Hi folks

I'm new here and would be very grateful for some advice.

The wife has a 2006 HHR LT, which she loves. It's all out of warranty, etc. Yesterday, on a shopping trip, it developed the dreaded stuck key / shifter problem. When it happened, we were near a Chevy dealer, so I went in to ask if it was a known problem with an easy fix - the chap said we'd need a new cylinder for the lock, new keys etc. He didn't mention the trick in the manual for removing the key and didn't mention the shifter, interlock etc. I smelled a rat and left.

When we got home, I read up on it (lots of threads here) and am pretty sure that we have the usual issue - the key won't release when in park and the shifter moves freely without pressing the button.

As a result of my reading, I've come to believe that it's a fairly common problem and a design flaw that GM really ought to do something about. So I called them to ask about the possibility of a courtesy repair. They told me that only a District Specialist could authorize that and I couldn't be referred to one until I'd visited a Chevy dealer to have the problem diagnosed.

So, here's my dilemma: As best I can work out, the replacement shifter is GM PART # 25864103 and GM Parts Direct has those for $93.59.

Is it really worth my while to pay a dealer $53 to tell me what I already know, just so that I can gamble on getting a courtesy repair, or should I just bite the bullet, order the part and do it myself?

 

Well I know the 06 had the shift interlock problem. My 09 got the dreaded stuck key as well. But mine just needed a new key cylinder. Anyway my dealer went ahead and fixed it. I was out of warrenty and I forgot the term they used. Basically they grandfathered me in. So I would try and get them to cover it. Depends on the dealer. Im sure you will get some more advice. How many miles are on it?

Also I dont know about your dealer but some put the money to diagnose toward the repair if you get it fixed by the dealer. Just something to ask them.

 

I would just buy the part and fix it. It was a known issue and you might get lucky... but right now you are 3 years out of warranty. If it was an expensive fix, it would be worth trying to get assistance from GM but it's not. If it were my car I would just fix it and be done with it.

 

I'd just do the repair or have it done... I doubt GM will help you on this one.

Before you shell out money for the shifter have you seen the threads on the forum about repairing the existing shifter? I think at least two guys here have done this... For very little cash outlay, just time and labor. One posted a complete how to.

 

I bought a new shifter for my 06, 2 years ago.
The stealer charged 180 bucks for it and had to special order it.
I didn't do any checking on here till I did the removal and install of the new part.
Since then I've come to check out this foreum for every thing, and have SAVED A TON OF $$$$.
In hindsite the fix on here is a step by step with photos,
and looks very easy.

 

Thanks, folks. I was kind of leaning towards just doing it and your views reinforce that. I've found used '06 or '07 units for cheaper, on ebay, but that would just be putting the same problem back in, so I think a new part with the redesign would be a better bet.

Re the fix instead of the swap, I've read at least one thread on that and it does look feasible. Generally I'd lean towards replacement, but the inspection is due end of the month and waiting for the part could easily eat up most of the remaining time, so I might have to go that route (even if only temporarily) just to pass inspection.

That leaves me with the broader issue of GM pretending that a clear design flaw doesn't exist. I searched the NTSB site and found only two complaints for this issue. I'll add mine, but I wonder what would happen if everybody here who has experienced this filed a report.

Also (and I ask this from a position of complete ignorance) has anybody ever heard of somebody suing an auto manufacturer in small claims for something like this, to recover the costs of the repair? I'm no fan of the litigious aspect of our society, but given that small claims is cheap and needn't involve a lawyer, it seems well suited to this type of issue.

 

Another question, somewhat more practical than my meanderings above:

Can anybody say for sure what year GM changed the design of the shifter to include the metal reinforcement? I ask because a quick rummage around on ebay found used assemblies from 2006 through 2011, starting at $50 and with more likelihood of getting here in time for the inspection than a new part would.

Is there any reason not to replace it with a used part from a later HHR?

 

This is completely up to you; however, the information you have been provided is correct. In order for your situation to be escalated to a District Specialist we need to have a diagnosis from a GM dealership within the last 30 days.

I would like to research the Special Coverage information I have within my resources. Please, send me a private message with your VIN.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Thank you for sharing your situation. I believe the word you were looking for is "goodwill"?

I am glad your dealership got this resolved for you.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

This is no longer "goodwill". It is now called "policy". Goodwill now represents things given to a customer that are NOT repairs.