My '99 Chevy Lumina has been running strong with not too many issues for the age or miles (knock on wood)... Plus, it was a rental back in 1999. Just because it's a rental doesn't mean it's a bad car, or just because it's GM doesn't mean it's bad either. Every manufacture has their share of great cars and not so great cars... I haven't had any major issues with my HHR...just little noise problems that I had fixed since it was under warranty, but nothing that would interfere with my safety, or the safety of others.

It's too bad problems brought you to the site, but I hope you get them all figured out and enjoy your car!

 

I think these sites tend to draw folks that are having problems. If you go through the threads for any car sites, you will read about problems that owners are having in quantities that would likely steer you away from that particular car. I see problems in Ford sites, Lexus sites, Acura sites, virtually all of them. As far as the HHR, my assesment is, it is certainly not perfect, but IMO for what it is, its size and price range, its a very competative car. Not problem free, but again IMO not problem prone either. Just my 2 cents.

 

X2
I had the first minor issue at 110,000 miles.
Have Fun with the small stuff.