NHTSA Complaint #10509457 — 2006 CHEVROLET HHR

IN OUR 2006 CHEVROLET HHR, THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED AT 57,000 MILES. THE SYMPTOM WAS A RUMBLING NOISE BEGINNING AT 40 MPH TO 45 MPH. WHEEL BEARINGS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BE A PERISHABLE ITEM. IN COMPARISON, ALL FOUR WHEELS STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL BRAKE PADS THAT HAVE NOT YET WORN OUT. WITHOUT QUESTION, BRAKE PADS SHOULD WEAR OUT BEFORE WHEEL BEARINGS. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I HAD A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY THAT WAS THE WORST, AND SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO CHEVROLET TO SEE IF THEY WOULD ASSIST IN REPAIRS ON THE LEFT SIDE. AFTER PAYING FOR A DEALER ($109) TO DIAGNOSE WHAT I ALREADY KNEW (AS A REQUIREMENT TO START THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS) THE VERDICT WAS A "WORN OUT" WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY ASSISTANCE FROM CHEVROLET. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE FAILURES ARE THE RESULT OF EITHER A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFICIENCY OR MANUFACTURING QUALITY DEFECT. FORTUNATELY, THE BEARINGS DID NOT FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY TO CAUSE A CRASH. I AM CONCERNED THAT WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED MAY BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM IN THE HHR POPULATION. *TR