NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
726 reports32,800 miles · Jun 23, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE CONTACT ADJUSTED THE STEERING COLUMN IN THE UPWARD POSITION. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE CONTACT ADJUSTED THE STEERING COLUMN IN THE UPWARD POSITION. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE PROPERLY DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,100.
NHTSA ODI #10232018
40,000 miles · Jun 20, 2008
Seat Belts
MY 8 YEAR OLD SON BECAME TRAPPED IN THE REAR SEAT BELT. HE WAS TWISTED IN THE SEAT BELT AND IT WAS CUTTING INTO HIS WAIST. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME BACK OUT TO RELEASE HIM BUT WOULD ONLY GET SHORTER AND TIGHTER ON HIS WAIST. I HAD TO CUT HIM OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. CHEVY REPLACED THE SEAT BELT AND MY SON HAD MINOR CUTS ON …
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MY 8 YEAR OLD SON BECAME TRAPPED IN THE REAR SEAT BELT. HE WAS TWISTED IN THE SEAT BELT AND IT WAS CUTTING INTO HIS WAIST. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME BACK OUT TO RELEASE HIM BUT WOULD ONLY GET SHORTER AND TIGHTER ON HIS WAIST. I HAD TO CUT HIM OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. CHEVY REPLACED THE SEAT BELT AND MY SON HAD MINOR CUTS ON HIS WAIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231723
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2008
Exterior LightingStructure
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
NHTSA ODI #10231128
15,000 miles · May 25, 2008
Tires
MY 2007 HHR CAME BRAND NEW, WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA TIRES. THEY ARE TERRIBLE. THEY DON'T ADEQUATELY HANDLE RAINY ROADS, AND HYDROPLANE WAY TOO EASILY. I WAS 15-20 MPH BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT, IN BARELY MODERATE RAIN, AND HYDROPLAINING. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A POORLY PERFORMING SET OF TIRES BEFORE. THEY ONLY HAVE 15K M…
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MY 2007 HHR CAME BRAND NEW, WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA TIRES. THEY ARE TERRIBLE. THEY DON'T ADEQUATELY HANDLE RAINY ROADS, AND HYDROPLANE WAY TOO EASILY. I WAS 15-20 MPH BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT, IN BARELY MODERATE RAIN, AND HYDROPLAINING. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A POORLY PERFORMING SET OF TIRES BEFORE. THEY ONLY HAVE 15K MILES ON THEM, WITH EVEN TREAD WEAR. POOR DESIGN. THESE ARE GTA 3 TIRES, BUT THERE WASN'T AN OPTION FOR THAT ON THIS WEBSITE, SO I ENTERED GTA 2. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228874
10,000 miles · May 18, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN NOVEMBER 2007, AND HAS HAD A COUPLE ISSUES. WHEN NEW, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO NOT TRACK STRAIGHT, OR WAS AT LEAST 'TWITCHY' ON THE ROAD. WITH LESS THAN 6000 MILES, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A NOTICEABLE 'CLUNK' IN THE FRONT END. TOOK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND A "DAMAGED SWAY BAR BUSHING", DECIDED THAT IT …
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VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW IN NOVEMBER 2007, AND HAS HAD A COUPLE ISSUES. WHEN NEW, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO NOT TRACK STRAIGHT, OR WAS AT LEAST 'TWITCHY' ON THE ROAD. WITH LESS THAN 6000 MILES, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A NOTICEABLE 'CLUNK' IN THE FRONT END. TOOK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND A "DAMAGED SWAY BAR BUSHING", DECIDED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY, AND REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS SEEMED TO FIX THAT ISSUE, AS WELL AS MADE THE CAR LESS 'TWITCHY' TO DRIVE. WITH JUST UNDER 10,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A SENSATION OF HAVING A WARPED ROTOR WHEN BRAKING. ROTORS TURNED BY DEALER AND THE PROBLEM HAS GONE AWAY FOR NOW, BUT TECH AT DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR HHR'S. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228136
20,000 miles · May 7, 2008
SteeringCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL. THE CONTACT AND HER SON WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, BUT WERE UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY GMC FOR WEEKS AND DID NOT RECEIVE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL. THE CONTACT AND HER SON WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, BUT WERE UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY GMC FOR WEEKS AND DID NOT RECEIVE ANY FEEDBACK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE MANUFACTURER GAVE THEIR APPROVAL. THE VIN WAS CONFIRMED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE CONTACT, BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10226912
2,000 miles · Apr 25, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AT 2000 MILES BRAKES VIBRATING DEALERSHIP TURNS ROTORS AND SANDED BRAKES, SAME THING AND SAME SOLUTION AT 6000 MILES AT 11,000 MILES AND NOW AT 16,700 MILE I AM TAKING IT BACK FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS AGAIN. CHEVY HHR 2007. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225674
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2008
Air BagsStructure
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
NHTSA ODI #10225134
31,085 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY HHR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN MAY OF LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF SHAKING WHEN I BRAKE. THE ROTORS WERE FILED DOWN AND THIS LAST TIME IN JANUARY 08 THEY SAID THEY REPLACED A PART THAT SHOULD KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. NOW, ABOUT 7K MILES SINCE THE LAST TIME, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THE DEALERSHI…
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MY HHR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN MAY OF LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF SHAKING WHEN I BRAKE. THE ROTORS WERE FILED DOWN AND THIS LAST TIME IN JANUARY 08 THEY SAID THEY REPLACED A PART THAT SHOULD KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. NOW, ABOUT 7K MILES SINCE THE LAST TIME, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO TELL ME IT WAS THE WAY I DRIVE, BUT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MORE THAN 24 YEARS AND HAVE HAD DOZENS OF CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR (ESPECIALLY AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS WEB SITES). I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT TO HAVE THEM REPLACE MY CAR WITH ANOTHER MODEL, BUT SUSPECT I WILL TAKE A HUGE HIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224576
8,000 miles · Apr 7, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING, SIZE P21555R16 (NA) LOW PROFILE TIRES. WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLATTENING. HE ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION WITHOUT A FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING, SIZE P21555R16 (NA) LOW PROFILE TIRES. WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLATTENING. HE ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION WITHOUT A FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. HE PLACED AIR IN THE TIRE AND DROVE TO A DEALER IN MARYLAND, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. HE RETURNED TO ALABAMA AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS LOCAL DEALER SO THEY COULD INSPECT THE TIRES. THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY FAILURES AS WELL. THE REAR TIRE FAILED AND A LOCAL MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE TIRES MAY BE OVERINFLATED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES SINCE RECEIVING THE MECHANIC'S SUGGESTION. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10223570
Official recalls
4Apr 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.
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.
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> .
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 ↗
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