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.
There was a recall for the ignition on the HHR, I had the ignition changed but on the way home the locks unlocked and locked several times, then the cruse kicked off, the radio stopped working, the lights on the instrument cluster went off and on, and the motor stopped. I have contacted GM several times but they say the ignition change had nothing to do with it. This has happened several times since and also had to remove the fuse for the radio, because it would run the battery down. This has happened several times when we have driven it over the last couple of years. I former mechanic that worked for a GM dealer said that there is a electrical unit that the ignition controlled and that with the problem with the ignition caused the problem with the electrical unit. We do not drive the vehicle much because it doesn't feel safe driving it, nor would we sell it, because of the problems.
I was driving to my family's home on christmas, when my car suddenly began to smell like burnt rubber inside of the car. It was raining on that day. Suddenly the cars ac, or H vac did not work anymore. Upon googling things of what it could be, I found out that the resistor and blower motor had been burnt do to be allowing water to enter the blower motor panel from the outside of the car. Upon looking at my blower motor and resistor I found evident burn marks on them. GM should investigate how rainwater can enter the cars blower motor causing a burning smell in a inhalation of fumes of burning plastic. Not to mention my ability not to see out of the window due to the defrost not working. This is a safety concern!!
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). While driving approximately 40 mph the vehicle stalled after the engine power greatly reduced and engine disabled warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle did restart; however, the failure recurred every 20 minutes on several occasions. The vehicle would restart after approximately 10 minutes. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair was guaranteed for one year. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the engine was turned off and a chime sounded. The contact then turned on and powered off the vehicle again when the chime suddenly deactivated. The failure recurred whenever the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. In 2014, the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Belle Glade, FL, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to maneuver the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. MA 10/26/2015
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system) was performed; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The vehicle stalled several times. In addition, when the gear was shifted into park, the ignition switch failed to turn to the off position and the key did not release from the ignition switch. The battery was disconnected to be able to shut the engine off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and stated that the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The vehicle jerked whenever the contact shifted gears. The failure occurred whether the vehicle were in drive, neutral, or reverse. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). The contact adhered to the recall; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 181,732.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14E021000 ( electrical system); however, the part needed to perform the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceed a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Was going down the road app 35 mph car suddenly dies stop restarted car and it drove normally, a few days later while using the turn signal switch the dash lights and gauges stop working now we are getting the sound of a electrical popping or snapping in the dash and the dash lights will still intermittently stop working or flashing. All of this after the recall work was done.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). However, the dealer failed to replace the ignition switch as stated on the recall notification. The contact mentioned that only the keys were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. After the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and 14V171000 (electrical system), the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the instrument panel shorted intermittently and caused electrical failures within the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel was extremely tight and intermittently locked without warning. Upon using the cigarette lighter, smoke emitted inside the vehicle indicating that there was an electrical fire with the wires. The fire extinguished without having to contact the fire department. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V171000 (electrical system) and 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) but was unable to determine when the recall repair would be performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Received letter from Chevrolet dated 1-2015 stating that "some 2006 HHR's" may have a defect which causes power steering (ps) to fail at any time. Called local dealer to have it repaired but my car (VIN) is not on the recall list. The exact sequence of ps failure described in letter has occurred with my car multiple times but they, Chevrolet dealer, does not guarantee that this will be fixed without my paying the bill as it (VIN) is not on their list. My car should be entered into the recall list as this is a manufacturers mechanical defect and needs to be recalled and repaired at GM's cost. This is the 3rd letter (recall) on this car; ignition cylinder, transmission lock and now power steering!
I have had numerous problems first off my dash lights will flicker while driving sometimes the radio and dash won't work at all, backs of my driver and passenger seats have fallen off, both driver and passenger door handles are broke the drivers handle is completely broke off, also when it rains my passenger floor board fills up with water, my seats are so dirty looking cause something keeps bleeding through upholstery, ignition and shift lever had to be replaced today cause car wouldn't go into park and key wouldn't come out!! also the car used to slide when on a corner or rough road!! this is ridiculous!! the door handles is a safety hazard god for bid if I'm in a wreck or my car starts on fire I won't be able to get out of my car and I can't afford to have them fixed right now because I recently lost my job!!
Contact reported that door locks would not operate with key fob nor when activating the door lock switches on the door. Took vehicle to two different dealers trying to get the ignition recall fixed which took a total of four visits. While car was in for recall, addressed an unrelated electrical solenoid problem and asked the dealer to look at the door lock issue. Dealer notified owner that passenger door and rear seat left and right door lock actuators had failed (3 of 4 total). Asked dealer if they had seen this unusual condition on any other HHR's and they said no. Showed them the 30+ issues logged on this site and they only commented that the HHR was not the best GM product ever built but there was no dealer fix for this issue. Contact was advised that it would be $340 per door to fix and service was declined (after $80 diagnostic charge to verify that door locks did not work).
I was on the highway when I looked to check my speed, the gauges and the dic were not working. When I returned home and turned the car on and off multiple times they still did not work. So my speed and mileage are estimates. Update, it started working again, but I don't know if it will happen again or if there is a malfunction starting to happen.
TL - the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled intermittently several times. The lights illuminated on the instrument panel for various sensors. The contact was able to restart the vehicle in some instances and also had to tow the vehicle more than once due to the intermittent failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle went over the train tracks and the vehicle stalled. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14V047000 (air bags and electrical system), 14V171000 (electrical system) and stated that the parts were not available. The dealer did not give a specific date when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was also contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contacts vehicle would receive the recall repairs. The contact was continuing to experience the intermittent failure with the ignition switch, instrument panel sensors and the gages intermittently did not work. The approximate failure mileage was not available. Dyd
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Columbia, SC, USA