2006 Chevrolet HHR: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 16, 2016 · Fuel system, Suspension · 166,054 miles · NC

Car started smelling gas inside when driving and have to open the window to get some fresh air. A clicking noise, too much noise from the front suspension when turning or driving..l took the car for oil change and the dealer tech did not want to drive the car stating that it's safety issues. They said the lower control arms has been wear out and that the "sway bar"is shorter wearing my tires. In just this year l have change the 4 tires twice. Discount tires said they have not seen such a thing before the wearing occures in the inside part of the tires... The entire front suspension is collapsing. Gm need to issues a recall for these issues.... The dealer gave me a repair quote of almost $3000 ...gm need to take responsibility of all these issues and offer a credit or repurchased the car back... L have children that l transporter back and forth to school and to hospital...and need a safer car...

Filed Jul 21, 2015 · Suspension · 37,500 miles · CA

A "clunking" noise from the front suspension when turning into a driveway or dip in street at 3 or 4 miles per hour. This problem has been taken to the chevrolet dealership and to an independent auto repair shop where I was told the "lower control arms rear bushing was torn (rubber) and therefore allowing the arm to move to where it contacts the frame of the vehicle. This is dangerous, and could very well cause the steering to malfunction at a most inappropriate time resulting in a collapse of the front end suspension. I would like gm to correct this defect in engineering, and if they cannot to repurchase my vehicle so I can purchase a safe and more reliable vehicle.

Filed Oct 14, 2012 · Driver assistance, Engine · 54,000 miles · CA

This is an ongoing safety problem that chevy/gm doesn't care to worry about. My cars steering wheel shakes when I am driving. Sometimes to the point of the car to be uncontrollable in addition to this the traction control light goes on along with the engine light. I have brought this in to the dealer every two months and have been told a combination of what the dealers mechanics feel the problem is. I have had steering columns replaced, cam shaft solenoids, bushings, rotors. The list goes on. Nothing has fixed the issue. Today bringing back to the dealer I am now told that I am lucky to be alive as both control arms in the front are seconds from breaking along with the links that keep the car stable.. The mechanic shared that had I hit a pothole I would have died as the car would have spun out of control and impossible to recover as I would have no way to control the steering wheel. Now having two kids, and this being an ongoing problem one would think that chevy/gm would pay for the replacement of their faulty part. I cant afford a new car, and I can no longer afford to pay for gm's mistakes. My car is paid off and now I don't feel safe driving it. To "fix it" and I say this loosely it will cost 1,800 out of my pocket.

Filed Apr 11, 2011 · Steering · 77,000 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway I hear a ding ding noise and an indication light comes on saying power steering. I am making my way off the freeway and in the middle of the off ramp my power steering goes out making it almost impossible to turn. I pull into a gas station and turn off the car calling aaa for road side assistance. I had stopped suddenly in the middle of the gas station as I was scared, so I had to re park the car. I turned the car back on and the power steering came back on so I cancelled aaa and I started making my way back home when.... Ding ding power steering indication again and as im pulling off again power steering goes out making it impossible to get off the free way safely!!! My car is now parked in the driveway until I can afford to fix it and in the mean time have no car. Ive been told its the defaulty eps motor made in china and it is going out on all chevy hhrs but still have not been recalled. I have read thousands of complaints about the same issue as mine after this has happened to me. Not only has my power steering gone out but also my struts, brakes, roters and ball joints!! The gm warrenty does not cover any of these things so its all coming out of my pocket! I have all the reciepts for everything but have no recall on this 2006 chevy hhr yet?? Why, read the reviews and compliants there are several saftey issues with this car. I have owned chevys 15 years and I have never had so many issues. Ya also so purchased a chevy aveo dont even go there bought new broke down in the first month. Chevy hhr is an un safe vehicle and chevy is going to loose by treating consumers this way.

Filed Mar 17, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 69,000 miles · MI

Key gets stuck / can not turn to off position and remove the key. If you can not remove the key within an hour, your battery will be depleted. There is an actuating rod in the shifter that pushes a micro switch that completes a circuit to pull a solenoid in the steering column to allow the ignition switch to be tuned to the off position (and remove the key) when in park. The plastic part in the shifter assembly breaks and allows the actuating rod to fall out. The fix for this is to replace the shifter assembly. $185 not including labor. The quick fix for this is there is a plastic plug on the under side of the steering column. Inside you have to feel for the end of that solenoid and depress it to release the key. Gm tsb #06-07-30-004f acknowledges the common occurrence of this failure from 2006 to 2010 hhr, cobalt, and pontiac g5 . Although, if you are out of warranty, your dealer may be reluctant to fix this problem without cost. Tires, ball joints, brakes, what have you, fail and are, no doubt, a common occurrence. If fact that is to be expected. But the shifter in an automatic? I would think that the shifter in an automatic should last the lifetime of the car. Imo, they installed a poorly made part. To me, this is obvious since they are stating in that tsb, 2006 - 2010 shifter are expected to fall apart as mine did. I have a 1965 plymouth belvedere, the oldest car in my possession, that the shifter never needed to be repaired. In fact I've never had an automatic shifter problem with any car. It was stated in a forum that gm should have considered a metal collar or ring around the plastic bit that holds that pin to reinforce it and this problem would have never become a nuisance. Also, when that pin falls out, the shift lever is free to move without pressing the shift button on the front of the shift lever, so it could accidentally be moved to another gear while driving, even reverse!! I guess that is not enough of a safety issue for gm to worry about.

Filed Jun 22, 2009 · Brakes, Suspension · 36,420 miles · OH

2006 chevy hhr lt 2.4 liter - rattle when going over bumps and vibration when braking. Just past 36000 mile warranty. Contacted chevy customer service-requested taking vehicle to dealer. Dealer states problems with lower control arm, strut stabilizers, brake rotors. Dealer waiting on authorization from chevy customer service. Chevy customer service says contact them if dealer won't complete repairs under warranty. At present vehicle is still at dealer and no one has contacted me with any type of resolution. Note - vehicle rides well and tires show no unusual or uneven wear.

Filed Jun 16, 2009 · Suspension · PA

Bought 2006 hhr lt in november 2005, and have had nothing but problems with the front brake rotors and front suspension. Had the car back to the dealer when I first noticed problems within 5 months...front brake shimmy/shake...rotors were cut 2 times under warranty, which fixed the problem initially. I thought it odd that rotors would need to be cut with approx. 2000 and 6000 miles on the car...was told it must be our 'driving habits'. I paid for high-end drilled/slotted rotors a year ago (approx. 36000 miles), had them installed by an independent mechanic, who said the rear brakes were so far out of adjustment, he wondered how we stopped the car. Problem was ok for about a year, but has since returned...this seems to be a serious design flaw that needs to be addressed. The other problem is with the front suspension, which the dealer never could find anything wrong with since 'day one'. Clunking/chuckling noises...they finally found a bad right lower ball joint, which was replaced at no charge...noises continue to this day...48,000 miles. One more strange happening...A/C just quit...temp gauge quit...dealer finally found a defective thermostat gasket...replaced gasket and t-stat...all has been fine since. I am seriously considering unloading this car, as much as I would hate to. The problems never quit, or, for that matter, seem to be able to be fixed.

Filed Feb 14, 2008 · Suspension · OH · crash

To whom it may concern: on january 17, 2008 I had an accident that was due to a manufacturing defect on my 2006 hhr. I was on my way to drop off my children to daycare. As I was exiting the highway ramp, I hit a guard rail. This situation was very scary and frightful for my kids and me because of the impact. It could've been a lot worse if there was a driver behind me. I called the dealership, mccluskey chevy., and they came to pick up the car while I had to find another way home. Later on I discovered the left side ball joint broke. This issue is a manufacturing problem. I have not had transportation for almost a month now. This situation has been so stressful. The minor damages have been repaired and I don't have extra money to get it repaired on top of making a monthly payment. The cost of the repairs is over $2,000. I don't agree that I should be the one to pay for the damages that were made from a part failing. I have argued this situation over and over with the shop workers who disagree. I haven't had the car for a year. I don't feel that this should be on the customer. Thanks,

Filed Aug 21, 2006 · Suspension · 6,000 miles · WI

Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to exit a freeway at 55 MPH the vehicle went out of control and veered off the road before it was stopped. The contact noticed the front passenger tire was lying on its side. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the front lower control arm needed to be replaced. Updated 09/11/06.