2006 Chevrolet HHR transmission problems

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and would not properly accelerate. Additionally, the front passenger’s side door would not open while using the interior door latch. The contact stated while using the cigarette lighter, the vehicle shut off, and smoke filled the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA complaint #11534867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE SHIFT LEVER SHOWS THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT THE ACTUAL GEAR IS REVERSE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP HAS BECOME DISLODGED FROM ITS POSITION AND WILL NOT ENGAGE TO THE PROPER GEAR. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND IT WILL ALSO ROLL BACKWARDS WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE. IT WAS STATIONARY WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IT BUT IT THEN ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ENGAGING IN PARK AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE I COULD APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS PART OF A RECALL 09V073000 FOR MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE; HOWEVER IT DOESN'T INCLUDE MY YEAR OR VIN SO THE DEALERS ARE NOT TRYING TO REPAIR IT FOR ME WITHOUT COST.

NHTSA complaint #11018873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND MY POWER STEERING DONT WORK WHILE THIS AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON. MY HEAT DONT WORK EITHER WHILE MY AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON. I CAN DRIVE IT FOR AWHILE AND WHEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF MY POWER STEERING STARTS TO WORK AND MY HEAT DOES TOO.

NHTSA complaint #10919832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER HAD THE DEALER COMPLETE A MANUFACTURER RECALL REPAIR FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE REPAIR CAUSED SEVERAL FAILURES AND DID NOT PROVIDE A PERMANENT REPAIR SOLUTION. WITHIN WEEKS OF THE DEALER'S REPAIR, THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE GEAR SHIFT, WHICH HAD ALSO BEEN AN ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE A READING AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES FAILED TO FULLY FUNCTION AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA complaint #10874602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE VEHICLE JERKED WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTED GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WERE IN DRIVE, NEUTRAL, OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT ADHERED TO THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,732.

NHTSA complaint #10715994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,350.

NHTSA complaint #10651481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A NEW SET OF KEYS, AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER, AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR, THE GEAR BOX, AND SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #10638374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO LOCK IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA complaint #10637085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,441.

NHTSA complaint #10585436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS WERE ABLE TO BE CHANGED WITHOUT USING THE BUTTON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,144.

NHTSA complaint #10584821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

GOOD DAY. I'LL KEEP THIS BRIEF. TO BE CLEAR, I WENT TO THE DEALER (AUTONATION USA) WITH THE RECALL ISSUE SHORTLY AFTER IT OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME, AND A COUPLE OF OTHER TIMES AFTER THAT. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS TOO SHORT, FAT, AND MY KNEE WAS KNOCKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. MY KEY NEVER FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION, BUT THE CAR DID SHUT OFF, LOSING CONTROL OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WHILE AT 70+ MPH. SECONDLY, I HAVE GONE IN TO THE DEALER FOR MY TRANSMISSION AS WELL. THE CAR BEGAN TO SLIGHTLY JERK AT AROUND 60K MILES. I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING, HOWEVER, THEY NEVER CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION, AND I WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING. WHEN THE MATTER GOT REALLY BAD, THE MILEAGE WAS OVER 100K, AND OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION THAT I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THIS UP PRIOR, AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO TREAT IT AS A NEW ISSUE. I'LL MAKE IT EASY. WHEN I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION ISSUES NEARLY KILL MY FAMILY AND MYSELF ON MORE THAN 30 OCCURRENCES, THE DEALER FIXING A SMALL, INEXPENSIVE ITEM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, DOES LITTLE TO QUELL THE ANGER I HAVE REGARDING THE VARIOUS OTHER ISSUES I HAVE REGARDING WARRANTY MAINTENANCE THEY COULD HAVE COMPLETED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, AND INSTEAD CHOSE TO BELITTLE ME AND NOW WISH TO CHARGE ME OBSCENE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO REPAIR. GM SHOULD OFFER TO COMPLETE THE MAINTENANCE AT NO COST CONSIDERING I HAVE GONE TO THEM PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF THE WARRANTY AND WAS RIDICULED AND FURTHER, MADE TO HAVE MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN DANGER 30-40 TIMES SO THEY COULD SAVE SOME MONEY. FURTHER, I UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED FOR THEM TO DO ANYTHING, HOWEVER, DOING THE RIGHT THING GOES A LONG WAY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO GM ABOUT THE ISSUES A COUPLE OF TIMES NOW ONLY JUST SIMPLY BE TOLD THEY WERE SORRY AND I SHOULD HAVE THE SITUATION DIAGNOSED (NEEDLESSLY). THIS IS THE FIRST I'VE HEARD OF THIS WEBSITE SO I'M TRYING NOW. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10584765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

2006 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END WERE SHAKING, AND THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND A WORN OUT BEARING, THE STEERING SHAFT HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE AND THE SWAY BAR LINKS WERE WORN. THE STEERING COLUMN, INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND SWAY BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AT TIMES. IT WAS DETERMINED A LIQUID HAD BEEN SPILLED IN THE SHIFTER. ALSO, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #10582760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK OR INTO ANY GEAR UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND SURGE ONCE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA complaint #10578820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

RIGHT FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FAILED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE. VERY DANGEROUS !!!

NHTSA complaint #10575569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

LEFT FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FAILED WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE,HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO DRIVE SHAFT FAILURES ON THIS HHR. *TR ATTENTION !!! PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE !!!

NHTSA complaint #10575571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

CAN SHIFT WITH OUT PUSHING BRAKE OR SHIFT BOTTOM, ALSO KEY GET STUCK IN ON POSITION WHEN IN PARK. HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET DUE TO THE COST OF THE PARK AND LABOR. HAVE LOOKED ON LINE AND A LOT OF OTHER HHR OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO BRAKE FLUID WARRING COME ON BUT FLUID IS FULL.

NHTSA complaint #10574615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD NOT BE ENGAGED INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT END WAS REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA complaint #10569307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

GEAR SHIFTER PIN BROKE & NOW WON'T LOCK IN GEAR. THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED EXCEPT BY REMOVING A CAP ON THE STEERING COLUMN & PRESSING A RELEASE BUTTON. DEFECTIVE GEAR SHIFTER PIN. ------------------------------------- I WENT HOME & TRIED TO TAKE MY KEY OUT BUT IT WOULD NOT RELEASE SO SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF THE BATTERY DIED. I FOUND OUT ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. I FOUND OUT HOW TO REMOVE THE PLUG ON THE STEERING COLUMN TO PRESS THE RELEASE TO TAKE OUT THE KEY. THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT LOCK SO IT IS EASY FOR IT TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL OR OUT OF PARK & ROLL AWAY. I DON'T HAVE THE $500 THEY SAID IT WILL TAKE TO FIX IT SO I HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. I ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE SURE TO LOCK MY EMERGENCY BRAKE & HAVE TO HIT THE RELEASE TO TAKE MY KEY OUT. THIS IS DANGEROUS & SO WRONG OF GM NOT TO RECALL THIS WHEN SO MANY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THEIR DEFECT & NOT THE CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA complaint #10568276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

KEY GOT STUCK IN IGNITION. THIS APPARENTLY IS A COMMON KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THEY DID A RECALL BUT ONLY ON THE 2009 MODELS. THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY GOES BAD AND THERE IS A PLASTIC PIECE THAT BREAKS CAUSING THE KEY TO GET STUCK. I HAD TO GO INTO THE STEERING COLUMN TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE KEY. THE GEAR SHIFT ALSO WILL GO INTO ANY POSITION WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE BUTTON, WHICH IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT CAN BE PUT INTO REVERSE WHILE DRIVING, ETC. TRIED TO TAKE IT IN TO GET FIXED BUT WILL COST ABOUT $300. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL SINCE IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH ALL THE EARLY HHR MODELS, NOT JUST THE 2009.

NHTSA complaint #10567200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY HHR, I LOVE IT BUT, IT HAS ISSUES 1ST I BOUGHT IT USED 15,000 MILES. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD 1. THE REAR LOGO REPLACED 4 TIMES, THEN, 2.THE KEY GET STUCK WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR SO I USED THE PLUNGER AND 3. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVES WHEN THE CAR IS OFF OR ON. NOW, 4. THE KEY WON'T TURN TO START THE CAR I HAVE TO JIGGLE IT TILL IT WORKS. 5. MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY, WHILE DRIVING IT SO I CAN'T TURN THE 6.-,7.-, AND 8.3 RECALLS, THEN, 9. THE WHEELS SHAKES AT 60 MPH, I HAVE 10. AND 11. REPLACED BOTH FRONT DOOR HANDLES WITH IN 2 WEEKS 12. I HEAR A LOUD CRACKLING OR STATIC SOUND FROM MY SPEAKERS AND THE RADIO IS OFF. OH AND 13. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF PLUS 14. EVERY TIME I HAVE TO CHANGE THE BATTERY I HAVE TO GET MY REMOTE REPROGRAMMED FOR THE AUTO START... IT CAME WITH THE CAR. WHAT IS GOING ON? THERE ARE 14 ISSUES SOME SAFETY AND SOME COSMETIC BUT, CLEARLY AN ISSUE I AM ONLY MAKING MY VOICE HEARD BECAUSE I JUST STARTED RESEARCHING MY CAR. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE MAJOR IGNITION OR GEAR SHIFT, TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRICAL CAR SHAKING THESE HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN A LOT OF HHRS. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10561098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION IN A SIGNAL CONTROLLED LEFT TURN LANE, THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED AS USUAL. THIS TIME IT MADE A POPPING NOISE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. THE DRIVER WAS LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROADWAY. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED IN A LIGHT TRAFFIC AREA, BUT COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER HAD BROKEN OUT OF THE FIREWALL AND REPAIRED IT AS BEST HE COULD WITHOUT PULLING THE ENGINE. HE STATED THAT HE DISCOVERED SOME REPORTS OF CHEVROLET HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES IN THIS AND OTHER PRODUCTS; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE.

NHTSA complaint #10552829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

MY 2006 HHR HAS HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT AND REAR END STRUTS REPLACED AND NOW, THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND DRIVE SHAFT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 80K MILES ON IT. I DON'T DRIVE IT THAT MUCH SO IT SHOULDN'T BE HAVING ALL OF THESE ISSUES. WHY HASN'T GM ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS IT HAS? I'VE READ COUNTLESS SIMILAR STORIES ON THE INTERNET. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #10548400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO MOVE GEAR SHIFTER LEVER SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE GEAR SHIFTER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,402. ..UPDATED 08-07-13

NHTSA complaint #10514986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WE WILL CRASH OR BE HIT BY SOME ONE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS YOU LOOSE ALL POWER THAT IS POWER STEERING,BRAKES,THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE .IT BEGAN WITH MY KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION,WOULD HAVE TO TRY TO PLACE IN PARK MULTIPLE TIMES TO RELEASE THE KEY. FOUND THE PANEL IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE RELEASE BUTTON TO REMOVE KEY. NOW THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON IS STUCK IN THE PRESSED POSITION, MAKING THE CAR VULNERABLE TO COMING OUT OF GEAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND COSTLY TO FIX. ADDITIONAL PERSONAL RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON & KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10512695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

PULLED INTO GARAGE, PLACED SHIFTER IN PARK, IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT ROTATE TO LAST DETENT POSITION AND KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED, LEAVING SOME ELECTRICAL ITEMS ON. SHIFTER BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK BUT SHIFT COULD BE PUT IN ANY GEAR. I SEARCHED INTERNET FOR PROBLEM AND LEARNED HOW TO REMOVE COVER UNDER IGNITION SWITCH AND MANIPULATE A BUTTON INSIDE THE COLUMN TO ALLOW KEY TO BE RELEASED. CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN BUT TO SHUT OFF AND REMOVE KEY, SAME PROCESS REQUIRED. A BIG PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND ON INTERNET FROM OTHER OWNERS IS THAT INSTEAD OF PAYING THE OUTRAGEOUS COST TO FIX, MANY DRIVERS ARE DOING THE ABOVE, WHICH IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE SHIFT LEVER CAN EASILY, ACCIDENTALLY BE SHIFTED INTO ANOTHER GEAR WHILE IN MOTION ! THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BE A METAL PIN, MOUNTED IN AN INFERIOR PLASTIC PIECE, WHICH BREAKS OR OTHERWISE ALLOWS THE METAL PIN TO FALL OUT OF POSITION. THIS IS REPORTED IN ALL YEAR MODELS, AT ALL MILEAGES. MY CAR IS A 2006 WITH 11000 MILES- 7 YEARS OLD, AND OBVIOUSLY HARDLY USED, LET ALONE ABUSED, AND OF COURSE, OUT OF WARRANTY ! GM HAS UPGRADED THE REPLACEMENT PART WITH A SHROUD OF METAL REINFORCING THE PLASTIC, AND HAS REPAIRED AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON MODELS FROM 2009 TO DATE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT, AND ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. GM NEEDS TO RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS DEFECT ! THEY ARE NOT OFFERING ANY SOLUTION FOR A REPAIR THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE PAID UP TO $600 OF THEIR OWN MONEY, AND I FOR ONE AM GOING TO FIGHT THIS IN ALL WAYS POSSIBLE. GOV.'T, MEDIA, BBB,SOCIAL MEDIA, ETC ! REVIEW THE INTERNET BY SEARCHING " CHEVY HHR IGNITION KEY STUCK" . THIS ALSO AFFECTS CHEVY COBALT AND PONTIAC G5.

NHTSA complaint #10503494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND HAVE TO DO IT MANUALLY WHICH MAKES IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. SOMETIMES I CAN ONLY BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, I AM WONDERING WAY CHEVY DOESN'T DO A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10502755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED TO ENGAGE THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE ALSO COULD NOT BE SHIFTED FROM PARK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA complaint #10501444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK AND HE WAS UNABLE TO POWER OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE SHIFTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10488625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO NEW JERSEY FOR VACATION BUT CAME BACK TO VIRGINIA WITHIN TWO DAYS. UPON MY ARRIVAL IN VIRGINIA, I REPACKED MY BAGS AND HEADED TO CHARLOTTE, NC. ALL THE DRIVING THAT I WAS DOING WAS HIGHWAY DRIVING. TO NEW JERSEY I DROVE I-81 NORTH AND I-78 EAST. TO CHARLOTTE, NC I DROVE 220 SOUTH AND I-85 SOUTH. AFTER I GOT OFF ON I-85 SOUTH TO GO BACK TO THE HOTEL ON THE WAY UP THE HILL TOWARDS THE HOTEL THE CAR STOPPED MOVING FORWARD. IT WOULD REV UP WHEN PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE CAR HOWEVER WOULD SHIFT GEARS AND GO IN REVERSE. I PARKED THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT AND HAD CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP.THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BUT COULD NOT GIVE ME A DETERMINATION AS TO WHY IT FAILED. HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AS I WAS SPEEDING DOWN I-85 SOUTH THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, THIS MORNING (AUGUST 22ND , 2012) THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE CAR WOULD COME ON SUCH AS THE GAUGE LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MIDPOINT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STARTER WAS BAD AND THUS HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 24TH UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR FROM A NIGHT OUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THIS TIME NO LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. THE ONLY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AT LEAST SOME POWER WAS THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON MY CAR CHARGER. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND RECEIVED A JUMP START FROM A LOCAL TOW SERVICE AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING SMOOTHLY EVER SINCE. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION AS TO WHAT MAY BE DRAINING THE BATTERY'S POWER. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED TWICE AND ON THESE TWO OCCASIONS AND IS DEEMED TO STILL BE GOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10486296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.