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2008 HHR won't shift out of park
I saw some other posts on this topic, but it seems like people jump around here, so I wasn't sure where to put this. I need some help and/or feeback on my 2008 HHR.
This morning, I started up my car and went to shift out of park and nothing happened. (No, I did not use my autostart and yes my key was in the ignition in the on position). The shifter just would not move. It felt like it was going to break off in my hand.
Finally I somehow got the car to shift and I drove to work. After I got it out of park, it shifted with no difficulty at all. I even stopped at a gas station, and it shifted in and out of park with no problem. The only time there is a problem is when I am first turning the car on.
I called the dealer and they said that they've had several HHR's with this problem lately. It also seems to be a popular problem among HHR drivers on the Internet.
What they couldn't tell me is if I am going to have to pay to have this fixed. I am 3,000 miles over my bumper to bumper, but am still under the powertrain warranty. I also saw there was a recall for an issue with the shifter on the 2009s, but nothing on my model, although obviously it is a popular problem.
Anyone know how GM is dealing with this or how much the repair might set me back. Despite it being a common problem and fixing several cars recently, the service tech at the dealership said he couldn't even give me a ballpark figure without looking at it.
I have driven Chevys my whole life, and I have always loved them. This is the first car I've had that was not made in the U.S., and frankly I am beginning to wonder if is made out of junk.
This morning, I started up my car and went to shift out of park and nothing happened. (No, I did not use my autostart and yes my key was in the ignition in the on position). The shifter just would not move. It felt like it was going to break off in my hand.
Finally I somehow got the car to shift and I drove to work. After I got it out of park, it shifted with no difficulty at all. I even stopped at a gas station, and it shifted in and out of park with no problem. The only time there is a problem is when I am first turning the car on.
I called the dealer and they said that they've had several HHR's with this problem lately. It also seems to be a popular problem among HHR drivers on the Internet.
What they couldn't tell me is if I am going to have to pay to have this fixed. I am 3,000 miles over my bumper to bumper, but am still under the powertrain warranty. I also saw there was a recall for an issue with the shifter on the 2009s, but nothing on my model, although obviously it is a popular problem.
Anyone know how GM is dealing with this or how much the repair might set me back. Despite it being a common problem and fixing several cars recently, the service tech at the dealership said he couldn't even give me a ballpark figure without looking at it.
I have driven Chevys my whole life, and I have always loved them. This is the first car I've had that was not made in the U.S., and frankly I am beginning to wonder if is made out of junk.
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Comments
I apologize that you are experiencing a problem with your vehicle. Can you please email me your VIN and current mileage? You can get my email by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
I bought it used, and am not sure about the warranty that it has left. Has anyone had this and had it fixed......do you mind sharing the cost and troubleshooting?
Am going to take mine in to the dealer, but wanted to be as knowledgeable about it as possible beforehand to minimize run around
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle. Please keep us updated on any information from the dealership. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us directly.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
One week after buying my HHR with only 100 miles on it ... it got stuck in "Park".
They replaced the complete "shifter assembly unit" (on warranty). Unfortunatly it's not only 1 part that has to be changed, it's the entire assembly.
Once in a while it does it again, I called the dealer and they told me to take my time while putting it on "D"...to go slowly...start the engine, press slowly on the brake, wait a couple of seconds and then shift it on "D".
I thought the service technician was turning me on but no, it's a matter of taking it slowly....somekind of mechanical device?
I apologize for your conerns. Have your tried getting a second opinion from a different dealer? I look forward to your response.
Christina
GM Customer Service
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I would like to set up a case with GM Customer Assistance. In order to start the process I will need your complete contact information (including full name, mailing address and phone number), VIN, current mileage and the involved dealership sent to me in an email. Also, could you please provide a brief description of the problems you are experiencing?
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
Please keep us posted when the issue has been taken care of.
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
I would really like to know whatever came of this as my HHR has started to do this very thing. Please Email me with the information i need. Things like what to fix, whats the cause etc would be greatly helpful.
Thanks Again.
BMartin
typical_guy_22@hotmail.com
It's all a matter of taking your time.
The first time my HHR did this it had 62 milles on it.
I went to the dealer and they change the "stick shift assembly unit" a couple of days later...it was doing the same thing. What a stressful matter.
A mechanic at another GM dealer told me that his Cobalt was doing the same thing but it wasn't caused by any problem with the car.
You have to take your time...start the car...press on the brake pedal...shift it out of park slowly.
It's the system that work like that, if you go to fast trying to shift it out of "Park" the stick shift will lock itself enabling you to shift it out of "Park".
I started taking my time and it never happened since.
I have been shifting my car pretty calmly the whole time I have owned it. The car has over 125000 miles on it so I suppose I am lucky to have gone this long without the problem arising.
Thanks again.
You really took it easy on your car during all those miles.
This means it could be something in the stick shift assembly if it just srarted after all those miles/years.
What I find stupid is that if they have to do some repairs they have to change the entire "stick shift assembly" even if it's a small piece that causes the problem.
GM should be smarter than that.
It's like the door handle...if it breaks, they have to replace the entire "door handle assembly" by opening the door panel.
If they don't stop thinking like this...you'll get a bad "spark plug" and you'll have to change the entire motor?
Use some "logic" GM before it's to late AGAIN.
Exactly the same thing when I was starting to take my time to shift it out of "Park". It would happen a couple of time and then I had to tell myself;"Take your time and it'll be in Drive". Tried it again and it shifted in "Drive" like a knife in butter.
Now it o.k. every time because I'm used to it now (taking my time).
We can look into your vehicle's information to see if there are nay open safety recalls on it, or can provide further warranty information for you. As to whether or not a warranty will cover a repair, it depends upon a dealership's diagnosis as well as the warranty coverage available.
If we can be of assistance, please email us with your name/user name, contact information, and the last 8 digits of your VIN.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
If you were going to have this work done at your dealership and wanted for us to work with you through that process, please email us at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name and contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, a summary of the situation, and the name of your dealership).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Unfortunately you have to change the ol'darn unit.
Sometimes it does it again and I'm at 25,000 miles but by taking my time and trying a couple of times (3 to 4 times) by pressing slowly on the brake pedal before trying to shift it works.
Reminding you that the Cobalts had the same issue and the Cobalt and HHR are the same car with different bodies.
If there is anything we can look into for you on this, please contact us via email at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name and contact information, as summary of the situation, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, and the name of your dealership).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
this car was just bought about 5 months ago. It is my first Chevrolet, in 30 years. What is the fix for it? I love the car except for this problem.
Also how do I check transmission fluid?
We can imagine how frustrating this may be for you, and we would be happy to look into this further for you. Can you please provide your VIN, current mileage, contact information and a preferred dealership in an e-mail to socialmedia@gm.com? We look forward to your response!
Patsy G
GM Customer Care
We understand how frustrating this may see for you. We would be happy to look into your concerns further and provide additional assistance. Please send us an e-mail at socialmedia@gm.com along with your VIN, current mileage, contact information and a preferred dealership. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!
Patsy G
GM Customer Care