NHTSA Complaint #10350431 — 2006 CHEVROLET HHR

I OWN A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR, TODAY WHEN I PARKED MY CAR THE DRIVERS INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND I COULDN'T OPEN MY DOOR. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE SEARCHED FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. NONE TO BE FOUND. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL AT A HEFTY PRICE. MY CONCERN TO THIS MATTER IS THE FACT IF YOU GET IN AN ACCIDENT OR THERE IS A FIRE AND THE DOOR HANDLE BREAKS YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR. THEREFORE I FEEL STRONGLY THIS IS A DEFECT ON THE PART OF GM SINCE THE HANDLE IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND CAN'T TAKE THE STRESS OF CONTINUOUS OPENING. APPARENTLY THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND I FIND IT NECESSARY TO REPORT THIS MATTER. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM IF SOMEONE IS TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND CAN'T GET OUT. *TR