Vehicle ran fine entire day(12-20-2013), I parked to shop with my wife at a local mall. When we were ready to leave the vehicle would turn over and then immediately shut off. This happened at least 10 times, my battery was beginning to drain so I stopped. My wife and I decided to continue our shopping and come back to vehicle later. Once again I started the vehicle and it immediately shut off. I had to call a towing service (aaa) to tow us to a local repair shop. The next day I was told the vehicle started fine and they could not find any problem. The mechanic did tell us that the vehicle had previous error codes from last night pointing to ignition and starter units, but they found no problems. I have received numerous recall notices from gm describing this very thing and have requested a full refund of my towing fees ($95.00 invoice#73066) and trying to set up my repair since the recall notices went out in april 2014. I have not heard anything since. Gm case # [xxx] operator (jim). Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
2009 Chevrolet HHR engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 25 of 25, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Turned the key and started my car and then I couldn't turn it off. I could take the key out but the vehicle would not shut off as the ignition switch appears to be stuck in the on position. Took it to gm dealer in salinas to ask about it but said could not assist me till wednesday, granted it was saturday so okay, but could not help me shut off the vehicle. Said it most likely would not be associated with the recall though it seems related.
Ignition switch can not be turned to off position. Cycled thru gears (automatic trans) several times thinking park sensor switch pin may be the problem - no effect. Aware there is a recall on this ignition - called hotline - 1st attempt, busy, 2nd attempt received recording. Called dealership of purchase, service dept closed at 1pm sat. Located fuse panel, removed engine control module fuse, this stopped eng. Elec power still on due to key stuck in on position, removed battery connection. Following monday morning called dealership & reported problem, service dept verified recall & informed me replacement ignition cylinder is taking in excess of 4 weeks delivery.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the key was became stuck in the ignition and the vehicle failed to power off. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000, and the current mileage was 105,000.
2009 chevy hhr has 50,000 miles on it and I have noticed that the temperature runs very hot with no explanation. Fluids full, clean and regularly serviced. The cooling fan kicks on when sitting idle for any small period of time.
While driving on the highway my service ESC light came on along with the road traction picture and my car started jerking and shaking after a few minutes my check engine light came on. My husband thought it was misfiring so he changed out the spark plugs but it is still doing the same thing. The ESC light will go off for a few miles but will came back on.
I pulled in my driveway and put the car in park and could not turn off the key. I tried to everything, steering wheel, key, shifter, brakes, etc and I could not turn the car off or get the key out. I had to pull a fuse to get the car to shut down. This problem is similar, if not exactly, the same of other complaints on this type car. I will probably have to have it towed and repaired by a dealer at great expense. Not good for gm.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that he had several problems with the vehicle. The failures included the brakes, power steering assist and a foul odor being emitted through the ventilation system. In addition, the driver's side door handle cable fractured and the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to the dealer for the failure of the power steering assist where they advised that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The steering rack was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer because the check engine light was illuminated and they advised that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the vehicle began to drive roughly afterward. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer for the brake failure, door handle and the exhaust and the technicians stated that they could not duplicate the brake problem or the foul odor that was coming through the exhaust. In addition, the cable in the door handle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 32,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the doors failed to unlock and the contact became trapped in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who referred her to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 39,000.
I was driving my chevy hhr when it started overheating and smoking and didn't seem safe to drive, so I had it towed to a dealership and was told that engine block cracked at about 147,000 miles due to overheating. I was told that it needed a new engine which would be 4,000. Wanting a second opinion, we had it towed to another mechanic who basically said the exact same thing. Then wecalled gm because the mechanic told him that there was a tech bulletin out on it and this was a known problem on the hhr's so we were hoping that gm would help us since the car was only 2 years old. Gm said that they could probably help us but first we had to pay another 200 to get it towed to another chevy dealership and then pay for the diagnosis. I was hesitant, but he told me that if we did that he should hopefully be able to help us out with the engine. We did all that, and they called us back this morning to say that the issue was exactly what we had told them from the beginning but not only would they not help us out at all, this dealership wants 6,000 for the new engine instead of the $4,000 that the first dealership quoted us. The mechanic said that he can't tell if the engine cracked because the car overheated, or if the car overheated because the engine cracked, but either way he said he can't tell if it's a manufacturers default or not so they're deciding to go with not so they don't have to help us.
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.
Unable to remove the key from the igition. One hour later the car is still running and key is stuck. Disconnected the battery. Its 7pm will have it toaded to dealership in am
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.
Last friday I traveled to new orleans to perform a repair at a local furniture company. Upon my arrival I could not extract the key from the ignition of my vehicle. I called the dealer (ross downing chevy in hammond, la) to find out how to extract the key. I was told to take it to a gm dealer I did so and returned to hammond, la and took my vehicle to the dealer where I purchased it brand new in feb 2010. My vehicle is a chevy hhr lt 2009. My engine temperature was also high (267f) and I could not shut it off. The dealer had their mechanic replace the faulty ignition switch and added coolant to the system. There was no leaks and no explanation why the cooling system had lost coolant. I am concerned about the operator of this vehicle not being able to shut off the engine. I asked the dealer if there where any recall / deficiencies on this vehicle and they said no. Why would a vehicle less than 18 months old have a faulty ignition switch?
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