Mine is going in Wednesday for that issue...

And the radio "pop" issue, the clunking steering column issue, wheel balance, squeeky driver's seat, and 6k service. (figured I better pay for something so they take me seriously next time)

 

Regarding the key not releasing from the steering column, my 2006 is doing it and sometimes giggling the gear shift helps, sometimes restarting the car, putting it in reverse and stopping again releases it, sometimes holding the brake pedal down while taking the key out helps. HOWEVER, it can get worse. I rented an HHR last summer and discovered the first time I stopped that the key would not come out AT ALL. 45 minutes on the cell phone with the rental help line provided the fact that there is a cover on the underside of the steering column that you can remove, reach up in the column with your index finger and feel around for the pressure release switch. On a two week vacation, I got very good and manually releasing the key. According to the rental company, this is common issue.

 

Page 2-22 of the 06 manual
Page 118 of the 07 manual
Page 2-24 of the 08 manual

Manuals can be found here.....

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/online-owners-manual-3074/

 

I had this happen for the first time this morning as I got to work.

I didn't know about the manual release, so I left work and headed to the dealer. I'm out of warranty, so I wasn't happy to be told I needed a new shifter and with labor it'd be $456+tax. The guy showed me the manual release, and I'm using that for now.

Has anyone fixed this themselves. I'm handy enough and can follow directions--I'm thinking it won't be hard. I have a 2006, and I want to make sure I get the correct part. I've seen 2 or 3 different part numbers in this thread, does anyone know which is correct for 2006? Is it: 15926921?

 

I have an '06 2LT and I'm having the issue of it not releasing the key when I turn the car off. Can anyone verify which part number I need to ask about? Is there a TSB, if so, can someone post the # for me.

I'm hitting my dealer tomorrow for a LONG laundry list of problems, this among them. For pretty much everything else I've got a TSB#.

Thanks!

 

Looking at my papers from Nov. 06, part no.--15828149.

 

Hey folks,

Thanks for all the info on this fix. Talked about pissed off when it happened! So is this fix covered under the 36,000 mile "everything" or the 100,000 "powertrain" warranty? I am at 44k right now, so I am hoping that it's the 100,000 warranty otherwise I will be giving a call to GM .

Hopefully this question hasn't already been answered. Any info will help. Thanks!

Bill

 

No,it's covered under the 3/36,000 portion.
A note here about GM parts insanity.The part number given above for the shifter(15828149)is for the assembly with a leather shift knob.It lists for $150.The shifter assembly with the plastic knob is $153.75.But wait.This gets better!The leather knob by itself is $78.54.The NON leather knob by itself lists for $122.51!Ya gotta love GMSPO.

 

well looks like baby and i have join a special group of hhrs. this started on thursday nite a dealer on sat showed me the release button. trying to wait until the oil change to do it all. i didnt expect this at 40,000 miles tho.

 

Is the dealer or GM going to cover it, considering you've driven out the warranty?