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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,407 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.

2006 Chevrolet HHR brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 Chevrolet HHR Owner Comments

problem #6

Oct 012005

HHR 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

**vehicle has a vibration at speeds over 35 mph, has been into four different Chevy dealers numerous times they can not find the problem(they have rotated tires many times, balanced tires many times, changed tires and replaced all four tires)..problem still not solved. ** brakes pulsate sometimes and smell like they are burning (they have cleaned and adjusted brakes at least 6 times, plus they have cut rotors twice (they said they are warped, they also cut the rear drums)..problem still not solved. ** vehicle has a klunking noise when you hit a bump (they have replaced steering column, the next time they replaced stablizer pins)..problem still not solved. ** other problems that most have been solved include :* : *: *: *clothes hanger replaced twice**rear wiper replaced never worked properly**leak in the fire wall puddles in car**weather stripping was defective puddles" inside" doors causing severe wet seatbelts* stuck in ignition replaced ignition**transmision jumping, gear shift replaced**locks not working had to update computer codes**

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #5

Nov 262007

HHR 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,990 miles
A loud clunking noise has been noticeable under the front of the car for 3 to 4 weeks previous. In route to billings, mt. We heard a thud and car became hard to steer, hit the brakes to slow down and stop. When stopped the right front wheel completely locked up. We discovered the rear blot on the brake caliper on the wheel had fallen out. We were able to pull of the road as there was no traffic, however once the car was stopped I could not go forward due to the brake caliper being locked into the right wheel. Had the car towed to the GMC dealership in powell, wy where they replaced the bolt and repaired the car under warranty.

- Powell, WY, USA

problem #4

Apr 162006

HHR 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
I have had several issues with my HHR since purchased in September 2005. First incident was the lock on the hatch broke after only owning the car for a few months. Next was with the brakes. At first I noticed a noise when I applied my brakes it sounded like something was loose. This nose would come and go. After a few months I started to notice a slight vibration in my steering wheel when braking a few days later that vibration turned to violent shaking and resistance when braking. I took it to the dealer who informed me the rotors were warped and needed to be repaired. This was roughly around 13000 mi. The dealer did repair the rotors under warranty and didn't give me the "it's normal wear & tear" mumbo. Next is the check engine light keeps coming on. It will stay on for a few days and then go off. This has happened 3 times already and the dealer has replaced the sensor each time. Now we are up to the 4th time as it came back on again yesterday. I have also had issues with the radio. The radio has had power to it and no volume. This happened 3-4 times B/4 I took it to the dealer who had to reset & reprogram something on the radio.

- Kearny, NJ, USA

problem #3

Dec 262006

HHR 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

2006 HHR lt. History of ABS/brake/front end component failures and electronic malfunctions since purchase in winter of 2005. When applying brakes steering wheel shook hard from L to R and brakes grabbed/released. Dealer found rotors warped at less than 10K miles. Warranty repair/resurface. Problems continued: ABS engaged on dry pavement under 10 mph but would not engage at road speeds with brakes heavily applied. At same time, pedal went to floor. Ase certified GM mechanics told me this was impossible - until service manager test drove and concluded pedal goes to floor; car is unsafe to drive. Claim opened/resolved with GM. Dealer found defective wheel hub assembly (left) that caused ABS failure below 8K miles. (no accident) next failure occurred in the right wheel hub assembly and an accident resulted. GM and the dealer claim no defect but only error code is right front ABS failure with prior 7 pages history of ABS/brake/electronic problems (submitted to ins company and GM and in possession of the dealer). This failure resulted in an accident with substantial damage to the wheels/rims/undercarriage of the vehicle. GM and the dealer concluded - without bench testing the right wheel hub assembly - that there was no defect; however, the only error code recorded is an ABS failure (claim opened with GM). GM and dealer have called to see how the vehicle is doing - I declined to commit saying that I would be making a determination as to the vehicle's performance shortly. Good thing - the steering wheel shakes from left to right on application of the brakes and the brakes pulse as if the wheels are no longer round (grab and release). These are the same symptoms that occurred when the rotors when out of spec. It is my suspicion that the rotors have again gone out of spec and that the ABS/braking component failures are continuing with this vehicle. I am about to take the car to an independent mechanic for evaluation.

- West Wareham, MA, USA

problem #2

Jan 162007

HHR

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,450 miles
2006 HHR 2lt with 5000+ miles had near miss when brakes failed while traveling at about 45 mph, I attempted to gently brake for a truck turning 6-7 cars ahead of me. I heard a loud grinding noise that reminded me of plastic gear teeth turning the wrong direction. My pedal would not depress and the car would not even slow. Reflexively, I pumped the brake to see if the ABS had just locked up. The brake pedal felt like it was locked in the up position. Luckily I had been about 6-7 car lengths behind and by the time I got up in his rear, my brake pedal released a little (still with resistance) and I was able to slow enough not to hit him as he turned. I had to avoid him by veering to the left to drive around him. The brake seemed to release several seconds later after completely removing my foot from the pedal and coasting. My auto dealer said they took it for a drive and it was braking fine. I??M concerned because they have dismissed this near collision. Additional info: Outdoor temp was below 30 in ky. Is possible there was ice on the road, but having lived in both oh and mi I am very familiar with ice and a car's response. ABS did sound like it attempted to engage before the grinding noise, but brake pedal response was not normal. Brakes did not lock up as with icy conditions. Car did not slide. Speed was maintained, despite attempting to depress brake pedal. Pedal didn't move (lower) as it does with normal braking.

- Madisonville, KY, USA

problem #1

Jan 062007

HHR

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The anti lock brakes on our Chevy HHR locked up when attempting a normal stop, and stayed in the locked position even after finally coming to a stop. If not for a turning lane being open a collision would have occurred. The dealer has not been able to figure out what went wrong, but I need to post this and see if others have had this problem.

- Goodrich, MI, USA

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