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3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,640 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Chevrolet HHR brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Chevrolet HHR Owner Comments

problem #13

Jan 052022

HHR

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering gets very stiff and sometimes locks up when turning left or right in a curve at highway speeds. Had dealer check it and they said they replaced steering motor. Did not correct problem. Made an appointment to check again but was told I would incur charges. I have had it to several mechanic shops and we cannot find anything loose or failing. In a parked position it locks up completely until you start rolling. Afraid steering is going to lock up in a curve and cause harm to driver and passengers. It is available for inspection. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance. Has no warning lights or messages pertaining to problem. The problem first appeared approximately 6 months ago.

- Mouthcard, KY, USA

problem #12

Sep 162020

HHR

  • 130,000 miles
Hello, how are you? the traction control warning light stays on and the button cannot turn it off. The engine light stays on and there is a service prompt on the information scroll lcd screen. The cruise control switch lights up but the cruise does not engage when the set button is pressed at any speed, ie, 30mph, 50mph, 55mph etc. The research I read recommends to contact you to help get this vehicle included in an existing recall for the same issues in other GM vehicles with the same equipment. In other words, this vehicle has the same defective equipment as other GM vehicles that have been recalled for repair. Due to the fact that this vehicle has the same defective equipment that was recalled in other GM vehicles I request this vehicle be covered under the same recall and able to be repaired as soon as possible.

- Lynbrook, NY, USA

problem #11

Jul 212019

HHR

  • miles
When I first start the car the brakes get hard and go halfway to the floor but once it warms up it works perfectly

- Wyoming, MN, USA

problem #10

Aug 192019

HHR

  • 10 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The anti lock brake system isn't properly functioning every time I hit the brakes hard it locks the tires up and the car slides.

- Sparta, MO, USA

problem #9

Apr 082015

HHR

  • miles
I am unable to get GM or my local Chevy dealership to complete the two outstanding safety recalls in a timely manor. I've been extremely patient but they refuse to accommodate my simple needs. I've been working with Chevy of South anchorage (dealership) since 4/8/2015 attempting to schedule the work for the weekend or get a loaner car. They were unable to accommodate my needs (a car while mine is being repaired or a loaner car). I contacted Chevrolet customer assistance center on 12/1/2016 after repeatedly being ignored or lied to by the dealership. For the past three month I've been getting absolutely no help from Chevrolet in getting a appointment for the weekend or a loaner car. I feel very unsafe driving the car but have no alternative. This has continued to cause me serious emotional distress. I have 57 emails between myself and Chevrolet customer assistance center or the dealership attempting to get this resolved on top of the countless phone calls, voicemails, and numerous visits to the dealership.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #8

Mar 042016

HHR

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff and took excessive force to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where no failures were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #7

Mar 262014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 49,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I first bought the car was not able to test on hwy condition but it came with extended bumper to bumper warranty the first time got on freeway shake horrible while braking. Two months past had rotors turned new brakes put on by good year shop first time on freeway still shakes horrible. With ne rotors and pads will still shake this has been fully inspected twice and no problems. It just seems to me that are to many complaints about this issue not to have a tsb or recall its not fair to the consumer and its seems dangerous to have a shaking car while slowing down at 50 mph 40 mph. Current miles 50K.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #6

Jul 022014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 45,240 miles
I was approaching a business driveway that required me to make a left hand turn, so I brake (at which time there occurred a heavy side-to-side shimmy of the steering wheel, a "clunk" or "pop" from the area of the engine compartment or front suspension, and a chime from the dash) and began the turn into a driveway across lanes of oncoming traffic. The steering became extremely difficult midway through the turn, which caused me to drive partially through a ditch rather than completing my turn safely and entering the driveway fully on the pavement. I then had to park, turn the key to the "off" position and restart in order to reactivate the power steering. We have been experiencing this randomly for several months and have even acquired some minor body and cosmetic damage due to having lost power steering in a curve. When I contacted the dealership, they told me it might be from a faulty ignition switch that is now on order and may take quite awhile to become available. Today, I ran an internet search and found hundreds of mentions of this same problem within my year model, including a number of recalls that seem to affect the electrical power steering of this model and others. However, when I again called the dealership to inquire, they informed me that my VIN is not included in any of the steering recalls, and that I would have to pay them or someone else to make the repairs and attempt to get reimbursed if it ever does become included. The advisor also instructed me to call 1-800-101-0220 to complain, which only gets me a recording stating that the call cannot be completed, which sounds as if it has been disconnected. This is a serious safety issue not only for the drivers and passengers of these cars, but also for other drivers and possibly pedestrians who might find themselves in harm's way when this completely random event occurs.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #5

Jun 112014

HHR

  • 89,551 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle started to shake violently when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. However they did advised the contact by phone that the vehicle could have developed tire flat spots and the rotors could have seized due to the vehicle seating for two months on dealers lot waiting for parts in order to repair recall NHTSA campaign id number 14V047000(air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,551.

- Church Hill, TN, USA

problem #4

Apr 202014

HHR

  • 65,000 miles
Since we got the HHR 3 years ago we have had to replace the rotors 5 different times because they become warped. The new ones only last a month, maybe a 1,000 miles of wear before the brakes start to become warped again. Two months ago before I could get it into the shop to replace the rotors I stepped on the brake doing about 5 mph when I heard a grinding noise. I immediately took it the shop, 50 miles away, to find out that a brake pad was completely missing!!! apparently the warped rotor uneven surface jerked the brake pad out of its setting and that is why it was missing. The mechanic had to do a complete brake (front) job using the best rotors on the market 2 months ago and in less than 1 month, with no heavy braking, the brakes are once again showing signs that the rotors are warped---stepping on the brakes it is jerking once again, and now they are almost as bad as they were when I took them in to get repaired. It is a very dangerous situation especially realizing the possibility of another brake pad coming off when I step on the brake. I have read online so many other people complaining of this same problem with these cars. I strongly feel that there needs to be a recall on these cars before something horrible happens to the occupants riding in these cars.

- Rochester, WA, USA

problem #3

Jun 242010

HHR 4-cyl

  • 17,016 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased this car in December of 2010, as a certified used car. It had 13435 miles at the time of purchase. After six months, 17000 miles, service lights began to light up---I took it to the dealer. After taking it home all seemed to be operating normally when in August, 17100 miles, I began to experience a shuttering when braking and a clunking noise while driving. Dealer repaired, harness and hub bearing and I purchase two new front tires. Within about a year car began to shimmy again when braking. At 25000 mile, dealer stated now brakes are bad, warped and rotors need work. Within 6 months of taking car home, shimmying began to start again. I have seen many complaints on line with regard to the brakes, but GM denies any knowledge of problems. Hmmmmmmmm!

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #2

Jul 132011

HHR 4-cyl

  • 34,000 miles
There was not a single incident that I could document the mileage and mph.the problem was most noticeable and frightening when going down an extended stretch of relatively steep grade in the mountains at a speed of 45 - 50 mph. The problem is vibration with the brakes. The car began shaking when applying the brakes in the summer 2011. We had the rotors (I think this is the part) turned sometime shortly before Sept 25, 2011 and the problem returned at a low level very soon after and gradually increased. We had the same procedure done in August 2012 at a mileage of 52,000. The problem returned in February 2013 when the mileage was probably around 60,000.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #1

Jul 282008

HHR

  • 24,000 miles
I bought this car in June of 2008. It has been in the shop 17 times with electrical problems the brakes have quite working came to a stop sign and they went to the floor the car has shut off several times going down the road and when it rains really hard the car will not start it drains my brand new battery I got the car from bob steel Chevrolet in cocca fl they kept telling me there was nothing they could do I called a lawyer and GM motors decided to give me 10% of the car and they never fixed the car this it the 4th battery because it is draining them so much there no good GM motors told me they were going to label the car as a lemon but because I bought it used they weren't going to buy it back they also told me that the 2007 had the same problem but because this was a 2008 and no other problems with this model to just deal with it I don't know what lest to do please help.

- Mims, FL, USA

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