My steering feels threatening with loud sound under dash when turning, and car steering is too loose at times and also jumps alittle while turning.. Im looking into what and how I can get it fixed, im told it is probably intermediate steering shaft and I understand many gm vehicles have had this issue. Also, my 2 passenger doors wont open from inside or outside, the locks go up and down, but door handles also don't engage all way up when try to pull them, mechanic told me , its the actuators in handles because many people also have complained on this issue as well. So I have no access to back doors, I cant afford a new car. I am a senior on fixed income. Is there any help for me to fix my car?
2008 Chevrolet HHR: doors won't lock, open or latch
22 of the 616 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet HHR describe doors won't lock, open or latch.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 57,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Doors won't lock, open or latch by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While the contact's wife was driving 55 MPH, the rear passenger door independently opened and failed to latch. The contact also stated that the front and rear turn signal switch failed to properly operate. The contact had to manually deactivate the signal switch to turn off the signals. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger door latch and the turn signal lever/ switch assembly to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000. *tt
Door latch failure while merging onto freeway. Door flew open
The passenger side rear door came open while driving. This incident began with passenger checking back seat for an item. Door didn't sound like it closed all the when when it was shut. Passenger opened and reclosed the door. As I left that location, I heard air blowing (open window sound). Checking for an open window, I found back seat passenger door open. I pulled over to the curb and tried to shut that door. It would not stay shut. Even the aaa auto club roadside service was unable to get the door to stay closed. That latch was movable with fingers, not like the others, which could not be moved without actually using something to assist, I.e., screwdriver, door handle, etc. To get home, auto club used a heavy rubber bungee cord from rear seat passenger headrest behind the driver, through the window on the other side of the car and hooked onto the luggage rack on the top of the car.
Was at a stop sign and went to cross the highway got halfway across and relied the car was slowing down looked at dashboard and everything lok normal made it across highway safely and pulled over engine was not running put car in park and restarted the car proceeded home to find the doors would not lock with interior buttons or remote the remote will turn on the alarm you can manually lock the doors but you can't lock the hatch update 9/15/15
I was on the freeway going 65 MPH & all of a sudden the power steering light went on &lost power steering immediately! This could have been a very bad accident & was scary. It will cost me $500 or more to get it fixed. Also, at approx. 48,000 miles the back rear door latch broke & would not open, it cost me $125 to replace it as there was no other way to fix this. Beware of your power steering.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While in park, the driver side door failed to open. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the door lock and the key remote needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Was locked in vehicle and unable to get door to open from inside. Have had defect with door locks sticking from purchase. Door has failed to unlock with sister in vehicle, failed to unlock with husband in vehicle and my daughter. Been in dealer nine times for locks sticking. Is being locked in vehicle dangerous? Updated 01/28/15*bf..updated 10/08/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speed, the door ajar light illuminated. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of road, the doors were checked and secure. The contact continued to drive when the front passenger's door swung opened independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the door latch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,426.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated the locks failed. The problem occurred daily. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the door locks failed to unlock when using the remote access and were very difficult to pull up manually. The dealer stated that the door lock actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Ever since I have had this car that I bought new, there have been electrical problems. The dashboard lights just go off while driving down the road. When the dash lights blink back on , the lighting brightness switch does not work, the roller to make it brighter does not dim the dash lights, until they all just go off again.? The tire sensors all go off and there is no readings for tire pressure. You check the tire pressure manually and they are all ok. The door locks don't work properly. If you use the key fob, the doors will lock and then you can't get them open again with the key fob and you are stuck. The key in the door won't even open the door, it is locked up tight. I have taken it into the dealer under warranty 3 times and they can find nothing wrong. I just don't lock my car anymore.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 296,422 my 2006-2008 chevrolet hhr vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, 'occupant protection in interior impact." the door on the storage bin in the top center of the instrument panel failed to remain closed as required.
- Risk
- This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
- Remedy
- A redesigned latch will be made available. The recall began on december 23, 2008. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V444000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet HHR door locks
Is doors won't lock, open or latch a common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet HHR?
22 of 616 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet HHR (4%) mention doors won't lock, open or latch. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Chevrolet HHR?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Chevrolet HHR
Power steering loss 121Loss of power 50Fuel leak 37Fuel smell 28Stalling 16Engine failure 15Steering lock-up 11No deployment 10Check engine light 10Fire or smoke 9Jerking 8Won't start 8Headlights 7Spongy pedal 7Adaptive cruise 6Grinding brakes 5Harsh shifting 5Key fob 5
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