Car Will Not Start problems of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR

Letter from senator rubio on behalf of constituent regarding issues with his 2006 Chevrolet Hhr; he is seeking reimbursement for the lost billing time and repairs associated with the recall of the Hhr Chevrolet; attn: jason teaman. The consumer stated he encountered multiple problems with the vehicle, ever since it was purchased. Many of the problems were related to the faulty ignition switch, where the key would not come out of the ignition, when the engine was turned off, or the vehicle would not start at all. There were electrical problems with the radio, where it would turn on by itself. Also, the lights and windows did not work.

When notified regarding the recall of the vehicle in April, I contacted the local Chevrolet dealer in upland California and ordered the necessary parts to repair the vehicle. I was told that the parts would in in the dealership within two months. Calling the dealer in may, I was told that the parts had not come in yet. Yesterday the car would not start due to the ignition switch. The car was towed to the mountain view Chevrolet in upland, where I was informed that they had no record of the parts being ordered, and that it would take two months to get the parts. I called Chevrolet customer service and was told that recall parts could not be expedited. It means I have to wait two more months to drive the car again.

Had the new key ingnition system put in a week ago and got two new keys. Under recall notice . Was shopping shut car off and car would not start again call for service and was told car would not detect new keys now, car back at dealers. To find out why it failed after only a week, dealer said didn't know why new system failed. Has to talk to gm.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The battery was jump-started and resumed normally. The failure only recurred once. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage and VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that after numerous attempts, the vehicle failed to start. The contact was informed that the part for NHTSA campaign number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

2006 Chevrolet Hhr. Consumer states several problems with vehicle the consumer stated his sons vehicle had a severe shimmy in the steering wheel and became progressively worse when the brake was applied. The pads and rotors were replaced twice and the third time the rotors were machined, but the problem continued. There was also a strange noise coming from the front suspension, but the dealer was unable to pinpoint the problem. At 42,000 miles the air condition made a loud screeching noise for 2 minutes, then stopped working. At 68,000 miles, a metal skid plate had fallen from underneath the vehicle. Soon after, the exhaust was very loud. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop and the consumer was informed the catalytic converter had cracked. The vehicle lost power and a cylinder had to be replaced, the check engine light would come on and then go off, the temperature gauge did not work, so the air condition only worked if the check engine light was off. The door locks did not work, the radio worked intermittently, the sun visor would fall down at random times. There were times when the vehicle would not start. The consumer stated even with an alignment, new struts, shocks and good tires, the vehicle continually pulled to the right.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The engine failed to restart and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the rear fuse box and fuel pump were replaced. The failure persisted after the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. While driving 20 mph over a hole or dip in the road, the entire vehicle stalled and shut off. The weather was not a factor. The stalling occurred at least three times within one week. The vehicle cannot be restarted once it shut off. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The dealer does not know the cause of the failure or the remedy. The failure mileage was 53,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was having several issues with the cam sensor, wheels, a broken hub bearing, bent rotors and an issue with removing the key from the ignition, due to the shift cable not staying secured. The check engine light illuminated, the inside driver door handle would not open the door, the passenger side back would not stay secured. Updated 06/25/08.

One day the radio would not change stations, I used the control on the steering wheel and radio turned up all the way and would not turn down until I pulled over and shut the car off. Took the car to dealer they tested and ordered a new radio. Not installed yet. A few days later the interior lights got real dim and would not get brighter unless I turned the auto lights off. This happened several times. About a week later,went out to start the car it would not start and the key got stuck in the ignition, called roadside assistance they jumped it and took it to dealer who said it was a loose ground. The radio quit working all together. Two days later it would not start again so I jumped it and it started. The radio started working as I was driving down the road. Four days later car would not start and we called roadside assistance again. They came and jumped it and towed it to dealer again where it is now.