HHR (1st)
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
L61/LBZ
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
LE5
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Chevrolet HHR Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
LE8 -Flex Fuel (Gas/Alc), VVT, ALUM
2.2L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LCS
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LE9
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.0T-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 260 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 12 additional engine variants with limited data
LMG
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LLY
6.6L 8-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LU3
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LM7
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
6.1-V8-Gas
6.1L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LFX - VVT, E85 Max, Aluminum
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LLT
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LR4
4.8L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LY2
4.8L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LL8
4.2L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LH2
4.6L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LK5
2.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recalls (8)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.