IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE INDICATOR CAME ON THE DASH INDICATING FAILURE. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK FINE FOR AWHILE BUT WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AGAIN, USUALLY WITHIN 15-20 MIN. THIS STARTED AT 78,000MILES.
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
650–25K
8725–50K
15050–75K
12175–100K
132100–150K
43150K+
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
Steering complaints
424 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.
STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD POWER STEERING LIGHT AND BELLS CAME ON AND LOST STEERING. ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE DITCH . LUCKILY NOBODY WAS COMING TOWARDS US OR BEHIND US . DO NOT DARE TO DRIVE MY CAR NOW I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT AFTER 2-3 MINUTES AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURN ON. WHEN CAR IS SHUT OFF AND BACK ON, PS WILL WORK AGAIN FOR ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES. AUXILIARY WIRE IS TIGHT NOT MOVABLE, ALSO FUSE IS NOT BLOWN.
MY CAR HAS THE SAME STERRING COLUMN AS IN THE COLBOLT I ONCE OWNED. THEY RECALLED MANY MAKES OF THE HHR FOR NEW COLUMNS. BUT NOT THE 2007 OR 2008. I HAVE REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR ONCE BEFORE AND AFTRER 3 YEARS HAVE TO REPLACE AGAIN. ANY TIME THE TEMPERTURE GETS ABOVE 70 DEGREE, THE POWER STERRING GOES OUT. ALSO WHEN THE IGNITI…
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MY CAR HAS THE SAME STERRING COLUMN AS IN THE COLBOLT I ONCE OWNED. THEY RECALLED MANY MAKES OF THE HHR FOR NEW COLUMNS. BUT NOT THE 2007 OR 2008. I HAVE REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR ONCE BEFORE AND AFTRER 3 YEARS HAVE TO REPLACE AGAIN. ANY TIME THE TEMPERTURE GETS ABOVE 70 DEGREE, THE POWER STERRING GOES OUT. ALSO WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS RECALLED AND EXCHANGED, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO RESET THE KEYLESS ENTRY KEY RINGS, SO CANNT USE MY AUTO STARTER, UNLOCK OR OPED MY DOORS, ESPECIALLY THE HATCH BACK. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THAT DOOR, NO HANDLE, NO INNER BUTTON, NO PULL TO OPEN IT.
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WENT TO CHANGE LANES AND LOST POWER STEERING. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING THE CAR OFF IT WORKED AGAIN FOR LIKE FIVE MINUTES. I ALMOST GOT HIT ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I CAN SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING IT.
WHEN I WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY THERE IS A WARNING SOUND AND THE DASH SHOWS THE WORDS 'POWER STEERING'. I LOSE THE POWER STEERING AT THAT MOMENT. I ALSO FOUND THAT IF I STOP THE CAR AND RESTART, I GET THE POWER STEERING BACK, HOWEVER IT MIGHT NOT LAST LONG.
POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. PULLING OFF ROAD AND RESTARTING CAR TEMPORARILY FIXES ISSUE. CAN DRIVE AROUND TOWN FOR 45 MIN ATTEMPTING TO SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN- IT DIDNT HAPPEN AGAIN UNTIL I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TWO DAYS LATER.
GOOD DAY TO YOU. I OWN A RUST-COLORED 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE AFTERNOON, (CAR WAS IN MOTION), THE POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON IN THE WINDOW OF THE MESSAGE PANEL, AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I CONTACTED KOONS USED CARS LOCATED IN SILVER SPRING, MD (I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THIS…
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GOOD DAY TO YOU. I OWN A RUST-COLORED 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE AFTERNOON, (CAR WAS IN MOTION), THE POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON IN THE WINDOW OF THE MESSAGE PANEL, AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I CONTACTED KOONS USED CARS LOCATED IN SILVER SPRING, MD (I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THIS DEALERSHIP) TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MY APPOINTMENT DATE, BUT WHEN I GOT THERE, A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE BY THE NAME OF "JD" TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO EITHER LEAVE MY CAR OR BRING IT BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO BUSY, WHICH THEY FAILED TO TELL ME BEFORE DRIVING 45 MINUTES TO GET THERE. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, I CONTACTED OURISMAN CHEVEROLET LOCATED IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $169.00 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, I VISITED THE DEALERSHIP AT WHICH TIME, I PURCHASED A 60A J-CASE FUSE, ONE OF THE MOST INEXPENSIVE THINGS THAT COULD POSSIBLY FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DIDN'T WORK. I AM GOING TO CONTACT SOME OTHER OFFICES TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO WITHOUT PAYING AN ARM AND A LEG. I HEARD ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL -- ANY TRUTH TO THIS? I NEED THIS CAR TO BE IN SAFE WORKING CONDITION. ****IT'S MY SCOOT-AROUND CAR!****
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BACHMAN CHEVROLET (9650 BLUEGRASS PKWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40299 (502) 499-6161), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE PO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BACHMAN CHEVROLET (9650 BLUEGRASS PKWY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40299 (502) 499-6161), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED IN THREE STAGES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.