2007 Chevrolet HHR Problems, Recalls & Reliability

943 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 74/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 78,000 miles.

943Complaints
74/100Trouble index
5Recalls
74,587Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 2007 sits among all HHR years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Steering 430 complaints (46%) · typically ~78,000 miles
“Power steering fails indiscriminately when in motion; returns when vehicle is turned off and restarted.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2007 HHR
Electrical 119 complaints (13%) · typically ~65,000 miles
“Electric steering keeps going out . Works 5 mins then turn the car off try again world 5 mins and goes out again. Snatched us off the road into a ditch. Can't turn steering wheel”— owner report to NHTSA, 2007 HHR
Brakes & stability 51 complaints (5%) · typically ~26,000 miles
“When I went to push on the brake, the brake pedal went to the floor... I had No Brakes? This could have been a terrible accident had I been going faster.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2007 HHR
Fuel system 51 complaints (5%) · typically ~130,000 miles
“Car exhibits strong smell of raw gasoline. Dripping fuel was noticed in front of driver side rear tire. Dealership reports rusted fuel line. Repair requires ordering parts and minimum of $720 to repair.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2007 HHR
Airbags 48 complaints (5%) · typically ~70,000 miles
“My daughter in law was involved in a roll over accident today and not one of the airbags deployed, resulting in a concussion to the left side of head when it hit the drivers side window and busted it!”— owner report to NHTSA, 2007 HHR
Body & structure 43 complaints (5%) · typically ~68,000 miles
“I got into my car with no problem, when it was time to get out of the car i could not because the driver side door would not open. I had to let the window down to get out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2007 HHR

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 739 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 74,587 miles. Half of those reports fall between 50,000 and 106,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (5)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14E021000 2014

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on…

Fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14V171000 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…

Fix: 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…

AIR BAGS 14V047000 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.…

Fix: 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…

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 08V444000 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…

Fix: 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…

AIR BAGS 08V046000 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…

Fix: 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…

Technical service bulletins

841 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2007 HHR TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2007peak 290 in 20142026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2007 Chevrolet HHR reliable?

The 2007 Chevrolet HHR drew 943 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 74/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).

What are the most common 2007 Chevrolet HHR problems?

The top reported problems for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR are steering (430 complaints), electrical (119), and brakes & stability (51).

At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet HHR problems show up?

Owners most often report 2007 Chevrolet HHR problems around 74,587 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 50,000 and 106,000 miles.

Does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR have recalls?

5 recall campaigns apply to the 2007 Chevrolet HHR. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.