Problems with 2006 Chevrolet HHR POWER TRAIN

The shift lever shows the vehicle in park but the actual gear is reverse because the transmission shift cable adjustment clip has become dislodged from its position and will not engage to the proper gear. as a result the vehicle will not start and it will also roll backwards without engaging the parking brake. it was stationary when i was attempting to park it but it then rolled backwards down a hill because it was not engaging in park and almost hit another vehicle before i could apply the parking brake. this issue is the same issue that is part of a recall 09v073000 for my specific vehicle; however it doesn't include my year or vin so the dealers are not trying to repair it for me without cost.

My air bag service light comes on and my power steering dont work while this air bag service light is on. my heat dont work either while my air bag service light is on. i can drive it for awhile and when my air bag light goes off my power steering starts to work and my heat does too.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact indicated that there had been no failures with the vehicle until the manufacturer had the dealer complete a manufacturer recall repair for the ignition switch. the repair caused several failures and did not provide a permanent repair solution. within weeks of the dealer's repair, the key was difficult to remove from the ignition switch and the contact had to constantly maneuver the gear shift, which had also been an issue. in addition, the speedometer failed to provide a reading and the instrument cluster gauges failed to fully function after the repair. the contact was unable to determine what the solution would be to repair the vehicle. the manufacturer was not notified. the nhtsa campaign number was unknown. the approximate failure mileage was 147,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the vehicle jerked whenever the contact shifted gears. the failure occurred whether the vehicle were in drive, neutral, or reverse. the contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). the contact adhered to the recall; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 181,732.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving approximately 7 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. the contact mentioned that the vehicle jerked forward and stalled without warning. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 169,350.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the gear shift failed to lock in the park position. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the technician diagnosed that the gear shift needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 144,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled and was not able to restart. the vehicle was towed to the dealer who reprogrammed the computer, provided the contact with a new set of keys, and repaired the vehicle according to nhtsa campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical system). the failure recurred and the key remained stuck in the ignition. the vehicle also failed to shift out of park, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver, and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor, the gear box, and shifter needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. after the contact returned to the vehicle shortly after it had been parked, she found it had rolled away three houses downhill. the vehicle had driven over a curb, sideswiped a tree, and crashed into cinder blocks. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. the cause of the failure was unknown. the manufacturer was notified. the failure mileage was 115,000. updated 8/28/14*cn the consumer stated the dealer advised that the cover interlock was removed. the shifter did not lock into gear. the lock was missing. the consumer was not given any paperwork to explain the issues. the consumer was advised by multiple mechanics the vehicle would not drive with these defects. updated 11/25/2014 *js

2006 chevrolet hhr. consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice. *smd the consumer stated the steering wheel and front end were shaking, and there was a noise coming from the vehicle. the technician found a worn out bearing, the steering shaft had an internal failure and the sway bar links were worn. the steering column, intermediate shaft and sway bar links were replaced. also, it was difficult to shift out of park at times. it was determined a liquid had been spilled in the shifter. also, the consumer was unable to remove the key from the ignition. *jb

Can shift with out pushing brake or shift bottom, also key get stuck in on position when in park. have not fixed it yet due to the cost of the park and labor. have looked on line and a lot of other hhr owners are having the same problem. also brake fluid warring come on but fluid is full. *tr

Key got stuck in ignition. this apparently is a common known issue with this vehicle. they did a recall but only on the 2009 models. the gear shift assembly goes bad and there is a plastic piece that breaks causing the key to get stuck. i had to go into the steering column to manually release the key. the gear shift also will go into any position without having to press the button, which is a huge safety issue since it can be put into reverse while driving, etc. tried to take it in to get fixed but will cost about $300. this should have been a recall since it has been an issue with all the early hhr models, not just the 2009.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the gear lever failed to shift from park or into any gear until after numerous attempts. additionally, the vehicle would jerk and surge once the gear shift was moved out of the park position. the failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was unavailable. the approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

When starting from a stopped position in a signal controlled left turn lane, the clutch was depressed as usual. this time it made a popping noise and the pedal went to the floor, rendering the car inoperable. the driver was left stranded in the middle of a roadway. fortunately, this happened in a light traffic area, but could have easily occurred on the freeway or when attempting to pass another vehicle. the mechanic found the clutch master cylinder had broken out of the firewall and repaired it as best he could without pulling the engine. he stated that he discovered some reports of chevrolet having similar issues in this and other products; however, the dealer where we purchased the vehicle had no knowledge. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the gears were able to be changed without using the button. the vehicle has not been repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 67,144.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the key seized in the ignition and the vehicle failed to shift to park. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the ignition switch cylinder was replaced along with the battery. the manufacturer was contacted. the approximate failure mileage was 132,441.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the ignition failed and the key could not be release from the ignition switch. the contact had to move gear shifter lever several times in order to shut the engine off. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the failure was located at the gear shifter and the dealer replaced the gear shifter system. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 38,402. ..updated 08-07-13 *bf

Vehicle will stall and we will crash or be hit by some one. when the vehicle stalls you loose all power that is power steering,brakes,the ability to maintain control of my vehicle .it began with my key getting stuck in the ignition,would have to try to place in park multiple times to release the key. found the panel in the steering column and the release button to remove key. now the gear shift button is stuck in the pressed position, making the car vulnerable to coming out of gear. this is extremely unsafe and costly to fix. additional personal research has indicated this is a common & known issue with the manufacturer. *tr

My 2006 hhr has had to have the front and rear end struts replaced and now, the power steering motor and drive shaft. the vehicle only has 80k miles on it. i don't drive it that much so it shouldn't be having all of these issues. why hasn't gm issued a recall on this vehicle for all the problems it has? i've read countless similar stories on the internet. this vehicle needs to be recalled to address these issues. *tr

Pulled into garage, placed shifter in park, ignition key would not rotate to last detent position and key could not be removed, leaving some electrical items on. shifter button was depressed and would not unlock but shift could be put in any gear. i searched internet for problem and learned how to remove cover under ignition switch and manipulate a button inside the column to allow key to be released. car can be started again but to shut off and remove key, same process required. a big problem i have found on internet from other owners is that instead of paying the outrageous cost to fix, many drivers are doing the above, which is a dangerous situation because the shift lever can easily, accidentally be shifted into another gear while in motion ! this problem is caused be a metal pin, mounted in an inferior plastic piece, which breaks or otherwise allows the metal pin to fall out of position. this is reported in all year models, at all mileages. my car is a 2006 with 11000 miles- 7 years old, and obviously hardly used, let alone abused, and of course, out of warranty ! gm has upgraded the replacement part with a shroud of metal reinforcing the plastic, and has repaired and replaced under warranty on models from 2009 to date. this is obviously a design defect, and also a safety issue. gm needs to recall all models with this defect ! they are not offering any solution for a repair that many owners have paid up to $600 of their own money, and i for one am going to fight this in all ways possible. gov.'t, media, bbb,social media, etc ! review the internet by searching " chevy hhr ignition key stuck" . this also affects chevy cobalt and pontiac g5. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the ignition key could not be turned to engage the engine and the vehicle also could not be shifted from park. the vehicle had not been diagnosed. the manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 116,000.

The power steering light comes on frequently. i have no power steering and have to do it manually which makes is very difficult to steer. this has been happening more and more. sometimes i can only back out of the driveway when this happens. as there are numerous complaints on this issue, i am wondering way chevy doesn't do a recall. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the gear shifter became stuck and he was unable to power off the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the shifter panel needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the approximate failure and current mileage was 95,000. the vin was not available.

I had came back home and put the car into park, i turned the engine off, and tried to pull out the key and the key was stuck in the on position. *tr

Power steering message on dash; security light comes on; rpm, speed, and gas gauges jump, transmission jerks, clicking in center console under shifter. after turning engine off for period of time runs like normal, restart an drive for period of time and power steering goes out while driving. *tr

Some portion of the shifter mechanism failed. it allows the vehicle to shift gears at will, with or without a key and with or without the engine running. it also allows the vehicle to be put into gear without depressing the brake pedal. the vehicle can 'bump' from 'park' into any gear and from any gear to any other gear, including "reverse". while driving, one bump caused it to shift into 'neutral'. another caused a downshift. one can leave turn off the ignition & leave the car without putting it securely into 'park'. i am not positive, but i believe i could also make the steering column lock while the ignition was on. i tried this while attempting to remove the key. i did nto want to try again, fearing i would make the situation worse. additionally, the key is now retained in the ignition and can not be removed. the car can be more easily stolen. (on mine, i found out how to force the key out of the ignition. but the gear shifter can still bump around.) the mentioned crash was from exiting the car either without it being securely in 'park' or from having it fallout of 'park'. it rolled into a parked vehicle. i entered "0 mph" because i wasn't there to see the car roll. it was on a small enough incline that no damage was done other than scratches. *tr

i drove my vehicle to new jersey for vacation but came back to virginia within two days. upon my arrival in virginia, i repacked my bags and headed to charlotte, nc. all the driving that i was doing was highway driving. to new jersey i drove i-81 north and i-78 east. to charlotte, nc i drove 220 south and i-85 south. after i got off on i-85 south to go back to the hotel on the way up the hill towards the hotel the car stopped moving forward. it would rev up when pushing on the accelerator but would not move forward. the car however would shift gears and go in reverse. i parked the car in a parking lot and had called my insurance company to have the car towed to the local chevrolet dealership.the dealership determined that the transmission failed but could not give me a determination as to why it failed. had the transmission failed as i was speeding down i-85 south there would have been a serious accident. additionally, this morning (august 22nd , 2012) the car would not start. the lights inside the car would come on such as the gauge lights, radio, etc but the engine would not turn over. i had the car towed to the midpoint chevrolet dealership and it was determined that the starter was bad and thus had to be replaced. also, the morning of november 24th upon returning to my car from a night out the car would not start again. this time no lights would come on. the only indication that there was at least some power was the indicator light on my car charger. i contacted my insurance company and received a jump start from a local tow service and the vehicle has been running smoothly ever since. this has occurred twice in the last few months but there is no indication as to what may be draining the battery's power. i have had the battery checked twice and on these two occasions and is deemed to still be good. *tr

After traveling back and forth from one county to another (approx 130 miles roundtrip) as i exited the fwy the car was driving normal except for i was on empty at this point. i came to a complete stop when light turned green i began to accelerate. upon acceleration at approx. 10-15mph the car made a hard jerking motion as though it was having a hard time shifting gears however my 06 hhr is an automatic. at this point i also noticed that the check engine light had now illuminated on the instrument panel. i took the car straight home and did not attempt to drive again for 3-4 days. then one day i drove it approx 15 miles all was good. i went shopping upon leaving the car still appeared to be normal. then while on the fwy approx 70mph i noticed the check engine light on again as well as the t/c light (traction control) the car continued to drive "normal" but once i came to a stop on the offramp and began to accelerate the jerking motion happened again. i've noticed that on a few occasions this happens once the gas is on empty. i also noticed on one occasion that once i had put a little over half a tank of gas in as well as a bottle of fuel injector cleaner that the indicator lights shut off as well as the jerking had disappears. we have had the transmission flushed and still the problem persists. aside from that when you try to remote start the engine once the check engine light has come on the remote start no longer works. you hear the electrical all come on but that's it. then all of a sudden the other night i attempt to exit my car and the driver door handle snapped right off. my husband contacted the local dealership requesting price for the part and was told $300+. i just found the piece for $63.00 online. ..unbelievable! but the handle broke so easily. i didn't pull hard. if i had the door would've at least popped open a lil. but it didn't budge. *tr

For about a month my key kept getting stuck in the ignition but i could always get it out myself. i would shift from "park" to "drive" and then back to "park" to remove it. finally one day i could not remove it. i brought it to the dealership and had to have a part in the shifter replaced to fix the problem. apparently the "car" could no longer recognize it was in park and safe to remove the keys. the cost was $250.00 and now the key still sticks. it seems like this is a real problem and chevy should take responsibility for it. *jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that she shifted into park and the key would not remove from the ignition. the contact also stated that the button located on the gear shift was jammed inside of the shifter itself. due to the jamming of that button, the gear shift moved freely between gears even though the brake pedal was not depressed. the dealer and manufacturer were not notified. the failure mileage was 82,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the gear shifter would have to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 64,186.

Display showed power steering error and transmission box was clicking. car started bucking as if transmission was going out. took to dealer who could not replicate error after three days. picked up car and now cd player shows err o. this is frustrating as heck! dealer did say that there was a bulletin that 2006 hhr's did have this type of problem. dealer rep. owns 2007 hhr and hoped he did not have the same issue. spent over $700 total and problem still there? chevrolet / gm where is your loyalty to your loyal customers? issue a recall and fix these issues before there are deaths because of them and you are forced to do what is right by the gov.'t. *tr

My gear shifter is malfunctioning. it is stuck in park. i do not have reliable transportation and would like this repair to be on the recall list with chevy being that there are a multitude of complaints about the gear shifter. *tr

I put my car in park and when i went to take the key out of the ignition it would not come out. i realized that the key would not come out because the gear shifter piece was pushed all the way in, it was broke. this meant that my car was left on and the battery was drained because i could not turn my car off. now my car will not start at all the battery is charged but the car will not turnover. i have looked online and have found that there are many complaints concerning the same problem with this vehicle. i am told by the dealership that i have to pay $710 to have this problem fixed. can you please look into this because this seems to be a big problem. *tr

Gear shifter pin broke & now won't lock in gear. the key cannot be removed except by removing a cap on the steering column & pressing a release button. defective gear shifter pin. ------------------------------------- i went home & tried to take my key out but it would not release so since the car would not turn completely off the battery died. i found out on the internet that this has happened to thousands of people. i found out how to remove the plug on the steering column to press the release to take out the key. the gear shifter will not lock so it is easy for it to slip into neutral or out of park & roll away. i don't have the $500 they said it will take to fix it so i have to live with it. i always have to make sure to lock my emergency brake & have to hit the release to take my key out. this is dangerous & so wrong of gm not to recall this when so many have had this problem. this is their defect & not the customers. *tr

i am scared, for my family's safety fear that this vehicle will stall and we will crash or be hit by some one...when a vehicle stalls you loose all power...that is power steering, brakes.....the ability to maintain control of your vehicle i am attaching a link that gm should review.....danger this vehicle is an accident waiting to happen !!!!!!!!!!!!! copy this link to your web browser http-//abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/abc11_investigates&id=6811236 if you would prefer i can send a typed transcript ...

2006 chevy hhr :: problem :: power steering message on dash and hard to steer, abs light on, transmission making car buck while driving, and speedometer is bouncing. this is the second time it has happened, last time dealer found only "communication codes" and did not fix anything so nothing was covered by the extended warranty. that was 9 months ago at 50140 miles. *kb

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into park, the gear shifter became stuck and it was very difficult to remove the key from the ignition. the contact had to shake the gear shifter in order to remove the key. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed, but the contact felt the gear shift actuator was failing. the failure and current mileages were 55,000.

I purchased a 2006 chevrolet hhr for my daughter with a 72 months /100,000 miles extended warranty (which has one year and six months left). she brought her car home from school on summer vacation saying that her car was shifting funny. we took it tarr chevrolet service department believing that with our extended warranty they would be able to figure out the problem, repair it, and all would be good. however, that was not the case. it took them two weeks to figure out the transmission was blown. i was called today and had with a very confusing conversation with the service manager. i was told that i had two options for getting my car repaired. it was explained to me that i could either get a used transmission with 33,000 miles on it already and it would be covered by a one year warranty (the transmission that just broke down with only 55,000 miles on it). or i could get a new transmission and pay the difference of 1,500.00 dollars which seems unfair to me. this is a short summary of what has transpired and it is very discouraging to my daughter and i. we were wondering if you had any insight into our predicament. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that when driving at any speed, the power steering would fail intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced the power steering motor. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the current mileage was 43,000 and the approximate failure mileage was 42,000. updated 9/27/11 *cn also, the consumer was unable to remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle was placed in park. the shifter was replaced. updated 02/01/12

Power steering failure while driving my vehicle with children. *tr

Key will not come out of the ignition when in park due to a plastic part in the shifter breaking. this will not allow the shift lock actuator to engage and release the keys. there is an ignition unlocking mechanism under the steering column but that leaves the gear shifter able to move freely from gear at all times, even while driving. this is occurs everyday. the dealer replaces at the owner's expense with the same defective part. *tr

Right front drive shaft failed while stopped at a red light. vehicle unable to move. very dangerous !!! *tr

Key stuck in ignition. unable to remove without using the release button under the steering column. taken to repair shop to see what the problem was. was advised that the gear shift is not going completely into park, therefore the key will not release. was also advised that my car is not locked in any one position, so while driving the shifter will switch from drive to natural. no work done to fostly, contacted dealer who advised same issue on 2009 hhr's and they are being recalled, but mo open recall on 2006 at this time. *tt

The button on the shift lever on the automatic transmission of my 2006 chevy hhr sticks in the in position allowing the transmission to be shifted into any gear including park and reverse as i am driving. this problem is intermittent but recurs from time to time, very unpredictable. at this time i have not fixed it because i was debating trading the car in. *tr

2006 chevy hhr. gear shift control pin falls out of plastic retainment piece resulting in gear shift button sticking in the inward position and the key remaining locked in steering column. due to a defect in manufacturing, the plastic cracks around the pin retainment hole. the control pin then becomes loose, thus resulting in the control pin either moving out of it's intended position and jamming the gear selector, or falling out completely and allowing the gear selector to move in any gear at any time, weather the car is running or shut off. once control pin moves out of position or falls out, the micro switch cannot be activated to release the key from the ignition, thus resulting in a dead battery very dangerous. the dealerships are aware of this problem but insist there is no t.s.b. or recall. they could easily replace the plastic retainment part with the newer version used in later models, but claim they can't get it. there remedy is to replace the entire shifter assembly at a cost of $150.00 plus labor. the newer retainment part can't cost more than 15 dollars,(narrow piece of plastic ~ the size of a pencil with a small hole in it). this part goes from the top of the shifter to the bottom of the gear selector and holds the control pin in position, which in turn, activates the micro switch to release the keys. with the amount of occurrences listed online since 2006. this, without a doubt, should be a recall. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated the gear shift would not move from gear to gear while the vehicle was in operation. in addition, the contact stated that the key would come out of the ignition without the vehicle being locked in the park position. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. the failure and current mileages were 43,000. updated 10/27/10. *lj

2006 chevy hhr lt with automatic transmission. metal pin mechanism located in lower shifter handle which activates transmission interlock slides out of shifter unit due to excessive wear on the plastic carrier bracket. shifter handle is then able to be pulled out of park when key is in "off" or "lock" position and key cannot be removed from ignition without disassembling the console to activate the microswitch interlock. anecdotal evidence indicates this problem occurs across hhr and cobalt platforms. *tr

2006 hhr with automatic transmission. repair light lit with codes indicating internal transmission problems and bad connections in electrical system. several trips to mechanic localized problem to connector plug on transmission. harness wire is too short and drivetrain flex causes strain on plug resulting in failure of connector pins in plug. *tr

2006 hhr key sticks in ignition. button that ignites shifter broken and sticks in place causing the shifter to be easily engaged at any time. car is at 70,822 miles. car dealer states it is not covered by transferable manufacturers 5 yr/100,000 powertrain warranty. car was purchased used 05/2007. cost to cover replacement is over 300.00. if operators do not get this replaced i am sure it will cause property death, injury, and accidents as the shifter can be engaged by a slight bump to park, reverse, neutral, etc. *tr

I have had my 2006 hhr in dealership 3 times for a hard shifting transmission. they rebuilt the transmission and i am having the same problem again. i took it back they drove it and it was fine. this hard shifting happens maybe 25per cent of the time but when it does it shifts very hard and continues. i am afraid it will put me down what can i do? *tr