2010 Chevrolet HHR brakes problems

Filed Jul 3, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · IN

Noticed that the cruise control would disengage randomly when activated. I checked the function of the brake lights at night and found that the brake lights would turn themselves on randomly with zero brake input, disengaging the cruise control. In this state, depressing the brake pedal more than around 30-40% would turn the brake lights off, even with the brake pedal fully pressed. Furthermore, with the brake pedal pressed to a moderate level, the cruise control is able to be engaged, even with obvious brake pressure being applied. This defeats the cruise control disengagement feature and the cruise control system will fight against the braking system to maintain speed instead of turning itself off as it seems to rely solely on the brake lights for the automatic disengagement. This issue is quite dangerous as this seems to happen quite often with the brake lights, but I cannot find any sort of consistent scenario that causes these issues to occur.

Filed Aug 4, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 138,890 miles · PA

Brakes making loud noise when applying brakes at 40-60 MPH. Was driving.

Filed Dec 21, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 70,000 miles · IN

On going issue of brake lights intermittently coming on without touching brake pedal. First noticed something wrong because cruise control wouldn't activate. Found problem at night when I could see the glow from my brake lights on the top inside edge of my rear hatch. Replacing brake switch above pedal did not fix problem. Sounds kind of funny, but I got brake lights to go off while setting in driveway and pounding my center console out of frustration. Internet search found other gm vehicles with similar problems and frustrated owners that took vehicles to dealerships that didn't fix their problem. Issue appears to be circuit board related with circuit boards located on passenger side lower center console. A sharp rap with the palm of my hand in that area will always get the brake lights to go off when they shouldn't have been on. Doesn't happen often, but seems crazy to have to keep checking to see if my cruise will set so I know if my brake lights are on. Dealership claims they haven't seen this problem, though as I stated earlier, internet search will find other gm owners with similar issue of brake lights on without touching brake pedal. Have had issue setting still or moving. Have had cruise kick off going down the road when the brake lights came on without touching the brake pedal.

Filed Nov 23, 2018 · Brakes · 92,000 miles · PA

I was approaching a red light on aldi dr. And route 48.when I applied my brakes the pedal went to the floor resulting in running thru the light stopping in the middle of intersection of route 48 after using emergency brake to get stopped.it was a miracle that I didnt cause an accident.I do have a pa. Certified inspection mechanics license.I got out of car and seen brake fluid running out of right front wheel with 4 ways on I backed car off of route 48 into home depot parking lot and checked out what the problem was.I seen the caliber brake hose hanging down towards the ground with fluid running out.I called for a tow truck to take me home.when getting auto home I jacked right front of car up and placed jack stand under car.then removed r-front wheel and seen the that the metal clamp holding the brake hose to the car rusted away ,it was paper thin resulting in the hose blowing off.with ABS and a single master cylinder it was a complete brake failure! I contacted general motors and the were sorry about what happened .I have changed both front brake hoses.the both hoses where under $40.00 dollars.this is the worst brake failure that I have seen in my lifetime! I am in my 60s.I fill that the public needs to no about this before someone gets killed or hurt very bad .I was going about 5 miles an hour when this happened and couldnt stop car.the chevy cobalt and hhr are on the same chassis.I have kept the faulty brake hose if needed in the future.I hope that the people that own these vehicles can be notified somehow. It will be nearly impossible for the majority of people to stop these vehicles without being involved in an accident . Thank you (xxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 5, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · 116,000 miles · OR

First my airbag system started coming on saying service airbags and the sensors are all new, second the service ESC comes on intermittently causing vehicle to shift extremely hard from 1st gear (automatic tranny) braking system was working fine and all of a sudden the brake pedal goes to the floor no brakes and the fluid is full and the system was working just fine after making gm aware of this their response to it all is the vehicle is out of warranty and there is nothing they can do but this was an issue from date of mfg and gm refuses to fix or correct the ongoing issues all of these things have happened on city streets and highways if the federal safety agency cant help with this issue then I have no where left to turn except either to a morgue or a scrap yard

Filed Dec 6, 2017 · Brakes · 90,358 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

On november 29th, 2017 I was driving south on the highway and I was about 200 feet back when I noticed that the breaks went down to the floor board and I freaked out and didnt know what to do. There was know light that came on for break or ABS light. I hit a car in front at the stop light ahead and ran into to her my car is totaled. I had a tow truck come and get the car and he said as well there were no breaks what so ever. About two weeks ago I was noticing my car was acting up with the electricial system I had a officer at the hospital come out and help me and he said thats what it looks like and he has never seen that before.

Filed Sep 7, 2017 · Brakes, Suspension · FL

I have had to replace the hub bearings on my front wheels, twice in two years. Very loud noises and car shakes very bad when trying to stop. Front brakes, hub bearings, pads and rotors replaced two years ago. Now have to replace the hub bearings again.

Filed Nov 2, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 70,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet hhr. While driving 40 MPH, the traction and ESC warning indicators illuminated. When the vehicle came to a complete stop, the brakes jolted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 41,600 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

In a parking garage on the 4th floor. Backing out of space. While backing up, I hear a loud boom. Nothing behind me. Thought perhaps a tire failure. Put vehicle in drive to pull forward out of traffic lane, and the engine accelerated uncontrollably. Brakes wouldn't respond. By the grace of g-d or reflexes, I turned the wheel to the right to avoid flying through the guardrail and off the 4th story of the parking garage. Vehicle came to a halt when it smashed into a concrete support pillar. Both air bags detonated, passenger-side air bag apparently broke the windshield on that side. Engine shut off. Lights in passenger compartment turned on, hazards started flashing on/off (couldn't turn them off). Waited for tow truck for 5 hours. Tow drivers had to jump battery - couldn't get front hood open, back door electronic lock non-functional due to dead battery. Tow driver climbed inside car, removed inside decking to access battery. Tow driver jumped battery, attempted start. First two or three times, it wouldn't start, eventually on the 4th or 5th time it started but the engine was racing again. Tow driver put car in reverse and it flew backward (I thought it was going to go off the deck of the garage backwards...). He stopped the vehicle, turned the wheel and headed forward - it shot down the ramp until they got it out of the garage and on the truck (I was outside the vehicle watching from a safe distance while he did this). Vehicle totaled. Not sure what the problem is/was, but I'm lucky to be alive. Have heard of issues involving stuck idle solenoids, drive train problems, etc.

Filed Jan 22, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet hhr. While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag sensor light illuminated off and on. Also, when the brake pedal was depressed, the stopping distance was extended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was unknown.