What are the most common problems with the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?

Steering leads the complaint file with 424 complaints. Electrical system is next with 111, then brakes with 51.

Does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts list 4 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section lists them.

How many complaints does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR have?

NHTSA has 726 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports and one complaint can name several components.

Is the 2007 Chevrolet HHR reliable?

The complaint file is long at 726 reports, led by steering. Check the by-year and recall sections on this page before you decide.

What is the gas mileage of the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

2007 Chevrolet HHR Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 726 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR^[1]. Steering is the biggest group, with 424 complaints^[2].

726owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

22–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.

Steering. 424 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe knocking and banging up front that the dealer could not pin down, a wheel that shook when they braked, and a car that drifted off the road at highway speed.
Electrical system. 111 complaints^[5]. Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, warning lights coming on, a key that would not come out of the ignition, and a fire behind the dashboard.
Brakes. 51 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a shaking or pulsing feel when they brake. Some say the dealer resurfaced the rotors and the shaking came back. Others mention a brake warning light.
Air bags. 48 complaints^[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe an air bag warning light that stays on after a recall repair, and a crash where the bags did not go off.
Structure. 43 complaints^[8].
Fuel and propulsion system. 43 complaints^[9].
Power train. 40 complaints^[10].
Engine. 35 complaints^[11].

The by-year numbers also list 4 recalls for this model year^[3]. See the Recalls section for the details.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2007 HHR is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (14V171), April 2014. About 2,191,014 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, reduced braking, the car rolling away.^[12]
Air Bags (14V047), February 2014. About 2,190,934 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch (08V444), September 2008. About 296,422 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.^[14]
Air Bags (08V046), January 2008. About 181,516 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.^[15]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900
HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	19 / 28 / 22	$3,050
HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	21 / 28 / 23	$3,550
HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	19 / 28 / 22	$3,750
HHR Panel FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900
HHR Panel FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	20 / 29 / 23	$2,900
HHR Panel FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	21 / 28 / 23	$2,900
HHR Panel FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD^[23].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
HHR LS/LT 4DR WAGON^[24]	176 in	69 in	65 in	104 in	3,175 lb

How 2007 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each HHR model year. The 2007 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2006	1,006	5
2007	726	4
2008	616	4
2009	508	4
2010	515	3
2011	203	2

NHTSA's counts for the HHR show 726 complaints and 4 recalls for 2007^[3]. Among the 6 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2007 and 1 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2011 (203) and the most are for 2006 (1,006)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2007 HHR?

The 2007 HHR has a long complaint file, 726 reports in all^[1]. Steering stands out far above every other group at 424 complaints^[2]. Electrical reports follow with 111 complaints^[5]. Brakes come next with 51 complaints^[6]. These are unverified owner reports, so test drive with steering and brakes in mind and check the Recalls section before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?: Steering leads the complaint file with 424 complaints^[2]. Electrical system is next with 111^[5], then brakes with 51^[6].
Does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts list 4 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section lists them.
How many complaints does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR have?: NHTSA has 726 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports and one complaint can name several components.
Is the 2007 Chevrolet HHR reliable?: The complaint file is long at 726 reports^[1], led by steering^[2]. Check the by-year and recall sections on this page before you decide.
What is the gas mileage of the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet HHR

2006 1,006 complaints, 5 recalls
2007 this page
2008 616 complaints, 4 recalls
2009 508 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 515 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 203 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet HHR

Other Chevrolet models from 2007

2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 490 complaints, 5 recalls
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt 1,564 complaints, 5 recalls
2007 Chevrolet Colorado 140 complaints, 3 recalls
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe 1,177 complaints, 4 recalls
2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer 732 complaints, 5 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2007: suvs

2007 Ford Freestyle 893 complaints, 0 recalls
2007 GMC Envoy 253 complaints, 5 recalls
2007 Honda Element 112 complaints, 10 recalls
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 684 complaints, 7 recalls
2007 Jeep Commander 1,035 complaints, 5 recalls
2007 Lincoln MKX 298 complaints, 5 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 726 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR (42 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 28 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
424 complaints name the steering component group (15 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet HHR model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
111 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
51 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,556). NHTSA vehicle records
48 complaints name the air bags component group (21 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the structure component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 134,267). NHTSA vehicle records
40 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,233). NHTSA vehicle records
35 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,400). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 08V444, filed September 3, 2008: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 08V046, filed January 30, 2008: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HHR LS/LT 4DR WAGON: length 176 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,175 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2007 Chevrolet HHR: problems, recalls and fuel economy