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2007 Chevrolet Hhr

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet Hhr do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 565.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

598 reports with mileage · 128 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 424 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports4 fire reports23 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

32 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VIOLENT SHAKING WHILE BRAKING. I HAVE HAD NEW PAD AND ROTORS ON MY CAR AND I ONLY HAVE 16,000 MILES. MY HHR CONTINUES TO SHAKE EVEN AFTER REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258746

1,000 miles · Oct 16, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON OUR 2007 CHEVROLET HHR VIOLENTLY SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE AT HIGHER SPEEDS ESPECIALLY GOING DOWN HILL. THE BRAKES ARE NO WHERE NEAR NEEDING REPLACED YET AND THE CHEVY DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM CLAIMS THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT WITHOUT CHARGING US FOR A REPAIR??…

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THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON OUR 2007 CHEVROLET HHR VIOLENTLY SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE AT HIGHER SPEEDS ESPECIALLY GOING DOWN HILL. THE BRAKES ARE NO WHERE NEAR NEEDING REPLACED YET AND THE CHEVY DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM CLAIMS THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT WITHOUT CHARGING US FOR A REPAIR??? I DO NOT NEED NEW BRAKES I JUST NEED THE ONES ON IT TO WORK PROPERLY. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET AND THIS SITE DEMONSTRATES A DESIGN OR PARTS PROBLEM SINCE MANY OWNERS HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD INVITE ANYONE TO CONTACT ME TO TAKE A RIDE IN THE CAR TO SEE HOW UNBELIEVABLY SCARY IT IS TO BE BEHIND THE WHEEL COMING DOWN A HILL AND TRYING TO GET IT STOPPED. SOME ONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT WHEN THE BRAKES FAIL. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE NEW AND AFTER THE WAY THE DEALERSHIP TREATED THIS AND OUR CONCERNS THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHEVY IN OUR DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245688

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END SHAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PUT IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES. I BELIEVE THIS FALLS UNDER THE LEMON-LAW. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WANT THE VEHICLE REPLACED OR FIXED. THE CAR IS UNSAFE, FOR MY FAMILY. I HAVE TWINS THAT ARE 3 YEARS OLD!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACE…

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WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END SHAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PUT IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES. I BELIEVE THIS FALLS UNDER THE LEMON-LAW. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WANT THE VEHICLE REPLACED OR FIXED. THE CAR IS UNSAFE, FOR MY FAMILY. I HAVE TWINS THAT ARE 3 YEARS OLD!! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR FIXED. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES AND ITS NOT FIXED!!!!! HOWARD H. HEROLD *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243977

9,200 miles · Sep 19, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2007 CHEVY HHR WOULD SHAKE EVERY TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 9,200 MILES ON IT. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF HHR'S. HE SHAVED THE ROTORS. ROTORS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAS 9,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEV…

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STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2007 CHEVY HHR WOULD SHAKE EVERY TIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 9,200 MILES ON IT. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF HHR'S. HE SHAVED THE ROTORS. ROTORS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAS 9,000 MILES ON IT. I BELIEVE THE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME HE THINKS THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE STEEL THEY USED IS TOO SOFT. A RECALL IS IN ORDER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. AN INVESTIGATION MUST TAKE PLACE AND AN AUDIT OF HOW MANY HHR'S HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242925

25,113 miles · Aug 7, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTOR PROBLEM. WARPED AT 25,113 MILES AND STARTED PROBLEM AGAIN AT 50,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237400

46,000 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CHEVY HHR PLUGS ARE CORRODED AND THE BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR STALLS WHEN HITTING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR NOT WHILE DRIVE AT A HIGH SPEED. NO WARNING LIGHT. STALLS 17 TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237095

6,750 miles · Jul 30, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

LOUSY BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, APPLYING BRAKES SETS OFF VIOLENT SHAKING AND PULSATION IN STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY OVER USAGE. OCCURRED AT FIRST APPLICATION. AIR TEMP WAS APPROXIMATELY 95 DEG. BRAKES WORK FINE IN COLD WEATHER. STOPPED AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY…

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LOUSY BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, APPLYING BRAKES SETS OFF VIOLENT SHAKING AND PULSATION IN STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY OVER USAGE. OCCURRED AT FIRST APPLICATION. AIR TEMP WAS APPROXIMATELY 95 DEG. BRAKES WORK FINE IN COLD WEATHER. STOPPED AT LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OF SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE BRAKES WERE MADE AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY THE ROTORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236386

10,000 miles · May 18, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN NOVEMBER 2007, AND HAS HAD A COUPLE ISSUES. WHEN NEW, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO NOT TRACK STRAIGHT, OR WAS AT LEAST 'TWITCHY' ON THE ROAD. WITH LESS THAN 6000 MILES, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A NOTICEABLE 'CLUNK' IN THE FRONT END. TOOK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND A "DAMAGED SWAY BAR BUSHING", DECIDED THAT IT …

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VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN NOVEMBER 2007, AND HAS HAD A COUPLE ISSUES. WHEN NEW, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO NOT TRACK STRAIGHT, OR WAS AT LEAST 'TWITCHY' ON THE ROAD. WITH LESS THAN 6000 MILES, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A NOTICEABLE 'CLUNK' IN THE FRONT END. TOOK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND A "DAMAGED SWAY BAR BUSHING", DECIDED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY, AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS SEEMED TO FIX THAT ISSUE, AS WELL AS MADE THE CAR LESS 'TWITCHY' TO DRIVE. WITH JUST UNDER 10,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A SENSATION OF HAVING A WARPED ROTOR WHEN BRAKING. ROTORS TURNED BY DEALER AND THE PROBLEM HAS GONE AWAY FOR NOW, BUT TECH AT DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR HHR'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228136

2,000 miles · Apr 25, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT 2000 MILES BRAKES VIBRATING DEALERSHIP TURNS ROTORS AND SANDED BRAKES, SAME THING AND SAME SOLUTION AT 6000 MILES AT 11,000 MILES AND NOW AT 16,700 MILE I AM TAKING IT BACK FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS AGAIN. CHEVY HHR 2007. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225674

31,085 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY HHR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN MAY OF LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF SHAKING WHEN I BRAKE. THE ROTORS WERE FILED DOWN AND THIS LAST TIME IN JANUARY 08 THEY SAID THEY REPLACED A PART THAT SHOULD KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. NOW, ABOUT 7K MILES SINCE THE LAST TIME, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THE DEALERSHI…

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MY HHR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN MAY OF LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF SHAKING WHEN I BRAKE. THE ROTORS WERE FILED DOWN AND THIS LAST TIME IN JANUARY 08 THEY SAID THEY REPLACED A PART THAT SHOULD KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. NOW, ABOUT 7K MILES SINCE THE LAST TIME, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS THE WAY I DRIVE, BUT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MORE THAN 24 YEARS AND HAVE HAD DOZENS OF CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR (ESPECIALLY AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES). I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT TO HAVE THEM REPLACE MY CAR WITH ANOTHER MODEL, BUT SUSPECT I WILL TAKE A HUGE HIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224576

Official recalls

4

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. GM’s 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

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: 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. GM’s 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

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: 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. GM’s 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.

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> .

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.