2009 Chevrolet HHR brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN TO BE ON AS PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED AND ESC, TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT WORK ALSO THIS IS A HAZARD TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE HAD ROAD RAGE AGAINST ME BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TURNING OFF ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED THROUGH GM AS A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES THIS IS NOT THE ONLY 2009 CHEVY HHR THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11354570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

II PURCHASED A BEUTIFUL 2009 HHR FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP, IN MAY OF 2020, AN IN JULY F 2020, IT WOULD BARELY SPEED UP, THE GEARS, WOULDN'T SHIFT ON ME AND I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT I HAD NOT ONLY BEEN OPERATING A "DEFECTED" VEHICE BUT THE CAR DEALER FAIED TO MENTION HE WAS SELLING ME A "RECALLED" CAR, (A NEIGHBOR INFORMED ME) I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY SON'S HOUSE,BECAUSE I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THE CAR KEPT ROLLING BACKWARDSI AND IT ONLY GOES IN REVERSE NOW. LONGER GO

NHTSA complaint #11341644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE HAD MY HHR 2009 FOR A YEAR NOW AND I'VE CHANGED THE BRAKES TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS..THE FIRST SET WAS STILL NEW BUT IT KEPT MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND ROARING NOISES WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON BRAKES... MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES LIKE CRAZY I REALLY DO LOVE MY CAR AND I WANNA GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED ASAP.

NHTSA complaint #11269354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT THE VEHICLE HAS A HARD PEDAL AND WOULD NOT STOP. IT APPEARED TO BE FROM THE BOOSTER NOT HOLDING THE VACUUM. THERE WAS A BULITEN #09-05-22-001A THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE BUT IT REQUIRES AN ADDITIONAL VACUUM PUMP TO BE ADDED TO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM AND NOT THE CUSTOMER SINCE IT REQUIRES A NEW ADDITIONAL PART TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11045693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY 2009 HHR HAS WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS THE MAY 15, 2014 GM TAIL LIGHT MALFUNCTION. THE MALFUNCTION IS CAUSED FROM FAULTY WIRING AND CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEY REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS MALFUNCTION ALSO DISABLES SAFETY FEATURES LIKE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ' WHICH TRIES TO CORRECT FOR SKIDS ' AND PANIC BRAKING ASSIST, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE'S FULL BRAKING POWER IS BEING USED IN AN EMERGENCY. IT ALSO DISABLES THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL. IN 2014 G.M. SAID IT KNEW OF HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS AND 13 ACCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS AND SEVERAL ISSUES OF ROAD RAGE FROM OTHER DRIVERS SINCE MY HHR BEGAN THE MALFUNCTIONING IN FEBRUARY 2014 WHICH IS WHEN I FIRST CONTACTED GM TO GET IT FIXED. SINCE THEN I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE NHTSA, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, THE STATE OF WISCONSIN CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY AND GM BUT HAVE NOT YET HAD ANYONE STEP UP AND FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE BCM TO LOSE MEMORY WITH THE BRAKE POSITIONING SENSOR I DID TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM RE-LEARN THE MEMORY BETWEEN THE TWO. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY AND LASTED ABOUT TWO MONTHS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THIS DONE EVERY TWO MONTH AS A SOLUTION. GM NEEDS TO BE ORDERED TO FIX THE ISSUES CORRECTLY BEFORE SOMEONE IS FATALLY INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #10806821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I HAVE A 2009 HHR AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS THE ESC AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS COME AT LOW SPEEDS AROUND 5 TO 15 MPH AND THE BRAKES MAKE A GROWLING NOISE I DRIVE 80 MILES A DAY BACK AND FORTH TO WORK IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE TURNPIKE I AM AFRAID I WILL REAR END SOMEBODY OR WORSE I DON'T WANT TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE WHEN IT OCCURS SHE MIGHT NOT KNOW ON TO REACT. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT GOES AWAY FOR A WHILE BUT COMES BACK. AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN IT IS RAINING OR HEAVY DEW I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE AIR BAGS AND IT STILL IS HAPPENING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DISPLAY ON THE DASH WILL COME ON WHEN THERE IS NO ONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SERVICE ABS LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME AS THE ESC AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT I DON'T FEEL SAFE I HAVE 179,000 MILES ON THE CAR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THIS CAR HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE HURT OR KILLED AS I HAVE READ IN OTHER COMMENTS I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND JUST GO THRU THE REMOVE AND REPLACE TANGO TRYING TO GET LUCKY AND FIX THE PROBLEM OR PLAY CAR DOCTOR AND TREAT THE SYMPTOMS AND NOT ADDRESS THE MALADY

NHTSA complaint #10795163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10695556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

WENT TO BACK HHR OUT OF MY GARAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ROCK HARD WITH NO GIVE. POWER STEERING HAS NO POWER AND THE EXC LIGHT IS ON. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE IGNITION, AIR BAGS, BRAKES, DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS...THE LIST GOES ON. THIS ONE TAKES THE CAKE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS.

NHTSA complaint #10689846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA complaint #10625908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I BOUGHT MY HHR BRAND NEW. WITHIN WEEKS OF HAVING IT, THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WARPING. THIS HAS BECOME AN EVERY SIX MONTH ROUTINE NOW. THE BRAKES DON'T ALWAYS CATCH AND CAN BE SCARY WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. I'VE BARELY AVOIDED WRECKS SEVERAL TIMES, AND USUALLY THAT INVOLVES STEERING TOWARDS A DITCH.

NHTSA complaint #10617472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE WHEEL WOBBLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10595752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

THE ESC LIGHT CAE ON AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER, TURN, AND JERKING WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. I'VE TAKEN MY HHR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 AND 4 OF APRIL 2014 FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE. BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON 7,8,9, FOR COMPUTER, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. 17 APRIL SAME ISSUES AS THE 3 RD. 21 ST TO TWEAK THE ESC PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPOKE WITH [XXX] THE SERVICE MANAGER AT RINKE CHEVROLET 586 754 7000. I HAVE LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES FOR ED RINKE THE DEALERSHIP OWNER. I NEED MY VEHICLE TO BE SAFE! CAN YOU PLEASE ASSIST ME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10584285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY AIR BAG SERVICE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY. AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, NO ACCIDENTS, NO PROBLEM SEEN WITH AIR BAGS BY SERVICE DEPT AT DEALER. ???? .THE SAFETY LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CONTROLS FOR ALL PASSENGER WINDOWS DOES NOT LOCK THE WINDOW OPERATION. BRAKING SYSTEM PROBLEM IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. IVE RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC 4 TIMES HAD MY BRAKE PADS CHANGED, ROTORS TURNED, ROTORS RESURFACED , ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.....STEERING WHEEL SHUDDERING BAD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE ROTORS OVERHEAT AND WARP, BUT I WILL DRIVE ONLY 2 BLOCKS AND IT HAPPENS. DON'T THINK THAT IS ENOUGH TO OVERHEAT THE ROTORS.

NHTSA complaint #10579495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY CAR STARTED WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH BACK IN OCTOBER WITH THE KEY NOT SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND HAVING TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO SHUT IT OFF, TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT, BUT NOW THINGS ARE GETTING SCARY. EVERY OTHER DAY MY CAR IS TELLING ME THAT THE ABS SYSTEMS NEEDS FIXED AND THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL NEEDS SERVICED. THE BREAKS WERE REPLACED IN DECEMBER OF 2013 AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE CAR AND NOW THIS.. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, BUT THE LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF FOR NO REASON.. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS ALL THE TIME AND EVEN AFTER YOU UNLATCH IT, IT STAYS LOCKED FOR SOME TIME. I AM SO FRUSTRATED OVER THIS ISSUE AND CAN'T GET ANY ANSWERS ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10578262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10542602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

LETTER FWD FM FMCSA CONCERN THE SAFETY OF HIS 2009 CHEVROLET HHR SS, BRAKES ARE EXTREMELY HARD CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING VEHICLE AT TIMES, INQUIRING WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL (ENCLOSURES NOT IMAGED FWD TO NVS-200) THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE RECENTLY PULLED AWAY FROM A CURB BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT STOPPED AT A CROSSWALK, HE CAME WITHIN AN INCH OF REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE BRAKE WAS EXTREMELY HARD, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME SCENARIO AGAIN, BUT IT INVOLVED A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS CROSSING THE STREET IN THE CROSSWALK. THE CONSUMER STATED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY CHEVROLET, BUT NOT A RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE COST TO INSTALL AN AUXILIARY VACUUM BOOSTER PUMP WAS $1200.00.

NHTSA complaint #10519277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

LETTER FWD FM FMCSA CONCERN THE SAFETY OF HIS 2009 CHEVROLET HHR SS, BRAKES ARE EXTREMELY HARD CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING VEHICLE AT TIMES, INQUIRING WHY THERE WASN'T A RECALL (ENCLOSURES NOT IMAGED FWD TO NVS-200) THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE RECENTLY PULLED AWAY FROM A CURB BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT STOPPED AT A CROSSWALK, HE CAME WITHIN AN INCH OF REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE BRAKE WAS EXTREMELY HARD, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME SCENARIO AGAIN, BUT IT INVOLVED A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS CROSSING THE STREET IN THE CROSSWALK. THE CONSUMER STATED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY CHEVROLET, BUT NOT A RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE COST TO INSTALL AN AUXILIARY VACUUM BOOSTER PUMP WAS $1200.00.

NHTSA complaint #10519277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

FRONT DISC BRAKES PULSATE AND CAUSE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #10504323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES INCLUDED THE BRAKES, POWER STEERING ASSIST AND A FOUL ODOR BEING EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE CABLE FRACTURED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING RACK WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE ROUGHLY AFTERWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE, DOOR HANDLE AND THE EXHAUST AND THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE BRAKE PROBLEM OR THE FOUL ODOR THAT WAS COMING THROUGH THE EXHAUST. IN ADDITION, THE CABLE IN THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA complaint #10483163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10432424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10405426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10333827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10318243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10291887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10286159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10281421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.