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

55,500 miles · Feb 2, 2011

Steering

CHEVROLET HHR 2006. POWER STEERING WARNING DISPLAYS ON THE INFO DISPLAY INDICATING THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. STEERING BECOMES SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS. POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY RESUMES ONCE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. POWER STEERING WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AGAIN AT RANDOM INTERVALS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380035

65,000 miles · Feb 1, 2011

Unknown Or Other

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2006 CHEVY HHR. CAR WILL JERK LIKE YOU REALIZED THE CLUTCH TOO FAST, HOWEVER IT IS AN AUTOMATIC THEN STALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. ON 1/27/10 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO THE SHOP, AFTER HAVING A COMPLETE TUNE UP, IGNITION MODULE CHANGE AND A COIL CHANGE THE CAR WILL NO LONGER STAY STARTED UNLESS YOU ARE GIVING THE GAS PEDAL CONSTANT CONTACT. THE CODE COMING UP SAYS IT'S A MISFIRING IN THE CYLINDER BUT THE SHOP CAN NOT FIND THAT. THERE IS OIL IN THE INTAKE BUT NO WATER IN THE OIL. I'M SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN PARTS ONLY ALREADY. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. IT WILL NOT DRIVE IN REVERSE WITHOUT HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE GAS WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE WITH YOUR LEFT FOOT AND LOOK TO DRIVE IT BACKWARDS. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10379856

75,000 miles · Jan 31, 2011

Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

WHILE OPENING THE LEFT FRONT DOOR FROM THE INSIDE THE PLASTIC CHROME DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS WILL IMPAIR THE ABILITY OF THE OCCUPANTS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379718

80,000 miles · Jan 31, 2011

Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR PANEL INTERIOR WAS INTERFERING WITH THE OPENING OF THE DOOR. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO WIND DOWN THE WINDOW IN ORDER TO OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 3/7/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE/SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, UNLESS HE STUCK HIS HAND OUT THE WINDOW TO OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. UPDATED 03/14/11

NHTSA ODI #10379710

50,000 miles · Jan 29, 2011

Steering

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DEALER STATES CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEMS: NO POWER STEERING NOT FIXED BY REPLACING FUSE (EPS SYSTEM), ALTHOUGH GM RECALLED MANY VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEM AND ARE AWARE OF ISSUE, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. WINDOWS SQUEAL UP & DOWN ON SUNNY DAY, & GET STUCK SHUT. WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME OFF OF WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION. FRONT END SWAY BARS REPLACED, CONTINUED PROBLEM, TIRES WEARING UNEVEN, FEELS LIKE BAD BEARINGS, UNABLE TO DUP. REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID POURS INTO INTERIOR OF CAR. FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL WENT THEN REAR TURN SIGNAL. INTERIOR WAS SOLD AS SCOTCH GUARDED/REPELLENT OF LIQUIDS INTERIOR IS FAR FROM GUARDED AGAINST ANYTHING WATER STAINS FABRIC. ELECTRIC POWER MIRRORS NO LONGER WORK. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE, RECALL ON FRONT HEAD AIR BAGS NEVER DISCLOSED TO ME NEVER OFFERED TO REPAIR. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10379560

38,000 miles · Jan 27, 2011

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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2006 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS SONS VEHICLE HAD A SEVERE SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND THE THIRD TIME THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THERE WAS ALSO A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. AT 42,000 MILES THE AIR CONDITION MADE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE FOR 2 MINUTES, THEN STOPPED WORKING. AT 68,000 MILES, A METAL SKID PLATE HAD FALLEN FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SOON AFTER, THE EXHAUST WAS VERY LOUD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND A CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DID NOT WORK, SO THE AIR CONDITION ONLY WORKED IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK, THE RADIO WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THE SUN VISOR WOULD FALL DOWN AT RANDOM TIMES. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN WITH AN ALIGNMENT, NEW STRUTS, SHOCKS AND GOOD TIRES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10377874

149,000 miles · Jan 23, 2011

Electrical System

POWER STEERING WENT OUT TURNING. MADE IT HARD TO STEER, ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. YOU CAN CUT CAR OFF TO RESTART THE PS. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10378360

39,000 miles · Jan 20, 2011

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER; THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TO REGAIN POWER STEERING; HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 40,900 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 39,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/04/11

NHTSA ODI #10378075

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2011

Steering

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THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2006 CHEVY HHR RANDOMLY STOPS WORKING. THE DASH LIGHT SAYS "POWER STEERING" WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENS TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK ON AVERAGE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE WHILE TURNING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO RETAINING WALLS ON THE HIGHWAY ON RAMPS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HHR. A TEMPORARY FIX FOR THIS ISSUE IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN AT RANDOM TIMES. CHEVROLET RECALLED COBALT'S THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY CHEVROLET WON'T ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376896

172,000 miles · Jan 15, 2011

Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. ON 1-13-11, I HAD THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BREAK OFF IN MY HAND MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON CAR FORUMS ONLINE, I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376757

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.