2008 Chevrolet HHR: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Apr 23, 2014 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · WA

Since we got the hhr 3 years ago we have had to replace the rotors 5 different times because they become warped. The new ones only last a month, maybe a 1,000 miles of wear before the brakes start to become warped again. Two months ago before I could get it into the shop to replace the rotors I stepped on the brake doing about 5 MPH when I heard a grinding noise. I immediately took it the shop, 50 miles away, to find out that a brake pad was completely missing!!! Apparently the warped rotor uneven surface jerked the brake pad out of its setting and that is why it was missing. The mechanic had to do a complete brake (front) job using the best rotors on the market 2 months ago and in less than 1 month, with no heavy braking, the brakes are once again showing signs that the rotors are warped---stepping on the brakes it is jerking once again, and now they are almost as bad as they were when I took them in to get repaired. It is a very dangerous situation especially realizing the possibility of another brake pad coming off when I step on the brake. I have read online so many other people complaining of this same problem with these cars. I strongly feel that there needs to be a recall on these cars before something horrible happens to the occupants riding in these cars.

Filed Apr 15, 2010 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · MN

Clutch pedal sticking to floor board, cannot get vehicle into reverse gear. Clutch pedal starts feeling squishy and all of a sudden pedal will stick to the floorboard and the clutch will be fully engaged. Have to manually pull pedal up when vehicle is turned off to use clutch again. Reverse gear grinds and will not go into gear around the same time the clutch pedal starts acting up.

Filed May 19, 2009 · Brakes, Suspension · 16,598 miles · MO

Car was approx 4 months old and brakes started squeaking-took into dealer-they turned the rotors-fixed for about 2 wks - its back again and now when I apply brakes the front end of the car shakes violently. I am scared to drive this vehicle. I've tried to enter several times - it will not take it.

Filed Apr 14, 2009 · Brakes · 11,000 miles · TX

I have a 2008 chevy hhr. Four months after receiving the vehicle, I noticed that the brakes were squealing excessively. Additionally, it was pulling to the right when stopping. I took it into val-mark chevrolet, new braunfels, texas. I was told that they could really find anything wrong other than the front pads were wearing unevenly. They were replaced. In december of 08, I took my car to champion chevrolet, corpus christi, texas complaining of the same problem. They advised the back rotors were warped and needed to be resurfaced. That was done. I have just taken my car back in to val-mark. Now the front rotors are warped and need to be resurfaced. Mr. Jim robinson of val-mark says that I will need to pay for the resurfacing. It is my contention that this is an ongoing problem and should be covered. Additionally, I feel resurfacing in only putting a bandaid on the problem. The dealership has now changed positions and states that the front pad were not replaced for uneven ware, but only as a goodwill gesture.

Filed Apr 13, 2009 · Brakes · 6,200 miles · OH

Popping, cracking, grinding sound and car vibrating upon applying brakes. Very hard to get car to stop took it to the dealer they said something was loose under the car and they had to cut and piece it back together. Sound stopped for about 2 weeks and is back worse than before have had the car for 10 months 8,400 miles on it. I am afraid to drive it because I don't want to hurt myself or anyone else I am actually looking at buying and older car to drive around in.