On my way home today, probably very close to the house I will roll out of warranty on mileage.... I have about 19 miles to go. But after reading so many negative issues of HHR's lately, I have to say, I can't say anything bad. Purchased new Sept 30 2006, found in Miami and driven to my dealership for purchase, owned with 609 miles on the clock. SO I know it had a good road test before purchase.... I think when I parked it at 6 am this morning, it had just clicked 36590 miles. The problems I had with my HHR have been.....

A/C growl when new. TSB for new lines fixed it.
Front bowtie replace at the same time, dealership messed it up.
Recall for additional headrest padding (non-airbag model)
Blown fuse for HVAC fan, (Dec 08)
Noise in HVAC fan, blower replaced, (Mar 09, thinking this may have been the issue with the blown fuse in it's early stages)
Recall for the upper glove box "thingy".

Not too bad IMO...

What has been done to it and no questions ever from the dealership...

Hitch (5-speed model)
Lower billet grill (never got offered the free plastic one, but never asked either)
Fog lights hard wired through ignition circuit.
Escort radar detector hard wired through ignition circuit.
Garmin GPS hard wired through ignition circuit.
(note, all three above plugged into inside fuse panel)
K&N drop in filter
LED tail lights
48" Recon LED running board lights, hard wired into front parking/turn signals (they are running and turn signals)
18" Cobalt Wheels

Been to two dealerships for warranty work, Marathon Chevy in North Charleston SC (purchased there) and Day's Chevy in Ackworth GA after move last summer. Both dealerships treated me great, I heard Marathon got hit for closure though. Day's will see me again for next purchase if there is a GM model I'm interested in at the time, who knows what will happen after all this is done with the BK.

So I guess it will be on my dime after today...... But no worries here.

 

I'm still @ less than 25k, minimal issues but my warranty expired already. I second your sentiments/observations Solman

Covered under warranty
*Shifter stuck in Park - replaced shifter , free tow and rental HHR
*Remote Fob intermittent operation - replaced
*Slight wobble when applying the brakes - refinished wheel/hub mating
surfaces. Rotors turned slightly, but found to be true
*Cracked windshield wiper cowling - replaced

Recall issues
* Headliner reinforcement
* upper console doo hicky

Minor issues
* minor rattle in the headliner intermittent - turned up stereo


Hey it's not a Bentley or Ferrari and neither did I expect it to be perfect. But for a car purchased for less than $20K new in 2006, it's a great ride so far

 

My '06 went out of warranty back in January. Only 2 issues:

a strange squealing noise in the steering column 2 months after purchase (steering column replaced)
the lock thing for the extra glove compartment

The HHR truly is a great deal for the money. I was also grateful for the info Solman provided on a post regarding extended warranties (February 18, 2009) letting us early '06 owners know that we were "grandfathered" into the 5/60 powertrain deal.

Even though we are out of warranty on everything else, I know all of us are still enjoying a great ride! I totally had fun the day I literally drove HHRvey off the showroom floor on that cold, but wonderful January day in 2006. No regrets here!

 

SOLMAN; must be the early build dates we have as to having nothing big go wrong. lol. 62K+ Just two warranty repairs, Driver door lock switch [light out], Post cat o2sensor, Was cracked [ looked like something hit it] I did have both front & rear bowties replaced front was pulled off and rear was water spots inside

 

I don't think you have to worry about hitting that 60,000 Jeff...

 

Too bad when I first found out about that, they stated the HHR was included in that. I later found out that it only included the Cobalt.... Now if you bought a certified used from a dealership, then you get the extended warranty... That still baffles my mind.

Oh well, out of warranty now.....