I have a 2008 HHR with 104000 miles on it. I have had a problem with the ignition when I stuck the key in it and it wouldn"t turn so it was towed to the dealership and thank God it had less than 100000 miles on it so it was covered. I also have the shaking of the car when I put the brakes on. Now in this last week I have a car that either the transmission is slipping or I don't know what it is. I could drive it in the morning and no problem yet I could drive it a couple hours later and as Iam driving along at 40 or 50 or 60 and then the car will surge and the rpms will go up to 4 or 5 and stay there until I drop the gas down or I shift it to neutral and then drive and it may work for a short time or a may be fine. To say the least Iam really unhappy with my HHR. When this happened to me on the highway I quick took it in to a shop and they put it on the diagnostic machine and no codes came up and there was no codes showing on my car. Has any one else had this kind of problem??

 

Have you had the transmission serviced as per maintenance schedule ?

 

ritter46, did you take any one from the shop on a ride with you so you could show them what you are experiencing since they couldn't grab any codes off of the vehicle?

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Took my HHR to the dealer where I brought the car at and they just told me that I need a new transmission. I was not happy since this is the second major issue that I have had with this car. I bought it used with 53000 miles on it and we have only had it two years and we have only put 51500 miles on it. I just had them replace my ignition cause it wouldnt turn of coarse after they fixed it we got a letter from GMC saying that they have had some problems with them. The transmission will cost me $3300.00 dollars to fix this does not make me a happy camper with this lemon of a car.

 

I understand the frustration of having a car with problems. First thing though check all sensors and fuses and relays. Check the small things first. seems like many times it turns out to be somethimg like that. Get a second opinion as well. Of course the dealer is going to tell you its the tranny. More money in that.

 

ritter46 - first off welcome to the forum.

However, when you come here asking for help, and people offer up questions to you to help you out, it is probably best that you respond to their questions, else how can you be helped? Diagnosing problems here is much like the game of 20 questions - but one cannot play the game without answers to the questions.

ie: sleeper asked if you had the transmission serviced - no response from you
Michelle asked if you had anyone from the shop take a ride so you could demonstrate the problem - no response from you

In other words, the more info we have, the better we can help you out. :-)

Heck it just might be a matter of low tranny fluid due to a leak - have you seen any drips coming from the front of the car at all?

 

I agree with the other posters.. get a second opinion. Also, if it does turn out to be a bad transmission, you should strongly consider getting a salvage (junkyard) transmission instead of a rebuild. It would cost considerably less, and there are plenty of them out there. The transmission on these vehicles is generally very reliable and I haven't heard of many failures on here so a low-mileage used one would be a pretty safe bet.

 

Well the fact is that the car has over 100k miles on it. Parts do fail. Some break earlier than others. Some seem to last forever. If the transmission is bad, don't blame the brand or the car. You got it used,so the first half of it's life it may have been abused. Who knows.
Like stated above. Get a second opinion. If you need the trans. rebuilt or replaced, I would look at either a salvage unit or a rebuild by an independant trans. shop. It would be a whole lot cheaper than letting a dealer do the work. Probably half the cost or even less.

 

Having to have a transmission replaced sucks, no doubt.
But calling a car with over 100k on it - a lemon, is.....

 

Key problem was covered under GM, obvious know problem. Suprised it hadn't already been taken care of.

Shaking while braking, @ 104K miles, I'm sure you need brakes.

Surging, could be coils/plugs, IAC, fuel pump, injector, etc. Since it doesn't do it all the time, my guess would be something electrical. You just need to find a good shop.

Again, 104K miles. Problems you are talking about don't say transmission to me, but something electrical going bad. It's the what that needs to be determined. If (and that's a big if) it's the tranny, I can probably find at least 5 in the local craigslist for under $500 with half your miles on them.

2 problems on a used car that now has 104K miles on it, and it's a lemon.....

Find yourself a good shop to take it to.