10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 38,826 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Was locked in vehicle and unable to get door to open from inside. Have had defect with door locks sticking from purchase. Door has failed to unlock with sister in vehicle, failed to unlock with husband in vehicle and my daughter. Been in dealer nine times for locks sticking. Is being locked in vehicle dangerous? updated 01/28/15..updated 10/08/15
- Conroe, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that whether the vehicle was shut off or turned on, the power locks for all the doors would activate intermittently. The contact had to use the lock and unlock button on the front driver's side door to lock or unlock any of the other doors. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
- Spring City, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated the locks failed. The problem occurred daily. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
- Ports Mouth, VT, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the door locks failed to unlock when using the remote access and were very difficult to pull up manually. The dealer stated that the door lock actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
- Portsmouth, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the key failed to unlock all the doors from inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,000.
- Huntington, WV, USA
The lock will not unlock when I use the key. It is as though the lock is jammed. Both keyless entries have stopped working. I keep onstar activated so I can get into my car.
- Arnold, MO, USA
The door locks stick and still do. I have even been locked in my vehicle. HHR has been in dealer 9 times for door locks sticking (have work orders). Don't trust dealer or GM to fix problem. You put vehicle in park and the passenger door lock sticks. The door lock will not unlock with automatic door un lock. We worked hard to purchase a new vehicle to have it not live up to the quality we were lead it to be. Vehicles no count we want our money back. We had a washing machine it was worked on 4 times the fifth time it acted up they replaced it with a new one. What would you do if you were locked in your vehicle. I have video of it on cell phone. The vehicle was purchased new from dealer. Updated 02/06/14. Updated 02/19/15.
- Conroe, TX, USA
2008 Chevrolet HHR. Door locks stick. Vehicle has locked me in. Door locks still stick. Has been in dealer eight times where purchased to be fixed. Purchased new.have all work orders.also have had trouble with radio and tire pressure. We have video of me being locked in vehicle and door locks sticking. We purchased the 2008 HHR in good faith the door locks have given us trouble from day one of purchase. GM had people come from main office to dealer they have seen the work orders and video of door locks sticking. Rep. From GM told me I could always climb out the window.
- Conroe, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that when she attempted to get out of the vehicle the doors would lock. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and was told the actuator and locks needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 15,663. The VIN was unavailable.
- Conore, TX, USA
Cpsc#I12C0371A. 2008 Chevrolet HHR. Consumer stated after only having the car for a year she had trouble with door locks sticking. The consumer stated on one occasion, she and her husband were locked inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer seven times for the door lock problem. The consumer was forced to settle with GM through an attorney.
- Conroe, TX, USA
Door locks stick. Have been locked in vehicle. Reported to GM they do not feel door locks sticking dangerous. Been in dealer were purchased 7 times for door locks to be fixed. Door locks still sticking. Was forced to sign a complaint letter with GM with lemon law attorney. We feel that vehicle can never be fixed. Still having trouble with door locks. Video of being locked in.was purchased new. We feel we have done our part taking back to dealer to be fixed. They are unable to fix defects. The consumer received a recall letter, regarding defective air bags. However, the parts were not available. Updated 01/09/17.
- Conroe, TX, USA
Our HHR's lock/latch system stopped working completely on 4/18/2012. We started having problems in March 2012 and had our mechanic look at it, but he couldn't get the problem to duplicate, so he cleaned the key lock and lubed it. The car is permanently locked. We don't have a key lacentry on this vehicle, it is a manual lock. We now have to incur a lock smith and/or towing bill + a repair bill for the mechanic to fix what he believes is a failure/breakdown of the latch system. We have an extended warranty, but we're not sure if the warranty covers this part; even if they do we still have a $100 deductible.
- Edgewood , MD, USA
Both key fobs began working intermittently, finally failing completely. Problem began around 38,000 mileage. Complete failure around 40,000 mileage. Now key in door no longer works (only one key entry on entire car) so taking to dealer tomorrow. Mileage around 45,000.
- Atlanta, MI, USA
Rear driver side door lock actuator failed. (door lock would not rise and release. Had to be manually pulled up.) replaced. Ok since then. 33,300 miles. Current miles 44,200.
- Atlanta, MI, USA
My 2008 HHR looses power steering while turning, then suddenly returns power causing to oversteer. This is a sever safety issue as it is a come and go type problem, I do not drive during inclement weather fearing body damage to persons and vehicles other than myself. I have taken to dealer only to be told we can not determine the problem as it is intermittent. Also the tire pressure display is on even tho all tire pressure is correct, not sure if they are related to "electric" power steering. Would like this as a record if any persons are injured or worse killed due to the possible short circuit in powersteering. How many people have to leave the vehicles at home after spending all their money on them for this to be a recall?
- West Monroe, LA, USA
Right rear door lock inop.
- Pensacola, FL, USA
I currently own a 2008 Chevy HHR that I purchased in August. My complaint is on the back passenger doors. In several occassions my kids have not closed the doors hard enough, and the doors have stayed open. The car has failed to inform me. We only noticed because we can hear the wind as I am driving faster. Also in testing the car, the door wasn't even on the hatch and the car still did not warn of the door being open and the car was in movement. While no accident or death has occurred yet, this a is problem that could result in someone's death.
- Sunrise, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that he was locked inside his vehicle for approximately three to three and a half hours with no way out. Onstar attempted to get the contact out, but was unsuccessful. Only the rear latch would open from the outside. Aaa was able to open one of the doors. The following day, the contact had to have a friend let him out of the back door of the vehicle. The dealer stated that they did not know what caused the malfunction. The vehicle is currently in the shop. The current and failure mileages were approximately 3,638. Updated 03-04-08
- Dayton, OH, USA
- Philadelphia, PA, USA