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New HHR Owners - Give Us Your Report
greyfox_dw
Member Posts: 2
in Chevrolet
I purchased an HHR LT in February of this year. Since then, I have come to love the look and thoroughly enjoy the ride and the performance. The gas mileage is good and it's definately fun to drive. It's been taken on several trips into the States and found to be very comfortable and quiet. As well, I successfully moved my son back from college and was totally surprised at how much cargo we could stuff into the back with the seats down.
As a result, I love my HHR!
However...since buying it, I have had the following things go wrong:
1) a leak into the front passenger side floor (the sunroof drainage hose was kinked and had to be bypassed)
2) the sunroof was damaged/defective (it had to be replaced and now the new one rattles like crazy)
3) the headliner had been damaged while it was being assembled at the factory (it had to be replaced and doesn't fit like the original)
4) the chrome trim on the driver's side mirror whistles (apparently a design flaw)
5) the antenna hits the sunroof at highway speeds (I replaced it with a stubby)
6) there is a creaking sound in the dash on the passenger side (apparently too much plastic)
7) I had to have my windshield replaced because it cracked from one small stone hit
8) the mirror (with compass/self dimming feature) had to be replaced and
9) the steering wheel column is now rattling (there is a TSS bulletin that just came out and the dealer has ordered the part and is going to fix it).
I also had to put running boards on shortly after I purchased the HHR as the paint was being pitted by the salt/sand on the roads.
As a result, I also hate my HHR.
I gave up a reliable Mazda and returned to GM to buy the HHR and have discovered that nothing has changed since my last Chevy...same old quality control issues. I've spent so much time at the dealership in the last few months that I'm thinking of applying for a job there!!!
Hopefully my problems are now over and I'll be able to enjoy driving my HHR past the dealership instead of to the dealership.
Toronto, Canada HHR Owner
As a result, I love my HHR!
However...since buying it, I have had the following things go wrong:
1) a leak into the front passenger side floor (the sunroof drainage hose was kinked and had to be bypassed)
2) the sunroof was damaged/defective (it had to be replaced and now the new one rattles like crazy)
3) the headliner had been damaged while it was being assembled at the factory (it had to be replaced and doesn't fit like the original)
4) the chrome trim on the driver's side mirror whistles (apparently a design flaw)
5) the antenna hits the sunroof at highway speeds (I replaced it with a stubby)
6) there is a creaking sound in the dash on the passenger side (apparently too much plastic)
7) I had to have my windshield replaced because it cracked from one small stone hit
8) the mirror (with compass/self dimming feature) had to be replaced and
9) the steering wheel column is now rattling (there is a TSS bulletin that just came out and the dealer has ordered the part and is going to fix it).
I also had to put running boards on shortly after I purchased the HHR as the paint was being pitted by the salt/sand on the roads.
As a result, I also hate my HHR.
I gave up a reliable Mazda and returned to GM to buy the HHR and have discovered that nothing has changed since my last Chevy...same old quality control issues. I've spent so much time at the dealership in the last few months that I'm thinking of applying for a job there!!!
Hopefully my problems are now over and I'll be able to enjoy driving my HHR past the dealership instead of to the dealership.
Toronto, Canada HHR Owner
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The key is to shop around to find a supportive service advisor/dealer, and research your issues on the internet since often you might be telling THEM about an issue that's new to them, and pretty soon everything will be fixed. Well, maybe not pretty soon, but probably soon enough.
In terms of fix-it stuff that isn't up to factory snuff, ask to talk to the general manager or someone further than the service advisor in the food chain, and also call the Chevy customer service department (listed on the Chevy owner's website). You DO deserve to have dealer work match factory work. Remember that cajoling almost always works better than threatening, stay patient, and good luck!
Have you seen or heard about the car of the year-the rattle trap, loud, Honda Civic. The most over-rated car of the year it should be. The auto writers here in the states have this big facination with Honda's for some reason. The cars styling is nothing to brag about, and the long wait for the introduction showed just another clone like Japanese car. The people out West in California are the ones responsibible for the majority of the sales, and that's probably were a lot of the auto writers live. I seriously thought the HHR had a good shot at the car of the year.
The windshield thing doesn't make sense to me. I have worked at quite a few auto dealers over-the-years, both domestic and Japanese, and new auto glass sucks. I don't know why but it does. I don't know if the manufactures buy from the same company or what. When I had mine replaced about 7-years-ago, after a rock incident, the replacement was only like $120 installed because it was a common windshield; additionally, I have gotten hit many times since then and nothing happens but a scratch. It has, like probably most aftermarket windshields, a lifetime warranty.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That was it for me...as you can see from my original post I have spent a lot of time at the dealer getting things fixed and replaced since I purchased my HHR LT in February 2006. So, I went to the sales manager at the dealership and told him to take his piece of "----" back and get me into something else.
After I told him about everything that had gone wrong with the HHR, they worked out a deal where I was able to buy into a Chevy Equinox for a bit more money...If I could have, I would have gotten out of GM all together!....
I must admit that the HHR was the worst mistake I have made in purchasing a vehicle. Over the years, I have owned Hondas, Pontiacs, Chevs, Mazdas and even a Jeep Liberty (in it's first year of production) and never has so much go wrong on a vehicle in the first few months of owning it.
Surprisingly, the sales manager at the dealer still says they are having trouble keeping them in stock...I say: how come they still have the same two in the showroom that were there when I bought mine in May and you rarely see them on the road?
By the way, most of the problems being discussed here in the forum are now well known to GM. The water on the floor is from the poor quality hose they used to drain the water from the sunroof - it is too soft and kinks easily. The dash noises are from too much plastic on plastic. The chipped paint on the rear quarter panels need to have the sideboards put on to prevent. The antenna is too long and flexible and hits the sunroof/roof. The steering column rattles/squeeks. The mirror on the driver's side whistles because of the trim/design. The windshield's are of poor quality and chip/crack easily. Let's hope they address all of these issues when they put out the 2007 model.
I'm hoping the Equinox, that is now in it's second/third year of production, will be a better buy. But I must admit that, given what I have seen and heard (in this forum), I'm not holding my breath.
No wonder GM is having so many problems...maybe the rumoured merger with Nissan would be a very good thing. They might learn something about quality control.
Anyways, this former HHR owner from Toronto is now switching over to the Equinox forums and I sincerely hope all of you HHR owners don't end up having the same problems I did. Cheers and good luck.
Former HHR/ New Equinox Owner
Toronto, Ontario Canada
In this area there are many on the roads. So I certainly don't agree that you rarely see them on the road.
Plastic on plastic in dash is always a problem in the designs. It requires some careful troubleshooting, usually a skilled technician for troubleshooting on the part of the dealer helps. One problem is that the squeaks and noises can sound like they're coming from somewhere different than they really are inside the car or inside the dash. It can take a real sleuth to find the true source. Many cars have hAd trouble with noises.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The HHR is a well made vehicle and has been praised for its workmanship. I see them pretty commonly on the road as much as three different ones a day.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Rich R
I TRADED MY 2004 GMC SIERRA WHICH I LIKED BUT NEEDED SOME
GAS MILEAGE. I HAVEN'T REGRETTED IT SO FAR.
I PUT TONS of mileage on my vehicles and quite frankly was nervous that a Chevy product wouldn't hold up to the early beating it was no doubt soon to receive after purchase.
Well, I'm glad to say that since purchase and driving from Northern Illinois to Phoenix, Arizona (living in Arizona for 11 months) and then driving BACK to Northern Illinois I have not had one problem w/ my HHR. The mileage is UNBEATABLE for a vehicle it's size, I think I should mention that my HHR is a manual (all my cars are). On my way to Arizona my mpg was almost 47. Yes, I did the math myself, I didn't just rely on the vehicles system to tell me...even though it said pretty much the same darn thing. Also, around the city in Arizona (w/ AC on) my mpg on a regular basis was 28-29 and on the highway around that area (w/ AC) was 30-31. Now in Illinois it went up considerably. My mpg here is 31-32 in the city (w/ AC or heat) and about 35 when on and off the highways. Long distances (straight shots) I always get fabulous mpg.
Umm, what else? It handles nicely for a vehicle of it's dimensions and I must admit that I didn't love the body style for awhile. But I am now in love w/ it and look forward to buying it in Black!
So, no leaks/squeeks/static/pings/performance issues and I baby the hell out of my vehicle (as far as always cleaning it!) and I look forward to keeping it looking mint.
Good luck and enjoy your new HHR, I know I enjoy mine!
~L in Illinois :shades:
What I would like to know is, how many of you people out there have the 2.4L engine with automatic, and how many of you all put premium fuel in the car. If you do not run premium fuel, how is the power. Thanks.
you have stated how you have approached the dealership other than the service department....have you taken it beyond that.....to the management..to the regional service reps...etc.....a good lawyer also costs time and money.....also be advise if you have mileage on the car in excess of the normal...12-15K.....you will still probably be liable for some costs as well.....
The dealer found on the first try that the fan motor housing gasket was faulty and installed a better gasket. After driving through a heavy rain a few days later. it leaked again and no fan speeds. He replaced it again and so far 3 weeks later and 2 heavy rains, it hasn't leaked.
I have to give the local dealer credit for fixing this and the sticky key/shifter cable problem. They try their best and fix things promptly
PROS
----
Affordable (pd $22K for 2LT with all but onstar)
Unique in look
Back Storage area is big
Nice headroom for tall people
Seat heaters work well
Storage compartment on top is perfect for GPS
Radio is easy to control while driving
Seats fold down easily.
CONS
----
Blind spots are really starting to bug me!
Not enough drink holders
Plastic doors/floor runners don't clean easily
Doesn't have the pickup I thought it would
In-town MPG are far less than expected (less than 20?)
Can't figure out when I can select outside air (refuses)
Needs more usable storage compartments
Window controls are in a bad spot while driving
Requires highest octane gas (ouch!)
Enjoy it.
What do you mean by poor design? I took a good look at the grill and then looked at a bunch of other vehicles (all marques) and found that most all have the same or larger openings. Is it something else?
Purchased in March 2006
Upon driving off the lot and told that the following would be taken care of immediately......
1. Radio speakers were fried....
2. Radio Clock was faster than time itself
3. Water Leak on passenger side floor
4. Does anyone else have a sound of swooshing water in the front right of the engine area when starting to drive the car?
5. Radiator issue - Told that a rock went through and had to come out of pocket to pay for it. After all said and done. $600....... Was not going to report so my insurance would increase......
6. When slowing car down, car begins to vibrate on drivers side and Chevy says there is not such an issue.
7. Rear of car, makes a humming sound and mechanics can not locate the issue. Had nerve to tell me that it does not exist.
8. And also almost forgot, my temperature gauge reached 285 degrees and had to sit there for 30 minutes so my car would not catch fire.
What would you do if you were in my shoes.... I wish I could get rid of this car ASAP.......Also have 32,000 miles on the car too, so I am close to my warranty to expire. :mad:
At any rate it sounds like you bought a lemon. Did you buy new (and if so, WHY did you let them sell you a car with all those problems in it, regardless of promises to "take care of immediately")?
My opinion DO NOT PURCHASE A CHEVY EVER..........
Some seal was always leaking, constant oil and coolant problems.. I finally bought a Saturn with 30k miles on it in '96 and it now has 207k miles on it and still starts every day and gets me where I need to go. But I'm getting a lttle bored and want something bigger.. So I test drove one and then looked at the 06's on the lot . The first thing that caught my attention was that in a year the cars had lost 6 to7 7k in value. I mean I know that all cars lose value the day you drive them off the lot, but damned that's a lot for one year. I would never buy a brand new one. You would be upside down in the blink of a eye..The radiatior looks tiny for a car that size. Would love to hear from some owners on their experience.. My old as Saturn is looking better and better.
Not sure which you have and what is the problem but that is how they work.