10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,692 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.

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problem #17

Dec 012023

HHR

  • miles
The gear shift gets stuck when it gets cold outside and does not won't to go in reverse or diver. It takes a little bit when the car has to set and warm up before it will work.

- Harrodsburg , KY, USA

problem #16

Feb 102022

HHR

  • miles
On February 10, 2022 I was riding in the front passenger seat of this vehicle with the front passenger window partially down. I had my fingers of my right hand partially out of the window holding the top of the door frame. The driver hit the remote switch for auto close of the power window. As I felt intense pain in my right hand I quickly withdrew my hand and noted spurting blood, mutilated pinky finger and intense pain. The driver's view of my hand may have been obstructed by my body. My fingertip was still stuck between the top of the window and door frame. I went directly to the nearest Emergency Room and was diagnosed with a traumatic amputation of the right hand (dominant) fifth finger with complete loss of the nail. Three hand x-rays show open, partially displaced fracture of the distal phalange. Due to severe mutilation of the fingertip it could not be reattached to the remaining portion of my finger. This vehicle must not have been in compliance with the FMVSS No. 118 that required anti-pinch windows in vehicles from 2008 forward. Owner's manual has no statement that it has this safety feature.

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #15

Jun 162021

HHR

  • miles
My key gets stuck in my ignition and will not pull out happens when I'm in park and it's been a persistent ongoing problem I how to do the key release the button every time to have my keys released the back hatch of my HR is locked and it will not open it from the outside Norwood open from the inside this is also been ongoing issue I had my brake line and abs and line and inspect them in your place and my abs traction and tire pressure light remain on even after being serviced I took it to a dealership dealership and the dealership refuse to do the recall on it and want to charge me to have the whole modules replaced but it's my knowledge has a recall going on with the traction and abs I bought the car used about 4 months ago. Before my back Hats about of my HHR locked up for good where I used to lock the door the back latched did not lock you and you will still be able to open the bat match even if the doors are locked so either I'm facing it being locked completely and I can't get into it or on a good day is unlocked for me but will not remain lock when I lock the doors

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #14

Apr 142021

HHR

  • miles
My 2009 Chevy HHR began leaking fuel. In April 2020 I had the fuel line repaired. I was told that this is a very common problem with the HHRs because of where the fuel line is located. I just paid $1049 to have the fuel line replaced. I understand that the NHTSA is investigating this issue. I would like to add my complaint to your list of frustrated HHR customers.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #13

Apr 042021

HHR

  • 60,000 miles
Started smelling smoke and the whole vehicle shut down with the being stuck on ignition. Couldn't open the doors and smoke was billowing out and fire start coming out of lower middle console. Luckily was able to open door and exit vehicle. Fire then erupted and quickly traveled straight down the center console to the rear of the car. Within minutes the car was totally engulfed in flames and was completely burned to nothing. Suffered several burns and smoke inhalation and the car and every thing in it was destroyed

- Cutler Bay, FL, USA

problem #12

Feb 062020

HHR

  • 195,461 miles
Coolant running hot I just getting this car a week ago and it started running hot

- East St. Louis, IL, USA

problem #11

Aug 012013

HHR

  • 21,000 miles
Turn signal does not turn off by returning to original position. I have to manually turn it off every time. If I do not use it, after I turn the corner, it clicks like it wants to turn itself off. This has been happening for 5 years.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #10

Jan 012018

HHR

  • 84,000 miles
When the car had less than 36,000 miles all of the speakers blew out at the same time.the dealer replaced them under warranty now at 84,000 miles they have blown again. I do not play the radio loud, so that is not the the problem. I have talked to a car radio tech, and he says that Hhrs have a big problem with this.if this is that big of a problem shouldn't their be some type of warranty on this. Both times this happens I was just going down the road listing to the radio when the volume just dropped to almost nothing..

- Rockwell, NC, USA

problem #9

Jul 282017

HHR

  • 1,088,223 miles
The var jerks when it reaches gear changes and makes it harder to steer and the check engin light stays on. Shows error code U0101

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #8

Mar 022016

HHR

  • 48,000 miles
Approx : March 2016 - - 48000 miles, my cruise control system stopped functioning completely, when turned on. Indicator light still works, researching I've found a simple burnt out brake light bulb may be the cause for this defective unrelated failure. Either way I'm not seeing any error messages or warnings alerting me to what problems I might really have so that they can be addressed. If there isn't a recall yet, maybe an investigation is in order. Tia, L-T-G

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #7

May 312016

HHR

  • 25,000 miles
Left side rear window blew up and shattered. Next, the rear windshield blew up and shattered both have been replaced, however someone could have been injured by the exploding glass since my car was full of it in both instances, I heard a pop on the first one while car was in motion on a highway.my car was parked (stationary) at my residence when the back windshield exploded. A friend visiting me told me my back windshield had shattered and glass was on the ground and inside the car. I have repair invoices for both replacements.

- Point Blank, TX, USA

problem #6

Oct 252015

HHR

  • miles
On Oct 25 2015 around 7:00pm, I parked at parking lot of home depot lane ave jacksonville fl. I pulled the inside handle to open the door at driver's side, the handle broke apart. I couldn't open the door. I couldn't get out of the car. Nobody was around. I was panic...sometime later, I realized I could crawl to the passenger side and got out from passenger's door. If this was an emergency and I couldn't get out of car as soon as possible, my life could be endangered.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 262015

HHR

  • 69,000 miles
I am picking my car back up tomorrow and all mt papers are in it...baci around 3/15 my etc light came on and the car jerked, this happened several time over the next couple months, took it in to dealership and they had it for 2 wks and could not figure it out and I was to let them know if it happened again...8/26/15 was the last time it happened and the etc light came on for about 1 1/2 seconds and slowed me down almost to a stop and was almost rear ended!!! called, took it in and they have had it for 2 wks and they called and told me since they could not make it happen they could not fix it and it was not a mechanical problem. I am scared to (maybe) death to pick it up and drive it till it happens again and maybe causes an accident.

- Lampe, MO, USA

problem #4

Jul 012013

HHR

  • miles
Car would not turn off. Key would not turn. Eventually pulled fuse and got car to stop. Took to dealer next recalls came out later and I took it in three times to get recall things fixed. I still have same problems as other owners with my electrical system, the dic giving false information such as no air pressure in one of the tires, the ABS and traction need repair etc. Steering wheel almost always shakes when brake pedal is pushed and sometimes seems like it is driving under its own control. I have loved the car since I bought it with less than 9,000 miles on it in December 2010, but I drive my handicapped husband and elderly mother to many doctor appointments and cannot handle the anxiety of being an accident waiting to happen all the time. There is already the feeling of helplessness in car accidents without one driving a car that can't be controlled at all times. And these things happen out of the blue without warning. It isn't like you have even a feeling that something may be going out or that a problem is beginning. It's just boom, here's the situation, handle it! I, at all times, must keep my mind on the fact that my brakes, steering, transmission and/or electrical system may fail as I am driving down the street. This does not make for a calm driving experience. Nervousness and high anxiety is not a condition that anyone should be in when handling a potentially deadly weapon in and around other people, animals and vehicles. All these other owners can't be wrong, maybe GMC should just recall the whole car and let us get one we don't have to be afraid of causing an accident, so we can concentrate on our own and other people's driving to prevent them..

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 112015

HHR

  • 78,000 miles
I have no idea where this is coming from but in the morning when I start my HHR there is a very strong odor of silicon. It takes me about 30 min. To get to work and by the time I get to work I have the worst headache from smelling this the whole trip. It is stronger when the A/C in on. Not sure if this is where it is coming from but it will make you nauseated.

- Sherwood, AR, USA

problem #2

Apr 092012

HHR

  • 27,080 miles
Unable to remove the key from the igition. One hour later the car is still running and key is stuck. Disconnected the battery. Its 7pm will have it toaded to dealership in

- Peoria, AZ, USA

problem #1

Sep 012011

HHR 4WD 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Visiting my daughter. Started to go home. The head lamps would not come on. After 10 or 15 minutes of turning switches, turning motor off and on, nothing worked. So here am I stuck miles away from home and the head lights wont come on. In furstration I slapped the left driver side head light, it came on. So I walked to the other side and gave it a slap, and it came on. We drove the thirty miles home worrying if they would go out again. Got home ok. Now we have to hit both headlights to get them on.the warranty is out and do you know you have to remove the whole front bumper assembly to even get to the head lights. Why would GM allow such design is be on reason. Good luck HHR owners my wife has already experinced the lock ignition syndrome, when the key wont come out. Why doesnt the NHTSA help us HHR owners

- Whitwell, TN, USA