Chevrolet HHR harsh shifting problems

Filed Jul 21, 2015 · Suspension · 37,500 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 13, 2015 · Brakes, Suspension · 79,505 miles · MI

I have been hearing some clunking sounds but not sure where they are coming from. The right turn signal does not shut off by itself. Brake pedal feels very soft.

Filed Dec 10, 2014 · Suspension · 147,000 miles · FL

The car since september 2014 has been rattling and shaking, and clunking continually. It feels as if the wheel is going to fall off. I've read numerous other complaints from this same vehicle and the cobalt with has the same suspension. Unfortunately I can't afford to pay for these repairs. It sounds like this should be recalled. Also to note, other complainers have stated that after they have paid to have the repairs, the same issue arise again.

Filed Jul 3, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 45,240 miles · TX

I was approaching a business driveway that required me to make a left hand turn, so I brake (at which time there occurred a heavy side-to-side shimmy of the steering wheel, a "clunk" or "pop" from the area of the engine compartment or front suspension, and a chime from the dash) and began the turn into a driveway across lanes of oncoming traffic. The steering became extremely difficult midway through the turn, which caused me to drive partially through a ditch rather than completing my turn safely and entering the driveway fully on the pavement. I then had to park, turn the key to the "off" position and restart in order to reactivate the power steering. We have been experiencing this randomly for several months and have even acquired some minor body and cosmetic damage due to having lost power steering in a curve. When I contacted the dealership, they told me it might be from a faulty ignition switch that is now on order and may take quite awhile to become available. Today, I ran an internet search and found hundreds of mentions of this same problem within my year model, including a number of recalls that seem to affect the electrical power steering of this model and others. However, when I again called the dealership to inquire, they informed me that my VIN is not included in any of the steering recalls, and that I would have to pay them or someone else to make the repairs and attempt to get reimbursed if it ever does become included. The advisor also instructed me to call 1‑800‑101‑0220 to complain, which only gets me a recording stating that the call cannot be completed, which sounds as if it has been disconnected. This is a serious safety issue not only for the drivers and passengers of these cars, but also for other drivers and possibly pedestrians who might find themselves in harm's way when this completely random event occurs.

Filed May 22, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 25,000 miles · IL

There appears to be a large amount of cobalt and hhr owners with complaints about suspension clunking noises. Research shows there is an issue with the stabilizer bar parts and also the intermediate steering shaft. These problems occur at many intervals of mileage ranging from 10,000 miles and up. Gm has since sued the manufacturer of the intermediate steering shaft for those replaced under warranty equaling $30mil. I am unlucky as my vehicle was out of warranty (3yr/36000 miles) and could not get any of my suspension and steering problems fixed by a known issue from gm. They have stated that the intermediate steering shaft is not a safety concern. Now, if a part that is vital in connecting the steering column to the rack and pinion system is not a safety concern, then I believe gm executives are more concerned with cost of doing the right thing than safety of their customers. These are parts that keep a vehicle from flipping over during sharp turns at highway speeds and that keep the car traveling in the direction the operator determines using the steering wheel. After replacing the parts to correct my issues, the problem has re-occurred. The parts were not changed so even after "fixing" it, it would eventually return.

Filed May 14, 2014 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · AZ

Kept hearing a clunking noise in the front end when going over speed bumps or hitting regular bumps in the road. Have taken it to chevy mechanics several times, and no issue was found. Took it in to an independent mechanic for a tune up and he told me that the front bushings were completely shot and it was having an adverse effect on my alignment. Mechanic stated that for the bushings to be in the condition they were in, this had to have been an ongoing problem. Chevy never diagnosed the problem and never made any suggestions for repairs of this nature. Very upset that I am now out of warranty (my vehicle was under warranty when I first started hearing the noise) and I am now looking at a $1200 repair that chevy should have diagnosed and repaired 4 years ago when I first noticed the problem. This on top of all of the recalls and other issues gm seems to be having, I will never purchase another gm vehicle.

Filed Apr 12, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 33,837 miles · AZ

We have had several problems with our hhr since we bought it in august of 2007. The first problem occurred just after purchasing it, when we were driving it out on a highway for a first time outing with it, when I noticed the front wheels seemed to be floating back and forth. I slowed down and immediately took it home. We contacted our local dealer, and had the car brought in to be checked out. We were told the front bushings were bad & needed replacing. The dealer replaced the bushings. (under warranty) in september of 2007, we had to replace our cars remote control, even though it was only 1 years old. Our dealer replaced it but we had to pay $81.82 out of our pocket. October 2007, I brought our car into our dealer because it had a rough ride and groaning sounds. The dealer looked at it and said the sound was coming from the steering column. They replaced our steering column under warranty. December of 2007 my wife, mother & I went to a christmas light parade in our town; when we got home I turned off the ignition & when I attempted to remove the key, it would not come out. That monday I called our local dealer & they had us bring in the car on 12/3/07. They reported that there was no power to the inter lock2 and a fuse had brown. They found that a wire harness was pinched under the column cover & repaired the harness (under warranty) january 29,2008 I brought our 2006 hhr into our dealer again complaining about squeaking and popping noise with clunking in left front. They said they heard noise from stabilizer links pivot joint at link tires miss-matched. They replaced both stabilizers links under warranty. Continued on next report

Filed Apr 4, 2014 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · MI

It make a lot of noise, it still go works just makes clunking noise.

Filed Oct 16, 2013 · Brakes, Suspension · 17,016 miles · NE

I purchased this car in december of 2010, as a certified used car. It had 13435 miles at the time of purchase. After six months, 17000 miles, service lights began to light up---I took it to the dealer. After taking it home all seemed to be operating normally when in august, 17100 miles, I began to experience a shuttering when braking and a clunking noise while driving. Dealer repaired, harness and hub bearing and I purchase two new front tires. Within about a year car began to shimmy again when braking. At 25000 mile , dealer stated now brakes are bad, warped and rotors need work. Within 6 months of taking car home, shimmying began to start again. I have seen many complaints on line with regard to the brakes, but gm denies any knowledge of problems. Hmmmmmmmm!

Filed Dec 5, 2012 · Suspension · 36,000 miles · NY

Whenever I would go over small bumps in the road, there would be a large clunking sound as if I had hit a pot hole.