Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2007 Chevrolet HHRRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 726 owner complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR. Most complaints involve steering (424) and electrical system (111). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
726
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

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 various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Air bags

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2014NHTSA 14V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

726 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2007 – May 2026
  1. Steering424
  2. Electrical system111
  3. Air bags48
  4. Fuel/propulsion system43
  5. Structure43
  6. Power train40
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic32
  8. Suspension27
  9. Latches/locks/linkages25

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each HHR model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20061,006
2007726
2008616
2009508
2010516
2011203
Crashes reported
42
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
28
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

424 reports15 crashes1 fire
“Power steering went out while I was driving and it put me in danger and other drivers because it was hard to control the vehicle, the steering wheel was really tough to turn. The vehicle wasn't inspected by a professional because the problem just occurred.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2025SteeringODI 11700657

Electrical system

111 reports5 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while exiting the driveway of a restaurant, the steering wheel failed to respond as needed. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a second independent mechanic who informed the contact that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and the electrical system was burned. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 7, 2022Steering, Electrical systemODI 11496417

Air bags

48 reports21 crashes
“I HAD AN AUTO ACCIDENT ON FEBRUARY 7, 2021. I LOST CONTROL ON AN ICY HIGHWAY AND FLIPPED MY CAR IN A DITCH FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE DITCH HARD ENOUGH IT BOUNCED BACK ON ALL FOUR TIRES. MY JAW HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, MY LEFT SHOULDER WENT THROUGH THE DRIVERS WINDOW AND OF COURSE I NOW HAVE ONGOING BACK ISSUES AT THIS TIME. MY CONCERN IS THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I FIND THIS CONCERNING AS THE IMPACT WAS GREAT AND I HOT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY FACE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11406459
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212823$3,350386
HHR Panel FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
HHR Panel FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212823$2,700386
HHR Panel FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$2,700386
HHR Panel FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850404
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500404
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2063
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 HHR questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Chevrolet HHR problems?

Owners filed 726 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (424), electrical system (111), air bags (48). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Chevrolet HHR get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Chevrolet HHR at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026