Yeah, it happened to me 2 days after I bought the HHR...but luckily I have an extended warranty so it was covered. (I think it was actually still in factory warranty at that point...but either way)

 

Happen to me last night. On out of town for x-mas. Went to a dealer in a small (pop. 1800) town in OK. As soon as I said I could not get the key out they said you need a new shifter. They showed me a small spot under the sterring wheel to remove a cover, just bigger than your finger. Put finger up in there push a small button to the left and key will turn and come out.