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.
Chevrolet HHR adaptive cruise problems
24 of the 3,575 owner complaints about the Chevrolet HHR describe adaptive cruise control problems, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 24
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical mileage
- 70,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 3Loss of power 2Won't start 1Won't shift 1Pulling 1Stalling 1Power steering loss 1Jerking 1
What owners say
Hello, how are you? The traction control warning light stays on and the button cannot turn it off. The engine light stays on and there is a service prompt on the information scroll lcd screen. The cruise control switch lights up but the cruise does not engage when the set button is pressed at any speed, ie, 30mph, 50mph, 55mph etc. The research I read recommends to contact you to help get this vehicle included in an existing recall for the same issues in other gm vehicles with the same equipment. In other words, this vehicle has the same defective equipment as other gm vehicles that have been recalled for repair. Due to the fact that this vehicle has the same defective equipment that was recalled in other gm vehicles I request this vehicle be covered under the same recall and able to be repaired as soon as possible.
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.
All four lights on the 3rd brake light are out and the cruise control is not working
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. While driving 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to accelerate and remained in first gear. In addition, the air bag, traction control, and check engine indicators illuminated. The vehicle was serviced per manufacturer recall number: 08016. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an air bag failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same symptoms. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.
Takata recall my horn don't work the service airbags stays on. The struts back hatch don't open cruise control don't work checked all my fuses and they are all good
For the past few months I noticed my power steering, cruise control being cut off and jerking with my car. But up til the beginning of august my car wouldn't start, it would crank but not start. Come august 18th my car compllife roy won't start. There was a recall on my vehicle and the previous owner took in the car for the recall but now it's acting up again. Multiple time where I loose control of my car and or the car would slow down to the point it felt like I was stopping then it would jerk. I thought the dealership could fix this but they can not, gm, rigth way and etc are not helping. I'm terrified my car won't work and also it'll be dangerous to drive.
My brake lights stay on all the time. I replaced the brake positioning sensor. It is under my impression that many people have problems with this. I think the fix is running a ground cable to the car's computer. I also cannot use my temperature gauge and cruise control. Please email me at your convenience at [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While driving 70 MPH the cruise control would not engage when prompted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 06/29/17*lj updated 09/21/2017
Approx : march 2016 - - 48000 miles, my cruise control system stopped functioning completely ,when turned on. Indicator light still works, researching I've found a simple burnt out brake light bulb may be the cause for this defective unrelated failure. Either way I'm not seeing any error messages or warnings alerting me to what problems I might really have so that they can be addressed. If there isn't a recall yet , maybe an investigation is in order. Tia, l-t-g
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet HHR adaptive cruise
Which Chevrolet HHR years have adaptive cruise control problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (6 complaints), 2009 (6 complaints) and 2006 (5 complaints).
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