Chevrolet HHR 2006–2011 problems by year and mileage
Single generation · GM Delta (GMT001)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20263,574 complaints, 2,892 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2006 Chevrolet HHR
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,006
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2006
- Steering458 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Electrical system222 reports · median 69,000 mi
- Body structure119 reports · median 63,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Latches/locks/linkages — doors
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Chevrolet HHR
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 726
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2007
- Steering424 reports · median 77,000 mi
- Electrical system111 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Airbag system48 reports
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Latches/locks/linkages — doors
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Chevrolet HHR
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 616
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Steering297 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Electrical system108 reports · median 64,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system71 reports · median 124,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Latches/locks/linkages — doors
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Chevrolet HHR
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 508
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2009
- Electrical system151 reports · median 55,000 mi
- Steering127 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Airbag system104 reports · median 56,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Steering — electric power assist system · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Chevrolet HHR
Close- Median failure report
- 62,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 515
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2010
- Steering231 reports · median 63,000 mi
- Electrical system119 reports · median 50,000 mi
- Airbag system49 reports · median 66,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Steering — electric power assist system · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Chevrolet HHR
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 203
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2011
- Fuel and propulsion system43 reports
- Electrical system39 reports
- Airbag system30 reports
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2008; earliest: the 2011, and the 2008 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 69,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 138,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,892
- Recalls
- 7
Most reported
- Steering43.7% of complaints · median 73,000 mi
- Electrical system21.0% of complaints · median 60,000 mi
- Airbag system9.3% of complaints · median 55,000 mi
Documented problems
- Ignition Switch2006–2011
- Electric Power Steering2009–2010
- Timing Chain (2.4L LE5)2006–2011
- Engine Oil Consumption (2.4L LE5)2010–2011
Owners filed 3,574 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR; the steering leads with 43.7% of them, and half of the 2,892 that record an odometer reading came by 69,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 44,000 to 100,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR last?
On the 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR, half of the 2,892 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 69,000 miles and 90% by 138,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
200 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 30 past 200,000 — each one proof that a HHR reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet HHR 2006–2011 · 2,892 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 160 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 30 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 20,000
- 25%
- 44,000
- Median
- 69,000
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 138,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 103 | 3.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 58 | 2.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 68 | 2.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 57 | 2.0% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 56 | 1.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 62 | 2.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 89 | 3.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 124 | 4.3% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 123 | 4.3% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 131 | 4.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 160 | 5.5% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 138 | 4.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 153 | 5.3% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 138 | 4.8% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 143 | 4.9% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 113 | 3.9% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 134 | 4.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 110 | 3.8% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 103 | 3.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 81 | 2.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 81 | 2.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 59 | 2.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 73 | 2.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 53 | 1.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 64 | 2.2% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 51 | 1.8% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 53 | 1.8% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 39 | 1.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 48 | 1.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 27 | 0.9% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 43 | 1.5% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 15 | 0.5% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 27 | 0.9% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 14 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 16 | 0.6% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 13 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 13 | 0.4% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 13 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 9 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 7 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 30 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common HHR problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet HHR 2006–2011
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Airbag system332 reportsmedian 55,000middle half 35,000–90,000
- Latches and locks145 reportsmedian 58,000middle half 40,000–78,000
- Electrical system750 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 39,000–100,000
- Body structure261 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 38,000–87,000
- Transmission and driveline191 reportsmedian 62,000middle half 39,000–92,000
- Steering1,562 reportsmedian 73,000middle half 52,000–100,000
- Fuel and propulsion system316 reportsmedian 120,000middle half 90,000–150,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1,562 | 43.7% | 73,000 | 52,000–100,000 |
| Electrical system | 750 | 21.0% | 60,000 | 39,000–100,000 |
| Airbag system | 332 | 9.3% | 55,000 | 35,000–90,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 316 | 8.8% | 120,000 | 90,000–150,000 |
| Body structure | 261 | 7.3% | 60,000 | 38,000–87,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 191 | 5.3% | 62,000 | 39,000–92,000 |
| Latches and locks | 145 | 4.1% | 58,000 | 40,000–78,000 |
| Engine | 133 | 3.7% | 80,000 | 51,000–119,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 131 | 3.7% | 11,000 | 2,500–30,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 115 | 3.2% | 76,000 | 44,000–112,000 |
Known problems with the 2006–2011 HHR
Ignition Switch 2006–2011
Ignition switch detent torque too low: weight on the key ring or a jarring road event can move the switch out of 'Run', shutting off the engine and with it power steering assist, power brake assist and airbag deployment. Covered by GM's 2014 ignition-switch recall campaign, initially for 2006-2007 cars and later expanded to the full 2006-2011 HHR range.
Electric Power Steering 2009–2010
Loss of electric power steering assist from failure of the steering column assist motor/torque sensor circuit; steering reverts to manual effort. GM recalled a subset of 2009-2010 HHR under its 2014 power-steering campaign (the same defect family as the Cobalt/G5/Ion EPS recalls).
Timing Chain (2.4L LE5) 2006–2011
Plastic timing chain guides and the hydraulic tensioner degrade, producing cold-start rattle from the passenger side of the engine and chain slack. The Ecotec is an interference design, so a jumped or broken chain causes valve-to-piston contact.
Engine Oil Consumption (2.4L LE5) 2010–2011
Excessive oil consumption between changes on 2.4L Ecotec engines, attributed to piston ring/PCV system design; GM issued a technical service bulletin covering 2010-2013 2.4L vehicles.
Before you buy a 2006–2011 HHR: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,892 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for hydraulic brake circuit repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 11,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check ignition switch on 2006–2011 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check electric power steering on 2009–2010 cars.
- Check timing chain (2.4L LE5) on 2006–2011 (2.4L cars) cars.
- Years differ here: from 203 to 1,006 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
HHR problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi40% below | At 90k mi68% below | At 120k mi83% below | At 150k mi93% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 52,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 39,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 35,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 90,000–150,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 38,000–87,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 39,000–92,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Latches and locks | 40,000–78,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet HHR 2006–2011 · 2,892 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 40% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 68% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 83% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR recalls (7)
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (3), the electrical system (1), the steering (1) (why one area can repeat).
Apr 2014 · 2006–2011 · Electrical SystemIf the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park"…
The free 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…
Mar 2014 · 2009–2010 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available…
Feb 2014 · 2006–2011 · Air BagsIf the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash…
The defect. 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.…
What can happen. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free 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…
Mar 2009 · 2009 · Power TrainThe driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is…
Sep 2008 · 2006–2008 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesThis standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
The free 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…
Jan 2008 · 2006–2008 · Air BagsThis standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
The free 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…
Oct 2006 · 2006 · Air BagsIf the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of…
The free fix. Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 3,574 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 171 (4.8%)
- Fires
- 29
- Injury reports
- 107
- Fatality reports
- 5
HHR problems by model year
The 2006 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,006, most of them about the steering, and the 2011 the fewest, 203. A typical year drew about 566.
The first year of the generation, 2006, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,006 | 840 | 70,000 | Steering (458) | 5 |
| 2007 | 726 | 596 | 74,000 | Steering (424) | 4 |
| 2008 | 616 | 495 | 75,000 | Steering (297) | 4 |
| 2009 | 508 | 407 | 60,000 | Electrical system (151) | 4 |
| 2010 | 515 | 410 | 62,000 | Steering (231) | 3 |
| 2011 | 203 | 144 | 60,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (43) | 2 |
What HHR owners reported
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the contact was informed that the vehicle was leaking gasoline. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that fuel was leaking from the driver’s side rear wheel well area, near the muffler. While…
2008 · 69,000 miles · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release. Additionally, the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the key was stuck and needed to be broken, and any damages would be at the…
2008 · 200,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); but the vehicle experienced a failure. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition switch while the key was in the "OFF" position. In…
2008 · 64,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated and occasionally flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
2009 · 199,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 2,892 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built