Hello everyone. I’m doing some research for my mother who is finally agreed to get a new car after 12 years. She originally wanted a PT Cruiser but it seems that GM has some issues with the transmission they use in it. I suggested the HHR and she likes the looks of it.

Anyway my concern would be are there any significant problems that owners have experienced? It looks like there have been a slew of TSB’s for mostly minor things (although the quantity is a bit of a concern) although the brakes seem to have some issues from the threads I’ve read.

She would be buying a LS with an auto as the only option. This will be her last car as she will put all of 3,000 miles a year on it.

 

Hi D1C2, First, the PT Cruiser is Chrysler, not GM. I'm not sure what the brake issue is. I've not experienced it myself. In fact the only "Issue" with the brakes was the ABS kicking in way to often last winter, and that was due to really worn tires loosing traction.

HHR's do have some annoyance issues that generally do get fixed during the warranty period. The fact that there typically isn't anything major that goes wrong with the cars is reassuring. Mine has had two recalls for minor safety issues (headliner padding and something for the upper glove box latch) and one warranty issue (AT shifter replaced/ignition key not releasing). Not bad, considering that a friends 06 Corolla has been in the shop more than I have with my Chevy.

 

Tahoes have 3 times as many TSBs as the HHR. I would say only the new Malibu has fewer. TSBs are only ways of easily fixing something or updating parts or repair procedures. Don't let that scare you away. Check the government site on any vehicle, you will see they all have TSBs

That being said, I think I will go see if there are any new ones to post up.

 

TSB's only count IF you have that particular problem..I was digging around for some online info for my 89 S'Rado ( combined vehicle gross weights) and came across a history list of TSB's for it..other then one recall for ball joints( non lubed, go figger) I really couldn't relate to most of them, and of those I could they were never really an issue 308k later I still own and drive it...so don't let a TSB bother you...they just guide the mechanic so he doesn't have to use up alot of time chasing down the problem....You think cars are bad, you should the equivilant for airplanes...now some of those will right out scare you!! But then airchines have a time limit to comply or no-fly.

 

HHR's are as good a quality as anything on the road. My '07 has 50K Kms. and other than minor niggles (brake rotors warping, etc., fixed under warantee), no problem. In fact, they are so good that there is a fan forum devoted to them.

 

I’m definitely used to TSB’s on cars I’ve had several on all the ones I’ve owned, I’ll read through all of the TSB’s again and check out some comparable models and see what’s what.

My brother has a Chevy van and he has also had some issues with the rotars so maybe it’s just a Chevy thing. And she would probably never drive it hard enough or long enough to experience it. My main concern is that it’s reliable and never leaves her stranded, so transmission, engine, electrical system need to be solid. I haven’t seen any issues so far while searching here on those parts.