My Chevy HHR was purchased new in 2012 February. Not a single issue so far. Just had to replace tires after 60k miles. The original battery still works fine. Only routine maintenance needed so far (changing oil & filters). Original brakes still good. Starts at flick of the key every time. Never needed a single repair of any kind.
I would say the HHR-2011 model is the most trouble free car ever for me.
My most trouble free was a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. I bought it in late 2009 with 145,000 miles on it. I owned it until 2018 and sold it at 298,000.
Besides tires and brakes, the most expensive shop repair was $95 for a serpentine belt. It did need a wheel bearing but a mechanic buddy wouldn’t charge me for the repair.
Even had the original shocks and clutch. Two of my daughters both bought Vibe’s too. One has a 2004. About 190,000 miles. No serious issues.
Dropping the NUMMI program with Toyota and cancelling the Vibe was the biggest mistake GM ever made.
My folks had one. Don't ever use high-mileage oil in it. There are screens in the top end that will clog and starve your valve train. My S-I-L had one, too. The module for the bells/buzzers and radio went out. Other than those two issues, they seemed to drive okay. Won't ever buy another GM product in my lifetime, though. Not new, and certainly nothing made since about 2011.
I retired my 21-year old GMC Sierra yesterday after almost 300,000 miles. I bought it new. It’s still running strong but I figured that sooner or later something will happen. I will keep it until it quits. So far all I have replaced are two window motors, an air-conditioner compressor, brakes, and tires. I tuned it up the first and only time about three years ago.
I bought a one owner 2019 Chevy Equinox LT with only 19,000 miles on it yesterday and I will never learn all of the bells and whistles on this SUV. I only used the cruise control on the old truck for the first time about six months ago. I don’t expect it but I hope the new one comes close to being as good as my old truck has been.
Wow!… what battery is in it?