IllustrationOUR HHR'S POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OFF, AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. I LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *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
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 reportsMY 2007 CHEVROLET HHR IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS IN WHICH IT WILL STOP WORKING CAUSING IT TO STEER HARD ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE READ THAT SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THE CHEVROLET COBALT THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED A RECALL. THE HHR IS REPORTED TO HAVING THE SAME CHASSIS AND PARTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V073000,…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V073000, ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MODULE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE HHR AND THE COBALT USE THE EXACT SAME PARTS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN REVERSE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION WAS A PERMANENT LOSS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHICH REQUIRED FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE ST…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN REVERSE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION WAS A PERMANENT LOSS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHICH REQUIRED FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,600.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE WARNING LI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE WARNING LIGHT AND POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE RESUMED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED REPEATEDLY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR NUMEROUS TIMES WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
I HAVE A 2007 HHR. SINCE NEW IT HAS HAD FRONT END PROBLEMS. THE SWAYBAR BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND CLUCK IN COLD WEATHER. REPLACING THEM DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. (MY DEALER HAS REPLACED THEM AT LEAST ONCE.) THE STRUTS MAKE NOISE TOO IN COLD WEATHER, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS TO BE REPLACED EVERY 10000 MILES BECAUSE IT STAR…
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I HAVE A 2007 HHR. SINCE NEW IT HAS HAD FRONT END PROBLEMS. THE SWAYBAR BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND CLUCK IN COLD WEATHER. REPLACING THEM DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. (MY DEALER HAS REPLACED THEM AT LEAST ONCE.) THE STRUTS MAKE NOISE TOO IN COLD WEATHER, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS TO BE REPLACED EVERY 10000 MILES BECAUSE IT STARTS BINDING AND CLUNKING. (REPLACED ON MY CAR 3 TIMES NOW) HOWEVER MY BIGGEST (SAFETY) CONCERN IS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. ALL OTHER GM CARS WITH THE SAME SYSTEM HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND ALOT OF HHR STEERING SYSTEMS ARE FAILING. MINE HAS NOT YET FAILED, BUT IS DOES HAVE A LOUD RATTLE (MY RESEARCH TELLS ME THAT IT IS THE GEAR ON THE MOTOR) THAT MY DEALER "CANNOT DUPLICATE" I HAVE ONLY 31000 MILES ON IT NOW AND WORRY ABOUT THE POWER ASSIST FAILING AT THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING WITH OUR KIDS. I UNDERSTAND THAT I WON'T LOSE ALL STEERING, JUST POWER ASSIST, HOWEVER IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING RESISTANCE, THE WHEEL COULD JERK OUT OF YOUR HAND AND YOU COULD EASILY TAKE OUT SOMEONE ON A SIDEWALK. GM, PLEASE JUST RECALL THE HHR TOO AND REPLACE MY STEERING COLUMN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RATTLING NOISES COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO STEER. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RATTLING NOISES COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO STEER. IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPAIRED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,436. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/10
POWER STEERING IN MY 2007 CHEVY HHR QUIT SUDDENLY WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING FORCE CAUSED ME TO SWING WIDER IN THE TURN THAN PLANNED. IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR NEXT TO ME IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND PULL IT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND PULL IT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS INVOLVED IN A LEGAL DISPUTE FOR EXCESSIVE GEAR BACKLASH WHICH CAUSED STEERING FAILURES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,870. UPDATED 07/19/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT, THE DASH LIGHTS WERE OUT ON OCCASION, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS APPLIED. UPDATED 10/08/10
SOY DE MEXICO SOLO QUIERO DECIRLES QUE LA CULUMNA DE LA DIRECCION CHEVY HHR 2007 DEJA DE FUNCIONAR Y CASI TENGO UN ACCIDENTE FATAL DENTRO DE LA GARANTIA DE LA CAMBIARON DOS VECES Y QUEDO EL MISMO PROBLEMA Y AHORA SIN GARANTIA NO RESPONDE GM DE MEXICO. *TR
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.