2008 Chevrolet HHR: soft or spongy brake pedal

Filed Apr 6, 2016 · Brakes · 74,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff and took excessive force to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where no failures were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 680 miles · NC

After purchase of a new 2008 hhr on 22 september 2008, I drove the vehicle home and upon getting into it the next morning I backed out of my garage and notice a very soft brake pedal. I then started down the drive way and when attempting to stop at the street the vehicle's brakes would not comply with my brake pressure and the vehicle proceeded into the street. This became a routine situation upon "cold startup's" and when reported to the dealer,(john donoghue chevrolet, whiteville, nc) after several poor stops, my salesman advised "yeah we know about it as we've had the same problem on 2008 solstices". When confronted with a possible fix he advised that " a part on the turbo fixes the problem." I made arrangements to have the car serviced upon my return from vacation on or about 26 oct 08. I dropped the car off with the service writer/manager and no mention was made as to poten tial problems fixing the car. Upon my return several hours later I was advised by the service manager that the problem is systemic to 2008 turbo engines and general motors doesn't want to recall the cars. The dealership service manager provided me with a service bulletin that gm put out as a potential "fix" but he refused to service the car. I took the vehicle to another chevrolet dealership and they readjusted the computer, per the bulletin; however, the vehicle still does not stop properly on cold startup. Gm customer service personnel and the bulletin advised that "they are working on the issue."

Filed Nov 6, 2008 · Brakes · 2,200 miles · NE

Chevy 2008 hhr ss inadequate brake power assist. Extremely hard pedal during first 3-5 minutes fails to stop car during this period.

Filed Aug 29, 2008 · Brakes · 2,000 miles · TX

I am having a problem with the brakes on my new 2008 chevrolet hhr/ss. When first applying brakes after initial start-up and after sitting long enough for vacuum to leak down. There is an increased effort to apply and travel of pedal is also increased. Pedal is spongy and booster is inoperative until vacuum is restored by revving engine or driving a short distance. This vehicle is equipped with a turbo and vacuum/boost gauge. The initial vacuum is dropped when applying brake. It has been in for this problem twice, left overnight both times, and duplicated both times. The dealer reprogrammed computer per service letter. The second time they supposedly ordered a mastercylinder but still no parts have been changed, probably not even examined! Now they tell me this is normal operation and I tell them it's not! The dealer service mgr. Has told me that gm knows about this but have no repair available. He blames it on the turbo! It is surely a vacuum leak or booster problem yet they seem unable to understand! I have been a mechanic for 30+ years and I know this is dangerous and needs to be repaired before someone gets hurt! The dealer doesn't even want me to bring it back in as they say "it cannot be fixed, it is a design problem!"

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Brakes · 1,330 miles · MI

Hhr ss has a hard pedal and does not stop easily on in a normal distance. This has occurred 4 times after sitting in cold weather for an extended period. It takes about a minute of warm-up to have the hard pedal-non braking to correct to normal.

Filed Mar 18, 2008 · Brakes · 2,500 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While driving 15 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle kept moving. The brake pedal stiffened. Approximately ten seconds later, the vehicle stopped. The failure has occurred twelve times. The dealer reprogrammed the ECM; however, the failure still occurs. The dealer stated that this was normal for the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 2,500.

Filed Mar 12, 2008 · Brakes · 8 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr ss. When the vehicle is started in cold weather, the braking system takes approximately one minute to function. The brakes use an optimized assist and the brakes would respond slowly. It causes the brakes to respond slowly. The contact is concerned that the vehicle will be unable to stop immediately in the case of an emergency. The manufacturer is aware of the failure, but are not making consumers aware. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on january 24, 2008 for repairs. The dealer did not replace any components. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the dealer could reference the tsb for that particular failure. The contact informed the manufacturer that a tsb repair was unacceptable. The manufacturer sent out an investigator, but he could not recommend a repair for the failure. The current mileage was 2,000 and failure mileage was 8. Updated 04-03-08 *bf the consumer stated when he first gets into the vehicle, and places te vehicle into reverse, the power brakes would not work for a short period of time. The brake pedal is hard to press to midway point, and then the brakes pulsate. After the vehicle has ran for about 30 seconds to a minute, the power brakes brakes began to work fine. It is only when the vehicle seets for an extended perioed of time does the problem arise.