2008 Chevrolet HHR: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jul 3, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 45,240 miles · TX

I was approaching a business driveway that required me to make a left hand turn, so I brake (at which time there occurred a heavy side-to-side shimmy of the steering wheel, a "clunk" or "pop" from the area of the engine compartment or front suspension, and a chime from the dash) and began the turn into a driveway across lanes of oncoming traffic. The steering became extremely difficult midway through the turn, which caused me to drive partially through a ditch rather than completing my turn safely and entering the driveway fully on the pavement. I then had to park, turn the key to the "off" position and restart in order to reactivate the power steering. We have been experiencing this randomly for several months and have even acquired some minor body and cosmetic damage due to having lost power steering in a curve. When I contacted the dealership, they told me it might be from a faulty ignition switch that is now on order and may take quite awhile to become available. Today, I ran an internet search and found hundreds of mentions of this same problem within my year model, including a number of recalls that seem to affect the electrical power steering of this model and others. However, when I again called the dealership to inquire, they informed me that my VIN is not included in any of the steering recalls, and that I would have to pay them or someone else to make the repairs and attempt to get reimbursed if it ever does become included. The advisor also instructed me to call 1‑800‑101‑0220 to complain, which only gets me a recording stating that the call cannot be completed, which sounds as if it has been disconnected. This is a serious safety issue not only for the drivers and passengers of these cars, but also for other drivers and possibly pedestrians who might find themselves in harm's way when this completely random event occurs.

Filed May 14, 2014 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · AZ

Kept hearing a clunking noise in the front end when going over speed bumps or hitting regular bumps in the road. Have taken it to chevy mechanics several times, and no issue was found. Took it in to an independent mechanic for a tune up and he told me that the front bushings were completely shot and it was having an adverse effect on my alignment. Mechanic stated that for the bushings to be in the condition they were in, this had to have been an ongoing problem. Chevy never diagnosed the problem and never made any suggestions for repairs of this nature. Very upset that I am now out of warranty (my vehicle was under warranty when I first started hearing the noise) and I am now looking at a $1200 repair that chevy should have diagnosed and repaired 4 years ago when I first noticed the problem. This on top of all of the recalls and other issues gm seems to be having, I will never purchase another gm vehicle.

Filed Apr 4, 2014 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · MI

It make a lot of noise, it still go works just makes clunking noise.

Filed Oct 16, 2013 · Brakes, Suspension · 17,016 miles · NE

I purchased this car in december of 2010, as a certified used car. It had 13435 miles at the time of purchase. After six months, 17000 miles, service lights began to light up---I took it to the dealer. After taking it home all seemed to be operating normally when in august, 17100 miles, I began to experience a shuttering when braking and a clunking noise while driving. Dealer repaired, harness and hub bearing and I purchase two new front tires. Within about a year car began to shimmy again when braking. At 25000 mile , dealer stated now brakes are bad, warped and rotors need work. Within 6 months of taking car home, shimmying began to start again. I have seen many complaints on line with regard to the brakes, but gm denies any knowledge of problems. Hmmmmmmmm!

Filed Feb 15, 2011 · Steering · 10,000 miles · AL

I have a 2008 chevy hhr, and have had to do quite a bit of research to find out what the real issue here is. There are a lot of complaints on other web sites about the intermediate steering shaft going out every few thousand miles. The problem is, that no dealership can seem to diagnose the "clunking" noise coming from the drivers side front wheel and steering column. However the few shops that have figured it out are having to re-replace the part constantly. Gm has re-designed the part for other vehicles but not the hhr. Mine has been replaced every 10,000 miles, 4 times now and it wears out after about 10k. Gm should create a better one for the hhr and offer a recall since their part is defective.