Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Because you have had this concern for a while I would like to have an agent look at your situation further. Just so you know an agent will require that the vehicle is taken to the dealership for diagnoses. If you would like me to set up a case I will need you to e-mail me the following information; contact information, VIN, mileage, dealership and best time to contact you. You can get my e-mail by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
Here is the specific clause from the Membership Agreement:
Rights of Third Parties
You may not submit Postings or Content that contain personally identifiable information about other people, such as their phone number, street address or email address, or information about other people that could result in an invasion of their privacy or their harassment.
We have no way of knowing what you post is accurate - we do not have the means to verify such information when posted. The gentleman also does not deserve to have thousands of contacts out of nowhere because his information was posted in public. I'm sure you'd be a little upset if one of your customers/clients posted your name and work phone number on a public message board without your knowledge, and you became inundated with phone calls.
If he wishes to join the discussion and answer questions, he would need to take the same steps as Mariah from GM Customer Service - she is fully verified at company level that she is who she says she is.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Mark
Well my HHR goes back into the shop next Tuesday for the horrible clunking front end noise as well as the steering wheel shudder. Ok that means I have had the rotors turned more times than I can count, the brakes and rotors replaced numerous times, the power steering pump, the shocks,struts,front end ball joint,driving axle, and now it they want to replace the steering column for the second time.So, I have had most of what they "feel" could be the problem replaced....and the problem continues to worsen. I too am hesitant to drive the car with my two daughters in it...At 45mph and above the car shakes so badly that it is really scary.. It is even scarier that I live in the West Los Angeles/Santa Monica area and most of my commute is done on the freeways. I too think we should start a class action lawsuit. I think you're right Mark, it just may get their attention to a problem that is serious. When speaking to the "powers that be at GM" they have made it out that my HHR is the only one with such problems. When I have shared that there are many out there they say "really, because nobody has called to complain"..URGH!!!!!. Will let you know what is found next week... :lemon:
they messed up the computer sensor when doing a tire change a tried to sell me
a new expensive auto-remote. Didn't go back and bought a new battery for my keyless remote
Having the car serviced elsewhere I also learned there was a GM Alert about the HHR brakes. GM is claiming HHR brake problems due to 'dust from driving on dirt roads' and offers to place a new special dust cover on the brakes to prevent problems My nondealership mechanic determined that my brake problems is due to overheating. Recently the 'vibrating and shaking steering wheel problem happened again.
The nondealership mechanic checked out the rotors and found the pads were good, but that the rotors... had hot spots. The HHR NEEDS better rotors/discs ie. slotted rotors/discs that keep cool as opposed to the flat surfaced ones that heat up. Otherwise the problem will recurr every few thousand miles as the brakes will be doomed to overheat, especially if frequently subjected to city traffic summer driving
I like my HHR but the dealership and GM have disappointed me. I like to talk to the mechanic and seeing the mechanic work on the car. I don't like going to a dealership where I'm told a mumbo jumbo story and am handed a big bill for what ought to be a relatively minor/simple fix.
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Putting on rebuilt calipers or properly servicing and repairing the current slide setup is necessary. If the caliper drags, the rotors overheat.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I have a 2007 HHR. It took me two years to decide whether or not I wanted this car.
I loved the style and it had been out two years so I kept looking at Consumer Guide and did not see any bad things about it so I finally bit the bullet and purchased it brand new. The first month the car started shaking. I took it back to the dealer and they adjusted the rotors...I guess because they thought I was a woman I knew nothing about cars. Took it back for several times and nothing happened. I finally had to go to our local Lex Brodie Auto shop. They were aghast and told me immediately your rotors are gone and you need new brakes. So, 400.00 bucks out of my own money but they did the job so splendidly that it was worth every penny. They suggested that I send the bill and receipt to GM because no way at 24,000 miles should all that crap be happening. I actually got some reaction from someone on this website to email them my VIN number and they would help me out with the problem. But the problem was already fixed and the Chevy dealer shut down so thanks alot for nothing GM.
Car runs great now.
Also there is a weird clunking under the car - only sometimes. It seems to be noisy when the car is cool but once it warms up it stops. Sounds like maybe the heat sheild rattling?? The warranty has already run out because of the miles I put on it so I'm not going to pay GM to fish around under my car.
A neighbor of mine works for GM in Oshawa, and said the HHR is being discontinued.... reading all these problems I am beginning to understand why!!
I tend to view things differently and bottom line I wanted the problem resolved so I had my independant mechanic replace the rotors (likely no GM) and have added quite a few miles without any additional worries. Its fixed and I'm a hppy camper and can just enjoy the ride.
I did all this myself over a year ago (29k miles) and have no problems yet.
I wrote a note to ABC news on this a month ago as they had done a story on BMW's problem but have heard nothing yet. Maybe try the Press as a way to force GM to fix this.
These new rotors do NOT have to be turned; it's better if they're not touched.
The calipers need to be perfectly lubed again and completely free. If any question, replace with rebuilt calipers.
The original GM rotors are a type of lighter weight metal that does not age well under some conditions and starts giving unevenness. The caliper slides are never cleaned and lubed when GM techs work on the rotors.
Turning the original rotors is fatal.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
"SO tonight I set out to find exactly, what was clunking. Alot of us have the mystery clunk, so I will fill you in on what I found. I don't trust a shop to 'find' it for me, so instead of them throwing parts at it, it was easier to find it myself.
I out my hands on everything underneath that car that had a bolt, nut, or bushing. Inside of the fender well's behind the caliper bracket there is a bar that attacked to the upper middle of the strut, down to the sway bar. I assume this is GM's idea of a sway bar end link. I had a friend rock the car as I found out I could recreate the noise by rocking the car back and forth. On the bolt that mounts it to the strut I put my hands on it and griped it firmly and low and behold no more clunking noise. My assumption is that there is some type of bushing, that has gone south.
I highly advise anyone with the mystery clunk in the front end to grab ahold of that bar while someone is rocking the car and see if that silences the noise.
I recently replaced my stock squeaky sway bar end links with MOOG #K750012 end links with zerk fittings. The new links are much quieter and have tighened up the feel of the steering."
Here's the stock end links, you'll need to jack up the front end and remove the wheel to get to this part. The green arrows point to the two bolts that will need to be removed. The outside one is easy to get to, the inside one is not too difficult to reach.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/DSC09063.jpg
If by chance the nut spins there is a small area on the inside face of the link where you can get a grip on the bolt. On the new end links this piece is a full size nut that is much easier to work with.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/IMG_2289.jpg
Both end links side by side. The MOOG is a larger diameter bar than the stocker. Note the 90 degree zerk fittings, once the end links are installed you may need to rotate them a quarter turn or so to reach them better with your grease gun.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/DSC09066.jpg
Here's the installed end links, be sure to remember to grease them up before your test drive.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...s/DSC09067.jpg
actually that wasn't a fix it for my car... I will post below what another gentleman has found when his car did the same thing..
SO tonight I set out to find exactly, what was clunking. Alot of us have the mystery clunk, so I will fill you in on what I found. I don't trust a shop to 'find' it for me, so instead of them throwing parts at it, it was easier to find it myself.
I out my hands on everything underneath that car that had a bolt, nut, or bushing. Inside of the fender well's behind the caliper bracket there is a bar that attacked to the upper middle of the strut, down to the sway bar. I assume this is GM's idea of a sway bar end link. I had a friend rock teh car as I found out I could recreate the noise by rocking the car back and forth. On the bolt that mounts it to the strut I put my ahdns on it and griped it firmly and low and behold no more clunking noise. My assumption is that there is some type of bushing, that has gone south.
I highly advise anyone with the mystery clunk in the front end to grab ahold of that bar while someone is rocking the car and see if that silences the noise.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Please e-mail me with your complete contact information (mailing address, phone, first & last name), VIN and current mileage, and the involved dealer. I would like to look into this further.
Christina
GM Customer Service
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
I traded this piece of junk in for a Japanese car!
After this horrifying and nerve wrecking experience I had with this car, I'm done with GM products; I will never ever buy any GM brand anymore!!!
Selling inferior products with chronic issues is one thing, but the even worse part of it is the lousy customer service behind the product. I strongly feel that the people at Chevy/GM still do not understand a very simple and basic truth: we as the customer are the ones actually paying their salary by buying their products!
Since not a single person involved with my problems delivered any form of service which would have made me feel like they deserve some of the money I've spent, I simply will not spend any money anymore with Chevy/GM!
Oh, by the way;
Since I didn't want any of my friends or family to have a similar experience, I made sure to spread the word how BAD Chevy/GM is. I can say that I'm very proud and happy to announce that so far I successfully managed to keep about $500,000 worth of business away from Chevy/GM! ...and I'm not done yet...!
Well, here's some simple mathematics for the Chevy/GM people:
Taking care of the customer would have cost you maybe about $1500 in my case. I would have been happy and would have told my friends and family about how well you're taking care of your customers.
Your initial investment of $1500 would have brought you $500,000 in referrals = your gain $498,500
Pissing off (sorry my language...) a customer and watch how that $500,000 is going to your competitors.
So, I think there are only two possibilities:
1. Either Chevy/GM management is too educate to understand basic milk book calculation
2. Or they just don't care.
Personally, I think it's the latter...
The brake vibrations on my brand new HHR began THE FIRST DAY! After numerous attempts to correct the vibrations over the next 12 months, and lots of doubletalk from the dealer, I traded the HHR lemon one year later for a new 08 PT Cruiser - still like new after almost three years of no-problem driving.
I still miss the 05 PT woodie that I traded in for the 07 HHR - it was the worst decision I made in well over 40 years of car buying.
BTW, for years GM has been well aware of this chronic problem with HHR brake vibrations!
My wife has a 2006 HHR and loves it, no problems at all.
I bought a 2010 HHR and so far after 1 year...no problems. My wife is thinking of trading her HHR for a 2011.
If the PT Looser is soooo good, why did they stopped production and the HHR is still going?
Yes, Chrysler's last PT Cruiser came off the line in 2010 after 11 years of production - a very good run. Chevy's HHR still has five more years to go to tie the PT.
If the HHR is still in production in 2016, perhaps GM will have fixed the vibration problem.
My rotors where always warped, had to get them machined every 5 months and after 4 times had to change the rotors and still doing the same.
I used to call it my Equijunk until I fell in love with the HHR.
The HHR has the same platform and engines as the Cobalts (coupe/sedan) and never heard no one complain about the Cobalt?
The designer that drew the PT Cruiser quit his job at Chrysler and went with G.M.
Shutttttt! I work in a Dodge/Chrysler dealership and see lots of PT Cruiser's coming in. Very hard to sell on the lot.
Were the calipers replaced?
Yours is certainly the idea. Even the fluid is replaced in case it's vaporization of water-contaminated fluid causing problems.
With the others who have posted complaining about brakes, there seems to be a question in my mind about whether they're thoroughly being checked.
I suspect there is a problem with the pads and the type of rotor used new. I believe those are lighter in weight for fuel economy concerns. If they are abused, the pads can affect the coating of resin that's on the rotors and it becomes uneven. That can cause a grabbing effect. This is something I read about on sources about properly breaking in new pads. So starting with new pads and new rotors is a good step.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Can you please email me with your complete contact information, VIN, current mileage, and involved dealer? I would like to look into this for you.
Christina
GM Customer Service
Thanks!