THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO MOVE. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Hhr years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Steering complaints
424 reportsAT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND AFTER VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR WILL COME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WHEEL FAIL.. THIS CAN USUALLY BE RELIEVED BY TURNING CAR OFF AND BACK ON.. THIS IS HAPPENING ALMOST DAILY. *TR
3 DAYS AGO MY POWERSTEERING KEPT GOING OUT .UNSAFE ALMOST HIT SOMEBODY..AND NOW TODAY MY CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS WHEN I START IT ..FIRE ..FIRE ..FIRE..PLEASE RECALL THESE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DINGS AND A MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASH THAT MY POWER STEERING IS OUT. IT DOESN'T LOCK IT UP BUT IT BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. I STOPPED AT A AUTO PARTS STORE TO GET POWER STEERING FLUID ONLY TO FIND OUT THERE IS NOT FLUID, IT USES AN ELECTRIC MOTOR. STARTING THE CAR MUST RES…
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DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DINGS AND A MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASH THAT MY POWER STEERING IS OUT. IT DOESN'T LOCK IT UP BUT IT BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. I STOPPED AT A AUTO PARTS STORE TO GET POWER STEERING FLUID ONLY TO FIND OUT THERE IS NOT FLUID, IT USES AN ELECTRIC MOTOR. STARTING THE CAR MUST RESET THE ELECTRONICS, IT WORKED FINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IT IS NOW HAPPENING QUITE FREQUENTLY AND I FEEL IT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IN CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT CHEVROLET RECALLED THE COBALT FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NOT THE HHR, EVEN THOUGH BOTH ARE BASICALLY THE SAME. *TR
AS I AM DRIVING THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR WARNING COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. ONCE I STOP THE CAR AND RESTART IT THE POWER STEERING IS FINE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE OR AFTER DRIVING FOR 5 MINUTES. ONE DAY IT HAPPENED 4 TIMES WITHIN 15 MINUTES.
DRIVING GETTING ONTO ON RAMP TO INTERSTATE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH NO POWER STEERING AROUND THE TURN. AND OF COURSE THERE WAS TWO MORE RAMPS TO GO AROUND. TURNED OFF THE CAR TO GET GAS AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT OFF. HAVE BEEN READING THE OTHER POSTS AND I GUESS I'M NOT ALONE. …
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DRIVING GETTING ONTO ON RAMP TO INTERSTATE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH NO POWER STEERING AROUND THE TURN. AND OF COURSE THERE WAS TWO MORE RAMPS TO GO AROUND. TURNED OFF THE CAR TO GET GAS AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT OFF. HAVE BEEN READING THE OTHER POSTS AND I GUESS I'M NOT ALONE. I JUST HOPE THAT THIS IS COVERED UNDER A RECALL SO IT CAN BE FIXED RIGHT. *TR
MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, I LOSE POWER STEERING, IF I TURN THE CAR OFF THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK FOR A WHILE, THEN I LOSE THE POWER STEERING AGAIN. IT IS HARD FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL I HAVE CARPAL TUNNEL, ELBOW AND SHOULDER AND NECK AND LOWER BACK PAIN ALREADY. *TR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED, STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN, REQUIRING SIGNIFICANTLY ADDED MUSCULAR STRENGTH TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AND TO TURN AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. POWER STEERING FUNCTION RESTORED AND NORMAL OPERATION RESTORED BY STOPPING THE VEHICLE, TURNING OFF THE MOTOR, AND ELECTRICAL SYST…
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ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED, STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN, REQUIRING SIGNIFICANTLY ADDED MUSCULAR STRENGTH TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL STABILITY AND TO TURN AND MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. POWER STEERING FUNCTION RESTORED AND NORMAL OPERATION RESTORED BY STOPPING THE VEHICLE, TURNING OFF THE MOTOR, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THEN RESTARTING THE MOTOR. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE TRIP HOME, DISTANCE LESS THAN 3 MILES. RESTORED POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN WITHIN 30 TO 120 SECONDS OF EACH RESTART. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW FREEZING, VEHICLE OPERATED ON PAVED HIGHWAY IN GOOD CONDITION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE CONTAC TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR A SHIRT TIME BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE CONTAC TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR A SHIRT TIME BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
Official recalls
414V171000 · 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
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. 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
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. 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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