Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I purchase Chevy HHR in good conditions until I got on the freeway. As I was immerging in to the freeway the accelorator got stuck on 6rpm and was speeding 60mph I tried to slow down and the brakes didnt go down at all. It was all locked up my kids and I freak out with the speed that the car was picking up and how the breaks werent working I decided to use the emergency handdle and some side bushes to slow down the car and nothing worked! I checked to see if the cruise control was on and nothing then I checked to see if it was on drive it was the I pushed hard on the breaks but never once it went down at all it was so hard I force my foot so much and the break handdle emerged off the freeway and immediately hit something more solid to stop the car. It was then we headed to a building but I hit a palm tree. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop and rear ended another vehicle. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the details were unavailable. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure was persistent. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Noticed that the cruise control would disengage randomly when activated. I checked the function of the brake lights at night and found that the brake lights would turn themselves on randomly with zero brake input, disengaging the cruise control. In this state, depressing the brake pedal more than around 30-40% would turn the brake lights off, even with the brake pedal fully pressed. Furthermore, with the brake pedal pressed to a moderate level, the cruise control is able to be engaged, even with obvious brake pressure being applied. This defeats the cruise control disengagement feature and the cruise control system will fight against the braking system to maintain speed instead of turning itself off as it seems to rely solely on the brake lights for the automatic disengagement. …
On November 29th, 2017 I was driving south on the highway and I was about 200 feet back when I noticed that the breaks went down to the floor board and I freaked out and didnt know what to do. There was know light that came on for break or ABS light. I hit a car in front at the stop light ahead and ran into to her my car is totaled. I had a tow truck come and get the car and he said as well there were no breaks what so ever. About two weeks ago I was noticing my car was acting up with the electricial system I had a officer at the hospital come out and help me and he said thats what it looks like and he has never seen that before.
Less then 24 hours off the lot I was driving home off hwy26 exiting to my town of watertown,wi. I was slowing down on the ramp and my side air bag deployed. I was hit in the head by the driver visor causing my to flinch and release the break for a slit second. I tried to reapply the break and had no breaks I was still at 40mph. It was snowing this caused me to not be able to turn so I hit a meaden snapping my a arm. I also snipped my ABS cable, blew out driver ball joints, bent the tie rod, dislocated my axel bent my rim and ruined my new tire on the driver side. On the passenger side I broke my knuck and blew out my ball joints. It locked up my driver seat belt and even with no one wearing the passenger one it locked that up too. After it happened going online I have found a few more cases like mine one caused a woman to spend a month and a half in hospital from hitting a pole.
After buying the HHR the day before I went to work. On my way back home. I got off on my exit about half way down the ramp my side airbags went off. Then I pushed the brakes and they did not respond sending me into a meaden causing my wheel to snap almost all the way off.
Steering gets very stiff and sometimes locks up when turning left or right in a curve at highway speeds. Had dealer check it and they said they replaced steering motor. Did not correct problem. Made an appointment to check again but was told I would incur charges. I have had it to several mechanic shops and we cannot find anything loose or failing. In a parked position it locks up completely until you start rolling. Afraid steering is going to lock up in a curve and cause harm to driver and passengers. It is available for inspection. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance. Has no warning lights or messages pertaining to problem. The problem first appeared approximately 6 months ago.
Hello, how are you? The traction control warning light stays on and the button cannot turn it off. The engine light stays on and there is a service prompt on the information scroll lcd screen. The cruise control switch lights up but the cruise does not engage when the set button is pressed at any speed, ie, 30mph, 50mph, 55mph etc. The research I read recommends to contact you to help get this vehicle included in an existing recall for the same issues in other GM vehicles with the same equipment. In other words, this vehicle has the same defective equipment as other GM vehicles that have been recalled for repair. Due to the fact that this vehicle has the same defective equipment that was recalled in other GM vehicles I request this vehicle be covered under the same recall and able to be repaired as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet HHR years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (60), 2008 (55), 2007 (51), 2009 (30) and 2010 (28) model years. Brake complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet HHR brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Chevrolet HHR model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet HHR brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles; 64% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › rotor (15 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (10).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.