I have replaced the lower control arms four times within the last 3 years that part is defective there are supposed to last 10 years. It affects your steering when breaking. This part needs to be recalled immediately. The last time I replaced the lower control arms was April 16th 2021.
Chevrolet HHR ball joint problems
22 of the 3,575 owner complaints about the Chevrolet HHR describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 22
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 69,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 4Harsh shifting 2Premature wear 1Power steering loss 1Jerking 1Fuel smell 1Fuel leak 1Door locks 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside of the vehicle. The contact then noticed a puddle of gasoline underneath the rear passenger's side. The vehicle was taken to tom henry chevrolet (5886 william flinn hwy, bakerstown, pa 15007, (724) 471-4569) who informed the contact that there was fuel leaking at the fuel line near the rear passenger's side control arm. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000. *bf
I've had my car recalled for ignition switch, then another recall for the power steering module and now my power steering column is bad. All these parts are in the same area and I've heard many hhr owners are having the same problem with their steering column, is there going to be a recall on this as well? I haven't even had this car all that long! Anytime I drive on the highway it feels shaky and when turning left the the car jerks to the left. I've replaced everything in the suspension. Replaces sway bar, bushings, ball joints, control arms, brakes, roaters, springs, struts...fixed it all! I do not feel save on this car
Steering column rattle and severe shake at 18,000 miles. Machined rotors and replaced front brake pads. Replaced intermediate steering shaft, lower control arms, sway bar bushings, stabilizer links and outer tie rod ends per research and recommendations from dealerships and independent gm-trained mechanics. Rattle still not cleared, latest dealer visit says only possible fix is to replace steering column, another $1000 repair. Car still rattles at low speed over uneven surfaces - problem is documented online extensively. The lower control arm bushings the dealer said were worn out and defective that came off the car were kept for inspection and found to not be defective. Gm has redesigned all these parts knowing they are often defective and sued the steering column supplier in 2009, but still no recall other than the steering column motor. Called chevrolet to open a case and their only response was to take it back to a dealer. Ludicrous.
Car started smelling gas inside when driving and have to open the window to get some fresh air. A clicking noise, too much noise from the front suspension when turning or driving..l took the car for oil change and the dealer tech did not want to drive the car stating that it's safety issues. They said the lower control arms has been wear out and that the "sway bar"is shorter wearing my tires. In just this year l have change the 4 tires twice. Discount tires said they have not seen such a thing before the wearing occures in the inside part of the tires... The entire front suspension is collapsing. Gm need to issues a recall for these issues.... The dealer gave me a repair quote of almost $3000 ...gm need to take responsibility of all these issues and offer a credit or repurchased the car back... L have children that l transporter back and forth to school and to hospital...and need a safer car...
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet hhr. When the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal vibration at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front driver and passenger side lower control arms rubber bushing were worn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the front driver side door handle fractured. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed as the front of the vehicle shook violently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brakes failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rotors and outer tie rods failed and the rear brake pads needed to be dusted. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
A "clunking" noise from the front suspension when turning into a driveway or dip in street at 3 or 4 miles per hour. This problem has been taken to the chevrolet dealership and to an independent auto repair shop where I was told the "lower control arms rear bushing was torn (rubber) and therefore allowing the arm to move to where it contacts the frame of the vehicle. This is dangerous, and could very well cause the steering to malfunction at a most inappropriate time resulting in a collapse of the front end suspension. I would like gm to correct this defect in engineering, and if they cannot to repurchase my vehicle so I can purchase a safe and more reliable vehicle.
Less then 24 hours off the lot I was driving home off hwy26 exiting to my town of watertown,wi. I was slowing down on the ramp and my side air bag deployed. I was hit in the head by the driver visor causing my to flinch and release the break for a slit second. I tried to reapply the break and had no breaks I was still at 40mph. It was snowing this caused me to not be able to turn so I hit a meaden snapping my a arm. I also snipped my ABS cable, blew out driver ball joints, bent the tie rod, dislocated my axel bent my rim and ruined my new tire on the driver side. On the passenger side I broke my knuck and blew out my ball joints. It locked up my driver seat belt and even with no one wearing the passenger one it locked that up too. After it happened going online I have found a few more cases like mine one caused a woman to spend a month and a half in hospital from hitting a pole.
I had to replace left and right control arms on this vehicle,brakes constantly can't unlock doors from inside,have to roll down window to unlock,now having engine problems and one of the control arms going bad again.plus something is causing rain to get in my car somewhere,because when it rains at smells mildewy.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet HHR ball joint
Which Chevrolet HHR years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (9 complaints), 2007 (6 complaints) and 2008 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the Chevrolet HHR?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet HHR?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history