This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
On going issue of brake lights intermittently coming on without touching brake pedal. First noticed something wrong because cruise control wouldn't activate. Found problem at night when I could see the glow from my brake lights on the top inside edge of my rear hatch. Replacing brake switch above pedal did not fix problem. Sounds kind of funny, but I got brake lights to go off while setting in driveway and pounding my center console out of frustration. Internet search found other GM vehicles with similar problems and frustrated owners that took vehicles to dealerships that didn't fix their problem. Issue appears to be circuit board related with circuit boards located on passenger side lower center console. A sharp rap with the palm of my hand in that area will always get the brake lights to go off when they shouldn't have been on. Doesn't happen often, but seems crazy to have to keep checking to see if my cruise will set so I know if my brake lights are on. Dealership claims they haven't seen this problem, though as I stated earlier, internet search will find other GM owners with similar issue of brake lights on without touching brake pedal. Have had issue setting still or moving. Have had cruise kick off going down the road when the brake lights came on without touching the brake pedal.
I was approaching a red light on aldi dr. And route 48.when I applied my brakes the pedal went to the floor resulting in running thru the light stopping in the middle of intersection of route 48 after using emergency brake to get stopped.it was a miracle that I didnt cause an accident.I do have a pa. Certified inspection mechanics license.I got out of car and seen brake fluid running out of right front wheel with 4 ways on I backed car off of route 48 into home depot parking lot and checked out what the problem was.I seen the caliber brake hose hanging down towards the ground with fluid running out.I called for a tow truck to take me home.when getting auto home I jacked right front of car up and placed jack stand under car.then removed R-front wheel and seen the that the metal clamp holding the brake hose to the car rusted away, it was paper thin resulting in the hose blowing off.with ABS and a single master cylinder it was a complete brake failure! I contacted General Motors and the were sorry about what happened.I have changed both front brake hoses.the both hoses where under $40 dollars.this is the worst brake failure that I have seen in my lifetime! I am in my 60S.I fill that the public needs to no about this before someone gets killed or hurt very bad.I was going about 5 miles an hour when this happened and couldnt stop car.the Chevy cobalt and HHR are on the same chassis.I have kept the faulty brake hose if needed in the future.I hope that the people that own these vehicles can be notified somehow. It will be nearly impossible for the majority of people to stop these vehicles without being involved in an accident. Thank you (xxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
First my airbag system started coming on saying service airbags and the sensors are all new, second the service ESC comes on intermittently causing vehicle to shift extremely hard from 1st gear (automatic tranny) braking system was working fine and all of a sudden the brake pedal goes to the floor no brakes and the fluid is full and the system was working just fine after making GM aware of this their response to it all is the vehicle is out of warranty and there is nothing they can do but this was an issue from date of mfg and GM refuses to fix or correct the ongoing issues all of these things have happened on city streets and highways if NHTSA cant help with this issue then I have no where left to turn except either to a morgue or a scrap yard
- Harrisburg, OR, USA
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On November 29th, 2017 I was driving South on the highway and I was about 200 feet back when I noticed that the breaks went down to the floor board and I freaked out and didnt know what to do. There was know light that came on for break or ABS light. I hit a car in front at the stop light ahead and ran into to her my car is totaled. I had a tow truck come and get the car and he said as well there were no breaks what so ever. About two weeks ago I was noticing my car was acting up with the electricial system I had a officer at the hospital come out and help me and he said thats what it looks like and he has never seen that before.
I have had to replace the hub bearings on my front wheels, twice in two years. Very loud noises and car shakes very bad when trying to stop. Front brakes, hub bearings, pads and rotors replaced two years ago. Now have to replace the hub bearings again.
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.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag sensor light illuminated off and on. Also, when the brake pedal was depressed, the stopping distance was extended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have to replace the brake pads every 6months and the tires wear uneven. The front right axle is loose, after they did the recall and fixed the steering column the vehicle stared messing up from loud noise to vibration in the pedals and steering wheel. If I want it fixed I have to pay for it. Only had vehicle not even 2 years from dealership and it has numerous issues. I wish I never got this vehicle and don't recommend it to anyone. This vehicle is not safe to drive when it rains because it looses traction and slides constantly.
Currently what I am driving my gears are getting stuck and this noise comes out when I drive, also my sensor is defective my lights in my car go off and on, a light saying I have low air on my tires go on. I have taking my car to the tire shop and even changed my tires but that did not work. My accident happen in January 2014 however there is new things that are occurring and I need help with the General Motors to fix my car. When the car was recalled I took it in and they only fixed the ignition switch and power steering I told them about the rest of the issues that I was having such as the transmission and I was told that was not their problem.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 10 mph, the brake pedal failed to respond and the electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a trailer. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 35,243.
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.
Please include repairing this issue in the recall of 2010 HHR vehicles. This is the most recent of multiple incidents where the electronic stability control (ESC) activates while traveling straight on dry pavement at speeds between 15 and 30 mph. As a chime sounds, and a message is flashed on the display, the vehicle briefly loses steering and pulls to the right while brake is involuntarily activated. On this occasion, the servicer found the female connectors to the ABS speed sensor were not making proper contact. He crimped the new ones tightly when installing the replacement ends. The service advisor admitted that my car is not the only one with this issue, he had seen this problem repeatedly. After turning the car off and restarting, the car continues normally. Fortunately, this has not yet caused an accident. The dealer has variously attributed the problem to mismatched tires (replaced with all new), bad hubs (both replaced), bad speed sensors (replaced), bad alignment (fixed) and a wrongly calibrated steering position sensor (re-calibrated). The vehicle has been towed, repaired repeatedly, and the problem is back again.
For the second time in a week, the vehicle is being serviced because the electronic stability control (ESC) activated several times since the last service while traveling straight on dry pavement at speeds between 15 and 30 mph. The vehicle briefly loses steering and pulls to the right while brake is involuntarily activated. After turning the car off and restarting, the car continues normally. Fortunately, this has not yet caused an accident. On this occasion, the dealer could not duplicate the problem. The dealer has variously attributed the problem to mismatched tires (replaced with all new), bad hubs (both replaced), bad speed sensors (replaced), bad alignment (fixed) and a wrongly calibrated steering position sensor (re-calibrated). The vehicle has been towed, repaired repeatedly, and the problem is back again. This needs to be elevated to a recall.
This is on of repeated incidents where the electronic stability control (ESC) activates while traveling straight on dry pavement at speeds between 15 and 30 mph. A chime sounds, a message appears on the display, the vehicle briefly loses steering and pulls to the right while brake is involuntarily activated. After turning the car off and restarting, the car continues normally. Fortunately, this has not yet caused an accident. On this occasion, the right front hub was replaced. The dealer has variously attributed the problem to mismatched tires (replaced with all new), bad hubs (both replaced), bad speed sensors (replaced), bad alignment (fixed) and a wrongly calibrated steering position sensor (re-calibrated). The vehicle has been towed, repaired repeatedly, and the problem is back again. This needs to be escalated to a recall.
Since purchasing this vehicle as a rental return, there have been repeated incidents where the electronic stability control (ESC) activates while traveling straight on dry pavement at speeds between 15 and 30 mph. The vehicle briefly loses steering and pulls to the right while brake is involuntarily activated. After turning the car off and restarting, the car continues normally. Fortunately, this has not yet caused an accident. The dealer has variously attributed the problem to mismatched tires (replaced with all new), bad hubs (both replaced), bad speed sensors (replaced), bad alignment (fixed) and a wrongly calibrated steering position sensor (re-calibrated). The vehicle has been towed, repaired repeatedly, and the problem is back again. This needs to be elevated to a recall.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fort Wayne, IN, USA