I have had a MANY issues with my HHR!

Most recently, this same thing has happened to me now.
This is about the 4th time now in the past week.

This first started last Saturday (i think it was) & my HHR left me stranded at the grocery store. Lights were on, dash read all kinds of "check this & that" warnings. But wouldn't turn over.
Had to jump start the next day & then of course the Power Steering goes out. Replaced PWR STR fuse (for the 3rd time in a month now) & it was good to go.

Since then, it only friggin happens when I really need to be somewhere!

The other day when this happened again, I went to take a video of the HHR dash about 5 hours after it wouldn't start (taking vids for my many "wonderful" HHR moments to show dealer) & darned thing started up just fine.
I went back inside & left it alone.
Next morning my husband was back in town & once again it wouldnt start.
He left it alone & hours later it started.
At that time, he took it back to get battery checked for the 3rd time at Advanced Auto & of course it read that battery was perfectly fine!

Very stubborn car! Can't decide if it wants to work or not


I had my battery tested at both the Chevy/GM & Advanced Auto place several times now because of ALL the problems I have had with my HHR.

My battery is about 7 months old & all "tests" say that my battery is above average, in great good shape!
I have a warranty on the car but every time I take it there I am told that they can't find any problems with it.
So it's getting frustrating having a car that works when it wants too, locks up while driving, leaves you stranded & makes you late for some important functions/appointments/meetings.

So WHY all the problems?

I'm afraid every time I have to go somewhere that I'm eventually going to end up in a very bad accident or that my car is just going to cause a very bad accident.

My HHR has put me through A LOT! Bought it used as a certified GM car in October of 2011. From October, the car has been to the dealership once a month for some problem.

•Power steering going out, turn off car & it's back to working.
•Replacing power steering fuse often due to jump starting HHR or due to fuse rattling loose.
•Woke in the AM a day after we drove HHR for 4 hours (longest I have ever drove the car non stop) & battery was completely dead, no lights, sounds nothing but dead. Wouldn't start from the "jumping spot" under hood, so had to crawl through backseat & pull seats down to jump from actual battery. Worked then, but PWRSTR out, replaced PWR STR fuse & it was back working.
•HHR dash lights, radio & A/C panel flickering On & Off like a short or something
•Headlights going on & off while driving (like the flickering above)
•Airbag light on passenger seat switching from On to Off back & forth (this happened when the CHEVY place sent my car to have a leather kit put in, & is not part of the recall for some odd reason)
•Fuse lid popping off, from rattling & shaking fuses loose.
•Car shuts off while driving & steering locks up without any warning prior too (this one has almost caused a few very bad accidents).
•HHR knocking under hood loud & sounded as something metal & heavy was loose & felt as though car would just fall apart.
•When I drive near a police car the radio makes a loud pop sound (this took about a few months to figure out. Kept hearing the pop every now & again & started to notice that it seamed to happen when I was near a police car).
•Front outlet under A/C hasn't worked since we bought car. Replaced its fuse & still doesn't work.
•Smell of soured pollen or some "odd" smell coming through the vents

This isn't all the issues but I have to run... Taking HHR to the dealer so as I can be car-less for a week to be told there aren't any problems


I really would like to know what the deal was because my Chevy dealer always says, "mam we can't find anything wrong with your HHR". Which is absolute BULL$hï£!

Husband just tried to start car with key chain & it is stuck over & over trying to start! Oops doesn't sound good AT ALL!

 

It's hard to believe all that stuff is happening and they can't duplicate it. Really hard.

That said, there also must be something gone bad in a place where it can affect all of this. One of the main grounds might be loose, or a wire got its insulation rubbed off in a pinch somewhere. Hopefully you can get someone to take the time to find it.

 

Yeah I was told today that the battery is good, but I need to have 12 volts in order for "things to work properly" & I am only getting 10 volts. Chevy seams to think that the electrical problems are due to the battery, so they are replacing it for $170.

I figured I would let them replace the battery & spend the extra $70 that way if the problems still occur, I can't be blamed for anything & they will be able to know better then what's wrong!

Hope it works when I pick it up today!!

 

This happened to me the first day I had my new HHR SS. Lights and sound, turn the key: nothing. Connected booster, car started.

 

How are things going since you picked up your HHR from the dealership?

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service