Concerned about All Problems on Internet
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 09-17-2012
Posts: 15
From: Mahwah, NJ
Thanks for all the good advice. When I looked at the internet before buying the car, it basically looked like the reliability was average according to several sources. That was good enough for me. However, after purchase I looked deeper and found all the complainers I had not noted before. Sometimes on the internet there can be thousands of hits to look at. Anyhow I am very happy with my purchase, and I have a very good mechanic near my house. I wish I knew more about doing maintenance myself. Maybe I need to find some courses to take.
Member
Joined: 05-27-2012
Posts: 65
From: Wisconsin
$99.00 on ebay gets you new drilled/slotted rotors and pads for the front.
I bought a set for the front and back of mine for $177.00. Worth it just for the look...
I love this car, just a few months ago I had my first...an 07 lt with 126,000 miles on it, then I had to find an SS. If I could have afford to have kept my 07 and the SS, I would have two right now.
The few problems are so easy and cheap to fix, and with motors and trannys that last forever I don't think you can go wrong.
And if I drive right (hard to do in the SS) I will get 30mpg.
I bought a set for the front and back of mine for $177.00. Worth it just for the look...
I love this car, just a few months ago I had my first...an 07 lt with 126,000 miles on it, then I had to find an SS. If I could have afford to have kept my 07 and the SS, I would have two right now.
The few problems are so easy and cheap to fix, and with motors and trannys that last forever I don't think you can go wrong.
And if I drive right (hard to do in the SS) I will get 30mpg.
Banned
Joined: 07-25-2012
Posts: 183
From: Pottstown pa
Why on earth would you buy a car without FIRST doing the research, asking these questions, and THEN decide to buy it or not? Next time you go to buy a car, do the Research FIRST. 
I was here 2 or so Months, BEFORE I went and bought my Black HHR Panel.
There are always complainers on car sites, Any car site. They ALL have their faults.
As was said the Complainers in life Rush to fault a car as soon as they have a problem, but most never bother to find a forum for their car Until they have an issue.
Most owners never go on car forums.
Bought my 2008 2LT with 19,000 on it and in the little over 2 years I have had it, no problems.
Yes many complain about warped brake disks, a recut or buy another set Solves that.
If mine developes that issue, i'll buy a pair of front disks and pads replace them and be done, takes about an hour with basic tools.
Complainers will whine on and on about them, Yes GM could have put thicker disks on to help avoid the warp issue some have had, but they are easy and cheap to replace, fix it or have it done under warranty and move on with Life.
I have the power door lock switch light out on my drivers door, it was like that when I bought it, don't bother me enough yet to get a new switch, it works just the light in it is out, one day i'll order one up, but i'm not gonna sit here on a forum b*tchin about it. Sh*t Happens.
A few have broken a door handle off, yes they are Plastic, but what isn't on cars these days? So take note and use yours with Care.
Me, I picked up a few used ones as Spares. Haven't needed them, but I got 4 extras just in case.
One guy has broken several and still insists it's not him or anyone else yankin on them, but they keep breakin for some odd reason.
95% will Never have one break.
If one of mine were to break off, i'd replace it, not a big deal.
Stuck key GM has extended many HHR owners warranty on that issue so it's covered, yeah a PITA if it happens to you, but it is fixable.
My Parents Jaguar's (Pre Ford owned) when I was growing up had some Horrid electricals and many other Costly issues, but my Mother Loved them so my Father kept buying her them. Before the Jags we had Cadillacs. They were much less maintenance than those Jags ever were.
I was here 2 or so Months, BEFORE I went and bought my Black HHR Panel.
There are always complainers on car sites, Any car site. They ALL have their faults.
As was said the Complainers in life Rush to fault a car as soon as they have a problem, but most never bother to find a forum for their car Until they have an issue.
Most owners never go on car forums.
Bought my 2008 2LT with 19,000 on it and in the little over 2 years I have had it, no problems.
Yes many complain about warped brake disks, a recut or buy another set Solves that.
If mine developes that issue, i'll buy a pair of front disks and pads replace them and be done, takes about an hour with basic tools.
Complainers will whine on and on about them, Yes GM could have put thicker disks on to help avoid the warp issue some have had, but they are easy and cheap to replace, fix it or have it done under warranty and move on with Life.
I have the power door lock switch light out on my drivers door, it was like that when I bought it, don't bother me enough yet to get a new switch, it works just the light in it is out, one day i'll order one up, but i'm not gonna sit here on a forum b*tchin about it. Sh*t Happens.
A few have broken a door handle off, yes they are Plastic, but what isn't on cars these days? So take note and use yours with Care.
Me, I picked up a few used ones as Spares. Haven't needed them, but I got 4 extras just in case.
One guy has broken several and still insists it's not him or anyone else yankin on them, but they keep breakin for some odd reason.
95% will Never have one break.
If one of mine were to break off, i'd replace it, not a big deal.
Stuck key GM has extended many HHR owners warranty on that issue so it's covered, yeah a PITA if it happens to you, but it is fixable.
My Parents Jaguar's (Pre Ford owned) when I was growing up had some Horrid electricals and many other Costly issues, but my Mother Loved them so my Father kept buying her them. Before the Jags we had Cadillacs. They were much less maintenance than those Jags ever were.
I didn't research I wanted to get a TLS or a is250 but my tbss buddy made me test drive the hhr n I loved it and hope it sticks with the luxury cars I lose interest in a year lets see if hhr can out last lol
Senior Member
Joined: 04-05-2011
Posts: 235
From: 3rd rock from th sun
Not the HHR, I like mine and feel confident it was a good choice.
But... I know all about checking out a car online then buying and finding out I made the wrong choice later. Saturn Vues had great reviews. So I bought one and ended up with a dreaded VTI/CVT tranmission. Man what a POS design.
After that I won't ever buy a vehicle that hasn't been out for a while.
HHR's have been out for a long time, all the dirty laundry has been aired. No major bombs just a few little annoyances, most you'll probably never see.
But... I know all about checking out a car online then buying and finding out I made the wrong choice later. Saturn Vues had great reviews. So I bought one and ended up with a dreaded VTI/CVT tranmission. Man what a POS design.
After that I won't ever buy a vehicle that hasn't been out for a while.
HHR's have been out for a long time, all the dirty laundry has been aired. No major bombs just a few little annoyances, most you'll probably never see.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-22-2009
Posts: 763
From: Southern California
Typically what you will see on the thread for any car, are the postings of folks that have had problems. My feelings about the HHR, though its not perfect, its a good value for the $$'s. I have had my 2007 since it was new, and have had exactly one problem with it when it was about six months old. The instrument cluster went bonkers. The dealer ordered a new one, installed it the next day, and I have not had any other issues with it since, unless you want to count putting tires on it and a battery in it. Oh and we tow ours behind our motor home quite a bit, so the almost 40 thousand showing on the odometer is probably about 25000 short of what is on the suspension, etc.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
I'll answer to your concerns.
Brakes are fine if you keep the rears adjusted properly. I have 74k on the original brakes and no vibration whatsoever.
Door handles... Don't use the handle to close the door. Use the hole in the armrest. Just be gentle and they will last
The stuck key is a known issue. Most dealers will fix it for ya. There has been a recall issued for it as well.
They are good cars. If you take car of those small things and just keep up on regular maintanence they will last many miles.
The most common issue that seems to come up is the clunking in the front suspension. Usually seems to be sway bar links but can be other things as well.
Don't be afraid of the car. Mine has been the most reliable car I have owned. Just drive and enjoy.
And if you do run into any problems there are plenty of people here that can point you in the right direction on how to fix.
Brakes are fine if you keep the rears adjusted properly. I have 74k on the original brakes and no vibration whatsoever.
Door handles... Don't use the handle to close the door. Use the hole in the armrest. Just be gentle and they will last
The stuck key is a known issue. Most dealers will fix it for ya. There has been a recall issued for it as well.
They are good cars. If you take car of those small things and just keep up on regular maintanence they will last many miles.
The most common issue that seems to come up is the clunking in the front suspension. Usually seems to be sway bar links but can be other things as well.
Don't be afraid of the car. Mine has been the most reliable car I have owned. Just drive and enjoy.
And if you do run into any problems there are plenty of people here that can point you in the right direction on how to fix.
I could go on about any forum and find issues with any car. Most complain about the brakes and each one has its own issues. The bottom line is there are no perfect cars. Forums are for people who either don't what is wrong or a place often to vent as few people come on and say hell my car is running perfect.
Considering that there were around a half million HHR's sold and we see only the few complaints here the HHR is doing fine.
The worst thing about it is it never recieved many of the improvments in the interior and better trannys they have now but it is what it is and while they are not class leading they are not all that bad.
Note too many problems are self inflicted by the owners too. The door handle and much of the brake issues could be resolved easily with some knowledge and care.
One last thing do not shut the rear hatch with the bow tie bar. It can dent the rear door. Metal on all cars are thin today and this is just one of many cars that have this issue. Others are much worse.
I bought the HHR on a whim and just love the car. I did not like HHR's, or FWD or wagons and today could not be happier unless it was a Camaro or Vette.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-22-2010
Posts: 581
From: Puckett, Mississippi
122,000+ miles, original brakes, just changed spark plugs and shocks this weekend (not because they were causing issues...just because I thought it was time). Original door handles inside.
I did have the key-stuck issue, but the dealer hooked me up.
I LOVE my HHR.
I did have the key-stuck issue, but the dealer hooked me up.
I LOVE my HHR.
