2007 Chevrolet HHR body problems

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THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR LT WHICH WAS PURCHASED AS A NEW VEHICLE. IT IS 'ALWAYS GARAGED'. IT HAS 36,1XX ORIGINAL MILES. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO WE BEGAN TO NOTICE 'CHUNKS' OF RUST GATHERING UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AN INSPECTION MADE BY SELF REVEALED EXTENSIVE RUST-OUT TO THE "REAR REINFORCEMENT BAR" (PART #10 IN THE ENCLOSED DIAGRAM). I CONTACTED "GM" VIA THEIR 'SOCIAL MEDIA CUSTOMER CARE CENTER', THOROUGHLY EXPLAINED THE ISSUE, AND WAS DIRECTED TO A LOCAL BUICK/GMC DEALERSHIP FOR AN EVALUATION, WITHIN HOURS I HEARD A NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE. SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS BY SELF HAVE NOT GIVEN ME A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION AS TO THE "WHY" OF THIS RUSTED PART. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED TO A HIGH DEGREE. THE EXAMINER TOLD ME HE DID NOT OBSERVE ANY OTHER RUST ISSUES ON OR UNDER THIS VEHICLE. KEEP IN MIND THAT I AM NOT AN 'AUTOMOTIVE' ENGINEER; BUT- TO MY 'UNTRAINED EYE' PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PART IS DEEPLY HIDDEN WITHIN THE REAR BUMPER COVER; AND THE DESIGN OF THE REAR BUMPER COVER IS SUCH THAT IT FOSTERS THE COLLECTION OF DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD ON IT'S HORIZONTAL SURFACES. THIS DEBRIS THEN IS IN SITU WITH THE METAL PARTS OF THE ACTUAL 'REAR BUMPER'. GIVEN TIME THE DEBRIS RETAINS MOISTURE WHICH 'APPARENTLY' THEN COVERS THE METAL PARTS. ...AND ONE GETS THE RESULTS SHOWN IN THE PHOTOS. NONE OF THIS WOULD BE VISIBLE UNLESS A PERIODIC, CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE HIDDEN PARTS WERE TO BE MADE BY THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE. A "POSSIBLE" MEASURE TO BE TAKEN WOULD BE FOR GENERAL MOTORS TO EDUCATE/INFORM OWNER/OPERATORS AS TO THE POTENTIAL FOR A PROBLEM. ANOTHER "POSSIBLE" SOLUTION, WERE THIS A VEHICLE STILL IN PRODUCTION (AND NOT YET ANOTHER GM 'ORPHAN' CAR) WOULD BE, OF COURSE, TO CORRECT THE APPARENT, ORIGINAL 'DESIGN DEFICIENCY'.

NHTSA complaint #11114299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I GOT INTO MY CAR WITH NO PROBLEM, WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR I COULD NOT BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO LET THE WINDOW DOWN TO GET OUT.

NHTSA complaint #11092131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES DETACHED FROM THE DOORS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA complaint #11000081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES TO OPEN THE CAR DOORS FROM INSIDE CAR BROKE OFF ON BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDES. THE ONLY WAY NOW TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WE COULD NOT EASILY GET OUT, POSING A LIFE THREATENING DANGER. VEHICLE STATIONARY.

NHTSA complaint #10909431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXCESSIVE RUST ON INTERNAL REAR BUMPER SUPPORT. IT'S TO THE POINT OF FLAKING. THIS METAL SUPPORT IS MOUNTED TO THE BODY, BETWEEN THE VEHICLE BODY AND PLASTIC COVER. THIS IS ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 31,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE TRIED TO COVER THE EXPOSED AREAS WITH A INDUSTRIAL RUST CONVERTER CHASSIS SAVER TYPE OF PAINT.

NHTSA complaint #10882417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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2007 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FUEL LINE CORROSION AND FUEL LEAK ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NOTICED HESITATION WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONSUMER KEPT SMELLING GASOLINE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT BELIEVE THAT A RUSTED FUEL LINE WAS A MATTER OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OR OWNER NEGLECT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE RUSTED FUEL LINE, HAD TO DO WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE ISSUE WAS PREVALENT WITH HER MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, THERE WOULD NOT BE ASSISTING HER WITH THE MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #10838323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FLOOD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10795052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND THE PANEL; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT DETER THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000...UPDATED 02/01/16 *BF 03/30/18*JB

NHTSA complaint #10766507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

IN SEPTEMBER 2013 WHEN I WENT TO OPEN MY DOOR TO GET OUT OF MY CAR THE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR UNLESS I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN, REACH OUTSIDE, AND OPEN THE DOOR USING THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAD IT REPLACED (APPROXIMATELY $195.00). ON JULY 25TH, 2015, I WENT TO GET OUT OF MY CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THIS POSES A MAJOR SAFETY AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. IF SOMEONE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE YOU'D DIE BEFORE YOU COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY CHEVROLET AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED PIECE OF CRAP CARS AND NEVER HAD A DOOR HANDLE BREAK ONCE, LET ALONE TWICE. I SPOKE TO CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNFORTUNATE BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS MYSELF. REALLY?? PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10746327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DOOR HANDEL IS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. HAVE TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN HANDEL FROM OUTSIDE. THIS IS NOT GOOD, IF ENGINE DIES SO WILL I. COULD NOT OPEN DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10714450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHEN THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE LEAVING THE DOOR INOPERABLE FROM THE INSIDE. RISK OF BEING TRAPPED IN THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. I WILL BE CONTACTING GM TO REPORT ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #10689704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

CHEAP PLASTIC USED TO MAKE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE AS A I WAS TRYING TO EXIT MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR INCIDENT OF ANY SORT, JUST TRYING TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. I AM PREGNANT AND GOD FORBID SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THERE IS AN INCIDENT WHERE I CANNOT ESCAPE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED POST HASTE.

NHTSA complaint #10621215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA complaint #10597737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

COULD NOT OPEN DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR. NOTHING...NO-HOW. IN ADDITION THE RADIO WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER KEY WAS REMOVED. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY FOUND A DEFECTIVE MODULE LOCATED INSIDE THE DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR THAT CONTROLLED ALL THIS. NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR....HAVING TO DEPEND ON AN ELECTRONIC GIZMO....IS ABSOLUTELY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THERE SHOULD BE....A SIMPLE MECHANICAL OVER-RIDE...OR BETTER YET, WHY IS OPENING (AND CLOSING?) A DOOR ELECTRONIC AT ALL? IT WAS DEFINITELY FUN TO CONTORT MY 6'1" 250 POUND BODY OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. $441,PLEASE.........

NHTSA complaint #10595261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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DRIVER'S DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE BROKE WITH MINIMAL FORCE, MAKING IT HARD TO EXIT VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10575413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE MADE A CLICKING SOUND AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR HANDLE APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONAL BUT SHE WAS ONLY ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND OCCASIONALLY HAD TO EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA complaint #10574736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (DRIVER'S DOOR) SO I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE INTERIOR OF THE DOOR (IT WAS A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE THAT BROKE), AT A COST WAS $350.00. NOW, A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER THE SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS AT THIS TIME AND THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE IN OUR HOME. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH A BROKEN DOOR FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS! IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE - IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR!! AND WHEN THE WINDOWS FREEZE I AM TOTALLY TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE! I ALSO FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE DOOR'S INTERIOR EACH TIME THE WEATHER IS COLD AND THIS CHEAP PLASTIC PIECE BREAKS! I HAVE ALSO HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE OTHER DOORS, BUT MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THEM. SOMEHOW THE HANDLE AND THE MECHANISM THAT OPENS THE DOOR (INSIDE THE INTERIOR OF THE DOOR) COME APART AND HAVE TO BE RE-ATTACHED. I CANNOT BE THE ONLY HHR OWNER THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS COSTLY AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM!

NHTSA complaint #10566224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHEN MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR DUE TO THE DOOR HANDLE.

NHTSA complaint #10502054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE STEERING FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10494945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE DOOR HANDLE OF DRIVERS SIDE OF 2007 HHR. BROKE OFF. AS I OPENED DOOR..IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IF BATTERY SHOULD DIE OR IF THERE IS A FIRE THERE IS NO WAY TO EXIT QUICKLY FROM DRIVERS SEAT..THE HANDLE CANNOT BE REPLACED...RATHER AN ENTIRE DOOR PANEL UPWARDS OF 350.00 PLUS LABOR IS ONLY REMEDY..I SPOKE TO A GM REP WHO ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT INTO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION...IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY....THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED.

NHTSA complaint #10486506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE FATAL IN A CRASH OR FIRE IF THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10478005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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UPON ATTEMPTING TO OPEN DRIVERS DOOR FROM INSIDE THE HANDLE BROKE. NOW I HAVE TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE TO EXIT. THE PLASTIC HANDLE IS AVAILABLE ONLY AS A COMPLETE DOOR UNIT. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AS WELL AS BEING INCONVENIENT. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10466289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE INSIDE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE BREAKS OFF AND CANNOT BE REPLACED PER CHEVY AND GM WITHOUT INSTALLING AN ENTIRE FRONT INSIDE DOOR PANEL. YOU CANNOT EXIT THE CAR WITHOUT LOWERING THE WINDOW AND REACHING OUTSIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR. WITH POWER WINDOWS YOU CANNOT LOWER THE WINDOW IF THERE ARE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO CLIMBING OVER THE CONSOLE AND OPENING THE PASSENGER DOOR AND EXITING THE CAR THAT WAY WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. IN AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY YOU COULD NOT EXIT THE CAR THAT WAY IF SEVERELY INJURED OR ON FIRE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM??

NHTSA complaint #10464650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAS BEEN MAKING A "CLICK" NOISE AND DIFFICULT TO OPEN. TODAY A PASSENGER TRIED TO GET OUT AND THE HANDLE REFUSED TO OPEN. DOOR WAS ABLE TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. A DOOR THAT DOES NOT PROPERLY OPEN COULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD SOMEONE BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10441197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

SUNROOF FRAME BROKEN AT HINGE POINT OF WINDSCREEN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMONLY OCCURRING PROBLEM. ONE OF MANY COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA complaint #10428300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.