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.
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.
Engine complaints
18 reportsI WAS DRIVING MY 07 CHEVROLET HHR @ 45 MPH WHEN THE DASH DISPLAY BLINKED THEN DISPLAYED ENGINE POWER REDUCED, FOLLOWED BY A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION OF SPEED. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH, SO I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD TO AVOID BEING HIT BY THE 18 WHEELER TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON. THE CHECK ENGI…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 07 CHEVROLET HHR @ 45 MPH WHEN THE DASH DISPLAY BLINKED THEN DISPLAYED ENGINE POWER REDUCED, FOLLOWED BY A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION OF SPEED. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH, SO I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD TO AVOID BEING HIT BY THE 18 WHEELER TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I DROVE 15 MILES BACK HOME @ A SPEED OF 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE REFUSES TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING AND INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD SAYS POWER STEERING- THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. MOST OF THE TIME SHUTTING OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESTARTING IT WILL GET THE POWER STEERING WORKING AGAIN FOR A SHORT TIME. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE OR ALLOWING IT TO IDLE IN THE DRIVEWAY THE…
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POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPS WORKING AND INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD SAYS POWER STEERING- THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. MOST OF THE TIME SHUTTING OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESTARTING IT WILL GET THE POWER STEERING WORKING AGAIN FOR A SHORT TIME. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE OR ALLOWING IT TO IDLE IN THE DRIVEWAY THEN TURNING IT OFF IT WILL NOT START AGAIN FOR A MINIMUM OF 1 HOUR. WHILE DRIVING -SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN- THE ENGINE HAS ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF AND NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE VEHICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GETTING CODE POO16
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND BOTH LEGS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTRO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND BOTH LEGS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT BELIEVED BOTH OF THESE RECALLS WERE RELATED TO THE FAILURE THAT CAUSED THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HWY, AT APPROX, 65 TO 70 MPH I FELT THE CAR PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT, AFTER GOING INTO A SPIN , IT BECAME HARD TO APPLY BRAKES AND TO TRY TO CORRECT OR CONTROL THE SPIN , THERE WERE VEHICLES INCLUDING A SEMI ALL AROUND MY CAR. AS I SLID OFF THE TRAVELED PORTION OF THE HWY. MY CAR IMPACTED THE…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HWY, AT APPROX, 65 TO 70 MPH I FELT THE CAR PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT, AFTER GOING INTO A SPIN , IT BECAME HARD TO APPLY BRAKES AND TO TRY TO CORRECT OR CONTROL THE SPIN , THERE WERE VEHICLES INCLUDING A SEMI ALL AROUND MY CAR. AS I SLID OFF THE TRAVELED PORTION OF THE HWY. MY CAR IMPACTED THE WALL HEAD ON. I WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DASH . A MOMENT LATER I CALMED DOWN AND THOUGHT TO MYSELF WHY DIDN'T THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY? I HIT THE WALL AT LEAST AT 35 MPH, THEN I SAW THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING, I SAW THE KEY HAD MOVED TO OFF, I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE HOME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UP TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY CHEVROLET HHR 2007, (40 MPH), WHEN TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE INFO SHOWED TRACTION CONTROL OFF, AND THEN SERVICE TRACTION, AT THE SAME TIME I COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE CAR WAS SHIFTING HARD. IT WAS LIKE KICKING. I PARKED, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED ON AGAIN, AND THE LIG…
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APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY CHEVROLET HHR 2007, (40 MPH), WHEN TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE INFO SHOWED TRACTION CONTROL OFF, AND THEN SERVICE TRACTION, AT THE SAME TIME I COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE CAR WAS SHIFTING HARD. IT WAS LIKE KICKING. I PARKED, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED ON AGAIN, AND THE LIGHT DISAPPEAR BUT AFTER FEW HOURS, IT WAS THERE AGAIN, SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE INFO CHECK ENGINE, AND STAYED ON WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, THEN THIS DISAPPEAR BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED. ALSO THE CAR HAS MADE NOISE SINCE 2008 WHEN MY HUSBAND BOUGHT IT.I DON'T KNOW IF BOTH PROBLEMS ARE RELATED. ON 10/15/14 I WENT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 5 DIFFERENT RECALLS TO FIX, AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON, THEY DIDN'T CHECK IT, THEY SAID IF I WANT THEM CHECK IT, I HAVE TO PAID FOR THE INSPECTION. LOOKS CHEVROLET IT DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY! *TR
I HAD MY OIL CHANGED BEFORE GOING ON VACATION. ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR WAS BURNING OIL .NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON .THE ENGINE TEMP DID NOT MOVE OR GO TO HOT. MY ENGINE BLOW UP. I UNDERSTAND A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER.IF IS HAD HAPPENED IN A TUNNEL OR ON A BRIDGE ,THIS WAS GOING TO BE A BIGGER…
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I HAD MY OIL CHANGED BEFORE GOING ON VACATION. ON MY WAY HOME MY CAR WAS BURNING OIL .NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON .THE ENGINE TEMP DID NOT MOVE OR GO TO HOT. MY ENGINE BLOW UP. I UNDERSTAND A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER.IF IS HAD HAPPENED IN A TUNNEL OR ON A BRIDGE ,THIS WAS GOING TO BE A BIGGER PROBLEM. *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.
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