IllustrationPOWER 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.
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
What owners actually said
726 reportsGOOD 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!****
TAKATA RECALL GAS LEAK ,CAR PARKED IN GARAGE STRONG SMELL OF GAS LOOK UNDER GAS LEAKING
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.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. CUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART AND THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK. THEN IT GOES OUT AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS.
POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING, IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING AND IN NO PARTICULAR SITUATION
MY POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND ON HIGHWAY/FREEWAY. IT WILL DO IT AT LOW SPEED AND HIGH SPEEDS. IT WILL ALSO GO OUT WHILE TURNING OR NOT TURNING. WHEN IT GOES OUT IT IS WAY TO HARD TO TURN IF YOU ARE NOT MOVING AND HARD TO TURN EVEN WHILE YOUR MOVING. IT IS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I HAVE TO T…
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MY POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND ON HIGHWAY/FREEWAY. IT WILL DO IT AT LOW SPEED AND HIGH SPEEDS. IT WILL ALSO GO OUT WHILE TURNING OR NOT TURNING. WHEN IT GOES OUT IT IS WAY TO HARD TO TURN IF YOU ARE NOT MOVING AND HARD TO TURN EVEN WHILE YOUR MOVING. IT IS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BAKE ON TO RESET IT BUT CAN ONLY DOING WHILE PARKED AND IN A SAFE SPOT TO DO SO. AFTER I TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF TO RESET THE POWER STEERING IT WILL JUST GO BACK ON AFTER A SHORT TRIP. IT CONSTANTLY GOES ON. ONCE IT IS ON IT DOES NOT GET BETTER AGAIN. ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IT SAYS POWER STEERING PROBLEM WHEN IT GOES OUT.
DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER CAUSED CHAIN TO JUMP TIME AND CAUSE VALVE DAMAGE COSTING $2000 IN REPAIRS. APPARENTLY TENSIONER WAS KNOWN DEFECT BUT NEVER RECALLED.
" TAKATA RECALL " MY DRIVERS SIDE DRIVER DOOR ( ON MY 2007 CHEVY HHR )DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. I LOCKED IT CAME BACK TO OPEN IT, IT WOULD UNLOCK BUT NOT OPEN. I NOW HAVE TO CRAWL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES.
STEERING COLUMN RATTLE AND SEVERE SHAKE AT 18,000 MILES. MACHINED ROTORS AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, LOWER CONTROL ARMS, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, STABILIZER LINKS AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS PER RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DEALERSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT GM-TRAINED MECHANICS. RATTLE STILL NOT C…
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STEERING COLUMN RATTLE AND SEVERE SHAKE AT 18,000 MILES. MACHINED ROTORS AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, LOWER CONTROL ARMS, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, STABILIZER LINKS AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS PER RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM DEALERSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT GM-TRAINED MECHANICS. RATTLE STILL NOT CLEARED, LATEST DEALER VISIT SAYS ONLY POSSIBLE FIX IS TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN, ANOTHER $1000 REPAIR. CAR STILL RATTLES AT LOW SPEED OVER UNEVEN SURFACES - PROBLEM IS DOCUMENTED ONLINE EXTENSIVELY. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS THE DEALER SAID WERE WORN OUT AND DEFECTIVE THAT CAME OFF THE CAR WERE KEPT FOR INSPECTION AND FOUND TO NOT BE DEFECTIVE. GM HAS REDESIGNED ALL THESE PARTS KNOWING THEY ARE OFTEN DEFECTIVE AND SUED THE STEERING COLUMN SUPPLIER IN 2009, BUT STILL NO RECALL OTHER THAN THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR. CALLED CHEVROLET TO OPEN A CASE AND THEIR ONLY RESPONSE WAS TO TAKE IT BACK TO A DEALER. LUDICROUS.
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.