general problems of the 2008 Chevrolet HHR

Steering gets very stiff and sometimes locks up when turning left or right in a curve at highway speeds. Had dealer check it and they said they replaced steering motor. Did not correct problem. Made an appointment to check again but was told I would incur charges. I have had it to several mechanic shops and we cannot find anything loose or failing. In a parked position it locks up completely until you start rolling. Afraid steering is going to lock up in a curve and cause harm to driver and passengers. It is available for inspection. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance. Has no warning lights or messages pertaining to problem. The problem first appeared approximately 6 months ago.

Hello, how are you? the traction control warning light stays on and the button cannot turn it off. The engine light stays on and there is a service prompt on the information scroll lcd screen. The cruise control switch lights up but the cruise does not engage when the set button is pressed at any speed, ie, 30mph, 50mph, 55mph etc. The research I read recommends to contact you to help get this vehicle included in an existing recall for the same issues in other gm vehicles with the same equipment. In other words, this vehicle has the same defective equipment as other gm vehicles that have been recalled for repair. Due to the fact that this vehicle has the same defective equipment that was recalled in other gm vehicles I request this vehicle be covered under the same recall and able to be repaired as soon as possible.

The anti lock brake system isn't properly functioning every time I hit the brakes hard it locks the tires up and the car slides.

When I first start the car the brakes get hard and go halfway to the floor but once it warms up it works perfectly.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff and took excessive force to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where no failures were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

I am unable to get gm or my local chevy dealership to complete the two outstanding safety recalls in a timely manor. I've been extremely patient but they refuse to accommodate my simple needs. I've been working with chevy of south anchorage (dealership) since 4/8/2015 attempting to schedule the work for the weekend or get a loaner car. They were unable to accommodate my needs (a car while mine is being repaired or a loaner car). I contacted Chevrolet customer assistance center on 12/1/2016 after repeatedly being ignored or lied to by the dealership. For the past three month I've been getting absolutely no help from Chevrolet in getting a appointment for the weekend or a loaner car. I feel very unsafe driving the car but have no alternative. This has continued to cause me serious emotional distress. I have 57 emails between myself and Chevrolet customer assistance center or the dealership attempting to get this resolved on top of the countless phone calls, voicemails, and numerous visits to the dealership.

I was approaching a business driveway that required me to make a left hand turn, so I braked (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.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle started to shake violently when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. However they did advised the contact by phone that the vehicle could have developed tire flat spots and the rotors could have seized due to the vehicle seating for two months on dealers lot waiting for parts in order to repair recall NHTSA campaign id number 14v047000(air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,551.

This car is a safety hazard going down road. I bought it new in 2008. Rotors & brakes are horrible - have to have repaired multiple times. Bearings have went out, replaced & one went out again. I spend approx 1200 dollars a year just to get shaking out of front end, turning rotors & tires. But that isn't really the problem I am reporting: was having trouble with ignition switch - it was recalled - took it to dealer to have it replaced - understand that I was having no problems with car at this time - upon leaving dealers and within 15 miles power steering light comes on & I lose power steering. Now my power steering goes out unexpectedly whenever it decides to. Took back to dealer because I felt this was something they messed up and was told this is just a problem with Hhrs and that power steering motor needs to be replaced. After researching this. . . It is very common with this car, along with brake issues, severe shaking in front, bearings going out and many other problems that I have also had. I realize my car is high mileage, I work as a home health nurse & use this car for work, but I do keep it maintained. I hope that I will be able to get into different car before I get in accident in this one.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. While applying the brakes at a speed of 25 mph, the contact noticed that the front end of the vehicle began to shake violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the front rotors were replaced. The failure recurred two weeks after the repair. The recent failure was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 59,000.

When braking to come to a stop the brakes/wheels shutter and shake violently.

There was not a single incident that I could document the mileage and mph. The problem was most noticeable and frightening when going down an extended stretch of relatively steep grade in the mountains at a speed of 45 - 50 mph. The problem is vibration with the brakes. The car began shaking when applying the brakes in the summer 2011. We had the rotors (I think this is the part) turned sometime shortly before sept 25, 2011 and the problem returned at a low level very soon after and gradually increased. We had the same procedure done in August 2012 at a mileage of 52,000. The problem returned in February 2013 when the mileage was probably around 60,000.

Very rough front end vibration and difficulty steering while braking downhill. This is the "second time" this has occured and I notified my dealership. Dealership re-cut my rotors "due to rust on rotors".

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!.

Brakes shudder in front when moderate application at highway speed 120kph - dealer fix is having rotors machined but every time they do that they get thinner and heat up quicker therefore warp quicker. This time they had to replace rotors and machined rear drum because I literally had to you use the parking brake to stop on the highway to get back home from our trip. I'm a licensed mechanic and have never seen such poor performance in brakes, my solution would be to install disc brakes on the rear axle to improve the performance in braking. This problem started at since car was purchased 2008 first occurrence was at 5k (km) new rotors were put in at 45k (km). Please recall these brakes.

Car was approx 4 months old and brakes started squeaking-took into dealer-they turned the rotors-fixed for about 2 wks - its back again and now when I apply brakes the front end of the car shakes violently. I am scared to drive this vehicle. I've tried to enter several times - it will not take it.

Very rough front end vibration and difficulty steering while braking downhill. This first noticed and notified my dealership. Dealership cut my rotors "due to warping".

Twice in the first 30000 miles a pulsating feeling in the brake peddle had developed. The dealer said the front rotors were warped. The fix was to turn the rotors. The next time they will have to be replaced. This need for brake service every 15,000 miles is not right. The next time this happens the car will not be under warranty and will cause me to incur a considerable expense.

Popping, cracking, grinding sound and car vibrating upon applying brakes. Very hard to get car to stop took it to the dealer they said something was loose under the car and they had to cut and piece it back together. Sound stopped for about 2 weeks and is back worse than before have had the car for 10 months 8,400 miles on it. I am afraid to drive it because I don't want to hurt myself or anyone else I am actually looking at buying and older car to drive around in.

Very rough front end vibration and difficulty steering while braking at speeds over 50mph. Dealer turn rotors but came back after a few thousand miles.

Car has hardly any brakes in the mornings or after it has sit for a while. They work fine after driving for a bit. This is unsafe. We've almost slid out into the street backing down our steep driveway on several occasions. Have been to dealership twice, first time they reprogrammed brake control module, second time they said it was normal operation, I about blew a gasket, is it normal for your brakes not to work properly? I am very unhappy with the car.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. While backing out of the driveway, the contact noticed that maximum pressure needed to be applied to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that it was performing normally. The speed and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage was 5,198.

I have a 2008 chevy Hhr ss turbo with automatic transmission it has only about 1400 miles on it, and I have had it back to the dealership 3 times for the brakes. After sitting for a period of time, like overnight or while at work for 12 hours when I first get into the car the brakes don't work. They are very hard and have to be pumped several times before they work. I done my research and chevy is aware of the problem but don't have the fix available yet. I was told by the dealership that I'll just have to live with it. Not an acceptable answer. Hopefully I won't get in a wreck because of it. The dealership is making me bring the rent a car back and making me drive an unsafe vehicle.

2008 Hhr ss, on startup, power assist brakes do not function properly for 30-90 seconds, after which they work properly. This was first identified when I started my vehicle and began exiting my driveway the other day. A dog ran in front of my car, and I had to apply an exceptional amount of force to the brakes to keep from hitting the animal. . Read more...

I have a 2008 Hhr ss with the 2. 0l turbo engine that in my opinion has a severe brake problem. When the car starts up after being left off for a period of time the brakes do not apply pressure properly making it difficult to stop. Most times the problem goes away as the car warms up and is being driven. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they programmed the vehicles computer and told me that was the fix. They described the fix as adjusting the anti-lock brakes to compensate for the loss of pressure. This only helped slightly and now when the engine is cold if I apply pressure to the brakes I can feel the abs pulsating and even with full pressure applied the car jerks when stopped and even inches forward when at stop lights and stop signs until the car has warmed up for at least a few minutes. I do not think the "fix" of programming the vehicles computer is adequate and when I called back about the problems after the dealership applied their fix they told me that is all they can do. They also said they have had many reported issues of drivers of the same vehicle having similar problems so it appears to be wide spread enough to constitute a permanent fix.

Brakes are hard on cold start on my 2008 Chevrolet Hhr ss turbo. Almost had an accident because of this. It's in for the second time because their programming didn't work. I heard that the pontiac solstice and Saturn sky has the same problem. Thank you, pat.

When you start our new Chevrolet Hhr ss cold and drive off to quickly the brake pedal is rock hard and won't stop the car very well. Issue goes away once the engine is warmed up. Dealer says normal for this car and I say no way.

My 2008 chevy Hhr ss brakes do not have power assist on a cold start. After thirty seconds or more the brakes work fine. Unless I wait for the brakes to warm up there is not enough brake power to stop the vehicle in a normal manner. It seems to take twice as long to stop. When I apply the brakes the pedal goes to the floor and vibrates. Gm says this is a normal characteristic of the vehicle and that is does not pose a safety issue. I disagree, if a drive neglects to let the brakes "warm up" he or she could potentially run a child over or just not stop in time to avoid an accident. This is only an issue on the ss models.

I bought this car in June of 2008. It has been in the shop 17 times with electrical problems the brakes have quite working came to a stop sign and they went to the floor the car has shut off several times going down the road and when it rains really hard the car will not start it drains my brand new battery I got the car from bob steel Chevrolet in cocca FL they kept telling me there was nothing they could do I called a lawyer and gm motors decided to give me 10% of the car and they never fixed the car this it the 4th battery because it is draining them so much there no good gm motors told me they were going to label the car as a lemon but because I bought it used they weren't going to buy it back they also told me that the 2007 had the same problem but because this was a 2008 and no other problems with this model to just deal with it I don't know what lest to do please help.

When the vehicle sits overnight or a long period of time there will be no brakes or a very hard peddle when started for at least 30 sec to 1 min. I almost ran into garage door but managed to stop the vehicle using the emergency brake. This has occurred 3 times since I purchased the vehicle 3 weeks ago current mileage is 653. Vehicle has been at the service dept. 2 times for the TSB but now the dealer and gm says they have no fix for this issue.

Chevy 2008 Hhr ss inadequate brake power assist. Extremely hard pedal during first 3-5 minutes fails to stop car during this period.

Brakes lose vacuum when car sits for a while. On a cold start there is little braking power until the vacuum builds up. The dealership has been unable to correct the problem due to the fact gm does not have a fix for it. I have had the car 6 months with no fix. It's unsafe and I have a major concern due to having teenage drivers.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr super sport. Each morning while driving various speeds, the brakes do not stop the vehicle when the pedal is depressed. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer three times for this failure and the contact was provided with TSB number 0805220001. The current mileage was 3,685 and failure mileage was 7. Updated 09/16/08 the consumer stated the problem only happened with the first application of the brakes. When going downhill, the failed did not want to stop when coming to a stop sign. Updated 09/18/08.