Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Chevrolet HHR. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Chevrolet HHR,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2006–2011 with 22 recall campaigns and 4741 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2006 (5), 2009 (4), and 2008 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2006 (1367), 2007 (941), and 2008 (775).
Top recall themes: Airbags, Electrical, and Powertrain.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Airbags
3 campaigns · Years: 2006–2011
These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Official notices (evidence):
14V153000
· Steering: Electric power assist system
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Chevrolet HHR in NHTSA complaint data are
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2011
2
287
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system, Air bags.
2010
3
682
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Electrical system, Air bags.
2009
4
689
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Steering, Air bags.
2008
4
775
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system.
2007
4
941
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Electrical system, Air bags.
2006
5
1367
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Electrical system, Air bags.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Air bags
, Electrical system
and Latches/locks/linkages
Show recall evidence by year
2011
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Electrical system: Ignition:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ignit
2010
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Steering: Electric power assist system:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric powe
Electrical system: Ignition:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ignit
2009
Power train: Column shift:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, star
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Steering: Electric power assist system:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric powe
Electrical system: Ignition:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ignit
2008
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 requ
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Electrical system: Ignition:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ignit
2007
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 requ
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Electrical system: Ignition:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ignit
2006
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing sy
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 requ
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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
Electrical system: Ignition:
Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 ignit
Other Chevrolet Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Chevrolet models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
