Problems & Solutions

Run into a problem that you just can't get a handle on? This is the place to ask your fellow HHR owners for help with any issue you may be having.

[GISELE PELLERIN]

WHATS UP WITH THE PAINT PROBLEM ON THE REAR QUARTER . MY CAR ONLY HAS 11K AND ITS ALL SANDBLASTED OFF RITE DOWN TO THE PRIMER. CHECK IT OUT ON YOURS ' ITS RIGHT BEHIND THE REAR DOORS ON THE LOWER SECTION.

[Christian]

I bet you did not buy the car with running boards!!.......without running boards that will surely wipe out the rear quarters....

[Keith]

Do all HHR's have that taped black electrical wire exposed, going to the rearview mirror? Or is there a molded piece to cover it up?

[Sindy Dix]

One stop Everything HHR by people that know their HHR's.
www.ChevyHHR.net

[NJ HHR]

Keith wrote:

Do all HHR's have that taped black electrical wire exposed, going to the rearview mirror? Or is there a molded piece to cover it up?

I used a small piece of thin wire loom, it looks much better

[jason handy]

I recently baught a 20006 hhr and I would highly suggest not bying one G.M is not standing behind the paint problem we have already had our car repainted one and spent $100 to have mud flaps instaled it has been 6mo now and the hhr looks worse than my 93 ford i will never buy another G.M automobile so please keep this in mind when you purchace your new auto.

[Bsnbuzzed]

I have the same issue and got a $1500.+ quote to fix. and then they want me to purchase running boards and have them install. another $1000 or so. This car will be junk in 5 years. I am getting nowhere with Chelsea at GM. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT.

[STEVE]

I HAD NEW RUNNING BOARDS AND PLASTIC FENDER PANELS INSTALLED FOR NO COST UNDER WARRANTY .TELL YOUR DEALER TO USE TSB 06 08 51 002. YOU MAY HAVE TO GET A LITTLE TUFF WITH THE DEALER !!!!

[Loyal GM]

I had my HHR to dealer with wind noise at driver side front window and was told all HHR's have wind noise there. There was nothing the dealer could do to fix it because GM engineers have not found a way, you will have to live with it. This is not a way to keep your loyal customers.

[Pvt sherrill]

just bought my hhr,and i am already having issues, everytime i press the brake my rear windshield wiper starts going, anye help, ive already replaced the relays and fuses but it will not stop

[Ron Cole]

2006 HHR with 16,000 miles suddenly key can not be removed from the ignition switch. Will only turn to run and start positions. Any ideas? Thanks.

[Dachshaus]

GISELE PELLERIN wrote:

WHATS UP WITH THE PAINT PROBLEM ON THE REAR QUARTER . MY CAR ONLY HAS 11K AND ITS ALL SANDBLASTED OFF RITE DOWN TO THE PRIMER. CHECK IT OUT ON YOURS ' ITS RIGHT BEHIND THE REAR DOORS ON THE LOWER SECTION.

Me TOO! Only my entire car has little dings and scratches, a few of which go clear through clear and base coat to the plastic facia! The local Service Manager looked at me like I was nuts. The GM service representative said there werent any recall....like someone has to be the first or 5,000th! Mine is orange and it shows everything! What color is yours?

[Michelle Collins]

HHR 2006(orange in colour) paint problems on both rear panels. I was initially told by a service rep at the dealership that this was something I picked up from the road. I took the car to a detailer & was told it looked as if I had been driving on gravel roads, which causes a sandblast effect, however it was only on two exact parts of the car. The detailer suggested I take it back to the dealership as he could clearly tell I had low km & it appears to him there is a problem with the paint on my 2006 HHR. I made an appointment with the manager of the dealership & told him exactly what had to be completed; he was aware of this problem. They had my car for 3 days. In the interm they provided me with a courtesy car, repainted the two rear panels, installed running boards & mudflaps all under warranty. Great service finally; thanks to this site!

[Crystal Larsen]

We don't have any paint problems thank god but we have had other problems. I have had my HHR for just over a year and for the past 6 months or so I have had problems. The car ideals rough (like I got bad gas) the dealer keeps telling me there is nothing wrong now when I come to a stop it acts like it wants to die and once again they tell me there is nothing wrong. And of course about a month ago the ac compressor went out and had to be replaced and since then my pick up has not been the same. It's like I can push the car faster than it will go and the gas mileage is terrable. This past weekend I went 91 miles (all hightway) and burned a quarter tank of gas. My boyfriend said if this keeps up the car is going bye bye. Gas is too expensive to be burning it like that. And of course the dealership keeps telling me there is nothing wrong with the car. Can you believe it. I guess I am getting the regular treatment, I am a female and don't know anything about cars, well I have a daddy that is a mechanic and I do know how to trade it in if I'm not happy.

[rick fleming kamloops]

I too have the very same problem and will ge going to my dealer this Friday to complain about this issue, we don't even drive the car when the weather is bad and both back doors have been samdblasted I will use this info there thanks

Michelle Collins wrote:

HHR 2006(orange in colour) paint problems on both rear panels. I was initially told by a service rep at the dealership that this was something I picked up from the road. I took the car to a detailer & was told it looked as if I had been driving on gravel roads, which causes a sandblast effect, however it was only on two exact parts of the car. The detailer suggested I take it back to the dealership as he could clearly tell I had low km & it appears to him there is a problem with the paint on my 2006 HHR. I made an appointment with the manager of the dealership & told him exactly what had to be completed; he was aware of this problem. They had my car for 3 days. In the interm they provided me with a courtesy car, repainted the two rear panels, installed running boards & mudflaps all under warranty. Great service finally; thanks to this site!

[Coupe Lover]

Crystal Larsen wrote:

We don't have any paint problems thank god but we have had other problems. I have had my HHR for just over a year and for the past 6 months or so I have had problems. The car ideals rough (like I got bad gas) the dealer keeps telling me there is nothing wrong now when I come to a stop it acts like it wants to die and once again they tell me there is nothing wrong. And of course about a month ago the ac compressor went out and had to be replaced and since then my pick up has not been the same. It's like I can push the car faster than it will go and the gas mileage is terrable. This past weekend I went 91 miles (all hightway) and burned a quarter tank of gas. My boyfriend said if this keeps up the car is going bye bye. Gas is too expensive to be burning it like that. And of course the dealership keeps telling me there is nothing wrong with the car. Can you believe it. I guess I am getting the regular treatment, I am a female and don't know anything about cars, well I have a daddy that is a mechanic and I do know how to trade it in if I'm not happy.

Had same problem. After dealer changed plugs, cleaned injectors, it turned out to be a broken valve in engine. Dealer did fix it.

[CReid]

Ron Cole wrote:

2006 HHR with 16,000 miles suddenly key can not be removed from the ignition switch. Will only turn to run and start positions. Any ideas? Thanks.

I have a early 2006 with 39,000 miles did the same today.Button on shifter not working,had a friend who's 2007 did same thing.Dealer fixed under warranty.Will take mine tomarrow.

[Break Problem]

Has anyone had problems with car when you apply breaks? I took my 2006 HHR in, Service Guy looked at me like I was nuts..

$400.00 later, he said not a warranty problem

[Robert Ellis]

My 2008 HHR (3900 miles)has a speedometer problem. When at highway speeds, the speedometer suddenly goes nuts and swings between 0 and 80. This disengages the cruise control and temporarily seems to effect throttle response. This happens several times within a few minutes and then the vehicle seems to "recover" and run normally for a while. Of course, it won't do this when its at the dealer to be repaired. They have checked the speed sensor, body control module. etc to no avail and are now looking for electrical shorts. I have heard that some other GM models have had a similar problem.

Any ideas?

[brigitte]

I have a 06 HHr my issue is with gas cap,now that its cold the check engine light comes on a lot,after getting fuel .Im told to tighten gas cap 8-9 times than light will go out after 15 starts . It usually does but its so annoying.Anyone else have this issue or did I get a lemon.I have no other issues its a great car