DRIVER DOOR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF. DEALER WILL NOT HELP. ENTIRE DOOR PANEL MUST BE REPLACED. CANNOT GUARANTEE RECURRENCE.*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.
Structure complaints
43 reports2007 CHEVY HHR. AT APPROXIMATELY 4600 MILES MY STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THEM. ALSO THERE IS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE REAR TRUNK OF MY CAR SUCH AS CLOSING THE TRUNK OR LEANING ON IT, IT CREATES A HUGE DENT. I HAVE HAD THE DENTS REMOVED ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BUT I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING BIG DENTS AND…
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2007 CHEVY HHR. AT APPROXIMATELY 4600 MILES MY STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THEM. ALSO THERE IS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE REAR TRUNK OF MY CAR SUCH AS CLOSING THE TRUNK OR LEANING ON IT, IT CREATES A HUGE DENT. I HAVE HAD THE DENTS REMOVED ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BUT I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING BIG DENTS AND IT IS TO COSTLY TO CONSTANTLY REPAIR. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL. *TR
2007 CHEVY HHR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. NO LONGER CAN I EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR HANDLE. UNABLE TO REPLACE JUST THE HANDLE, THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT IS HOLDING THE DOOR HANDLE TOGETHER IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR…
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2007 CHEVY HHR INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. NO LONGER CAN I EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPENING THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR HANDLE. UNABLE TO REPLACE JUST THE HANDLE, THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT IS HOLDING THE DOOR HANDLE TOGETHER IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC IS CONTROLLING THE OPENING OF THE DOOR. WITH THIS PIECE BROKEN, I AM UNABLE TO EXIT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IF THE WINDOWS CAN'T BE ROLLED DOWN. *TR
I CAME HOME AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS AND GOT OUT OF MY 2007 CHEVY HHR AND SHUT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. 30 SECONDS AFTER THAT MY REAR WINDOW ON THE HATCHBACK COMPLETELY SHATTERED. IT WAS NOT A HOT DAY. THERE WAS GLASS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE BACK OF MY CAR AND MY DRIVEWAY. I'M JUST GLAD MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS NOT IN THE BA…
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I CAME HOME AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS AND GOT OUT OF MY 2007 CHEVY HHR AND SHUT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. 30 SECONDS AFTER THAT MY REAR WINDOW ON THE HATCHBACK COMPLETELY SHATTERED. IT WAS NOT A HOT DAY. THERE WAS GLASS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE BACK OF MY CAR AND MY DRIVEWAY. I'M JUST GLAD MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS NOT IN THE BACK SEAT, FOR FEAR OF GETTING HIT BY A PIECE OF GLASS NOW I HAVE TO GET IT REPLACED AND ITS GOING TO COST ME MY DEDUCTIBLE ON MY INSURANCE OF 250.00. *TR
2007 CHEVROLET HHR LS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT VEHICLE, WITH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN OPEN POSITION AND FOOT ON BRAKE, I SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING/OPENING MECHANISM FEATURE BROKE THE HANDLE RENDERING EXIT FROM INTERIOR IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT LOWERING POWER WINDOW AND REACHING FROM THROUGH OPEN WINDOW TO ACCESS…
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2007 CHEVROLET HHR LS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT VEHICLE, WITH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN OPEN POSITION AND FOOT ON BRAKE, I SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING/OPENING MECHANISM FEATURE BROKE THE HANDLE RENDERING EXIT FROM INTERIOR IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT LOWERING POWER WINDOW AND REACHING FROM THROUGH OPEN WINDOW TO ACCESS EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. IN THE EVENT OF A SERIOUS CRASH THIS WILL IN EFFECT TRAP THE DRIVER IN THE VEHICLE. GM REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SERIOUS DEFECT IN DESIGN WHICH HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES ACCORDING TO PUBLIC REPORTS. THE DOOR HANDLE IS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH GM DEALERS AT A QUOTED PRICE OF 450.00 DOLLARS . FOR A PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE THAT BROKE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. *TR
WHENEVER IT RAINS, WATER DRIPS FROM BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE FIRST TIME WE NOTICED IT, WE HAD 6 INCHES OF RAIN FALL ON A SINGLE DAY. NOW IT OCCURS DURING VERY MINOR RAINS. WE HAVE NOT YET HAD IT REPAIRED, BUT I LEARNED FROM INTERNET POSTINGS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF THIS CAR, SOMETH…
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WHENEVER IT RAINS, WATER DRIPS FROM BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE FIRST TIME WE NOTICED IT, WE HAD 6 INCHES OF RAIN FALL ON A SINGLE DAY. NOW IT OCCURS DURING VERY MINOR RAINS. WE HAVE NOT YET HAD IT REPAIRED, BUT I LEARNED FROM INTERNET POSTINGS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF THIS CAR, SOMETHING TO DO WITH AN OPENING IN THE FIREWALL THAT HAS BEEN CHEAPLY LINED WITH PAPER RATHER THAN A RUBBER OR PLASTIC BOOT. I REALIZE THIS IS HARDLY A LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM FOR MOST OWNERS, BUT MY WIFE HAS ALLERGY-INDUCED ASTHMA, WITH MOLD AS A MAJOR TRIGGER. THE REPEATEDLY WET CARPET COULD CAUSE HER VERY REAL PROBLEMS. *TR
WHERE THE DRIVING LIGHTS SHOULD BE THE PLASTIC INSERTS THAT FILL THAT SPACE BLOW OUT AND LODGE IN THE INSIDE OF THE FENDER THIS HAS HAPPEN TWO AT LEASE 2 HHR'S THAT I KNOW OF. *TR
2007 CHEVY HHR WITH TWO SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL WHICH STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENT NEAR THE SUN VISOR AND ROOF IS DEFECTIVE. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS WATER GETS UNDER THE DOOR PANEL AND FREEZES WITH EVERY SNOW, RAIN, HAIL, OR MIX STORM RECEIVED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONS…
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2007 CHEVY HHR WITH TWO SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL WHICH STATED THAT THE ATTACHMENT NEAR THE SUN VISOR AND ROOF IS DEFECTIVE. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS WATER GETS UNDER THE DOOR PANEL AND FREEZES WITH EVERY SNOW, RAIN, HAIL, OR MIX STORM RECEIVED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE RECALL. *JB
PAINT HAS CHIPPED VERY EASILY, 2007 HHR, GARAGE KEPT, HAS UNDER 12,000 MILES & SEVERAL CHIPS IN THE GOLDEN TEAL METALLIC PAINT. DEALER SAYS BECAUSE OF SAND ON HIGHWAY. MY OTHER CARS DON'T HAVE CHIPS IN THE PAINT & THEY HAVE BEEN DRIVEN THE SAME ROUTE FOR YEARS. ENGINE HAS KNOCKED, DEALERSHIP COULDN'T HEAR, HAD THE TECHNICIA…
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PAINT HAS CHIPPED VERY EASILY, 2007 HHR, GARAGE KEPT, HAS UNDER 12,000 MILES & SEVERAL CHIPS IN THE GOLDEN TEAL METALLIC PAINT. DEALER SAYS BECAUSE OF SAND ON HIGHWAY. MY OTHER CARS DON'T HAVE CHIPS IN THE PAINT & THEY HAVE BEEN DRIVEN THE SAME ROUTE FOR YEARS. ENGINE HAS KNOCKED, DEALERSHIP COULDN'T HEAR, HAD THE TECHNICIAN RIDE IN THE CAR WITH ME, THEN HE HEARD. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT'S NORMAL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWN A DIRT ROAD, THE PAINT CHIPS OFF OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO REPAINT THE DAMAGED AREA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
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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