2006 Chevrolet HHR: won't start

Filed Aug 22, 2017 · Transmission · VA

The shift lever shows the vehicle in park but the actual gear is reverse because the transmission shift cable adjustment clip has become dislodged from its position and will not engage to the proper gear. As a result the vehicle will not start and it will also roll backwards without engaging the parking brake. It was stationary when I was attempting to park it but it then rolled backwards down a hill because it was not engaging in park and almost hit another vehicle before I could apply the parking brake. This issue is the same issue that is part of a recall 09v073000 for my specific vehicle; however it doesn't include my year or VIN so the dealers are not trying to repair it for me without cost.

Filed May 30, 2017 · Electrical · 139,000 miles · GA

My 2006 chevrolet hhr's display kept flashing "check charge sys" and "battery saver on." a mechanic said to replace the battery. I did before embarking on a 200-mile weekend trip. About 30 miles into the trip, both displays returned. But the hhr performed normally. About 170 miles into my trip, I stopped to eat. My hhr would not crank. A teen offered a jump. Car started, but the gear lock kept it in park. With modest pressure, I was able to shift. About 3 miles later on a divided highway, I experienced difficult steering, door locks went up and down, then silence. Everything shut down. Luckily, traffic was light and from the right lane, I was able to steer my hhr off the highway. Had this been at night, in heavy traffic, rain or at a higher speed, I believe my life or others would have been in danger. My car was towed, and this mechanic replaced the alternator. Chevrolet's display should have warned "alternator failure." and my gear lock was so flimsy, it failed in preventing me from driving. Now, I have a gear shift with no protection from accidental shifting, and my key is stuck in the ignition. I do not wish to be a statistic. Please feel free to contact me if further details are needed.

Filed Feb 10, 2016 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · NV

My car was involved in the ignition recall...took it in had it all fixed. Now that same switch has gone faulty again. The car will not turn over. Acts just like the starter is going out, it slow to start and gets worse and worse till it will no longer start. I have had the battery replaced and starter(due to that seemed to be the issue. After digging deeper into the diagnostic code I have discovered that switch keeps coming up as an issue.

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Airbags, Engine · FL

On 3/28/14 I was driving on highway at 6:30am and my car just turned off displaying engine power reduced. Taken to dealer and they claimed it was notice and now it been 4 times this has happened. Recently on 10/11/14 I was driving home from work and stop at a red light when my car began to shake and on dash display message read engine power reduce which at this point my car cut off and would not start back up.. I waited about 10 min and turned it on again.. This problem has been recurrent since then and now my child safety latches when put on will not let doors close and when moved to open position the safety lock will not reposition itself to the open position. Recently on 10/07/14 my service airbags message displayed for no reason. I have contacted dealership and they don't know why this is happening but wont trade my car for another and I have contacted gm and still no one has helped me these issues. I fear for mine and my family life in this car.

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Electrical · FL

Letter from senator rubio on behalf of constituent regarding issues with his 2006 chevrolet hhr; he is seeking reimbursement for the lost billing time and repairs associated with the recall of the hhr chevrolet; attn: jason teaman. *smd the consumer stated he encountered multiple problems with the vehicle, ever since it was purchased. Many of the problems were related to the faulty ignition switch, where the key would not come out of the ignition, when the engine was turned off, or the vehicle would not start at all. There were electrical problems with the radio, where it would turn on by itself. Also, the lights and windows did not work. *jb updated 04/13/15.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 22,000 miles · CA

When notified regarding the recall of the vehicle in april, I contacted the local chevrolet dealer in upland california and ordered the necessary parts to repair the vehicle. I was told that the parts would in the dealership within two months. Calling the dealer in may, I was told that the parts had not come in yet. Yesterday the car would not start due to the ignition switch. The car was towed to the mountain view chevrolet in upland, where I was informed that they had no record of the parts being ordered, and that it would take two months to get the parts. I called chevrolet customer service and was told that recall parts could not be expedited. It means I have to wait two more months to drive the car again.

Filed Jun 12, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · NY

2006 chevrolet hhr. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall and power steering and other vehicle problems. *smd the consumer stated two days after getting the vehicle back from the dealer, the vehicle had to be flat-bedded back to the dealer, because it wouldn't start. It was determined the ignition switch needed to be replaced. Also, the right passenger outside mirror fell off, the right passenger wiper arm broke, the rotors were replaced twice in two years, and the rear shocks were replaced.

Filed Jun 11, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 40,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. While starting the ignition, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the power steering also failed. Three days later, the engine stalled while attempting to start the vehicle numerous times. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. .... Updated 08/05/14 *bf the consumer stated while driving the vehicle lost power steering the power steering went on and off repeatedly while driving. Three days later the vehicle would not start. The starter was replaced which resolved the issue.the vehicle had a recall for the ignition not steering loss. Updated 08/11/2014

Filed Jun 9, 2014 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · RI

Had the new key ignition system put in a week ago and got two new keys.under recall notice . Was shopping shut car off and car would not start again call for service and was told car would not detect new keys now, car back at dealers. To find out why it failed after only a week, dealer said didn't know why new system failed. Has to talk to gm.

Filed Nov 28, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 146,217 miles · VA

I drove my vehicle to new jersey for vacation but came back to virginia within two days. Upon my arrival in virginia, I repacked my bags and headed to charlotte, nc. All the driving that I was doing was highway driving. To new jersey I drove I-81 north and I-78 east. To charlotte, nc I drove 220 south and I-85 south. After I got off on I-85 south to go back to the hotel on the way up the hill towards the hotel the car stopped moving forward. It would rev up when pushing on the accelerator but would not move forward. The car however would shift gears and go in reverse. I parked the car in a parking lot and had called my insurance company to have the car towed to the local chevrolet dealership.the dealership determined that the transmission failed but could not give me a determination as to why it failed. Had the transmission failed as I was speeding down I-85 south there would have been a serious accident. Additionally, this morning (august 22nd , 2012) the car would not start. The lights inside the car would come on such as the gauge lights, radio, etc but the engine would not turn over. I had the car towed to the midpoint chevrolet dealership and it was determined that the starter was bad and thus had to be replaced. Also, the morning of november 24th upon returning to my car from a night out the car would not start again. This time no lights would come on. The only indication that there was at least some power was the indicator light on my car charger. I contacted my insurance company and received a jump start from a local tow service and the vehicle has been running smoothly ever since. This has occurred twice in the last few months but there is no indication as to what may be draining the battery's power. I have had the battery checked twice and on these two occasions and is deemed to still be good.

Filed Nov 12, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · 97,000 miles · DE

I put my car in park and when I went to take the key out of the ignition it would not come out. I realized that the key would not come out because the gear shifter piece was pushed all the way in, it was broke. This meant that my car was left on and the battery was drained because I could not turn my car off. Now my car will not start at all the battery is charged but the car will not turnover. I have looked online and have found that there are many complaints concerning the same problem with this vehicle. I am told by the dealership that I have to pay $710 to have this problem fixed. Can you please look into this because this seems to be a big problem.

Filed Apr 14, 2011 · Body, Locks · 56,663 miles · TX

The interior door handles on the 2006 chevrolet hhr fell off. The only way to fix it is to replace the entire door panel just for the cheap plastic handle for approximately $500.00. If I was in an accident and the car would not start again, I could not get out of the car through the driver's side because I would not be able to roll down the window to open the door from the outside. Or if the car were on fire, I simply would not be able to escape. This needs to be a recall item as this is a huge safety factor. A bigger safety factor that the latch on the pop up middle console on the chevy hhr that was recalled back in 2008 (I think). There are blogs all over the internet of people like me who are experiencing the same problem. I am a single working girl who simply cannot afford a $500 interior door panel replacement for a cheap plastic handle because this is not reasonable. I tried to get chevy to replace it and they simply said they would give me a $40 discount. That is ridiculous!!! I bought the car be cause it was economical and not one thing about this replacement sounds economical. This is a safety hazard and could lead to a death.