Need your help everyone! We have a 2010 HHR that is experiencing an issue with the brakes that’s causing a concern. While braking, the pedal goes all the way to the floor board, brakes lock, and the vehicle slides. Then the traction and ESC service light appears.
I have taken the vehicle to different mechanics with them telling me that they can’t recreate the issue so it can’t be fixed. Please share your thoughts on this.

 

What codes are stored?

 

Welcome to the site. Possibly the master cylinder is failing or the booster.

 

If the brakes are locking up all 4 tires , then you most likely have an ABS issue. The ABS module itself would be my guess.
Yes. Get the codes pulled with a reader that does ABS codes.

 

The ABS codes can only be read when the ABS light is on. The are not saved.
If it can't be reproduced ask yourself "what is different". There must be something different, what exact circumstances?
All 4 brakes lock up After the pedal hits the floor or on the way down?
Test the booster by pump the pedal engine off until it is hard then turn the engine on while your foot is still on the pedal. It should go to the floor.
Has anybody adjusted the rear brakes? Has anybody bled the brakes?

 

Our 2011 LS brake pedal started behaving oddly. On moderately firm pressure, would "step down" for lack of a better way to say it.

My wife is the driver. She always backs up VERY slowly and carefully.

On a hunch, I hit the brakes firmly while backing, about 40 times. (Several times per backup.)

Problem went away and never returned. That was about a month ago.

Can't say I fully understand it because I've never personally had those rear drum brakes apart.

 

I think the ABS module is starting to puke. When they have internal problems and can't release the dump valve this can happen. You can drive with the ABS fuse pulled until you can get it fixed but you are likely looking at a new ABS unit.

 

The rear brakes needed to be adjusted. If you are lucky, stomping on the pedal while backing up makes the self-adjusters work; they don't work very often. 2009-2011 are more reliable than 2006-2008. 2009-2011 use a Bendix system, 2006-2008 use a Universal Spring system.

I bet complaints about vibration while braking have reduced.

This is guess work, since I can't find any citations: 2006-2008 are supposed to self-adjust when you pull the E-brake while moving FORWARD; 2009-2011 work when applying the graves while REVERSING.

I might have 2009 on the wrong side, the change happened around that time.

 

He was lucky.

 

Yes, that was my assumption, that wifey was never actuating the self adjusters due to her cautious backing. Thanks for confirming that they work in a manner similar to many other cars. Reassuring to know about the improvement.

Come to think of it, there was occasional rattle while braking in a turn. Assumed it was something loosing in front. Will pay attention and see if it's still happening

Thanks. I had never heard of that, never noticed on our 2008.

And yeah, I do feel lucky. Only posted this on the outside chance that it could be related to the OP's problem or that someone might stumble upon it in the future.