Front wheel bearing failures?
 

From this forum I understand that HHR front wheel bearings are relatively failure-prone.

With plenty of 25 year old front wheel drive cars around with no bearing failures, there must be some inherent flaw, either in the bearings, or related components, such as disk brakes.

Does anyone know why HHR front bearings are relatively failure-prone?

Yes.

Wheel Bearings
 

Not sure why - but mine lasted 100K+. I think I remember hearing that GM warranties those for 100K.

Replacing them is not too dificult either. Rust belt cars (like mine) may require some old fashioned air hammerin' though. Seems I paid about $100 for a MOOG replacement with ABS.

Its because most are now ball bearings instead of the more durable roller bearings. Slightly better fuel economy, but they wear faster.

I have a 22 year old front drive car, and it has front ball bearings, rear roller bearings. I think that is typical.

Older rear drive cars had both front and rear roller bearings.