Ignition problems of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR

My car would not turn off. The key is stuck in the ignition in the on position and will not turn to the off position. Was told, without even getting past the above description " it's an Hhr isn't it" by person on the phone from Chevrolet dealership. We were told by the Chevrolet dealership to pull fuse in engine and drive it over tomorrow since the garage is closed it being Sunday. Called dealership back to notify would bring car over now due to issues with transportation for Monday. . . . Ended up having to have it towed because it was unsafe to drive since when turned on it keeps sputtering as though miss firing and sounds as if it is going to stall. . . .

After parking in the drive way around 11:30 pm the ignition key would not turn off. I tried to use the release plunger but ended up removing the lower steering column cover and forcing it over the key. Then I pulled the wire harness off which shut off the engine. I was able to start the car by putting the wire back on and twisting the key. The dealer said the key was bent and charged me $400 to replace the switch. They obviously used pliers to remove the key. While in their waiting room I read an article in a March issue of motor magazine that said this is a common problem for several cars including Hhr's and they are not sure why. I feel this should have been on recall and not be charged to us. The keys may be too soft or it was a manufacturers defect in the first place.

2009 Chevrolet Hhr. Consumer states key was stuck in the on position the consumer stated the only way for his wife to shut the vehicle off, was to take her foot off the gas and let the clutch out while it was still in gear. The consumer had to disconnect the battery in order to prevent it from going dead and possibly damaging the electrical system. The next day, the consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, where he was informed, he was not the only person to bring their vehicle in for a defective ignition key cylinder.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that when inserting the key in the ignition, it would not turn. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer where they advised her that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 79,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition. On a later date, the key could not be turned in order to start the engine. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where the mechanic found that the tumblers failed in the ignition. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage is 53,000. Updated 02/15/lj updated 02/22/12.

Tl- the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. While parked, the contact attempted to remove the key from the ignition but the key would not disengage and the contact was unable to shut the vehicle off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostics but was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 44,250. Kmj.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated the ignition key failed to turn the vehicle off and the vehicle was stuck in the on position. The contact removed a fuse in order to shut the vehicle off, and have it towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 55,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that while traveling 50 mph, the wheel wobbled. The contact also mentioned that the wipers failed to function and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the ignition lock and rotors needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.

I arrived home at 2:30am and my car would not turn off. The keys were stuck in the ignition. I had it towed to the dealership that night. The service department called me in the morning to inform me that this is not covered under warranty. I have been on the phone all morning trying to get this issue resolved. Still no resolve!!!.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that when parking the vehicle and shifting into park, the keys would become stuck in the ignition and the engine was unable to be turned off. The contact spoke with the dealer who recommended bringing the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The contact was able to remove the keys from the ignition with the assistance of a tow truck driver and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 75,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact was unable to turn the key in the ignition and start the vehicle. When using the key fob, he was able to use the remote start feature. Once the vehicle was started, he was unable to shut it off because the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,254 and the current mileage was 26,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the bottom part of the steering column as the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the ignition became fractured while in the on position as the esc and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition and the power steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.