One problem related to brake grinding noise has been reported for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Chevrolet HHR based on all problems reported for the 2008 HHR.
Since we got the Hhr 3 years ago we have had to replace the rotors 5 different times because they become warped. The new ones only last a month, maybe a 1,000 miles of wear before the brakes start to become warped again. Two months ago before I could get it into the shop to replace the rotors I stepped on the brake doing about 5 mph when I heard a grinding noise. I immediately took it the shop, 50 miles away, to find out that a brake pad was completely missing!!! apparently the warped rotor uneven surface jerked the brake pad out of its setting and that is why it was missing. The mechanic had to do a complete brake (front) job using the best rotors on the market 2 months ago and in less than 1 month, with no heavy braking, the brakes are once again showing signs that the rotors are warped---stepping on the brakes it is jerking once again, and now they are almost as bad as they were when I took them in to get repaired. It is a very dangerous situation especially realizing the possibility of another brake pad coming off when I step on the brake. I have read online so many other people complaining of this same problem with these cars. I strongly feel that there needs to be a recall on these cars before something horrible happens to the occupants riding in these cars.