Thanks to another poster on this forum, I got the Chevy Customer Assistance Number and called them last night at 800-222-1020. Here I was thinking I was the only one with a stuck ignition key - couldn't turn it or get it out - on my out of warranty 07 HHR Panel. I read the posts here, googled and found some more, and WOW! they need to do a repair campaign on this.

According to a car repair friend, recalls are very serious and sparingly done, but service campaigns are common and we might be able to get them to start one if we all report our issue to GM. The woman on the phone with me was courteous when she told me they - Chevy - don't have a record of the sticking key problem (true or not, that's what she told me). There is no campaign to repair it and pay for our repairs. So I am urging everyone with this issue to call this number and politely get it recorded in the system. We might also take a moment and write a letter to our Congressman in an election year and ask them to look into this. One of the 435 Congressman will take us seriously. Big companies don't like to hear from Congress, believe me. I got my disability insurance reinstated with the mere mention of it to a customer service rep, and my congressman also got me my passport when the govt was shut down in 1995.

Please call Chevy at 800-222-1020. We can turn the tide with 100's of people calling and get some repair money for an obvious problem the car has. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the site TAK07.

 

Welcome to the site.....

Read this post and your other regarding the Customer Service call, both with interest.

However, I would suggest you NEED to get the car repaired yourself. Of course, save the receipt, for a possible reimbursement.

I'm suggesting this because it will take months, if not years, for GM to issue any type of "warranty" repair order. And you will have continual problems, if not absolute failure, until the repair is done.

I believe this effort has little chance of success. A couple hundred complaints are not enough to "force" an issue, IMO. I mean, Chevrolet has built about 500,000 of the HHR's and maybe another half million of the other GM vehicles that utilize the same or similar ignition module or linkage....something like a .05 % failure rate (that's using a 500 complaint number). In most instances, this issue is categorized as normal wear and tear.....especially 5 year old vehicles, and a vehicle that is no longer in the company production outlook.

Now, I do believe certain problems need GM's attention. The steering motor for one. Not only a safety factor, but a repair recognized by GM in another country.

But I do wish you luck.

Oh, forgot to say....I had this problem, under warranty. But I'll call and assist in your effort.

 

All good points you make. Thanks for the gentle push too, I am going to get it fixed, and reluctantly by a dealer at higher cost, as that is the only chance I will have of getting anything back later on. I know GM is publicly indifferent to this issue, and hopes to always avoid another campaign, but I am going to persist. I am hoping (and I always have hope, you will see that in my posts), hoping there is an event where someone in a position of an authority has the same issue and complains publicly. On a separate but related note, US Senator Rand Paul was abused by TSA at the Nashville Airport, and you can bet that after some investigations there will be some changes coming to their procedures.

So, thanks to everyone who can call GM. It only takes a few minutes. If there are only 100 calls, that will at least bring some attention to this problem. GM knows that the majority of people don't call in so there has to be some kind of multiplier they factor in to gauge the seriousness of an issue. I go by something I heard about people who write their federal political reps - 1 hand-written letter represents the feelings of 10,000 constituents. I don't think the multiplier is as high in this case.

Thanks guys.

 

Ok thats why i registered here to find out about this!!My 09 key got stuck on.One dealership tried to charge me $1007 to fix it,I have the estimate and everything!Got it fixed for about $350 but it was a nightmare.

 

This happens to almost all car lines, not to mention other GM vehicles besides the HHR. Google key stuck in ignition to see others with the same problem. Although your call to arms is valiant, it will not accomplish your goal.

Forum members would be better served to either:

A) let their warranty or extended service contract take care of this. or

B) If they have neither of those, contact your local Chevrolet Service department, Ask for the manager and plead your case. Being obnoxious and rude or telling them that "this will be my last Chevrolet" will get you nothing. Letting them know you really like your car and like Chevrolet products may produce desired results. Even if they only partially cover the repair, it's better than you paying retail for the entire repair. Tact and negotiating skills are everything in an out of warranty situation.

I see no further purpose in this thread.