Looking for advice on the HHR
Senior Member
Joined: 06-17-2012
Posts: 161
From: Wisconsin
The HHR can be a car with it's issues just like any other. Keep in mind that the car itself shares parts with many GM vehicles, and that the things that go wrong are not usually MAJOR. Overall, these cars prove reliable, many with well over 100,000 on cars that are less than 3 years old, there are even one or two exceeding 250,000 miles. They're workhorses.
That being said, the car does have a niche following, and those of us who are part of that niche crowd tend to be a little more critical of any issue.
I have to reiterate, preventative maintenance on any car keeps it running, but if you're looking to keep something running showroom new, you have to be anal about the car.
That being said, the car does have a niche following, and those of us who are part of that niche crowd tend to be a little more critical of any issue.
I have to reiterate, preventative maintenance on any car keeps it running, but if you're looking to keep something running showroom new, you have to be anal about the car.
Senior Member
Joined: 02-21-2010
Posts: 537
From: Burlington, ON
I bought my second HHR here. Only 50k km on mine for under $10,000 for an 09 Panel.
http://haldimandmotors.com/list.aspx...=hhr&I2=Search
There are good ones out there if you are hunting. Just be sure to test drive and have a good look at them where the "problem" areas are. A decent dealer should look after you.
http://haldimandmotors.com/list.aspx...=hhr&I2=Search
There are good ones out there if you are hunting. Just be sure to test drive and have a good look at them where the "problem" areas are. A decent dealer should look after you.
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,532
From: Fredericksburg,VA
Buy a car that does not have an internet forum devoted to it, then you will fear nothing. Stop agonizing because of the internet.
Search for a tacoma forum, I will bet anything that you will find lot's of horror stories.
Oh, and if owners bothered to read their Owner Manuals most problems would go away. Like the jump start problem, the shudder while driving with the rear windows open, the dash lights keep disappearing etc. At this point in time you will only be hearing about HHRs that are at least 2-3 years old, most are second owner, many are former rentals.
"Chevrolet Customer Service" is pretty much a social networking placative thing. They can look up your VIN and tell you what your warranty is, and sound like they care, while collecting your info for use in marketing. Is that the type of feedback you wanted?
Here's a helpful hint to everyone. If you give a company your phone number, that gives them the right to use that phone number for marketing purposes EVEN IF YOU ARE ON THE DO NOT CALL LIST. Same goes for address etc.
Search for a tacoma forum, I will bet anything that you will find lot's of horror stories.
Oh, and if owners bothered to read their Owner Manuals most problems would go away. Like the jump start problem, the shudder while driving with the rear windows open, the dash lights keep disappearing etc. At this point in time you will only be hearing about HHRs that are at least 2-3 years old, most are second owner, many are former rentals.
"Chevrolet Customer Service" is pretty much a social networking placative thing. They can look up your VIN and tell you what your warranty is, and sound like they care, while collecting your info for use in marketing. Is that the type of feedback you wanted?
Here's a helpful hint to everyone. If you give a company your phone number, that gives them the right to use that phone number for marketing purposes EVEN IF YOU ARE ON THE DO NOT CALL LIST. Same goes for address etc.
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
The HHR can be a car with it's issues just like any other. Keep in mind that the car itself shares parts with many GM vehicles, and that the things that go wrong are not usually MAJOR. Overall, these cars prove reliable, many with well over 100,000 on cars that are less than 3 years old, there are even one or two exceeding 250,000 miles. They're workhorses.
That being said, the car does have a niche following, and those of us who are part of that niche crowd tend to be a little more critical of any issue.
I have to reiterate, preventative maintenance on any car keeps it running, but if you're looking to keep something running showroom new, you have to be anal about the car.
That being said, the car does have a niche following, and those of us who are part of that niche crowd tend to be a little more critical of any issue.
I have to reiterate, preventative maintenance on any car keeps it running, but if you're looking to keep something running showroom new, you have to be anal about the car.
And the reference about jump starting the battery causing an electrical failure? Sorry - but if you don't read your owners manual ........ and on top of it, all it does is blow the fuse - so you cannot term it an electrical failure. Our HHR needed a jump start a couple of years ago when the little lady left the lights on - and the person that jumped it had never seen under the hood of the car before and didn't have any problem at all.
A fair number of issues here are over brake rotor problems - but no more than a lot of other cars if you follow their forums.
However if you don't feel comfortable, buy something else, otherwise you will not be happy whenever the slightest thing goes wrong.
Deceased
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
Even a Rolls Royce can break down whether bought new or used, they just call it "A Failure To Proceed".
This forum has evolved into an excellent source of diagnostic and technical info 777, so don't infer from the posts involving problems that HHR's are ticking time bombs ready to nickle and dime you to death.
Yes they have some quirks and weak spots, but there isn't a model from any brand that doesn't.
Find the best HHR your budget allows, check it out thoroughly, and take it home. It's a choice that you won't regret.
This forum has evolved into an excellent source of diagnostic and technical info 777, so don't infer from the posts involving problems that HHR's are ticking time bombs ready to nickle and dime you to death.
Yes they have some quirks and weak spots, but there isn't a model from any brand that doesn't.
Find the best HHR your budget allows, check it out thoroughly, and take it home. It's a choice that you won't regret.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-01-2010
Posts: 121
From: Texas
My personal experience with a 09 LT2 bought with 16 miles on it.
Four years and one month later I have a little over 93K on it.
Outside of tires and normal maintenance:
Front brakes at 75K(Could have easily have make it to 100k)
One side light bulb, one taillight bulb and one tire pressure sensor.
Total cost outside of the brakes about $100.
One recall on the key freezing up problem.(was working fine but had the
recall work done anyway,)
The only other problem has been and intermittent dropping out of the USB port that always comes back in a day or so then works for quite a while.
The downside is they just last month offered me $5000 on trade in and I laughed at them and walked off. The MSRP on mine was a little under $25K.
Four years and one month later I have a little over 93K on it.
Outside of tires and normal maintenance:
Front brakes at 75K(Could have easily have make it to 100k)
One side light bulb, one taillight bulb and one tire pressure sensor.
Total cost outside of the brakes about $100.
One recall on the key freezing up problem.(was working fine but had the
recall work done anyway,)
The only other problem has been and intermittent dropping out of the USB port that always comes back in a day or so then works for quite a while.
The downside is they just last month offered me $5000 on trade in and I laughed at them and walked off. The MSRP on mine was a little under $25K.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-05-2010
Posts: 1,492
From: Detroit, Michigan USA
Buy a car that does not have an internet forum devoted to it, then you will fear nothing. Stop agonizing because of the internet.
Search for a tacoma forum, I will bet anything that you will find lot's of horror stories.
Oh, and if owners bothered to read their Owner Manuals most problems would go away. Like the jump start problem, the shudder while driving with the rear windows open, the dash lights keep disappearing etc. At this point in time you will only be hearing about HHRs that are at least 2-3 years old, most are second owner, many are former rentals.
"Chevrolet Customer Service" is pretty much a social networking placative thing. They can look up your VIN and tell you what your warranty is, and sound like they care, while collecting your info for use in marketing. Is that the type of feedback you wanted?
Here's a helpful hint to everyone. If you give a company your phone number, that gives them the right to use that phone number for marketing purposes EVEN IF YOU ARE ON THE DO NOT CALL LIST. Same goes for address etc.
Search for a tacoma forum, I will bet anything that you will find lot's of horror stories.
Oh, and if owners bothered to read their Owner Manuals most problems would go away. Like the jump start problem, the shudder while driving with the rear windows open, the dash lights keep disappearing etc. At this point in time you will only be hearing about HHRs that are at least 2-3 years old, most are second owner, many are former rentals.
"Chevrolet Customer Service" is pretty much a social networking placative thing. They can look up your VIN and tell you what your warranty is, and sound like they care, while collecting your info for use in marketing. Is that the type of feedback you wanted?
Here's a helpful hint to everyone. If you give a company your phone number, that gives them the right to use that phone number for marketing purposes EVEN IF YOU ARE ON THE DO NOT CALL LIST. Same goes for address etc.
Hello all, We just wanted to clarify our intentions for being a part of this community. Our primary objective as the Customer Care Advisors on this forum is to help our customers resolve any vehicle concerns they are experiencing to the best of our abilities. We do this by connecting with our certified dealerships and leveraging internal resources. As we're not licensed technicians, we can't provide detailed repair information. When we collect private information (phone numbers and addresses), we do so to make sure that Customer Care will be able to communicate with you if we need to transfer you to a specialized department. If you are being contacted by General Motors and do not wish to be, please visit the following website: http://www.gmcontactpreferences.com/
Jessica L.
Chevrolet Customer Care
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 02-09-2013
Posts: 69
From: usa
Nice to see GM Customer Service here. As to my concerns it is because I belong to Tacoma and wife's RAV (on our second and never a single issue) Forums I wonder about the reliability. Seems there are far more complaints and issues on this forum considering the relatively smaller membership number. I read of some issues on the other forums but not nearly as much or frequency especially given the much higher membership numbers on the other forums.
This is all about researching before buying. I understand there will be defenders and protectors. Every forum has them. I am just looking for reasons not to buy a car I like. I already have enough emotional reasons to buy it.
The worst feeling would be wishing I had my tacoma back and giving up a very desirable vehicle for a vehicle that has no trade value should I want to reverse course. I think anyone should be able to understand that.
If I was coming from a KIA Forte I would not be as tentative.
Its just something to take into consideration. IMO water coming inside a car from anywhere is not something that should be taken lightly as a "possibility". Whether from the firewall (butyl patch fix" or Moon roof drain, that is serious. Electronic Steering issues while driving is also dangerous and I read Canada has made GM recall for that issue meaning it is not a rare event. Not trying to bash but get clarity. I know people here love their cars like everyone in their respective forums. I just find rusting door seams and some of the issues outside the normal kind of thing one would expect and no one knows which vehicles will suffer these particular issues. Toyota trucks to 2004 had rusting FRAMES...But bought every single one back or replaced them for many many years and miles. I am reading here Chevy is ignoring that issue. Yeah that would be a concern.
When buying a low mileage used car I have to wonder why the seller was selling it. Just like sellers ask why I am selling my Tacoma with low miles. Everyone I talk to about selling the Tacoma and buying an HHR thinks I should be committed.
Maybe they are right. But I like the HHR. Wish they still made them so GM could correct the pattern issues. People who have them love them. But not enough for GM to keep building them.
Nice to read of your experience and your last line is why I will not pay more than $10,000 for ANY HHR. Maybe $12K for an SS. Every dealer except for selling dealers say the same thing. "Sell it on Craigslist".
This is all about researching before buying. I understand there will be defenders and protectors. Every forum has them. I am just looking for reasons not to buy a car I like. I already have enough emotional reasons to buy it.
The worst feeling would be wishing I had my tacoma back and giving up a very desirable vehicle for a vehicle that has no trade value should I want to reverse course. I think anyone should be able to understand that.
If I was coming from a KIA Forte I would not be as tentative.
Its just something to take into consideration. IMO water coming inside a car from anywhere is not something that should be taken lightly as a "possibility". Whether from the firewall (butyl patch fix" or Moon roof drain, that is serious. Electronic Steering issues while driving is also dangerous and I read Canada has made GM recall for that issue meaning it is not a rare event. Not trying to bash but get clarity. I know people here love their cars like everyone in their respective forums. I just find rusting door seams and some of the issues outside the normal kind of thing one would expect and no one knows which vehicles will suffer these particular issues. Toyota trucks to 2004 had rusting FRAMES...But bought every single one back or replaced them for many many years and miles. I am reading here Chevy is ignoring that issue. Yeah that would be a concern.
When buying a low mileage used car I have to wonder why the seller was selling it. Just like sellers ask why I am selling my Tacoma with low miles. Everyone I talk to about selling the Tacoma and buying an HHR thinks I should be committed.
Maybe they are right. But I like the HHR. Wish they still made them so GM could correct the pattern issues. People who have them love them. But not enough for GM to keep building them.
Nice to read of your experience and your last line is why I will not pay more than $10,000 for ANY HHR. Maybe $12K for an SS. Every dealer except for selling dealers say the same thing. "Sell it on Craigslist".
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
I understand your concerns, and know you have put a lot of thought into the pending purchase, but really I'd suggest you start looking elsewhere (and I am not saying that to be mean or disrespectful in any way) .
I really get the feeling that you will have regret at the first sign of anything going wrong - being a major or minor item.
I've had Toyota's - two of them over the years, and they are great cars. Would I buy another one? No flippin way - the dealer here is terrible, overcharges with phony add-ons at service time, any major work I've ever had needed a follow-up fix - and sometimes two follow-up visits,etc. Etc..
The HHR isn't anything that special (oh some are gonna hate on me for this I know :) ) it's just a car - and none of them are perfect. Just buy what you feel comfortable with - or what you can put up with (like an old British sportscar).
Best of luck
I really get the feeling that you will have regret at the first sign of anything going wrong - being a major or minor item.
I've had Toyota's - two of them over the years, and they are great cars. Would I buy another one? No flippin way - the dealer here is terrible, overcharges with phony add-ons at service time, any major work I've ever had needed a follow-up fix - and sometimes two follow-up visits,etc. Etc..
The HHR isn't anything that special (oh some are gonna hate on me for this I know :) ) it's just a car - and none of them are perfect. Just buy what you feel comfortable with - or what you can put up with (like an old British sportscar).
Best of luck