECTOR WAS PLACED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,285.

SECOND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE IN NEW 2009 CHEVY HHR. SEE ODI #10281421 FOR PRIOR COMPLAINT. IN COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOWN WHEN BRAKES BEGAN TO FEEL SOFT. WITHIN MINUTES THEY WOULD BARELY STOP THE CAR. USED THE HAND EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP CAR. THERE WERE NO PANEL LIGHTS INDICATING A BRAKE FAILURE. CHECK OF BRAKE FLUID SHOWED IT WAS FULL. TOOK CAR TO MEDVED CHEVY IN CASTLE ROCK, CO. THEY CONFIRMED THE BRAKE FAILURE. AFTER CONSULTING WITH GM, THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT CALIPERS. HOWEVER - THEY WERE NOT CONFIDENT THAT THIS WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PRIOR CALIPERS AND BRAKE LINES DID NOT SHOW ANY APPARENT FLUIDS LEAKS. COPY OF REPAIR INVOICE IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SECOND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR

FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS IN NEW 2009 CHEVY HHR. FIRST TIME DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT, I NOTICED THAT I HAD NO LOW BEAMS. TOOK THE CAR TO MEDVED CHEVY IN CASTLE ROCK, CO WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. SERVICE REPORTED "LOW BEAMS INOP; FOUND OPEN IN TURN SIGNAL SWITCH, REPLACED SWITCH". COPY OF SERVICE INVOICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, DROVE A COUPLE OF MILES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, YET, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE DOOR CHIME ACTIVATED AS IF THE CONTACT WERE EXITING THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO REMAINED OPERABLE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NEW 2009 CHEVY HHR - TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE NEW CAR - DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS - 850 MILES. WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES STARTED FEELING SOFT WHILE GOING DOWNHILL. LATER APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 20 MPH, BRAKES TRAVELED ABOUT 2/3 OF WAY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING. APPLIED MORE PRESSURE AND CAR PULLED TO RIGHT. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND CAR KEPT MOVING. PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND STOPPED WITH NOSE OF CAR IN THE INTERSECTION. THERE WERE NO PANEL LIGHTS INDICATING A BRAKE FAILURE. CHECK OF THE BRAKE FLUID SHOWED IT IS FULL. TOOK CAR TO MEDVED CHEVY IN CASTLE ROCK, CO TODAY FOR REPAIR. THEY CONFIRMED THE BRAKE FAILURE (EASY TO DO SINCE THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR). THEY WILL DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR NEXT WEEK. I ASKED THEM TO ESCALATE A REPORT OF THIS ISSUE IN CASE OTHER OWNERS ARE NOT AS LUCKY AS ME. *TR

UPDATED TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. HE STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYED ON AND THAT THERE WAS NO MANUAL SWITCH TO OPERATE THE LIGHTS CAUSING THEM TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IT WOULD BE TOO COSTLY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 22,000. UPDATED 08/13/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/14/10

MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS STICKER ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR CALLS FOR 30 PSI TIRE INFLATION. HOWEVER, THE TIRES THEMSELVES SHOW A MAXIMUM INFLATION OF 44 PSI. SINCE MANY PEOPLE INFLATE TIRES ACCORDING TO WHAT IS ON THE SIDEWALL INSTEAD OF THE DOOR STICKER, THIS COULD EASILY LEAD TO OVERINFLATION OF THE TIRES AND THE ASSOCIATED HAZARDS. IN OUR CASE, EVERY TIME WE HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL HAVE OVERINFLATED THE TIRES, USUALLY TO AROUND 40 PSI, AND I HAVE HAD TO DECREASE THE PRESSURE. *TR

CAR HAS INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT FAILURE, INTERIOR LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENTS AND RADIO DIM, GO COMPLETELY OUT AND THEN POP BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY. I DRIVE TO WORK IN THE DARK AND THE LIGHTS HAVE GONE COMPLETELY OUT AND WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN IT RAINS AND THE LAW SAYS THEY SHOULD BE ON. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED PART OF THE WIRING. WHEN THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THERE IS NO PROBLEM OTHER THAN ME. GENERAL MOTORS CALLED ABOUT THE SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED AND THEY CONTINUE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR

A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR IMPACTED A TELEPHONE POLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PARKING LOT. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT LEFT FENDER AND HEADLAMP. NO PART OF THE POLE WAS VISIBLE, DUE TO THE WIDTH OF THE A-PILLAR AND DOOR FRAME AND THE ANGLE OF THE A PILLAR (NEARLY VERTICAL). ONLY THE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS DURING THE IMPACT ALERTED THE DRIVER TO WHAT WAS OCCURRING, EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER WAS LOOKING DIRECTLY TOWARD THE POLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS; THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM SINGLE SWEEP MODE ENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY. AS A RESULT, HIS VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED. THE WIPER BLADES ALSO DID NOT POSITION CORRECTLY WHEN THE CONTROL SELECTOR MODE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

I OWN A 2009 HHR SS. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN INTO SERVICE DEPARTMENT A THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THREE WHEEL STUD BOLTS WERE SHEARED OFF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT OF THE TRUCK HAD BEEN DRIVEN AT SPEED OF A HIGHWAY. TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN TO BECAUSE FOUND OTHER THAN A POSSIBLE FACTORY DEFECT IN THE WHEEL STUD BOLTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

GM IS GOING TO HAVE A LAW SUITE ON THERE HANDS. WE ALL HHR OWNERS NEED TO BAND TOGETHER . MY WIFE WAS IN CAR CRASH. THERE IS A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING QUITTING WHILE TAKEN OFF FOR A DRIVE. GM COMPANY NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS TO FIX IT AND MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THE OWNERS. AND MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THE CUSTOMER. WHAT THEY ARE DOING BY NOT MAKE A RECALL ON THIS IS " WRONG " *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS UNBUCKLED, IT BECOMES LOCKED. THE FAILURE PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM BEING RE-FASTENED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND WOULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE PASSENGER IS UNABLE TO LATCH THE SEAT BELT AND COULD BE INJURED OR WORSE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

RECEIVED A NOTICE OF PENDING OF CLASS ACTION, PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AND HEARING FOR 2009 HHR. STATING THAT THE SELLING VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. *TR