Steering. Review the 458 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

47 crash reports8 fire reports24 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,006 reports

100,000 miles · Jul 13, 2016

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

2006 CHEVY HHR IS HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE EPS WAS REPLACED AND NOW WHEN I AM DRIVE THE INSRUMENT PANEL NEEDLES MOVE BACK AND FORTH, POWER STEERING AND OTHER INDICATORS LIGHT UP AND CAR CUTS OFF. HAD SEVERAL TUNE-UPS AND THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI #10884485

110,000 miles · Jul 8, 2016

Fuel/propulsion System

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MY CAR WAS TAKING LONGER TO START AND I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHILE DRIVING. I STOPPED THE CAR AND DISCOVERED A SMALL BUT RAPIDLY EXPANDING SPOT OF FUEL ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. THERE WAS A NEAR CONSTANT DRIPPING OF GASOLINE AND BY THE NEXT DAY THERE WAS A SPOT THE SIZE OF A DINNER PLATE ON THE DRIVEWAY STAINED WITH GASOLINE. MY MECHANIC EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE FUEL LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE VAPOR LINE ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF SERIOUS RUST. HE ALSO SAID THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE GUARD AROUND THE FUEL LINE, RAINWATER WOULD POOL AND KEEP THE FUEL LINE SUBMERGED WHICH GREATLY ACCELERATED THE RUSTING PROCESS. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING THIS COULD HAVE VERY EASILY HAVE TURNED INTO A FIRE, PARTICULARLY ON THE FOURTH OF JULY WITH SO MANY PEOPLE SHOOTING FIREWORKS. MY CAR IS STILL AT THE MECHANIC, HE TELLS ME THE DEALER TOLD HIM THESE FUEL LINES ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND IT MAY BE A WHILE BEFORE THEY GET THEM IN. WITH AS WIDESPREAD AS THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE, I SUSPECT AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL MAY BE IN ORDER.

NHTSA ODI #10883659

118,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR.WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILE…

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NHTSA ODI #10882874

175,000 miles · Jul 5, 2016

Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. AFTER DRIVING 25 MPH AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL AROUND THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR WHEEL WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,00…

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NHTSA ODI #10882662

71,000 miles · Jul 1, 2016

Fuel/propulsion System

CAR STATED SMELLING OF GAS INSIDE AND OUT FOR DAYS AND KEPT GETTING STRONGER, NOTICED POOL OF GAS NEAR DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE, AFTER EXTENSIVE SEARCH NOTICED GAS LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SMALL WHOLE NEAR EXHAUST SYSTEM, WITHIN 2 INCHES OF THE EXHAUST PIPE SPRAYING GAS ON EXHAUST PIPE. AFTER INTERNET SEARCH FOUND A TON OF …

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NHTSA ODI #10882020

88,000 miles · Jun 30, 2016

Steering

IT STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, YOU WOULD HEAR A BEEPING SOUND THEN A MESSAGE ON THE DASH, IT WILL SAY "POWER STEERING" THEN THE POWER STEERING WOULD NOT BE WORKING, IT STARTED ONCE A WEEK THEN ONCE A DAY NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10881747

150,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016

Fuel/propulsion System

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FUEL LINES ARE RUSTING TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACING AND THE EVAP LINE IS LEAKING FUMES AT THE MOMENT. I WAS TOLD BY BEST CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN HINGHAM, THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS RUSTING IS BECAUSE FUEL LINES ARE SO CLOSE TO EXHAUST SYSTEM A LEAK IN THE EXHAUST HAS ACCELERATED RATE OF RUSTING FOR THE FUEL LINES AND EVAP LINES. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTE FOR REPLACING JUST THE LINES (NOT EXHAUST REPAIR) AT $1,600. CAR HAS AROUND 150K MILES BUT WAS TOLD THE AMOUNT OF RUST IS BEYOND WHAT IT SHOULD BE FOR A CAR AT THIS AGE/STAGE. I DON'T KNOW IF CHEVY CAN MAKE A BETTER HEAT SHIELD TO KEEP FUEL LINES FROM DETERIORATING FROM HEAT FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM OR WHAT CAN BE DONE ... BUT I HAVE READ THAT MANY, MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH SAME CAR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ABOUT RUSTED FUEL LINES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR AT THIS STAGE FOR FEAR IF THE RUSTED LINE FAILS THEN I WILL HAVE GAS LEAKING DIRECTLY NEAR A HOT EXHAUST WHICH COULD IGNITE THE CAR AND I HAVE LITTLE BABIES THAT I USUALLY HAVE WITH ME AND IT WOULD PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED SOMEHOW. GM NEEDS TO ADMIT IT'S A BAD DESIGN FLAW AND COME UP WITH A FIX OR SOMETHING. SHOULD NOT BE ON THE CONSUMER'S HANDS FOR THAT KIND OF A REPAIR... THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10876888

147,000 miles · Jun 16, 2016

Electrical SystemPower Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER HAD THE DEALER COMPLETE A MANUFACTURER RECALL REPAIR FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE REPAIR CAUSED SEVERAL FAILURES AND DID NOT PROVIDE A PERMANENT REPAIR SOLUTION. WITHIN WEEKS OF THE DEALER'S REPAIR, THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE GEAR SHIFT, WHICH HAD ALSO BEEN AN ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE A READING AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES FAILED TO FULLY FUNCTION AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #10874602

90,000 miles · May 26, 2016

Structure

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN ON BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THIS HAPPENED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET OUT WHILE PARKED. THE DRIVERS SIDE ENTIRE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET.

NHTSA ODI #10870950

11,000 miles · May 18, 2016

Wheels

IN FEB 2015 I HAD TO HAVE THE HUB REPLACED, I ALSO HAD NEW BREAKS PUT ON. IN FEB 2016 I HAD TO HAVE THE HUB REPLACED AGAIN. WE ARE NOW IN MAY 2016 MY CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AND I THINK I AM GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THE HUB REPLACED AGAIN. WHEN I APPLY MY BRAKES THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING…

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NHTSA ODI #10865582

Official recalls

14V171000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 10, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Feb 10, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Electrical System:ignition:switch

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

08V444000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 3, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 296,422 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE DOOR ON THE STORAGE BIN IN THE TOP CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AS REQUIRED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: A REDESIGNED LATCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

08V046000 · Air Bags

Jan 30, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 181,516 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF RAIL AIR BAGS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' IN TESTS, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENERGY-ABSORBING PLASTIC PIECE TO THE HEADLINER TRIM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.