IllustrationWHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING BEGAN CUTTING OUT AND THEN WOULD COME BACK ON AFTER RESTARTING, BUT EVENTUALLY FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CAR IS NOW VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT SLOW SPEEDS OR HARD TURNS. APPARENTLY THIS MODEL HAS A HISTORY WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT GM WILL NOT COVER IT. *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
Electrical System complaints
111 reportsDASH LIGHTS UP ON MESSAGE BOARD POWER STEERING, IT QUITS WORK , BUT WILL TURN MANUALLY BUT HARD. CUT THE CAR OFF AND START AGAIN AND IT WORKS???? SOME SAID IT THE SQUARE FUSE GONE AND TO REPLACE IT???? *TR
IGNITION KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. COULDN'T REMOVE IT. TOOK IT TO DEALER, FRIENDLY CHEVROLET TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THE CHEVROLET MECHANIC FOUND THE PARK LOCK SWITCH DEFECTIVE ON THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE WRITER SAID IT'S A COMMON OCURANCE ON COBLT AND HHRS. …
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IGNITION KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. COULDN'T REMOVE IT. TOOK IT TO DEALER, FRIENDLY CHEVROLET TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THE CHEVROLET MECHANIC FOUND THE PARK LOCK SWITCH DEFECTIVE ON THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE WRITER SAID IT'S A COMMON OCURANCE ON COBLT AND HHRS. AN INTERNET SEARCH PROVIDED THE SAME RESULTS; A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. IF YOU CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT YOU CAN'T LEAVE YOUR CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE VARIOUS TIMES IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE FAILURE OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY BUT HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE VARIOUS TIMES IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE FAILURE OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY BUT HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,900. UPDATED 07/06/…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,900. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFTER BUTTON WOULD NOT ENGAGE SHIFT AND THE SHIFT LEVER WOULD MOVE THROUGH ALL THE GEARS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 07/16/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE KEY WOULD BECOME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE KEY WOULD BECOME LODGED IN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE IGNITION FAILURE. THE MECHANIC DID, HOWEVER, STATE THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR CAME ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE, A WORKER THERE SAID THAT CHEVY HAD A RECALL ON THE COBALT FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE CHEVY HHR. THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INCORRECT READINGS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INCORRECT READINGS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,000.
I HAVE A 2007 CHEVY HHR AND BOUGHT IT USED AT A CHEVROLET DEALER IN WINSLOW, ARIZONA IN 2009. AND I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YRS. MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT AFTER I PARK THE CAR. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM LAST SUMMER AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. T…
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I HAVE A 2007 CHEVY HHR AND BOUGHT IT USED AT A CHEVROLET DEALER IN WINSLOW, ARIZONA IN 2009. AND I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YRS. MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT AFTER I PARK THE CAR. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM LAST SUMMER AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY JUST TOLD ME HOW TO GET THE KEY OUT. THERE WAS A COVER UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE AUTO GUY SHOWED ME THE LITTLE PIN. HE TOLD ME TO PUSH THE PIN TOWARD THE DRIVER WINDOW AND THIS WILL RELEASE THE KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE KEY WILL THEN RELEASE. IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND NOW IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I TURN THE CAR OFF AND TRY TO TURN THE KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION. I'VE READ IT HAS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE GEAR SHIFT. MY GEAR SHIFT ALSO GETS LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. GMC HAS RECALLED THE 2009 CHEVY HHR'S WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I THINK ALL HHR'S SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED FOR NO CHARGE.. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN READING THIS EMAIL... *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.