Problems · by component

2007 Chevrolet HHR electrical system problems

111 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2007 Chevrolet HHR cite electrical system, 15% of all 726 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
111
15% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at various speeds between 30-65 MPH, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to steer and the vehicle lost electrical power. The contact stated that she would veer to the side of the road or park the vehicle whenever the failure occurred. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that upon attempting to restart the vehicle and inserting the key in the ignition switch, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that she continually turned the key in the ignition switch until the vehicle restarted. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly and the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under an NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (Electrical System) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 23, 2022Electrical systemODI 11494735
“While driving the vehicle approximately 45mph, the power steering light came on the dash. While driving straight was not an issue, attempting to pull off the road was difficult. I checked owners manual which told me to take it to a dealer. This in itself was bothersome. I opened the hood and called my mechanic, who told me to check fuses. I replaced the fuse and the vehicle was fine for about 4 weeks, but once again driving 30-35 mph, the light came on the dashboard. I have saved both replaced fuses, I’m wondering after reading other reports whether the fuses are even blown? Either way, this is not a safe situation to be driving any speed without power steering. Mine is a 2007 Chevrolet HHR with approximately 163 k miles”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2021Steering, Electrical systemODI 11443504
“PLEASE CONSIDER THIS COMMUNICATION AS A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST GENERAL MOTORS. MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A CHEVROLET HHR. I WANT TO RELAY TO YOU MY CURRENT FRUSTRATIONS WITH GENERAL MOTORS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY HHR FIXED SINCE LAST DECEMBER. APPARENTLY, GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT BEEN PAYING IT'S DEALERS ADEQUATELY TO MAKE THESE REPAIRS. I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DEFECT WITHIN MY HHR COULD RESULT IN MY POSSIBLE DEATH. I LIVE IN KETCHIKAN, ALASKA. VEHICLES HAVE TO BE TRANSPORTED BY BARGE OR BY FERRY TO THE ONLY GM DEALERSHIP WHICH IS MENDENHALL AUTO CENTER LOCATED IN JUNEAU, ALASKA AND THERE WOULD BE NO REASON WHATSOEVER WHY ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD SHIP THEIR CAR TO JUNEAU FOR A SIMPLE $100 REPAIR AND LOSE THE UTILITY OF THEIR CAR. MY CAR IS A 2007 HHR. THE VIN NUMBER OF THE CAR IS [XXX]. THE RECALL CALLS FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT - NUMBER N140063 AND REPLACE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND IGNITION KEY NUMBER N140113. PARTIES: [XXX], OWNER OF THE AUTO WORKS, KETCHIKAN, ALASKA, PHONE NUMBER AREA CODE [XXX]. [XXX], SERVICE MANAGER, MENDENHALL AUTO CENTER, JUNEAU, ALASKA, PHONE NUMBER AREA CODE [XXX]. CAR OWNER: [XXX] PHONE NUMBER AREA CODE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2020Electrical systemODI 11316865
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2019Steering, Electrical systemODI 11220334
“LEAKING FUEL LINE. SEVERAL REPAIRS DONE AND KEEPS LEAKING. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RADIO CUTS BACK AND FORTH TO AUX, CONSTANTLY. ALL LIGHTS FOR THE BRAKES, SERVICE TRACTION, CHECK ENGINE. COME ON, GO OFF FOR A WHILE THEN COME BACK ON.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2018Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11103759

Showing 6 of 111 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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