NHTSA Complaint #10609867 — 2009 CHEVROLET HHR

PULLED IN TO DRIVEWAY AND WENT TO EXIT VEHICLE. THE PLASTIC DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. THIS BASICALLY LEFT ME STUCK IN THE VEHICLE UNLESS I CRAWLED OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE OR UNLESS I WAS ABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE ELECTRIC WINDOW, PIVOT IN THE SEAT, AND REACH THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. OBVIOUSLY IN AN ACCIDENT, OR VEHICLE FIRE, THE EXTRA TIME NEEDED TO EXIT, IF THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF, IS UNACCEPTABLE. A VERY BASIC INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MODEL. AN INCONVENIENCE FOR A YOUNGER DRIVER BUT THIS COULD BE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE FOR AN OLDER, LESS PHYSICAL DRIVER. *TR