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HHR all stock, Sucks
Hi I Bought my HHR back in jan.3 2011. it's a 2010 demo with 1300 miles on it.
I was so excited I mainly bought the car for work I can fit all of my tools and supply with room to spare. But boy what a disappointment it has turned out to be. I work out in the field, Service tech. I drive an average of 60 to 80 miles a day. The gas millage that I get in this 4 banger sucks 18 to 21mpg city. highways is like 23/25mpg. My Vette aC5 does better! for crying out loud. the inside door handle are plastic and many other parts, you may say "so what". but when it breaks off while you’re in a gas station and your left with this plastic P.O.S and open window to reach out to open the door it's not fun. Now the power steering goes. I mean while your driving. I read that this is common and no recall. the fix is to replace the power steering motor. BUT That is hard to believe. this has happen to me more time than I care to count. now I just let the car roll put it in Nutral and turn the key to off. not locking it. the shifter prevents it from locking. I turn the key start her up and put it in drive and off I go. I think is more of an electrical issue. I don’t think that a car with 20566 miles should have this problem. I also had to replace one Steele right rim, dealer said it was bent and that this cause my hub failure. Mind you that they had to re-calibrate the steering sensor and re do my computer as per dealer. I’m Not liking it. Now the thought has come to mind to sell and get out before the S**t really hits the fan. I guess that’s why GM stop making them. Over Promise. what are your thoughts? |
sell it and buy a ford.:thumb:
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Could be the user or you just got a bad one. On my second HHR and I have no problems at all on either of the two.
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I'm sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble with the car, but at least some of your issues should be resolved by the warrant. You do still have warranty on the car, right? Use it and replace the PS motor before it gets worse. That is almost certainly the problem you are running into. As for the fuel mileage, the in-town figures sound about right but I would expect higher on the highway (assuming of course you aren't flying at over 80MPH).
And as for your number of issues, who knows how the HHR was treated before you got it. I had a few issues early on with my 08 but in the last couple years it has performed very well. Get the PS motor fixed and see if that helps you feel a bit better about the car. |
I've had no problem with mine.. I also don't try and rip the door handle open. Being it is plastic it fatigues and breaks after a bit.. Pull lightly and that doesn't happen.
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WoW!
I can say my 09LS has given me some small issues, but all were readily covered by Robert Chevrolet in Hicksville. I drive about 60 miles a day just going to Brooklyn & back, stuck in traffic both ways on the SS/Belt Parkway and my Mileage is usually 25.6 cumulative over several months. When pleasure driving with the family on mini vacations it hovers between 31-32 if we go out east or out of state. Adjust your driving habits and keep the rpms under 1800/2000 while on the highways. |
I bought a 2006 2lt with 32,000 miles it was a 3 year lease turn, looked new I now have ove 55,000 miles the only problem was the VVT solenoids which I changed thanks to Whoppers detailed instructions, I have changede the rear shocks not because of any problums but becauseof age changed the front bushings and links because everyone was haveing problums I wasnt, I love the HHR still with original brakes, changed the OEM Firestones which were terrible.:thumb:
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We've had our 06 since November 05 without any of the problems you've listed.
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I'm on my second and no major things to worry about. I had the lock issue, but had that replaced under warrenty.
"She's not a Camaro, or even a Vette. She is what she is, and I love her for that". I'm currently working on a HHR song. lol. Any song writters out there, who care to help? lol. |
Originally Posted by MedMilt
(Post 624181)
Hi I Bought my HHR back in jan.3 2011. it's a 2010 demo with 1300 miles on it.
I was so excited I mainly bought the car for work I can fit all of my tools and supply with room to spare. But boy what a disappointment it has turned out to be. I work out in the field, Service tech. I drive an average of 60 to 80 miles a day. The gas millage that I get in this 4 banger sucks 18 to 21mpg city. highways is like 23/25mpg. My Vette aC5 does better! for crying out loud. the inside door handle are plastic and many other parts, you may say "so what". but when it breaks off while you’re in a gas station and your left with this plastic P.O.S and open window to reach out to open the door it's not fun. Now the power steering goes. I mean while your driving. I read that this is common and no recall. the fix is to replace the power steering motor. BUT That is hard to believe. this has happen to me more time than I care to count. now I just let the car roll put it in Nutral and turn the key to off. not locking it. the shifter prevents it from locking. I turn the key start her up and put it in drive and off I go. I think is more of an electrical issue. I don’t think that a car with 20566 miles should have this problem. I also had to replace one Steele right rim, dealer said it was bent and that this cause my hub failure. Mind you that they had to re-calibrate the steering sensor and re do my computer as per dealer. I’m Not liking it. Now the thought has come to mind to sell and get out before the S**t really hits the fan. I guess that’s why GM stop making them. Over Promise. what are your thoughts? 1. You're a service tech and you carry your supplies and tools with you, its great that your HHR has the room you need to do that, but those tools and supplies weigh something....and carrying around cargo uses gas...plain and simple. Have you ever tried to figure out how many pounds of cargo you are always toting around with you? 2. Those chromed inside door handles are just for opening the door, use the handhold in the armrest to close the door, if you use the chrome handle to pull the door closed...its going to break...just ask my wife about that. Fortunately Dorman makes a handle repair kit, that save giving your friendly Chevy dealer $300 for a new inner door panel. 3. Yes there have been issues with the power steering motors, and yes there was a recall in Canada, will it happen here...nope. Your comment on letting it roll in neutral and not locking the steering column has me a bit confused, can you elaborate a bit on that? 4. You bent a rim, that's going to happen on any vehicle if you nail a pothole or something on the road you didn't have time to react to. Can a bent rim eventually "take out" a hub, you betcha! The vibration and excess lateral runout will play havoc with a hub over time. I see you only have 21,000 miles on your HHR, if your dealer isn't adequately addressing your problems, I suggest you "fire" them and try another dealer. |
Originally Posted by 843de
(Post 624196)
Your comment on letting it roll in neutral and not locking the steering column has me a bit confused, can you elaborate a bit on that?
I'll leave the rest of my thoughts in my head.....:lol: |
Originally Posted by 843de
(Post 624196)
3. Yes there have been issues with the power steering motors, and yes there was a recall in Canada, will it happen here...nope. Your comment on letting it roll in neutral and not locking the steering column has me a bit confused, can you elaborate a bit on that?
I think he is stating that he puts the car in neutral while still driving and cycles the key off then back to on to reset the PS motor. I did the same that one week I had the problem. As long as you are going straight and have no one in front of you that might stop short you will be ok in this situation. It just takes common sense in making sure you are in a safe location to do this. MedMilt - like he said have your dealership put in a new power steering motor and you will not have any more issues with your power steering. I have a thread on here that lists the TSB numbers and usable replacement PS motor part numbers that will work to fix this issue. For the gas milage I will add that if you are leaving your car idling for any excessive time then that will eat away at your milage. Driving habits can wreak havoc on milage as well. When I bought my hhr back in Oct I was only getting 23 mpg in the city as that is all I drive. BUT I changed my driving and was able to achieve 31 MPG in the city but I had to work hard to keep it there. I have now resorted to not worring about it again but am now maintaining 26 mpg's in the city. If I go back to driving like I still had my Mustang or turbo eclipse I go right back down to 23 mpg. |
I have an '09. Since '09 I have put over 100,000 miles on it. Still running original brakes, original spark plugs, etc..... and I get 28-30mpg on the interstate every day running 75mph. Now if I go above that, the mileage drops almost 1-for-1.
I have a 155 mile roundtrip for work, not including any other detours I make. Not a single problem. (now watch this sucker explode on the way home) |
Hmmmm 6 post and one of them is just to complain?
Sounds like someone bought the wrong vehicle for the job. Sounds like some hard use here like stated above. My thought is you should have bought a truck. |
Don't know why, but these song lyrics keep popping into my head.
"One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch girl....." (The Osmonds?) |
843de has your answers in post #10. I use my 2009 HHR as a service vehicle as well and I’m happy with it – for the most part. I’ve had few problems, but nothing major and I’m interested in this new vehicle’s systems.
A service vehicle gets driven in short trips – thus the gas mileage is not high, as the engine may never get hot enough to burn fuel efficiently. The weight issue, as 843de said, is indeed an issue in my case. I got rid of a Ranger for the HHR. Glad I did. Less money to purchase the vehicle and better gas mileage even with the extra weight. |
i have a 2011 Panel that i use for tech work. i service copiers in a 2 hour radius of my house. i, on average, put on 200 miles a day. i carry parts and tools with no issues. i bought it in july 2011 and as of today rolled 36000. i'm very happy with the car. avg 28-30 mpg.
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Calm down MedMilt!
There is a 3 yr/36000 mile warranty from GM. Get the PS fixed (might be the under hood fuse box TSB)! Average Mileage includes both town & highway, so unless you gas up while rolling you are going to get lowish hiway MPG. I do 200-300 miles a day average about 26 MPG city/hiway/rush hour, if I happen to get a 300 mile run, I get 32 MPG under 70 MpH. When I do a all day city route leaving the engine running at 100 stops over 150 miles, I get 21MPG, that is much better than my old Toyota P/U same job got 11MPG. Door handles seem to be a problem for some people, OK you are nice to them, but what about the fools in the demo period. Demo does not mean drivers cared about the car! |
Originally Posted by MedMilt
(Post 624181)
Hi I Bought my HHR back in jan.3 2011. it's a 2010 demo with 1300 miles on it.
I was so excited I mainly bought the car for work I can fit all of my tools and supply with room to spare. But boy what a disappointment it has turned out to be. I work out in the field, Service tech. I drive an average of 60 to 80 miles a day. The gas millage that I get in this 4 banger sucks 18 to 21mpg city. highways is like 23/25mpg. My Vette aC5 does better! for crying out loud. the inside door handle are plastic and many other parts, you may say "so what". but when it breaks off while you’re in a gas station and your left with this plastic P.O.S and open window to reach out to open the door it's not fun. Now the power steering goes. I mean while your driving. I read that this is common and no recall. the fix is to replace the power steering motor. BUT That is hard to believe. this has happen to me more time than I care to count. now I just let the car roll put it in Nutral and turn the key to off. not locking it. the shifter prevents it from locking. I turn the key start her up and put it in drive and off I go. I think is more of an electrical issue. I don’t think that a car with 20566 miles should have this problem. I also had to replace one Steele right rim, dealer said it was bent and that this cause my hub failure. Mind you that they had to re-calibrate the steering sensor and re do my computer as per dealer. I’m Not liking it. Now the thought has come to mind to sell and get out before the S**t really hits the fan. I guess that’s why GM stop making them. Over Promise. what are your thoughts? |
Originally Posted by 843de
(Post 624196)
OK...lets go over your issues one at a time if we can.
1. You're a service tech and you carry your supplies and tools with you, its great that your HHR has the room you need to do that, but those tools and supplies weigh something....and carrying around cargo uses gas...plain and simple. Have you ever tried to figure out how many pounds of cargo you are always toting around with you? 1-A 120 lbs with parts and tools. 2. Those chromed inside door handles are just for opening the door, use the handhold in the armrest to close the door, if you use the chrome handle to pull the door closed...its going to break...just ask my wife about that. Fortunately Dorman makes a handle repair kit, that save giving your friendly Chevy dealer $300 for a new inner door panel. 2 A- Never use them to CLOSE the door only to open it. 3. Yes there have been issues with the power steering motors, and yes there was a recall in Canada, will it happen here...nope. Your comment on letting it roll in neutral and not locking the steering column has me a bit confused, can you elaborate a bit on that? 3-A,Sure, When Power Steering is lost if I'm on a high way I move to the right or right shoulder, let the car cost never coming to a stop. Very QUICKLY knock it into Neutral. turn the key counter clock one click. then start the motor up, shift into Drive and merge back into the road safely. 4. You bent a rim, that's going to happen on any vehicle if you nail a pothole or something on the road you didn't have time to react to. Can a bent rim eventually "take out" a hub, you betcha! The vibration and excess lateral runout will play havoc with a hub over time. 3 A- OK I'll give you that. I see you only have 21,000 miles on your HHR, if your dealer isn't adequately addressing your problems, I suggest you "fire" them and try another dealer. Thank you for your help. and to all who posted I knew I was going to crash and burn here. but it's just the way I feel. Sorry to disappoint some of you. I don't drive over 80 and I keep it under 1800 RPM all the time this is my work wagon not my Vette. My money maker. Maybe down the road the HHR will make me feel better. matter of fact I feel better already. Thanks guys for helping me understand. Keep em coming |
I can't speak to longevity yet, but I've been keeping track of economy. In mixed driving, I've managed to stay pretty close to 30.
I've usually been able to beat the EPA rating on everything I've owned in the past, though. |
Originally Posted by MedMilt
(Post 624289)
4 A- Still under warranty, You have to duplicate the problem for the Dealer. I don't think It can do that. BUT it's sure to happen everyday at least once on a good day.
If the fuse block is good then replace that PS motor and the problem will be fixed. I had that problem pop up on me and one week later it was happening frequently so I bought the new motor and installed it and it has yet to happen again. |
Originally Posted by MedMilt
(Post 624289)
Sorry to disappoint some of you.
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I have three of 'em, not disappointed in any of them. The are some HHR "quirks" that will occasionally bite you in the butt, like sticking keys and noisy front ends, but they are minor and easily correctable quibbles.
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Now key is stuck"on position"
Must off JINKs myself. yesterday whie drving to a location my power steering goes , So what, I dont worry I get to the parking lot and I was just going to park and go to the clint. When I can't turn the key and shut the car off. WTF luckly I was near the dealear and drove directly there I had to leave the HHR over night for repairs. The service writer said this is common and that the power steering motor and the key cylinder are under warrantie. this is as close as I ever been to an electric car.
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Wow Power steering went and you could not shut down the car?
I am assuming that thye are only under warranty for the 3/36k mile warranty? so that leaves alot of us out? |
MedMilt just noticed you are near Ammityville ny
do you ever go by Broadway Motors which had a one season show called CARFELLAS which I thought was hilarious? |
Originally Posted by bigjacksauto
(Post 625889)
MedMilt just noticed you are near Ammityville ny
do you ever go by Broadway Motors which had a one season show called CARFELLAS which I thought was hilarious? No Never been or heard of it. |
Originally Posted by bigjacksauto
(Post 625888)
Wow Power steering went and you could not shut down the car?
I am assuming that thye are only under warranty for the 3/36k mile warranty? so that leaves alot of us out? I have since replaced Brake pads, 2 front Hubs, 1 power steering motor 1 key cylender or what ever they have to replace. guess Im lucky that it's still under warranty. but what happens when I'm not? will it be a costly car to keep? |
Originally Posted by solman98
(Post 624360)
The one that is disappointed seems to be you, not everyone else. I'm the original owner of an 06 model and still happy with my purchase. There are a few quirks I could live without, but I've had that with just about every car I've owned.
Regardless of manufacturer, I've had at least *some* little issue with everything, Ford, Toyota, GMC, etc... with one exception: an '07 Express 3500 cargo van, the one I traded for my HHR. It never gave me the tiniest bit of grief, and though it was just a plain jane (probably why it was so reliable) cargo van, I kinda felt bad about trading it. I needed the mpg, though, and I'm happy with Herman, even with the few things I've had to do. |
Ok we got it you hate your HHR.
I can see this thread going no where but down from here. But I am suprised this thread has not gotten to the lawyer and buy back crys. That is how these normally go. |
I had sent him a PM to kinda break the ice especially because he only lives a couple of miles from me and I pass through Levittown quite often as we shop and have relatives there... No return PM. Guess he's just angry. I have had a few problems myself but they were all fixed with no issues under warranty. It's my 1st new car and I didn't flip out...
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BlacKKnighT I'm not angry, No just surprise that I'm having this much trouble. Believe me I went searching for my HHR. if I told you how I came about ending up with this one. I don't think anyone would believe it. I hope this will be the end of this thread as someone mention it's only going down from here. I also want to say that I did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings, it was just my Opinion. As for the repair the Dealer replace the Lock Cylinder and Code New lock
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Hate to mention what should be obvious, but........
Concerning your gas mileage (you should be getting a lot better). I have found that some vehicles are very sensitive to tire pressures. Check them and if within spec, bump the pressures up a bit. |
Originally Posted by MedMilt
(Post 625901)
Yea, I was surprised to hear that the power steering motor was under warranty. As I read on this forum that it is not.
Where did you read that? INFACT many of us told you in this very thread that the powersteering motor would be covered under warranty. There is a recall for Canadian HHR powersteering motors that WE will never see. Perhaps that is what you are refering too. |
Bought mine new in 2006, no reall problems, did have the shifter change but that was warranty work, and one headlight. anything else replaced was normal maintnance.
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I bought mine in 08 brand new and just rolled 100k miles. The only problems I've had with mine was passenger door locks stopped working remotely, AC blower motor resistor burned up (fixed $30) and Blown speakers. Besides that, anything that could go wrong with any other car I've had. I ride my car rough and spend a lot of time on the road, but never had any serious HHR or Chevy problems.
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Mine has 73,000 miles. I've had the stuck key...expected.... Door speakers went out.....common..... That's it. Still original brakes. And the front has a very minor clunk. Again normal problem..and I bought new tires. Excellent car for me. Love it.
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I guess medmilt melted away. He never came back.
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I just rolled over 100K miles on my 06. I did have the stuck key issue early on, covered under warrenty. No issues since. Just maintenance items, plugs, coolent flush, tansmission service, stuts and shocks, new brakes all around at 92K and I'm on my third set of tires and one battery. I did replace the brake pedal pad this week as I had worn a section out. A PITA to get a new one on.
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