2006 Chev HHR piece of crap

dchavisdchavis Member Posts: 3
in Chevrolet
Mine has had the problem with the door handles. Both front door handles have broken off. Also the power steering goes out occasionally. I believe in buying American but this is the worst car ever owned. I like the idea of the class action suit. If someone knows how to go about it. LET ME KNOW!
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  • dmathews3dmathews3 Member Posts: 1,739
    HHR isn't a american car as it is made in Mexico.
  • tkb65tkb65 Member Posts: 1
    I bought a used 2006 HHR 8 months ago. The passenger door handle broke inside and now you can not open the door from inside the car. From what I have been able to find out the dealer wants $300 for the part as it is the door lever assemly and the door panel combined. I do not need to replace the door panel. Anyone know of any other way to fix this problem? I believe this is a safety issue because if I was in a wreck the passenger could not get out of the vehicle without someone from the outside opening the door.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,371
    Door handles alone are available on Ebay or Amazon. When I first read of this about plastic handles breaking in Cobalts or HHRs I looked into the replacement.

    You have to take the door panel off to replace the door handle. But that would be worth checking into replacements on Ebay/Amazon.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • dturmandturman Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2006 HHR LT2 with 49K miles. The brake pedal has started to go within an inch of the floor board before it activates. SCARY!! The dealer said it needed a new master cylinder - replaced ($$), new fluid, system bled, brakes in adjustment, and it is as bad as before. Chevy Dealer is puzzled. Any one out there with a similiar problem / solution ?! The car has been at the dealer 2 weeks. I am so frustrated. Beautiful Ride, but car has been quite problematic.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    dturman,
    What dealer are you working with? Can you please e-mail me with your complete contact information including a good number to reach you at, VIN, current mileage, and a description of your situation and concerns? I am looking forward to your response.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    dturman,
    Can you please email me. Thank you.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • dturmandturman Member Posts: 3
    This has to be the most problematic automobile I have ever owned and just 53k miles. Today, the Air Dam bracket on the sunroof broke while opening. It looks like a major ordeal to replace - possibly headliner removal?? as the bracket is riveted in (screws would have been logical). This car is simply jinxed. I just got it out of the shop for the 4th sensor replacement in 15 months plus major brake work. Check engine lights and traction control failure have become commonplace. We are literally afraid to take the car on a trip ! I am frustrated beyond words, not to mention significant out of pocket expenses !
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    Sorry to hear this...did you buy your HHR new or used?
  • dchavisdchavis Member Posts: 3
    We bought it used. It was totaled earlier this month in an auto accident.
    Would not buy another HHR and unlikely to buy another Chevrolet product. I do not believe that Chevrolet stands behind their products.
  • dchavisdchavis Member Posts: 3
    Sorry, I did not see your comment. It was the most problematic car we had ever owned too. We also have a 2009 Chevrolet Impala that continues to have issues. Gear shift stuck and we had to have it towed and fixed. Now the air conditioner is making a noise. We are very disappointed in the Chevrolet products. I am pretty comfortable in statng that I will not buy Chevrolet again. I recently talked both my son and daughters out of buying new Chevrolet products.
    Sorry about all the problems you have had with yours. What about the power steering? Did it go out?
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    I bought my first car in 1975 (a 1973 used Dodge Dart Swinger) not bad for my 1rst car but a bit of problems. Then the others where all bought new.
    A 1977 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, (very good) --- 1984 Chevrolet Blazer (s-10), (excellent) --- 1991 GMC Safari (a lemon), --- 1994 Chevrolet Blazer (s-10), (the best of all) --- 1999 Chevrolet Venture, (extremely good) --- 2005 Chevrolet Equinox (1rst year production= real lemon) and now...2010 Chevrolet HHR 2LT (very good and probably the best so far) and my next will probably a GM product again.
    I'm not the type of guy that throws out a basket of apples because 1 of them was rotten...I get rid of the bad one and eat the rest.
  • dturmandturman Member Posts: 3
    Thankfully, the power steering has not gone out! But, I've had enough problems out of the check engine light, traction control and brakes to last a lifetime. And now the sunroof ! According to CarFax the shifter was replaced prior to my ownership, along with a door handle.
  • petalpusherpetalpusher Member Posts: 4
    In 5 years my 2006 HHR has been in the shop 16 times. Seven times to repair recurring water leaks. Four times to replace brake pads/machine rotors. Three times for sway bar links replacement/repair. Steering shaft replaced. Also broken power window, broken dome light, trim falling off, check engine light unresolved, power steering light unresolved, two signal flashers broken, speakers blown, and rear hatch repaired. The array of noises this car has made is astonishing - ticking, clunking, humming, whining, thumping, and creaking.
    The latest humming/roaring noise was explained by my dealer as bad tires. I got new tires and the noise remains. Bad front wheel bearings diagnosed today at 64,000 miles. No warrantee and I'm out about $900 this time. I am so disappointed with this vehicle and for buying American made - had Toyotas all my life and never had problems like this.
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    How many miles did you HHR had when you started to have problems? (1rst time in the shop).
    Did you buy it "new" or "used"?
    If "used", how many miles had the other owner put on?

    Mine is a 2010 2LT and I'm very satisfied with it, never went in the shop once (other than oil changes). Did long 2 trips with it.
    1- Ottawa Ont. to Victoria B.C. and back. (10,000 kms / 6,000 miles).
    2- Ottawa Ont. to Fort-Lauderdale Fla. and back (5,330 kms / 3,312 miles)
    + my city commute around town.

    Highway driving...70-75 m/p/h.

    Best vehicle in all my 35 yrs of driving and between my 8 vehicles that I've owned.
    Considering buying a new one in 4 yrs. (trade my 2010 for a 2015 HHR)
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    petalpusher,
    I apologize for your frustrations. Thank you for taking your time to explain your concerns. Can you please email me with your VIN, current mileage, involved dealer, complete contact information, and a description of your concerns and experience? I look forward to hearing from you.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • kelly2565kelly2565 Member Posts: 2
    My 2008 HHR has been making a terrible humming sound, I found out today that the wheel bearings are going bad and need to be replaced. It's going to cost about 300 dollars. I looked up my Powertrain warranty because supposedly I'm still covered, and "wheel bearings" are excluded!!! I don't think I'll buy another Chevy car again.
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    Woa! You are fast.
    Ready to put Chevrolet aside because of a 300$ repair cost?
    Do you really think other cars will be unbreakable and free of repairs?

    My advice...go back to peddling a bicycle or roll on a skateboard if you don't want to spend to much on maintenance.

    My HHR is a 2010 2LT and my plan was to trade it in 2 or 3 years from now for a new 2014/15 model, but unfortunatly they are so good and well built that G.M. stopped the production.
    The last models are the 2011.

    P.S. Maybe you should consider a "skateboard" because last year it cost me 347.89$ to get my bicycle fixed.
  • kenmo6kenmo6 Member Posts: 1
    My 2007 HHR has under 30,000 kms and I have had the brakes rotated once (done under warranty) already and they'll need to be fully replaced now. For a car with so few miles on it, I find this unacceptable. In my review on Edmunds, I suggest that HHR owners replace their GM brakes with after market ones.

    Also, my front end is making a knocking noise, which is an upper control arm or some other part that seems to be a problem for many HHR owners. This car's fit and finish leave a lot to be desired, especially when I consider how much I paid for it (an LT2).

    On HHR owner message boards, I find HHR owners suggesting replacing Chevrolet parts with after market ones to be the norm. It's disappointing when the car would be "so much better if not for factory parts." That said, I'm not sure the cheap plastic that is all over this car can be so easily fixed. It's shameful that for the money, I could have had a Honda Civic, which is a much better car.
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    Mine is a 2010 2LT and it just turned up with 34,000 kms. I didn't have to change a single thing on...not even a screw.
    I received a recall letter to get the "Ignition Lock Cylinder" changed but I don't have any problem with that either. So why bother?
    In all my 37 yrs of driving experiences and my 9 vehicles (1 Dodge + 8 G.M. products) this HHR is the best, the most fun to drive, the most economical, the most convenient, and the most reliable one of them all.
    I was so disappointed when I knew that the HHR's last year of production was 2011 because I was planning to trade my 2010 for a 2015 because they're so good. Like they say; "Every good thing must come to an end" and the HHR did.

    You should trade-in your HHR today for a Honda Civic before it runs out on you, better late than never.
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    Mine is a 2010 2LT and it just turned up with 34,000 kms. I didn't have to change a single thing on...not even a screw.
    I received a recall letter to get the "Ignition Lock Cylinder" changed but I don't have any problem with that either. So why bother?
    In all my 37 yrs of driving experiences and my 9 vehicles (1 Dodge + 8 G.M. products) this HHR is the best, the most fun to drive, the most economical, the most convenient, and the most reliable one of them all.
    I was so disappointed when I knew that the HHR's last year of production was 2011 because I was planning to trade my 2010 for a 2015 because they're so good. Like they say; "Every good thing must come to an end" and the HHR did.

    You should trade-in your HHR today for a Honda Civic before it runs out on you, better late than never.
  • harshpapaharshpapa Member Posts: 1
    IF YOU LOOK ON THE DOOR POST.YOU WILL FIND OUT THAT THE HHR IS
    ASSEMBLED IN MEXICO.ISN'T THAT A BUMMER,NOT EVEN MADE IN AMERICA.
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    As long as it takes me from point "A" to point "B" with no problems like mine does...that's what's important. I bought the car...not the Mexicans.
  • talker20talker20 Member Posts: 7
    I so agree. Even though it 'resembles' a race vehicle, it is transportation and just put my first set of brakes on at 72k. Very few problems for the abuse I put it through.. I love mine!
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    I just went to my Dealer for a "Annual Inspection" and the mechanic said that my 2010 LT2 HHR was in very very very good condition with its 21 K on it.
    He suggested a front wheel alignment and rear brake maintenance (cleaning and adjustment).
    Bought it on the 06/05/2010 and it looks and drives like new.
    Mine is black but instead of looking like a "race vehicle" my grandson thinks its a "hearse" for midgets.

    Can you imagine someone going to a Dealer and asking "Where was this car built"? There's some much more important question to ask when bying a car than...where it was built?
  • petalpusherpetalpusher Member Posts: 4
    Car was purchased brand new. Leaking water began immediately and reoccured for three years before they figured it out. They told me I must be leaving my windows open in the rain. Did you ever see 3" of water on your floor? I have. Brakes replaced first time at 19,000 miles, then three more times over the next five years. I am having them replaced again tomorrow. The shaking while braking continues to this day and nothing they have done has fixed this. The dealer claimed they had never heard of any of these problems with the HHR until I found several message boards detailing hundreds of similar complaints; printed them out and brought them in. Then they took me seriously and gave me an extended warrantee to 54,000 miles. That has long expired and now at 90,000 miles I must say it has been quite a while since anything has gone wrong.
    Glad you have had good luck with yours.
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    Hey petalpusher,

    I understand your previous frustrations with your HHR and apologize that you've dealt with so many vehicle issues. I am however, glad to hear that you aren't currently experiencing any problems. If there's ever anything you would like us to look into further for you, please don't hesitate to let us know. Best.

    Amber N.
    GM Customer Care
  • bonnanobonnano Member Posts: 9
    I had an HHR and loved the car. Hated the quality, You HAVE to go to ChevyHHR.net if you own one of these to keep it fixed. Problem with GM as I see it is far too much of the cost of the cars are going to those who have long since stopped designing and building them. Pensions. The cutting of corners such as the door handles being "plastic welded" to the door panel is evidence of this shoddy design.

    I don't see how GM can continue as a going concern with issues like this unless they stop selling everything but Buicks and Cadillacs.

    I would buy another HHR if they were designed by and made in Ohio by Toyota workers. Great little car. All flash no substance though, Hit and miss with quality as this thread obviously proves out as well as the specific forums. :sick:
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    Did you notice that when a car is good they stop producing it?
    End of production for the HHR = 2011 Why? ... to good.
    Mine is a 2010 2LT with 30,000 milles and no problems yet...a real cream puff. I can even say my best car within 8 cars in 38 years.
  • bonnanobonnano Member Posts: 9
    30,000 miles? Talk to me when you get 60K miles. As you can red from this thread and at ChevyHHR.Net you are the exception not the rule. There are pattern issues with the HHR (Cobalt) Sooner or later you will run into a number of these. It's to bad becasue I like the car but when I saw how the dorr handles were held on with "plastic welds" requiring the WHOLE PANEL to be replaced if a door handle broke (and they do) I saw how GM is hiding the money. How do you open the tail gate if your battery dies? ou have to crawl through the car, take a cap off the inside panel and find a latch (like the ignition key)

    Flex Pipe repair - exhaust leak/noisy ...................................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php- ?t=31536

    Heater Fan- fan works only on HIGH, or inoperative - fan motor resistor possibly blown...........http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showt...t=Blower+motor

    Ignition Key Stuck - resolving a stuck ignition key............ http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47152

    Jump starting - how to jump-start properly without blowing steering fuse ............ http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showt...power+steering

    Key Fob repair - contacts worn .................................................. .....................http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30813

    Key Fob repair - Broken battery contacts - resolder.......................................... ..http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=22641

    P0010/11 P0013/14 - Camshaft Postition Actuator Solenoid Replacement ................http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=28779

    Power Steering - died/inoperative - after jump-starting ............................ http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=660

    Power Steering - motor replacement .................................................. ................http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31289

    Power Steering - off-site, good tech article on how it works................http://www.searchautoparts.com/motor...power-steering

    Sway Bar - Bushing replacement....................................... ................................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=- 30613

    Sway Bar - Bushing Sizes............................................. ....................................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.ph- p?t=38343

    Sway Bar - end Link replacement .................................................. ....................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30205

    Strut and Shock Absorber- replacement (Front and Rear)........................................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show- thread.php?t=986

    Temperature Gauge - died showing "----" on display - A/C died................................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.ph- p?t=37675

    Thermostat Replacement - P0128 code infrequently...................................... ..http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=24493

    Transmission - Hard shifting.......................................... ......................................http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?- t=28779

    Turn signal - Not cancelling .................................................. ..............................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=37- 992

    Water Leak - A/C Evaporator ........................................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showt...g- ht=drain+tube

    Water Leak - pass side footwell from above heater - Butyl Patch ........................................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showthrea- d.php?t=14263

    Water Leak - Sunroof drains ........................................http://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/showt...?- t=770&page=29

    Wheel Bearing (front) replacement....................................... .http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=38946
  • laserbluelaserblue Member Posts: 313
    I'll probably never see 60 K miles on my HHR because I trade my cars every 4 or 5 years (max) and never keep them over 50 K miles.
    When I trade my cars they still look and run like new and I always get the maximum value for them because my dealer knows me and he knows how I take care of my cars. They only have to put it on the lot and in a couple of days it's already sold.
    So...in 1 or 2 years it'll be traded in. To bad they don't produce the HHR anymore because I would buy another one without fear.
    P.S. I always buy my cars brand new since my first one in 1975 (never bought used) so I'm always the soul owner.
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