I know quite a few people on this board have had the shift interlock issue with the key not being released. Mine was doing it intermittently until Sunday, then it refused to work. After about an hour messing around trying to get the trim off to get to the shifter, I saw a pin laying in the area next to the shifter. Busted. So I brought it to a dealer and they replaced the shifter under warranty, even though my car has 40k miles on it! Way to go Chevy!
Although there have been a few niggling little problems with this car, I keep telling myself it was a "value" - I paid a lot less for the HHR than I did for my Bonneville and Suburban! It has been a great little car though.
Thanks for the forum!

 

I finally got hit with that problem today, except there was no intermittence to it at all; it happened all at once and no amount of fidgeting with the key would help. Took it straight to a dealer and they replaced the shifter under warranty. I had exactly 30000 miles on the clock when I pulled into the dealership. The dealership service (Corlew Chevrolet in Clarksville, TN) was awesome, btw .

I agree, this is an excellent car. So great that I'm willing to overlook some of its' quirks (constantly warping brake rotors, mainly).

 

I thought that problem only happened in '06s but you proved it wrong. It makes you wonder why Chevy didn't do a recall. We've had a ton of owners with that problem.

 

My 07 did this about a month ago I managed to get it working again by pure dumb luck and didn't make a dealer appointment at the time thinking it wouldn't happen again. Well now the shifter moves with the key out and without pressing the shifter button and the key gets stuck so I took the cover off under the steering column so I can get the key out by pressing the little button. It is going to the dealer tomorrow to get fixed.

 

We've had this happen a couple times. Seems if I jiggle the shifter is releases, but good to know this is a known issue.

 

I would have it fixed while it is still under warranty. That way there can be no hassle if it's covered or not.

 

Can someone share the location of the button to release the key? That would have saved me a lot of hassle!
thanks
tad

 

under the steering column, a few inches from the steering wheel. You need a small screw driver, a knife or a strong finger nail to pop the lid open and the button is inside of it.