Wow, I can't believe this...sadly we have yet, another problem, with our HHR ~ at first, it seemed like it was shifting "hard", when I was on my way to go pick up my Mom, early Friday evening ~ I was hoping it wasn't a sign of something yet to come, but apparently it was, because after once stopping, and turning off, the car, at my Mom's house, later in the evening, when I went to go home, it wouldn't shift out of PARK for ANYTHING ~ my key did not get stuck, in the ignition or anything (I've been reading of some HHR owner's having that problem?)~ but again, it would not shift at ALL, I had to have it towed to the dealership, and will have to wait, to hear, what the deal is~ I'm truly starting to wonder if our car is a lemon, we've NEVER, EVER, had these many problems with a car with 60K miles, and only a little over 3 years old, before in over 10 years So far we've had the power steering go completely, out on us (which our dealership repaired/replaced just last month, of course it wasn't under warranty!), now we can't shift out of park, and even drive the car, ugh! If anyone has had experience with this situation/problem please post here, I'd love to know of any tips or possible help, thanks so much!
I forgot to add, it's an LS/2006 if that helps!

 

I see I've had 22 views, can't anyone help me with this issue? I'm so worried about what might be wrong, any possible help would be awesome!!

 

sorry for your problem it sounds like a linkage issue,was it on level ground?

 

^^ Agreed w/ davidjb, was the HHR on level ground, or was it at some type of incline?

Silly question, but is it a manual or auto tranny? Was the fluid ever checked if it was a manual? I know you can't check or change the trans fluid in the auto yourself, that typically "should" last you 100K miles. Even outside temperature "MAY" have an affect on vehicles left outdoors. If the car started up, did you let it warm up enough to let the tranny fluid warm up to operating temp.??? All things to consider when troubleshooting a problem. Hope some of this helps!

Later
Allex

 

Hi, yes, it was on level ground- Parked on a regular side street! What do you mean when you say a linkage issue, thanks for your help!!
Hi Asanti, sorry just now saw your post as well- It's an automatic, if that helps - was able to start the car up easily, but no, didn't run it for more than 4-5 minutes. It was very cold last night, maybe 15 degrees, could that have any effect? Thanks for your help! It's currently at the dealership, they'll be running a test on it free of charge, this afternoon, praying for the best!! :)

 

One more thing to consider: with the outside temps being as cold as they are (I see you're in OH) did you happen to drive through any large puddles or snow? There's an OFF chance the linkages may have frozen if they were waterlogged.... I'm just brainstorming here for ya, but that did happen to me before when I owned my Mustang. I had to let the car sit over 45 min while everything warmed up enough to "loosen".

Allex

 

If you've a manual tranny, the linkages might have popped loose, so you can't "shift" out of park or go into any gear basically (those w/ a manual can chime in). In an auto, parking on an incline CAN put enough strain on the tranny to not easily let it shift out of Park.

Later
Allex

 

I believe he is saying the shifter won't come out of park. Which would indicate it's a shifter problem.

 

I feel silly asking, LOL, but I'm assuming auto means, not a shift, that's what a manual is, right? LOL! Ours is an automatic, I'm sure (not stick shift), so the linkeage issue probably doesn't apply? We had a wheel bearing replaced earlier that day, not sure if that could be an issue ? Don't think we drove through any puddles or snow worth mentioning! :)
To answer the above post, yes it's the shifter that won't come out of park!!

 

OK so if it's the shifter not moving (auto= automatic transmission! sorry lol), it's been said that if any liquids have been (accidentally) spilled on the shifter, that can happen. If not there may be a problem with one of the rods in the shift linkage.