Steering. Review the 458 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

47 crash reports8 fire reports24 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

70 reports

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Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2009

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT BUMPER OF HER 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT AND THE DOOR LATCHES BEGAN TO MOVE UP AND DOWN. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STARTED ACTING ERRATIC WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 09/13/10

NHTSA ODI #10275588

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2009

Latches/locks/linkages

2006 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A REFUND FOR THE CONSOLE LATCH THAT WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL. *NJ

NHTSA ODI #10263428

46,500 miles · Mar 24, 2009

Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKEN. DOOR MUST BE OPENED USING OUTSIDE HANDLE. HANDLE IS PLASTIC. ENTIRE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL MUST BE REPLACED. PART COSTS $325.00 PLUS LABOR. CAR IS 2 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 47,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262982

26,000 miles · Mar 15, 2009

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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INITIALLY, I HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2006 CHEVY HHR. THE KEY SWITCH WOULDN'T TURN ALL THE WAY OFF TO RELEASE THE KEY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY "COULDN'T MAKE IT DO IT" (FOR WHICH THEY HAVE A RECORD). AFTER ABOUT A YEAR-AND-A HALF OF THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, MY KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AT ALL. I WAS OUT OF TOWN, STAYING AT A HOTEL AND HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OVERNIGHT. I READ MY OWNERS MANUAL AND FOUND THE HIDDEN RELEASE BUTTON IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR THAT IS DUE TO POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS TO SEE IF WAS RECALLED, I HAVE UNCOVERED NUMEROUS CHEVROLET HHR OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IT IS A FAULTY SHIFT LINKAGE. THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261921

60,000 miles · Jan 27, 2009

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Latches/locks/linkages

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I NEED YOUR HELP, 1ST,COMPUTER BROKE,THEN 2ND GEAR SHIFT, THEN 3RD SUNROOF, THEN 4TH BACK DOOR WON'T OPEN-SON CAN'T GET OUT, THEN 5TH POWER STEERING, TRIED TO REPLACE POWER STEERING WITH A USED ONE THAT WE COULD AFFORD,, NOW CAR IS LOCKED AND WON'T CRANK, DID WHAT MECHANIC SAID TO REPROGRAM AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK, GM REPLACED 1ST COMPUTER, I PAID FOR GEARS , TRIED TO GET GM TO FIX ELECTRIC STEERING, SAID THEY WOULD BUY PARTS BUT NOT LABOR >1000, RIGHT BEFORE WE TRIED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING THE CRANK STARTED HANGING, 06 CHEVROLET HHR-NO CAR, HELP, ITS SO BROKE, HURT MYSELF TRYING TO DRIVE IT, AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET FIXED FOR OVER 2 MONTHS, ITS A BOMB, NOW I HAVE NO CAR TO DRIVE. GM STATES ITS OVER MILEAGE, THOUGHT I BOUGHT ALL WARRANTIES, DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS, PALM BAY CHEVROLET, FL, I NEED SOME HELP, MULTIPLE TIMES HAVE ALL BUT CRASHED RELATED TO CAN'T HARDLY STEER IT, TURN IT, I THINK I'VE BROKE MY SHOULDER WITH THIS THING. NOW I CATCH A RIDE WITH 4 YEARS TO PAY LEFT ON THIS CAR, HELP! ITS A HAZARD, I DON'T HAVE GOLIATHS STRENGTH ANY MORE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256535

30,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER A HOLE OR DIP IN THE ROAD, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE STALLING OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED ONCE IT SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OR THE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE CAM SENSOR, WHEELS, A BROKEN HUB BEARING, BENT ROTORS AND AN ISSUE WITH REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, DUE TO THE SHIFT CABLE NOT STAYING SECURED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE INSIDE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR, THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK WOULD NOT STAY SECURED. UPDATED 06/25/08

NHTSA ODI #10229961

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2008

Latches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. UPON READING THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO TRUNK RELEASE LATCH IN HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DEVICE WAS THERE, BUT IT COULD ONLY BE OPENED BY THE MECHANIC. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 03-04-0…

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NHTSA ODI #10217083

13,000 miles · Nov 27, 2007

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic

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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY HHR SINCE PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2005. FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE LOCK ON THE HATCH BROKE AFTER ONLY OWNING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS. NEXT WAS WITH THE BRAKES. AT FIRST I NOTICED A NOISE WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. THIS NOSE WOULD COME AND GO. AFTER A FEW MONTHS I STARTED TO NOTICE A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING A FEW DAYS LATER THAT VIBRATION TURNED TO VIOLENT SHAKING AND RESISTANCE WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THIS WAS ROUGHLY AROUND 13000 MI. THE DEALER DID REPAIR THE ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY AND DIDN'T GIVE ME THE "IT'S NORMAL WEAR & TEAR" MUMBO. NEXT IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. IT WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN GO OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY AND THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SENSOR EACH TIME. NOW WE ARE UP TO THE 4TH TIME AS IT CAME BACK ON AGAIN YESTERDAY. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE RADIO. THE RADIO HAS HAD POWER TO IT AND NO VOLUME. THIS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES B/4 I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO HAD TO RESET & REPROGRAM SOMETHING ON THE RADIO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210074

1 miles · Nov 6, 2005

Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR AJAR WARNING DOES NOT SHOW UNTIL DOOR IS MORE THAN 3 INCHES OPEN. THIS IS ON ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE BACK HATCH. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING SHOULD COME ON ANYTIME THE DOOR IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED. SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141858

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2005

Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR AJAR WARNING INADEQUATE, WHEN DOOR IS A COUPLE OF INCHES OPEN WARNING INSTITUTES, RATHER THAN WHEN DOOR IS ON FIRST SAFETY LATCH AS IT SHOULD BE WHEN AJAR, WHEN DOOR IS OPEN PRIOR TO LATCH DOOR IS OPEN NOT AJAR!SAFETY CONCERN! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141234

Official recalls

14V171000 · 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

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

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.

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> .

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.