Owners' Stories

front windshield wipers do not work. wiper motor has been tested and works. switch on steering column tests okay. concern it might be body control module.

The HHR has that retro-cool look that attracted me to it, the engine has good pep for sure, and it's reasonably comfortable. That said, the car has many drawbacks: All the windows are too small; visibility is awful (I'm a 6'1" guy), so you feel like you're in a cave. Door and windshield pillars too thick, making vision even worse. The door pockets are a joke, they're too small, shallow and the half-moon shape provides storage for maybe a couple packs of gum, and there's plenty of interior door area to have made them bigger. The dash bin, while a good idea, is also too small and shallow as is the glove box. The floor-flush storage bins behind the rear seats are a good idea but in a forgotten location. The radio controls/settings are a bizarre & constant annoyance. The rear window wiper switch is located in an oddball place. The ceiling dome light is near the back of the car (REAL stupid) you can't reach it from drivers seat. While up front you only have map lights or general house lights. The windows/door lock switches are bass ackwards. The interior plastic is Wal-Mart cheap. The fold-flat rear seats are a good feature, giving a flat floor area; but the non-carpeted and hard plastic surface allows stuff to slide around like an ice rink. I bought it used in 2009 w/38k mi. and it already had problems with the heater/AC motor buzzing; sway bar links rattling, creaking suspension, check engine light issues and a hyperactive tranny (downshifting too easily). Fortunately all fixed under warranty. Does not compare well to my previous car, an '06 Vibe. Even though the HHR roof is higher & more horiz. than the Vibe/Matrix, I could stand up under the Vibes hatch when open; not with the HHR. Overall, I wany my Vibe back!!!

Since I bought my '06 HHR LT I have nothing but high marks for this model. 58k and still running strong with a 5 speed manual shift, (yes I said manual), I have all the power and control I need. I do my own oil and air filters servicing so not much in the way of mechanic fees...and with a manual tranny I still have some pretty good pad left on the front disks and rear shoes.... must admit though I take exermely good care, almost boarding on pampering, (hand wash and waxing), of the vehicle so it still looks brand new..clean body and with the exception of a wind shield replacement (damn rocks) and normal tire wear replacement I have had no major expences. I guess it all in the care and upkeep...... an A++

HHR are nothing but a money eater car. You can never get a staight answer when you ask a question. they not sell manuels for it unless u want to pay $195.00 that is just ridicouls. The dealers just want to charge an arm and a leg for working on it. I recommmend that you do not buy unless you look into how much parts are going to cost you. They should not be making computer cars. Especial when they dont want to help diagnose the car.

Smooth riding car built with cheap plastic parts that break easily!! First it was the sun roof air deflector net thing that was held by plastic parts that broke and so now the window wont close all the way. Using tape around the window to prevent water and air from coming in through the roof. Then the driver side handle on the inside broke inside the door. Also a plastic hinge. I want out of this Car!! Thought it was an american made vehicle, discovered it was made in MEXICO!!! Gadgets made of cheap plastic!! Looking at Subaru now =(

My wife was driving hhr today, up to today no complaints, but apparently she had to do a semi-hard brake to avoid collision which caused the roof air bags to deploy. This should not have happened she never hit anything to cause the air bags to deploy, if there was traffic this would of caused an accident all in itself. We called a lawyer tonight to see if any legal action can be taken, our insurance company also plans to take action against Chevy. This just seems to be a design flaw and an obvious safety issue.

No Problems

Decent car but have replaced rotors twice in 60K miles. Also had to get wiring harness fixed (service bulletin) because it rubbed and wore through around the head ($1100). Shifter had to be replaced ($300). The blinkers wouldn't turn off and needed parts replaced in steering column twice ($100 ea)

passanger air bag goes off at random times with the passenger in the seat weighing 180 lbs they say there is no fix for this problem also have had to have the rotors turned the car has less than 25k on it ,I bought this car new i am pleased with the way it drives but would not purchase another GM product because they will not fix the problems and have even been rude

To begin I have had nothing but problems with my HHR. About 15k into having it my rotors warped and my steering column started to rattle when breaking due to the rotors. Also My interior back light has a defect in it, the chevy decal in the back has fallen off. When my car hit 36k the transmition went out due to no fault of my own, when I received my car back from the dealership the check engine light was on. I had a very hard time getting this taken care of because the issue was with the exhaust and that was covered under warranty but the dealer said it was not. Now that my bumper to bumper warranty has expired my service air bag goes on and off at random and just today I have noticed that when I try to use my remote start my car will contently try to start its self for about 1 min. If I get in the car to put my key in the ignition the after doing the remote start it flashes power steering on the display, this only happens when using remote start. Both of my parents retired from GM and I am not very happy with the quality or service I have received

2008 HHR, 37,500 miles, already experiencing Power Steering problems. There is a1.3 million recalls on GM electrical power steering motor, not pump, so, dont be fool, there is no fluid on this one. but, the fail to include HHR's, go figure. be aware!!.

Me and my family love our HHR. We love the miles that we get out of the gas and we can fit just about anything in it we need. I think the only thing I dont really like is where the window buttons are but I'm getting used to it. I do a paper route and the HHR has become the new "it" car for all of us in this distrect.

We only have 42000 miles on this car and have had more than our share of problems with the front suspension. The dealer replaced the bearing assembly on the right side under warranty but now I think the left side is bad. I don't believe you should have these kinds of problems with such low mileage.

bought new put 10,000 miles on it 5 months ordered with 5 speed has great power and mileage up to 33 on highway no a/c averages 28 local handles great embarassed much sporty cars thru curves love this car

have SS model - great response to acceleration; instrument panel lights don't fully illuminate at times (no apparent reason for this) '03 Chevy Silverado did the same; blind spots impair vision at times; none of these faults are deal breakers; I love driving the car.

Higher than expected wind noise at highway speeds and side wind deflection is more than my KIA. Would appreciate better acceleration to cruising speed. Otherwise we are satisfied with the HHR.