10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 44,411 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Was driving home from the store and there was smoke coming from underneath the dash. I pulled over and myself and the passenger got out. The next second or two, fire started erupting from the dash. The fire department was called immediately. About 15 minutes passed and the car was totally engulfed. The insurance company claimed it was an electrical fire, and the car was totaled. We were told that there was a problem with the HHR's that had remote start and automatic. The wiring harness was the blame.
- Hinton, WV, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. While in park, the driver side door failed to open. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the door lock and the key remote needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
Intermittent canceling of turn signal, does not work all the time. Youtube shows GM did not use strong enough spring in switch. I am hard of hearing, cannot hear the click click click of flasher. Drivers behind me confused as to my intentions. Injury possible by drivers expecting me to turn. They want a lot of money to fix their mistake!!!
- Canby, OR, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. After numerous attempts, the key released from the ignition switch. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
- Dayton, OH, USA
2008 Chevrolet HHR. Consumer requests reimbursement. The ignition lock cylinder was replaced.
- Aransas Pass, TX, USA
2008 Chevrolet HHR. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle would not start, the shifter would not engage and ignition issues.
- Junction City, KS, USA
The electronic control systems were damaged during the ignition switch recall service performed at matthews-hargreaves Chevrolet in royal oak mi. I recently had the ignition switch replaced as part of a recall. I picked up the vehicle on Saturday 2/28/15. On Sunday 3/1/15 the key fobs (remote start lock unlock panic) no longer work leading me to believe the electronic control system was damaged when the vehicle was repaired. Something went wrong at the dealership. Three facts the radio didn't seem to be reset so I believe the battery was left connected while the switch was replaced. The key fobs no longer work something is wrong with the electronic control system. The dealer washed the car and didn't return the mirrors to the correct position(break away fold mirrors) service quality is not being managed at this dealership.. I think is simply the result of poor service management at matthews-hargreaves Chevrolet in royal oak mi but the result is I have a vehicle with a damaged electronic control system that is not safe for my wife to drive. I can't go back to the dealership because I don't want to risk myself to the quality of repair service provided. The GM complaint line isn't helping because they wouldn't replace the fobs that were lost until I found them today when their recall caused me to loose them in the first place with nothing hanging on the key of course the fobs got lost. GM complaint number 71-1444284438 because I found the key fobs today 3/1/15 but they don't work because the electronic control system was damaged by the poor quality of service at the dealership.
- Madison Heights, MI, USA
2008 Chevrolet HHR. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle accident due to loss of power. The vehicle was totaled.
- Mount Airy, NC, USA
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 while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled and the windshield wiper activated independently. The contact mentioned that whenever any of the electrical components were turned on the vehicle would automatically turn off. The vehicle was not taken to dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
- Delbarton, WV, 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 that the security warning light illuminated and other unknown warning lights flickered. The contact also stated that when driving up a hill or making a U-turn, the power steering and the security warning lights illuminated and unknown warning lights flickered. In addition, the vehicle jerked and the steering wheel seized on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on three occasions where the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.
- Arvonia, VA, USA
Back in 2012 my seat belt warning chimes and all warning chimes quit operating. Since then about once a week the chimes and the radio quit for a few day's and then will come back on for a day or so. My biggest complaint is when it's not working you have no seat belt warning chime and I've caught my grand kids unbuckled a couple of times. I brought this to GM's attention but they didn't seem to think it was a warranty issue. I was told by my dealer it doesn't matter if the chimes worked or not. I seem to be the only person concerned and call it what it is, a safety problem!
- Union, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the remedy for NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (electrical system) failed. The specifics of the failure were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 11/20/14 the ignition switch was replace twice. The consumer stated the problem still exists. Updated 12/11/14
- Prescott Valley , AZ, USA
I start my car and go to pull out onto the road and there was no power steering which could have caused me to wreck. The power steering light came on. I pulled over and shut the car off and restarted the car. Same problem. Very very dangerous!!!..updated 10/15/14 updated 4/7/2015
- Chilhowie, VA, USA
Champion Chevrolet -athens al dates and witnesses can be provided 3 times ignition locked 3 times key would not work in the door-locked out one each since the recall ignition was replaced Aug 7th the first ignition lock in April/may was towed to mclanders mcclardy huntsville al -repaired under the first ignition recall- have recall letter and the repair ticket. The ignition housing was busted in that incident and champion discovered it lockouts- I was an hour late for a fasting ultrasound. Late for homecoming at church and food ruined locked in the heat. Twice on ignition stranded late evening in parking lots. Once after back surgery on a walker. I am genuinely concerned for my safety at this point. GM case number is [xxx]. GM insists I pay the $300 for the housing or take it up with mclanders-mccardy"? I have used all my roadside for 2 quarters. GM has not refunded the $50 lockout charge 3 days after the 2nd ignition was replaced. Isn't the ignition housing part of an ignition" today from GM:. I just hung up with the dealership and they mentioned that the ignition switch housing is damaged and that is what is causing the key to hang up. The dealership mentioned that this needs to be replaced in order to prevent your key from getting stuck. Once that is completed they can proceed with diagnosing the cause of the lockout concerns you've experienced. I understand that you said that a previous dealership was the one who worked with the ignition switch housing last. Unfortunately, this is not something we can offer cost assistance for, as it is not an item included in the recall. Since you mentioned it was in mclanders/mccardy's possession when the housing was damaged, I would recommend getting in contact with them to discuss available options. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Athens, AL, USA
For the past couple months the power steering has locked up while driving if I shut my car off and turn it back on it will go back to normal, but never know when it will kick out again, the electric is cutting in and out, the lock on drivers side wont work when using key which happens periodically especially when it rains, my automatic start stopped working including my key-less entry will not unlock my doors or lock my doors even though I have changed the battery. I work for the youth service bureau/children's bureau of state of Indiana as a case manager so often I have to Transport clients to destinations, doctors, food pantry etc. I cannot take the chance of being in a wreck with clients, which has all most happened when I took a curve while by myself luckily. When I contacted the Chevy dealer about recalls he stated there was only an ignition switch recall, which I beg to differ I have been on numerous websites where many other HHR owners are complaining about the same thing I am complaining about, I asked the Chevy dealers maintenance guy if I could get a rental while waiting for it to be fixed because of my job, he stated that he had to order the part and then he would call me when it arrived for me to bring my car in and it would take only an hour to two hours to fix, so while we are still waiting now for two weeks I am putting my clients and their children in jeopardy over an issue I am not at fault for, I personally feel that Chevy should cover the cost of a rental car until all issue are taken care of properly. This was my first time owning a Chevy, and after what the maintenance man said about not letting me have a rental even though I work for county and state organizations I was very disappointed in Chevy I am in the process of looking for a new car and not sure if I will purchase another Chevy after this!
- Portland, IN, USA
I was driving and the car died and I lost my power steering and hit the ditch and apparently hit something in the ditch and busted my oil pan. Now I cannot tell if my motor locked up or what. It will not start. This is not the first time my car has died while driving.
- Bristow, OK, 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
- Hemet, CA, USA