Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shut off and the key would not remove from the ignition. The contact disconnected the fuel pump in order to shut off the vehicle. The failure recurred whenever the contact operated the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the ignition switch failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 151, newest first, as owners wrote them.
After parking in the drive way around 11:30 pm the ignition key would not turn off. I tried to use the release plunger but ended up removing the lower steering column cover and forcing it over the key. Then I pulled the wire harness off which shut off the engine. I was able to start the car by putting the wire back on and twisting the key. The dealer said the key was bent and charged me $400 to replace the switch. They obviously used pliers to remove the key. While in their waiting room I read an article in a march issue of motor magazine that said this is a common problem for several cars including hhr's and they are not sure why. I feel this should have been on recall and not be charged to us. The keys may be too soft or it was a manufacturers defect in the first place.
I have two issues going on with my hhr. Last evening I pull into my driveway and my key would not turn off engine and release. I have read hundreds of complaints with the same issues while I was trying to research how to turn off my car. My car ran in my driveway for 2 hours wasting gas until we figured out how to turn off car. The manual states that you can push a tumbler and turn the key to release it. The manual is not clear on what the tumbler is but the only movable piece inside steering wheel base did not help to release the key. We finally figured out how to pull the fuse to shut down the entire car. The dealership was closing around the time I started calling and their option to come leave the car without other transportation was not a good option for me with kids. Once fuse was out the car is sitting in my driveway with the key in it which is causing a whole other level of stress for me. I have to put fuse back in this morning and take to dealership to get my car fixed. From other complaints the fix should be the same. I don't understand if this is such a big issue why there is no recall on this. I also would like to know will we as loyal customers get a refund when they actually do decide to recall this apparent defective car. My other issue is the air bag light pops on for unspecified periods of time and says it needs serviced. It can go off for days and weeks at a time and then decide to pop back on. I have also been reading about this issue in the complaints and wondering why there is no recall on this issue as well.
I pulled into the gas station to get gas. I could not shut the car off nor remove the key. My 2009 cobalt had the same problem and was fixed due to a vehicle recall. However, my 2009 hhr had no recall on it even though it uses the exact same defective parts as the cobalt did. I am also concerned about the steering on the hhr since it shares the exact same mechanicals as the cobalt. The cobalt had a recall due to steering, however the hhr did not. A search for complaints on=line yielded many results. It appears that the hhr's are having the exact same problems yet the consumers are left with paying for the repairs. My gm dealer confirmed that the hhr uses the exact same faulty parts as the cobalt and he could not explain why the hhr was not covered in the recall either. He stated that they have had to fix just as many hhr's as they have cobalts... The only difference is that cobalt owners do not have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses and hhr owners do. This is ridiculous.
Last night our 2009 hhr would not turn off, and the key was stuck in the ignition. After looking at all the correspondence online related to this problem, we tried everything to shut the car off. We attempted to depress the solenoid switch behind the square covering in the bottom of the steering column, disconnected the battery, and ended up pulling the fuel fuse. We were in a hospital garage, and placed in a compromising position with theft, and not knowing if the car was actually engaged in "park." it was saturday night, and of course, it will be looked at by the chevy dealer monday morning. I truly hope this will be covered by a recall.
I pulled my chevy hhr, 2009 into my driveway, and the car would not turn off. The key was stuck in the ignition while it was still running. I had to pop my clutch (manual transmission) to get my car to stop running. I turned everything that I could off, tried to lock the doors, however the driver's side would not lock. Had it towed to the garage the next morning...they replaced the ignition switch, charged me $300.00 plus, and said chevy may not cover it. (mileage 63,000 mls)
2009 chevy hhr - key stuck in ignition with engine running. Had to pull negative battery cable and ignition fuse to shut car off. Called dealer and they told me to bring it in. Reconnected battery cable and replaced fuse and car started up so I could drive to dealer. Chevy dealer stated ignition lock syl binding, removed and replaced cyl. I had to pay $300+ to have this fixed and since this is a known issue with hhr's, I feel gm should definitely do a recall as this is a serious safety issue. Also the service air bag light comes on randomly and can stay on the entire trip or go back out in a few minutes,only to come back on a few minutes later.
The key is stuck in the ignition. The release button under the steering wheel does not release the keys. Fuses were taken out and the negative battery cable was disconnected to shut off the car. The dealer advised that this is a common problem and the ignition lock cylinder needs to be replaced. The dealer advised that repair would not be covered as the vehicle is well outside of the 36,000 mile warranty. The manufacturer was notified and also advised that the repair would not be covered. The vehicle has not been repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact was unable to turn the key in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the ignition housing and ignition switch had to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 04/19/12*lj the consumer stated the repairs cost $450. Updated 04/25/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed. The engine could not be turned off and the key would not eject from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the ignition tumbler. The dealer informed the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 32,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that when inserting the key in the ignition, it would not turn. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where they advised her that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 79,000.
7/10 - center console lights inop. Dealer replaced internally shorted relay. Warranty 11/10 - engine would not crank/service airbag & power steering msg on dic. Dealer towed in, replaced starter and found loss of comm w/ bcm due to internal short. Dealer replaced bcm. Warranty 12/10 - engine turns over wont start. Dealer towed in, found power train relay open. Replaced relay. Warranty 4/11 - service airbag light. Dealer found open circuit at passenger front airbag. Reconnector connector added dielectrical grease. Stabilitrack light does not come on (ever). Was told system is okay, some models don't have warning lights. (go figure, will not return to that dealer) warranty 2/12 - service airbag light. Comes on and goes out 3 - 4 times during first 15 minutes of driving first trip of the day. Happens 90% of the time. If I can find a dealer I can trust I will have them check this and the stabilitrack problem. Mileage is now 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the key became stuck in the ignition and the vehicle could not be turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the fuses would need to be disconnected in order to turn the vehicle off. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 60,000. Updated 04/11/12*lj the consumer stated the ignition switch was replaced. Updated 04/23/12.
Unable to turn engine off and remove the key. The key is stuck in the running position and will not move. Had to remove fuel pump fuse and disconnect battery to turn off engine and lights. This has happened twice, had to have it towed and pay for repair the first time and waiting for tow truck to come get it the second time in less than a year, which I'm sure I'll have to pay for again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition. On a later date, the key could not be turned in order to start the engine. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where the mechanic found that the tumblers failed in the ignition. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage is 53,000. Updated 02/15/12*lj updated 02/22/12
Key stuck in ignition after parking. Could not turn car off and could not remove key from ignition. More specifically, pulled into driveway, put vehicle in park and could not turn off vehicle or remove key from ignition switch opening. The key was stuck in the ignition and I could not pull it out of the ignition switch. Had to drive the car to the dealership where they removed gas pump fuse and car stopped running. Dealership today (1-15-2012) confirms there was a failure in the ignition switch and it needs to be replaced. I have a chevy cobalt 2009 which has a recall on the ignition switch for this exact problem. These are basically the same kinds of car and so there should also be a recall on the hhr ignition switch, but apparently there is not one. Dealership says there is no recall on the hhr ignition switch, but there is on the cobalt ignition switch.
I put the transmission into park and attempted to turn off the car and remove the key to go into a store. I could not turn the ignition switch to off or remove the key. I drove the car home and parked. I could still not turn the ignition switch to off or remove the key. Numerous attempts of putting car into reverse, or drive and into park did not solve the problem. The key was trapped in the ignition switch! Called onstar and was forwarded to customer service; tow truck was called. Tow truck delivered car to dealership with engine still running. Problem diagnosed in ignition key cylinder which was replaced.
The hhr won't start. Came out from work and the key won't turn in the ignition and the steering wheel is locked. Everything is locked up.......I can't get the car to start.
Ignition problems after starting and cutting off the car several times december 4, 2011, I stopped by the grocery store, reached up to cut the ignition off and the key would only move about 1/4" forward, not causing the car try to crank, as it normally would, and not turning backwards, as if cutting the car off, at all. I tried going the gears, working the key in each gear, cutting the wheels, again working the key as I turned the wheel, all of which to no avail. As it happened on a sunday, there were no dealerships or shops open in the area, I had to let my car sit and run for several hours until I could get a mechanic friend over to look at the car. He was unable to get the ignition to cut off or to get the key to move at all, so he took the housing off and found a wiring harness that could be unplugged to cut the ignition off therefore enabling the car to cut off. We also discovered that this can be used to return the car to running in an emergency, if you plug it back in and turn the key slightly as if starting the car, as this is the only direction the key will turn.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact attempted numerous times to turn the ignition off; however the ignition key failed to turn and remained in the on position. The contact disabled the fuse and then disengaged the battery in order to shut the engine off. The key remained stuck in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where an appointment was scheduled for repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
After returning home from running errands, I found I could not turn the car off and remove the key from the ignition. Even pushing the gear release button, did not release the key or allow me to turn the vehicle off. The battery & the fuel pump relay had to be disconnected in order to turn the vehicle off. Luckily I was in my driveway and not on the road with my small children. The ignition cylinder had to be replaced. Chevy towed my vehicle to a local dealer "free of charge" however because it happened on a weekend was unable to do anything or find out any information to help me out. It wasn't until monday that a manager was available at the dealership who was willing to help me out with paying for this, due to it being out of the bumper to bumper warranty. Thank you to the dealership, however am unimpressed with chevy for not recognizing an unsafe design flaw (not fluke, flaw).
I have a 2009 chevy hhr ,which is having the same problems that caused a recall on the chevy cobalt,the pontiac g6 ,g5 .the chevy malibu. My power steering system fails in the middle of a turn , the LED read out says power steering and then it completely goes out , I have to either turn the vehicle off and re start it or remove the fuse that is in the electrical fuse box and put it back in,this only corrects the problem temporarily ,(this is so dangerous ,as I might be in the middle of a curve on wet/icy roads and have the steering go out on me) there are numerous threads on line in reference to this issue with the hhr and gm has not done a recall for it in this model, this vehicle has the same steering components as the ones that have been recalled, one of the hazards possible is a fire. I feel this issue should be addressed in all of gm's vehicles with the same faulty parts not just the ones listed, they know these parts are in these cars and have chosen to ignore all complaints to repair the issue , the parts cost the public between $150.00 and $200.00 not including the hour of labor to fix the issue , why should the consumer be required to foot the bill for something that is clearly gm's fault, I have grand children that are in my car at any given time and I should not have to worry about my car catching on fire or the steering going out while I am in a turn on a wet or icy road !
The vehicle will not shut off when running, key is stuck in the ignition, there is no way to shut the vehicle off. Cannot remove key, vehicle will drive, reverse and park, will not allow vehicle to be shut off. Internet searches shows this to be a common problem with both the chevrolet cobalt and hhr, however no recalls have been issued.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the ignition would not shut off. The battery and fuel pump fuse had to be disconnected in order to shut the vehicle down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the ignition lock and cylinder. The ignition lock cylinder was replaced. The manufacturer advised the contact that the failure was not recalled and the warranty did not cover the ignition failure. The failure mileage was 71,426 and the current mileage was 71,726.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. While parked, the contact attempted to remove the key from the ignition but the key would not disengage and the contact was unable to shut the vehicle off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostics but was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 44,250.
Tl* the contact owns 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the key would not remove from the ignition. As a result, the contact was unable to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer to have the failure diagnosed. The contact also stated that a faulty ignition switch was a common failure among this year, make, and model. The failure mileage was 76,000.
This is a complaint against the chevrolet hhr which seems to be prone to not turning off when the key is in the ignition. No matter how hard I tried or what I tried I could not turn the key to shut the car off. My neighbor had to turn the car off by disconnecting something under the hood. The car had to be towed to the dealer. During my research on the internet there seems to be a lot of people having the same problem. Some of them even state that the button on the gear shift that you have to push in to change gears sticks.
2009 hhr key stuck in the ignition. Unable to turn off motor. Had to disconnect the battery.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated the ignition key failed to turn the vehicle off and the vehicle was stuck in the on position. The contact removed a fuse in order to shut the vehicle off, and have it towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 55,000.
I had a problem with the key getting stuck in the ignition with the vehicle still running. I had to disconnect the battery and have it repaired. It cost $600.00 to repair this and this continues to be a problem on other hhr's. I am now having the same kind of symptoms that my car was having before the ignition was replaced.
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