Reliability
Chevrolet

HHR (1st)

2006-2011 · Compact Hatchback · 7 engines
3,566 NHTSA Complaints
8 Recalls
29 Fire Reports
171 Crash Reports
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
HHRHHR PANEL
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

6.2 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar compact hatchbacks

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 736 powertrain complaints. A typical compact hatchback fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 553.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Complaints have risen since 2023.

Breakdown
Complaints overall736 complaints against about 553 for similar vehicles
6.2
Last three years50 complaints against about 20 for similar vehicles
4.8
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced50 complaints against about 66 for similar vehicles
7.7
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating20 complaints against about 38 for similar vehicles
8.4

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20065.5
  • 20076.6
  • 20086.4
  • 20096.1
  • 20106.3
  • 20116.9

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

L61/LBZ

2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hp
1,055 complaints 231.8 per year Gasoline
6 fire reports 5 fatalities
View details

LE5

2.4L 4-cyl
827 complaints 206.8 per year Gasoline
6 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Chevrolet HHR Unidentified Engine

602 complaints 100.3 per year
8 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
270
electrical
150
body
62
safety systems
48
transmission
42

LE8 -Flex Fuel (Gas/Alc), VVT, ALUM

2.2L 4-cyl
515 complaints 189.5 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
189
electrical
141
fuel system
74
body
58
safety systems
57

LCS

3.6L 6-cyl
303 complaints 101.0 per year
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
101
steering
71
safety systems
65
fuel system
59
body
16

LE9

2.4L 4-cyl
173 complaints 57.7 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
54
steering
48
fuel system
31
safety systems
30
engine
13

2.0T-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 260 hp
73 complaints 21.7 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
28
fuel system
24
steering
10
electrical
8
safety systems
4
Show 12 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LLY

6.6L 8-cyl Turbo
2 complaints 1.0 per year Diesel
View details

6.1-V8-Gas

6.1L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

LFX - VVT, E85 Max, Aluminum

3.6L 6-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

fuel system
1

LH2

4.6L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
steering
1

LK5

2.8L 4-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet HHR, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 1,558 owner complaints
Electrical System: 828 owner complaints
Fuel System: 370 owner complaints
Body/Trim: 368 owner complaints
Safety Systems: 332 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR

On a used 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (1,558), the electrical system (828) and the fuel system (370). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 1,558 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR about the steering.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 828 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR about the electrical system.
  3. Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 370 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR about the fuel system, all engines combined.
  4. Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 368 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR about the body and structure.
  5. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 332 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR

Recalls (8)

14E021000Apr 30, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

14V171000Apr 10, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

14V153000Mar 31, 2014serious
Steering

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 power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

14V047000Feb 10, 2014serious
Air Bags

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.

09V073000Mar 6, 2009serious
Powertrain

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, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

Show 3 older recalls
08V444000Sep 3, 2008cosmetic
Latches/Locks/Linkages

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 REQUIRED.

08V046000Jan 30, 2008cosmetic
Air Bags

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 TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.

06V417000Oct 31, 2006serious
Air Bags

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 SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (14.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (14.3% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Compact Hatchback

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR complaints?

Owners have filed 3,566 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR. The systems they name most often are the steering, the electrical system and the fuel system.

Is the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 3,566 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR have?

NHTSA has 3,566 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR?

NHTSA lists 8 recalls covering some 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet HHR?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the electrical system and the fuel system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the HHR?

The 2011 Chevrolet HHR received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (14.3% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 3,566 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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