210 of the
4,753 complaints filed about the Chevrolet HHR
are about the engine —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
Remedy for campaign 14V047000 was executed defectively, creating an unsafe mechanical failure that destroyed the powertrain. Failure occurred while or shortly before vehicle stalled in heavy traffic. Vehicle would not restart, but ignition switch stuck in start position while attempting restart, causing starter motor to crank continuously until the switch was turned to the off position. It is believed that starter motor was running while engine was running since last successful start about 3 minutes prior to stall, interfering with normal operation of the engine and eventually causing engine to jump timing and sustain catastrophic internal damage. Subsequent GM dealer service visit found that a burr on the new key provided with campaign 14V047000 repair caused ignition switch to bind in start position. Service staff buffed out burr on key which resolved switch binding, but vehicle refused to start. Borehole inspection of engine found damaged valves and pistons, leading to diagnosis of jumped timing. No other work other that diagnosis has been attempted at this point. Estimate to replace engine is $8600
NHTSA complaint #11757032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WITH THE BEING STUCK ON IGNITION. COULDN'T OPEN THE DOORS AND SMOKE WAS BILLOWING OUT AND FIRE START COMING OUT OF LOWER MIDDLE CONSOLE. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO OPEN DOOR AND EXIT VEHICLE. FIRE THEN ERUPTED AND QUICKLY TRAVELED STRAIGHT DOWN THE CENTER CONSOLE TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS COMPLETELY BURNED TO NOTHING. SUFFERED SEVERAL BURNS AND SMOKE INHALATION AND THE CAR AND EVERY THING IN IT WAS DESTROYED
NHTSA complaint #11406550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2010 CHEVY HHR IS LEAKING GAS AT A FAST PACE FROM THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE REAR WHEEL. I SMELLED A STRONG GAS ODOR AND AFTER PARKING I NOTICED PUDDLE AND DRIPPING NEW MY REAR WHEEL. IT WAS GAS. I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS WORN AND BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #11349150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, IN FRONT OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED MATTHEWS-HARGREAVES CHEVROLET (2000 TWELVE MILE RD, ROYAL OAK, MI 48067) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A REPAIR KIT ONLINE FOR SALE HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED USING THE REPAIR KIT, THE WARRANTY WOULD BE VOIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 210,000.
NHTSA complaint #11339155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, NO NOISE NO WARNING, COULD NOT STEER, BRAKE, ROLL WINDOWS DOWN. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. SAID IT WAS MY ALTERNATOR AND CHARGE ME AN EXTREME HIGH CHARGE TO REPLACE. VERY SCAREDY WHEN HAPPENED, FOR AUTO TO CUT OFF LIKE THAT. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30MPR AN NOT ON AN INTERSTATE. BOUGHT 2ND HAND. HAVE NOT BEEN HAPPY WITH SINCE. WHEN BOUGHT DID NOT RECEIVE KEY FAN OF, AN THE DRIVERS DOOR, WILL LOCK ON ITS OWN, WHICH LEFT ME BAFFLED HOW TO GET INTO IT WITH NO OTHER KEY HOLES ON ANY OTHER DOORS OR ESPECIALLY THE BACKEND. I FEEL THIS IS VERY TROUBLESOME FOR ANYONE, AND A BAD DESIGN FEATURE. THE AIRBAG IS QUESTIONABLE, AND NOW THE WATER PUMP HAS WENT OUT, AND THEY SAY THE MANIFOLD HAS TO COME OFF TO GET TO AND WANT TO CHARGE 750.00 AT A CAR REPAIR TO FIX, BUT WILL CHECK FIRST TO SEE IF THAT'S FOR SURE WHERE LEAKING. THEN ONE TIRE HAS THE THING THAT TELLS IF MY AIRS OKAY IN THE TIRE ON MY DASHBOARD. IT STAYS ON CAUSE IT FELL OFF IN THE TIRE. THE WHOLE DARN THING IS A NIGHTMARE TO ME, THAT I'M STUCK WITH. FROM THE MOTOR AN EXPENSE IT IS TO HAVE WORKED ON TO THE POOR EXPENSIVE DESIGN THAT GOT ON THE MARKET. IT'S A NIGHTMARE.
NHTSA complaint #11281119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ENGINE BEGAN A RANDOM MISFIRE PROBLEM, P0300 CODE. I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY CHANGED OUT, NOW THE CAR REVS HIGHER EVERY TIME I START IT. IT GIVES ITSELF FUEL IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, WITH NO HELP FROM THE GAS PEDAL. IT IS UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #11152273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT/HIT AN ANIMAL / CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL/HIT SEVERAL TREES(CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS) WIFE & DAUGHTER SEVERELY INJURED//NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED(HIGHWAY PATROLMAN VERIFIED IN HIS REPORT
NHTSA complaint #11096942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN I BEGAN TO GET THE MESSAGES SERVICE ESC ESC OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OF, ENGINE REDUCED POWER AND NOT TO MENTION ALL MY LIGHTS LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. ALSO WHEN ALL OF THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN MY VEHICLE JERKS REDUCED SPEED DRASTICALLY AND WAS SHAKING VIGOROUSLY I HURRY UP AND EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP 3 MILES OR SO DOWN THE ROAD THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY THIS TIME I WAS TURNING UNTO A BUSY INTERSECTION AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT BUDGE I HAD TO END UP GETTING IT TOWED. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND IF I WOULD HAVE HAD MY KIDS WITH ME I WOULDN'T BE AS CALM AS I AM NOW. I AM LIVID AND OUTRAGED AS TO WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE UNTIL THIS TYPE OF SITUATION GETS ADDRESSED THE WAY IT NEEDS TO? NOW HAVEN'T SPENT OVER $600 MY PROBLEM STILL EXISTS BUT ONLY NOW MY VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND PARKED. PLEASE SOMEONE GIVE US ANSWERS THE CORRECT ANSWERS THE ANSWERS WE'VE ALL BEEN SEARCHING FOR AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
NHTSA complaint #11080963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2011 HHR HAS STARTED ACTING UP BY THROWING OUT THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT, ESC LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN IN PARK(WHEN WARNING UP THE VEHICLE) AND WHEN IM DRIVING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN COLD WEATHER. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT REDUCES THE SPEED DOWN TO 25MPH AND LURCHES FORWARD AND SOUNDS HORRIBLE! I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND THE INTERSTATE (LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN IT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT ALSO WILL DO IT WHILE STOPPED WAITING FOR A STOP LIGHT TO CHANGE. IT WILL THROW ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WE HAVE CHECKED THE CODES AND CHANGED WHAT IT SAID NEEDED CHANGE BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. FROM WHAT I HAVE LOOKED UP IT LOOKS LIKE PEOPLE ARE HAVING ALL SORTS OF ISSUES WITH THIS BUT NO ONE HAS FOUND A SOLUTION. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SOLUTION BECAUSE SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR IT NOT TO FIX IT IS NOT RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11078667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A FAINT NOISE WAS HEARD AND I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD WALKED AROUND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE LOOKING TO SEE IF ANYTHING STOOD OUT, ASSESSED THE TIRES, ENGINE AND NOTHING APPEARED TO BE WRONG. I PROCEEDED TO GET ON THE RAMP ON AND AS I WENT THROUGH THE TOLL BOOTH DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH, THE CAR ACCELERATED TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 87 MPH, THE STEERING COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED IT WAS ALMOST AS IF IT WAS IN A LOCKED POSITION. ONCE THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT THE HIGH SPEED, IT THEN CAME ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WAS REVVING BUT THE SPEED WAS NOT SUPPORTING THE SOUND. I PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, USE THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO FUNCTIONS BUT NEITHER WOULD WORK. SCARED TO GO INTO THE FLOW OF HEAVY TRAFFIC, I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHICH ALLOWED ME TO ROLL DOWN THE RAMP AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. I THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT SIT AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT BACK ON TO REMOVE IT MORE OUT OF THE DRIVING LANE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE
NHTSA complaint #11075777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #11075316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN AND WENT TO SUNSET CHEVROLET (910 TRAFFIC AVE, SUMNER, WA 98390) WHERE HE RECEIVED MECHANICAL ADVISE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11055252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A USED 2008 CHEVY HHR FROM LITHIA IN EUREKA, CA 11/3/2017 AND 11/24/2017 THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE DRIVE FUNCTION. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND NO LUCK. TRANSMISSION SEEMS BLOWN, AND THE ELECTRICAL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. NO FLASHEERS, RADIO WITH WEIRD NOISES, STRANGE SOUNDS FROM ENGINE AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE. WE ARE NOW STUCK 200 MILES FROM HOME AND LITHIA MANAGER HAS NOT RETURNED MY PHONE CALL. I AM A MIDDLE AGED STUDENT, WORKING MINIMUM WAHE. I GAVE THE DEALERSHIP ALL MY MOMEY FOR A BROKEN CAR. I SHOULS HAVE RESEARCHED MORE THAT IS APPARENT. I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY MISHAPS. YET, THIS IS 3 WEEKS AFTER GIVING AWAY $5000 FOR A WORKING VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN.
NHTSA complaint #11048472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CAUSED CHAIN TO JUMP TIME AND CAUSE VALVE DAMAGE COSTING $2000 IN REPAIRS. APPARENTLY TENSIONER WAS KNOWN DEFECT BUT NEVER RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #11020991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO FROST AND FROST OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEVAN LOWES OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE DRIVE CLUTCH WERE FAULTY THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #11000166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME MECHANIC EACH TIME, GIVEN THE SAME DIAGNOSIS, AND GIVEN THE SAME REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10994550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.