2006 Chevrolet HHR: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 20, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 200,000 miles · MI

While driving down the road we had a handful of times where the lights would flicker. We were told we had to replace the headlight/blinker switch as it was faulty due to this vehicle having the "lights- auto on/off" switch located on this. We did, it didn't fix it. We were told loose headlight bulbs. Replaced, still happens. Only now, we have zero dim lights but only headlights if we turn on highbeams (brights). Still, we get the flickering headlights, this doesn't effect the blinker lights, yellow running lights or seem to effect the brake lights. Part of the auto lights deal is when it's dark, it will dim the dash lights so they aren't intrusive to your driving, but if it's broad daylight, they will brighten so your able to see them. I'll start the vehicle, and the dash will be completely dim, so dim you can barely see it. After driving a good length of time (at least 30 minutes!) they'll flash between bright and dim, daylight or dark this happens. This also happens when the headlights go completely out. They claim all fuses are fine and wording harness is fine but, obviously it's not. I have been reading some forums in the chevyhhr.net and I am not the only person with this issue. This has caused someone to nearly hit me head on as I was trying to move off the road due to my headlights going out, and they were attempting to pass a vehicle, and had to move to my lane to do so! I have children, and after school activities end when the sun is going down/it's dark out so to travel home, the sun is off the horizon and it's pitch black out. This also seems to cause my battery to drain, and need a jump daily. I was told my battery needed replaced, did that still no fix, told it was my alternator, still isn't fixed. Than I was told I must be leaving internal lights on when exiting the car. Something is not right with this vehicle and it is very unsafe!

Filed Feb 12, 2016 · Lights, Steering · 151,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn intermittently before failing completely. The contact also stated that the low beam headlights failed. The contact stated that the bulbs were replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.

Filed Jun 15, 2015 · Lights · VA

Right rear brake light light socket melted lock-in area to lens. Both headlights are starting to burn through lens on turn signal bulb inside hl.

Filed Jan 20, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 40,000 miles · NY

The key to my 2006 hhr would not come out of the ignition. As a result the automatic headlights would not go out and the vehicle could not be locked. This happened while I was traveling, which put my personal safety at risk and if I left my vehicle for any reason it could have easily been stolen. I have been online and found that several other owners have experienced this problem.

Filed Aug 31, 2008 · Lights · 63,000 miles · VA

When switching headlights to high beams, the auto lights have a tendency to completely turn off - leaving the driver with no ability to see the road. This has happened to me at least 10 times since february of this year (2008). It could easily cause an accident since you cannot see where you are going and in a panic to turn them back on you are all over the road! It is extremely dangerous and extremely frightening!

Filed Nov 29, 2007 · Electrical · MD

Three times previously and again in the past week for the 4th time my 2006 chevrolet hhr has been taken in to the dealers service department for the same problem-- which I believe is a very dangerous problem and which the service department can not identify. My 2006 hhr has the propensity to "turn itself off" while being driven on roads or highways. This tends to occur when crossing over small potholes, bumps or joints in the road. The first 2 times that the auto was taken in to service department they said no problem could be identified. The third time, in december 2006, they stated that there was a problem with a "ground" wire and they said that they had fixed the problem. However in the past months intermittently the car has again had episodes of "turning itself off" and these episodes have been increasing in frequency and have become extremely scary. On 11/22/07 while being driven on divided superhighways at speeds 55-65 MPH, approximately 10 times after crossing over joints in the roadway or small potholes or bumps in the road the car totally turned itself off. The electrical system seemed to fail with headlights and dashboard lights going off, radio going off, and engine turning off completely). Luckily no one crashed into the car while it had turned itself off on the busy superhighway-- even though the car was still gliding forward on the highway without power. The car was taken 11/23/07 again (for the 4 the time in the past 2 years) to fitzgerald auto mall in frederick, maryland to try to have them fix the problem. Today the service manager reported no problem with the car could be identified. I believe that this vehicle unsafe to drive since it unpredictably turns itself off. I believe there is some as yet unidentified electrical system problem that is very dangerous in this vehicle, and it is just a miracle that no one has been killed yet.