11 problems related to service brakes have been reported for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2010 Chevrolet HHR based on all problems reported for the 2010 HHR.
Noticed that the cruise control would disengage randomly when activated. I checked the function of the brake lights at night and found that the brake lights would turn themselves on randomly with zero brake input, disengaging the cruise control. In this state, depressing the brake pedal more than around 30-40% would turn the brake lights off, even with the brake pedal fully pressed. Furthermore, with the brake pedal pressed to a moderate level, the cruise control is able to be engaged, even with obvious brake pressure being applied. This defeats the cruise control disengagement feature and the cruise control system will fight against the braking system to maintain speed instead of turning itself off as it seems to rely solely on the brake lights for the automatic disengagement. This issue is quite dangerous as this seems to happen quite often with the brake lights, but I cannot find any sort of consistent scenario that causes these issues to occur.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Hhr. While driving 40 mph, the traction and esc warning indicators illuminated. When the vehicle came to a complete stop, the brakes jolted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
In a parking garage on the 4th floor. Backing out of space. While backing up, I hear a loud boom. Nothing behind me. Thought perhaps a tire failure. Put vehicle in drive to pull forward out of traffic lane, and the engine accelerated uncontrollably. Brakes wouldn't respond. By the grace of g-d or reflexes, I turned the wheel to the right to avoid flying through the guardrail and off the 4th story of the parking garage. Vehicle came to a halt when it smashed into a concrete support pillar. Both air bags detonated, passenger-side air bag apparently broke the windshield on that side. Engine shut off. Lights in passenger compartment turned on, hazards started flashing on/off (couldn't turn them off). Waited for tow truck for 5 hours. Tow drivers had to jump battery - couldn't get front hood open, back door electronic lock non-functional due to dead battery. Tow driver climbed inside car, removed inside decking to access battery. Tow driver jumped battery, attempted start. First two or three times, it wouldn't start, eventually on the 4th or 5th time it started but the engine was racing again. Tow driver put car in reverse and it flew backward (I thought it was going to go off the deck of the garage backwards. . . ). He stopped the vehicle, turned the wheel and headed forward - it shot down the ramp until they got it out of the garage and on the truck (I was outside the vehicle watching from a safe distance while he did this). Vehicle totaled. Not sure what the problem is/was, but I'm lucky to be alive. Have heard of issues involving stuck idle solenoids, drive train problems, etc.
I was driving to an appointment, when my power steering flashed on the dash screen and my steering wheel went from fluid to stiff. I pulled over to the side of the road as soon as it happened and turned off the car. When I turned it back on, the steering was fluid again, but the air bag light had came on as well as the abs and traction. The steering wheel was fluid only for a few minuets, and then after making a few turns, I lost the steering once again. I have learned of a recall on the Hhr's power steering and starter. I will go to the dealer and ask them what they can do. I am filing this so it is noted in the records of the happenings.
Driving straight ahead on dry asphalt street at about 28 mph. The brakes began applying themselves very hard over and over and over. Made car buck and nearly stopped me dead in traffic. Dashboard message center said "esc active". It was the electronic stability control activating itself for no reason at all. I fortunately know where the esc off switch is, pressed and held it in until "esc off" came up on the message center. This halted the rogue braking. If I had been on the freeway, a total loss of would seem likely.
The srs light was red and stood lit for one month and then it went away, I have 3 children under 17 years of age and this problem just worries me and has me worried about the safety of my family while in this car. We had the ignition replace by the dealer about a year ago, because my wife could not turn off the car. No other problems reported by my wife. We love our Hhr. Great family car. We might need to go bigger since our growing family. Hope this problem of srs gets fixed or does not become a future problem.
After backing out of a parking space, stopping, and proceeding forward I attempted to again apply the brake after about 150 feet of moving forward. The brake pedal was hard but the brakes were not being applied at all. It made no difference even when applying much additional pressure to the pedal. It felt like the abs was preventing the brakes from working as I coasted to a stop. After a brief amount of time the brakes seemed to work normally. It has now happened two additional times after the car has been sitting for a number of hours.
On two occasions within the 3yr/36,000mile warranty, the esc and antilock temporarily went out with dashboard notification. No esc problems since, so it was not taken to dealership. In the meantime, we have a power steering problem that only occurred once during the warranty period at 35,000 miles. Now, at 40,000, the problem has worsened so the power steering fails every trip. The car steers hard when this occurs, obviously. Restarting the car resolves the problem for a few minutes.
On approximately March 26 2012 at night on a trip from phoenix az to reno nv my vehicle low beam headlamps went out, I drove from kingman az to indian springs nv with just my highbeams after stopping in indian springs and trying every knob and switch in the vehicle the front low beams came on. Then in the month of April the low beams went out all together and after being in the shop for 2 days it was diagnosed with a relay problem and repair was made and I had low beams again, but now the horn doesn't function and after being pulled over by the police I was advised that my taillights are out. Both problems possibly related to a fuse or relay problem but I haven't had it in the shop yet. Now when I purchased the veh in September of 2011 I noticed that the vehicle would shutter to a stop when applying the brakes, sometimes violently. Had a brake job done in March and was advised that the front rotors were warped. Had them repaired and everything was fine until approximately June 1st when the shuttering/vibrating started up again and the sometimes violently at that. I am really concerned when I apply the brakes that something may break lose when I apply the brakes. I've read on the internet many complaints from Chevrolet Hhr (different year models) owners of the same complaints and that after having the brakes worked on that the vibrating/shuttering comes back within 3 months. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that the anti-skid traction control system engaged without warning. The contact was barely able to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000.
I was turning left at a duel left turn lanes, I was on the out side, as I turned and accelerated to 35 the big red truck on the inside lane came into my lane of travel. As I saw this big red truck going across my hood I tried to stop and down shift when the left front tire skidded and the car jerked to the left and the car and truck met.