Chevrolet HHR stalling problems

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Remedy for campaign 14V047000 was executed defectively, creating an unsafe mechanical failure that destroyed the powertrain. Failure occurred while or shortly before vehicle stalled in heavy traffic. Vehicle would not restart, but ignition switch stuck in start position while attempting restart, causing starter motor to crank continuously until the switch was turned to the off position. It is believed that starter motor was running while engine was running since last successful start about 3 minutes prior to stall, interfering with normal operation of the engine and eventually causing engine to jump timing and sustain catastrophic internal damage. Subsequent GM dealer service visit found that a burr on the new key provided with campaign 14V047000 repair caused ignition switch to bind in start position. Service staff buffed out burr on key which resolved switch binding, but vehicle refused to start. Borehole inspection of engine found damaged valves and pistons, leading to diagnosis of jumped timing. No other work other that diagnosis has been attempted at this point. Estimate to replace engine is $8600

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Airbags, Steering · 141,000 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag message displayed on the instrument panel before the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle then started to stall. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The failure occurred on several occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer wade chevrolet located at 1670 hilton dr, st. George, ut 84770 was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 141,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · IL

Metal fuel lines in rear left of vehicle leaked profusely due to rusting out. Car stalled and had to tow home. Had to replace line with rubber fuel hose. Noticed strong smell of gas but I assumed it was because I was near a gas station. It happened near pershing and rockwell in chicago and I had just leaft my house which was 2 blocks away.

Filed May 26, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WI

Our chevy hhr 2010 has been dying and stalling out on us while we are driving it, the only time it had power going to it was when it was being jumped. Even then soon as the cables were unhooked it would jerk then die right away. It seemed as if most of the lights inside and outsided of the truck only would flash while jumping it, then nothing. It was also very difficult to turn the steering wheel, and everything basically seems like it's malfunctioning. This has been on and off for a few weeks now but I don't know how to fix it, nor can I even start it at this point,but I definitely don't feel safe driving it the way it is right now being that it powers completely off whenever it wants to. It was in motion a few times on city streets, and in motion turning when it died for this last time. Its now parked on a street unable to drive it.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 165,000 miles · IN

The car completely shut down while driving, no noise no warning, could not steer, brake, roll windows down. This happened last year. Took to dealership. Said it was my alternator and charge me an extreme high charge to replace. Very scaredy when happened, for auto to cut off like that. Luckily I was driving about 30mpr an not on an interstate. Bought 2nd hand. Have not been happy with since. When bought did not receive key fan of, an the drivers door, will lock on its own, which left me baffled how to get into it with no other key holes on any other doors or especially the backend. I feel this is very troublesome for anyone, and a bad design feature. The airbag is questionable, and now the water pump has went out, and they say the manifold has to come off to get to and want to charge 750.00 at a car repair to fix, but will check first to see if that's for sure where leaking. Then one tire has the thing that tells if my airs okay in the tire on my dashboard. It stays on cause it fell off in the tire. The whole darn thing is a nightmare to me, that I'm stuck with. From the motor an expense it is to have worked on to the poor expensive design that got on the market. It's a nightmare.

Filed Dec 18, 2017 · Engine · 80,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact was a certified technician and went to sunset chevrolet (910 traffic ave, sumner, wa 98390) where he received mechanical advise. The vehicle was repaired by the contact, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 42,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet hhr. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle by depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle did not shut off, but lost power completely. The vehicle was initially taken to frost and frost of gadsden, alabama where the transmission was rebuilt, but the failure recurred. On another occasion, the vehicle was taken to devan lowes of gadsden, alabama where it was diagnosed that the torque converter and the drive clutch were faulty the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 42,000. Updated 08/22/17*lj

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Engine · 140,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing belt failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred three more times. The vehicle was towed to the same mechanic each time, given the same diagnosis, and given the same repairs. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the contact should take the vehicle to a chevrolet dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jan 9, 2017 · Engine · 80,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the power reduced warning indicator illuminated. The acceleration stopped and the vehicle stalled. The radio and brakes were working. The contact turned off the vehicle, restarted it, and it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 110,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the ESC warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the security lock warning indicator also illuminated. The contact had to make multiple attempts of turning the ignition key back and forth before the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.