Driver's side door handle broke off when I pulled it to exit the car. My extended warranty expired in July 2011. Local dealer where I purchased the car told me the entire door panel must be replaced to the tune of $300+, plus labor.

Now I must roll down the window to pull the exterior door handle to get out of my car. What if there was an emergency, like an accident or fire, or I lost power and couldn't get out of the car.

I've never known this to happen in anybody's car ever. What kind of cheap materials is chevy using. Seems like Chevy should own up to this as a manufacturing defect and replace the panel at no cost.

I FEEL LIKE THE HHR WE HAVE IS A DEATHTRAP. I contacted Chevrolet and gave them the opportunity to fix the problem but they did nothing but give me a run around. Take it and have it diagnosed, seriously? The door does not open, you really need a mechanic to tell you that? Well we did and it cost us $60 because that is what Chevrolet Customer Service told us to do. I did and of course never heard another word from anyone at Chevrolet. Apparently it is not an issue to Chevrolet that you cannot get out of their vehicle in the event of a fire, car accident, when the power is out. I guess you can call it their HHR Deathtrap model.

I have never hated a vehicle as much as this one. You do the right thing and buy American and they do not stand behind the product. The only way to have the problem fixed is we have to buy the entire interior door piece. Of course it is not just a handle. Chevrolet should be ashamed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!