2006 Chevrolet HHR: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Aug 2, 2025 · Body, Engine · TX

The door few open because the door latch broke off

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · DE

while driving the car after a few miles, the door locks start going up and down, the power steering light comes on and is hard to steer, the check engine light comes on, the speedometer stops working and the tach malfunctions. the car surges while moving foward. if you shut the car off it will reset itself. once you start the car again it starts to malfunction again. one gararge owner did some tests but didn't fix the problem

Filed Jul 27, 2023 · Electrical, Locks · 92,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and would not properly accelerate. Additionally, the front passenger’s side door would not open while using the interior door latch. The contact stated while using the cigarette lighter, the vehicle shut off, and smoke filled the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 101,000 miles · MO

Air bag light has come on while driving most of the time now and lights and electrical has gone haywire lights flashing and door locks opening on their own.

Filed Oct 4, 2019 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · IL

Ignition switch was involved in recall a few years back and dealership say they replaced it but now I'm having problems out of switch again when I take key out ignition and open driver door the chime comes on like key is still in ignition switch and door will not lock when I hit door lock all 3 other door lock but not driver door and its draining battery because it's still telling key is in ignition when it's not if I turn it back and forth a few times sometimes it will lock and the chime will stop

Filed Nov 9, 2018 · Fuel system, Steering · 135,000 miles · NY

I have had a terrible time with the power steering on my 2006 chevy hhr. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There is no apparent cause. These changes from working to not working and back can happen at any time at any speed. Fortunately I am strong enough to wrestle with it and steer it manually so far. I received a notice from gm about it but the dealer refused to honor it. They replaced the power steering motor and charged me over $300, but that didn't do any good. Also twice a message appeared about reduced engine power and the engine had almost no power to get up hills. I was creeping along at about 10 MPH on a super highway. I shut off the engine, turned it on again after a few minutes and the engine had normal power again. Also the door lock light comes on for no apparent reason when I'm driving. The dealer claims that the problems can't be diagnosed unless they see it acting up. Of course it doesn't do these things when it is in the shop. I am really disgusted.

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 Mar 1, 2017 · Body · 120,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the front passenger and the front driver side interior door handles fractured. The contact advised he had previously replaced the front driver side interior door handle and panel however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2017 · CA

My 2006 hhr has a defect with the door latches. I have already paid once to have it fixed, then it broke again. Now both my driver's side and passenger side door latches are not working. I feel that if I get them fixed that they will break again. I can't afford to fix them. If I was to get in an accident or an emergency happens I would not be able to get out without opening the windows and reaching for the outside door, in which I have short arms. I already have got stuck in my car already because I went inside without my key and could not roll down the window to get out. I had to call someone to let me out. This is so dangerous.

Filed Aug 16, 2016 · Body · 36,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the driver side interior door handle was detached from the door for the second time. The contact had to exit the vehicle by putting her hand through the window to open the door from the outside. The dealer was notified of the failure and repairs were made. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed May 26, 2016 · Body · 90,000 miles · PA

Interior door handle has broken on both the driver side door and front passenger door. This happened on 2 separate occasions while trying to open the door to get out while parked. The drivers side entire door had to be replaced by the dealership. The passenger door has not been fixed yet.

Filed Feb 25, 2016 · Body, Electrical · 175,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side door handles fractured. The failure happened without warning. The contact was unable to exit the vehicle. The battery also failed and prevented the driver and passenger side windows from being used. The vehicle was diagnosed and the door handles were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 175,000.