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Chevy HHR Brake Problems

389 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2013 at 4:35 AM

You are in the Chevrolet HHR Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet HHR, Brakes, Wagon


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Messages Page 27 of 40

#255 of 389 Re: Brake problems and vibrations [chevy_sucks] by barbanna

Mar 01, 2011 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: chevy_sucks (Mar 01, 2011 12:34 pm)
Good for you! In May 2007, I traded in a beautiful 2005 PT Cruiser factory woodie that I bought new for a new 2007 HHR. What a stupid mistake!!
 
The brake vibrations on my brand new HHR began THE FIRST DAY! After numerous attempts to correct the vibrations over the next 12 months, and lots of doubletalk from the dealer, I traded the HHR lemon one year later for a new 08 PT Cruiser - still like new after almost three years of no-problem driving.
 
I still miss the 05 PT woodie that I traded in for the 07 HHR - it was the worst decision I made in well over 40 years of car buying.
 
BTW, for years GM has been well aware of this chronic problem with HHR brake vibrations!

#256 of 389 Re: Brake problems and vibrations [barbanna] by laserblue

Mar 02, 2011 (5:20 am)

Replying to: barbanna (Mar 01, 2011 2:46 pm)
Well, I guess you guys weren't lucky.
  My wife has a 2006 HHR and loves it, no problems at all.
  I bought a 2010 HHR and so far after 1 year...no problems. My wife is thinking of trading her HHR for a 2011.
  If the PT Looser is soooo good, why did they stopped production and the HHR is still going?

#257 of 389 Re: Brake problems and vibrations [laserblue] by barbanna

Mar 02, 2011 (5:44 am)

Replying to: laserblue (Mar 02, 2011 5:20 am)
You are fortunate to be one of the lucky ones with a non-vibrating HHR. I wish mine could have been in the same category.
 
Yes, Chrysler's last PT Cruiser came off the line in 2010 after 11 years of production - a very good run. Chevy's HHR still has five more years to go to tie the PT.
 
If the HHR is still in production in 2016, perhaps GM will have fixed the vibration problem.

#258 of 389 Re: Brake problems and vibrations [barbanna] by laserblue

Mar 02, 2011 (11:28 am)

Replying to: barbanna (Mar 02, 2011 5:44 am)
I had bad vibrations with my 2005 Equinox when I applied the brakes.
  My rotors where always warped, had to get them machined every 5 months and after 4 times had to change the rotors and still doing the same.
  I used to call it my Equijunk until I fell in love with the HHR.
  The HHR has the same platform and engines as the Cobalts (coupe/sedan) and never heard no one complain about the Cobalt?
  The designer that drew the PT Cruiser quit his job at Chrysler and went with G.M.
   Shutttttt! I work in a Dodge/Chrysler dealership and see lots of PT Cruiser's coming in. Very hard to sell on the lot.

#259 of 389 My many problems with the HHR by jhicks2

Mar 25, 2011 (1:01 pm)

I am a proud (lol) owner of 2008 Chevy HHR. My first problem was the brakes. at 20,000 miles had to have rotors turned and new pads put on. At 36,042 miles went back for same problem was told it was out of warranty and needed to pay for myself. Then 3,000 miles later my struts went bad, which also at the same time my swaybar links went bad also. Then at 44,ooo miles my engine light came on and my vent on top of my gas tank wasn't working so they had to replace it. Now Im starting to hear water sounds in my dash and starting to smell antifreeze still have to take in to see what it is. Now not sure about anyone else but I have put more money into this car than its worth. I have also contacted GM about all my problems and all they could tell me was sorry. BIGGEST P.O.S. I have ever owned and I am a huge fan of Chevy's but this one car has got me thinking about Honda

#260 of 389 Re: My many problems with the HHR [jhicks2] by calnmadsmom

Mar 25, 2011 (11:27 pm)

Replying to: jhicks2 (Mar 25, 2011 1:01 pm)
I hear your frustrations.I bought my HHR after seeing it at the LA car show at the end of 2005. So when the first arrived at the dealerships I was on the list to purchase...How I wish that list was lost.. I too had brake problems with a horrible shuttering of the steering wheel not even 4 weeks after my purchase. I was coming home from a camping trip near Lake Arrowhead I pulled over to let my husband drive it down the hill. I could hardly control the shuttering of the wheel and the grinding sound coming down the hill. The more you pressed on the brakes, the harder the steering wheel shuttered. Needless to say with our daughters in the car, it was pretty scary. I was thankful it was summer.I know I wouldn't be here today had it been a slippery road. Of course I brought it straight to the dealer and they said hmmm.new rotors..well that became the standard answer for over a year.....My car at that point had maybe 400 miles. So in the last 5 years..I can tell you I had at least 20 rotor turns on the lathe...4 sets of new brakes, a new rack n pinion..steering rack, swaybar links.The classic part is the dealership up and closed and they were the ones helping me to try and get this hunk of junk classified as a lemon..48 hrs prior the manager of the dealership asked me to bring in all my paperwork so he could look at things.. well being that I saw them on a twice a week basis..didn't think of making photo copies. So, when the closed, they took my paperwork, and my written proof with them. GM has no idea where they have gone...And each time I have called GM they make it seem as though I am the ONLY person out there having these issues..My car to this day has 42k miles as I am terrified of driving it with my little ones in the car..My friend has the water sounds in hers...after a while the passenger side floor was soaked, and continues to have all the same issues that we all are having. Its so frustrating, and even more so that GM doesnt care nor will they listen..I have heard from many on this site wanting to start a class action lawsuit. I will be the first to jump on that. I think Chevy needs to stick with trucks..I know if I could afford it I would get rid of this.. I have put thousands into a car thats not worth it.

#261 of 389 My 2006 HHR Brake Problems are fixed by ernestog

Mar 26, 2011 (11:29 am)

At 34700 miles I had a front brake pad kit, front brake rotors replaced and new brake fluid added. I now have 39400 miles and have driven on Colorado mountain highways many times without a hint of pulsation or any other problems associated with the brakes. I can only think that the brake problems that I have had since 25000 miles were caused by the OEM brake pads and rotors, and resurfacing them did not solve the problem. Signing off.

#262 of 389 Re: My 2006 HHR Brake Problems are fixed [ernestog] by imidazol97

Mar 26, 2011 (3:43 pm)

Replying to: ernestog (Mar 26, 2011 11:29 am)
>I had a front brake pad kit, front brake rotors replaced and new brake fluid added.
 
Were the calipers replaced?
 
Yours is certainly the idea. Even the fluid is replaced in case it's vaporization of water-contaminated fluid causing problems.
 
With the others who have posted complaining about brakes, there seems to be a question in my mind about whether they're thoroughly being checked.
 
I suspect there is a problem with the pads and the type of rotor used new. I believe those are lighter in weight for fuel economy concerns. If they are abused, the pads can affect the coating of resin that's on the rotors and it becomes uneven. That can cause a grabbing effect. This is something I read about on sources about properly breaking in new pads. So starting with new pads and new rotors is a good step.

#263 of 389 Re: whole car shakes [gmcustsvc] by leah5

Mar 28, 2011 (2:19 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Apr 21, 2010 8:07 am)
yup sure does as well with a lot of other problems too. i'd love to know if there is going to be a lawsuit on this issue...or if everyone who has a HHR with all these simlar problems are going to get new cars FREE of charge? only because we have all had major problems with these wonderful cars that your dealership wants to repersent? And now thats its raining where i live, my sunroof is going to leak yet again, and now that my door handle on the passenger side broke i'm going to have to roll down my window in the RAIN causeing i'm sure even more water damage and even more mold. tell me please why do you care when the chevy dealership doesn't? honestly i don't get it.

#264 of 389 Re: My many problems with the HHR [jhicks2] by gmcustsvc

Apr 01, 2011 (7:58 am)

Replying to: jhicks2 (Mar 25, 2011 1:01 pm)
jhicks2,
Can you please email me with your complete contact information, VIN, current mileage, and involved dealer? I would like to look into this for you.
Christina
GM Customer Service

Messages Page 27 of 40

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