I've had a problem w/ the driver's door lock not fully "engaging" ever since I bought the car. I've already had the entire piece replaced under warranty at the dealer but it's still doing it. When I lock/unlock the doors, the driver's lock won't fully raise, leaving my door still locked and I'm left with no option but to reach up and pull the lock up 1/4" roughly to disengage it and unlock my door. Is that a design flaw? I'm thinking of drilling out the opening in the door to see if the lock's getting caught in a piece of flashing in the door, or I'm thinking the hole it pops up through might be a touch too small since it happens occasionally and not EVERY single time. Any suggestions out there? I don't want to keep going back n forth to the dealer if I don't HAVE to.

Later
Allex

 

Remove the lock knob, and using a sharp knife carefully trim the inside of the hole.

This has worked for a number of folks, including me.

Cajun / Al

 

Im having the same issue with my rear passenger side door. There is a GM bulletin about the drivers door and removing excess trim material with a knife.

 

Awesome info guys! I figured that excess material (i.e. plastic flashing) may have been the culprit. Is there a how-to on removing the lock knobs, I read here that there's a special tool to take it off, and only dealer techs have it??

Later
Allex

 

An exacto knife works great on this repair.

Here is a link to the bulletin.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...231&page=10#96

 

Sorry, but I forgot to update this. I trimmed the flashing on both front driver + passenger doors and no more stuck locks thanks to you all!

Later
Allex

 

I have to do this.

 

I need to also, my driver's door is sticking.

 

FYI

I removed the door panel and used an oversized drill bit to open mine up. Even went so far to spray white lithium lube on the shaft and around the rod where it rubbs the soundproofing. Did not change a thing, I think the acuator in the lock mechanizm is weak, too bad for us they used the cheapest vendor.

I just get in the habit of pushing down the knob when I exit the car then hitting the lock button on the key fob, if I don't I never know for sure the driver door is locked or not. Mosty of the time it will let me out ok, but not always.

 

I have a new 2010 HHR. I previously had a 2007. The new HHR has this problem on the drivers door only. So even though there was a service bulletin and it is a known problem to GM, they still have not fixed it on the 2010's. Fyi.