The 2007 HHR is a compact retro wagon built on the Cobalt/Delta platform with typical GM small-car issues of the era: ignition switch failures, power steering problems, and timing chain wear on the 2.2L/2.4L engines. The naturally aspirated engines are more common and share most problems; the 2.0L turbo is rarer but adds boost/intercooler complexity.
Ignition Switch Failure (Recall 14V-153)
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Engine stalls while driving, Key stuck in ignition or won't turn, Accessories cut out randomly, No crank/no start intermittently
Fix: GM recall covers replacement of ignition lock cylinder and keys. If post-recall or non-recall VIN, replace ignition switch actuator and lock cylinder. 1.5-2 hours labor. Critical safety issue—airbags and power steering disable during stall.
Estimated cost: $150-350
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Motor Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of power steering assist, Service StabiliTrak and traction control lights, Steering effort becomes very heavy, No warning before failure in many cases
Fix: Replace entire EPS motor/column assembly—no rebuilds available from GM. 2-3 hours labor. Failure can happen suddenly at any speed. Used units fail quickly; stick with reman or new.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Timing Chain Stretch (2.2L/2.4L Ecotec)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold start for first 5-10 seconds, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0016, P0017), Rough idle, Eventually: catastrophic timing failure if ignored
Fix: Replace timing chain, guides, tensioner, and VVT solenoids/actuators. Requires front engine disassembly. 8-12 hours labor. Oil change intervals matter—neglect accelerates wear dramatically. Interference engine, so stretched chain can cause valve/piston contact.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: No start, cranks but won't fire, Stalling in hot weather after short stops, Loss of power under load, Whining noise from rear of vehicle
Fix: Replace in-tank fuel pump module. Drop tank or remove rear seat and cut access panel (not factory). 2-3 hours with tank drop. Common enough that many techs install aftermarket access hatches.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion (4T45-E Auto)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking near radiator area, Pink fluid spots under vehicle, Low transmission fluid level, Burnt transmission smell if driven low on fluid
Fix: Replace corroded cooler lines—steel lines rust through where they contact frame/body. 1.5-2.5 hours labor. Catch early before trans runs dry. Flush transmission if contamination suspected.
Estimated cost: $250-500
Door Latch Failures (Recall 14V-701)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Door won't close or won't latch securely, Door pops open while driving, Door ajar light stays on, Inside/outside handles don't release door
Fix: Recall covers replacement of door latch assemblies. If post-recall, replace individual latch. 1-2 hours per door. Mostly side doors, occasionally liftgate. Safety concern as doors can open unexpectedly.
Estimated cost: $150-350
Wheel Bearing Hub Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or humming noise that increases with speed, ABS/traction control lights if sensor integral to hub, Vibration through steering wheel or floor, Wheel play if severely worn
Fix: Replace wheel bearing hub assembly. Front: 1.5-2 hours per side. Rear: 1-1.5 hours. Common on these platforms due to lighter-duty hubs on relatively heavy vehicle. Check all four if one fails on high-mileage examples.
Estimated cost: $250-450
PCV System / Valve Cover Leaks (2.2L/2.4L)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000 mi), Oil residue around valve cover, Rough idle, Check engine light P0171/P0174 (lean codes) from vacuum leak
Fix: Replace valve cover with integrated PCV—it's one assembly on these Ecotecs. 1.5-2 hours labor. Diaphragm inside cover fails, causing oil consumption and vacuum issues. Cheap fix that prevents bigger problems.
Estimated cost: $200-400
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 miles maximum on 2.2L/2.4L engines—timing chain life depends on it; 7,500 mile intervals kill these chains
Check power steering assist every startup; EPS failure is sudden and has no warning
Verify ignition switch and door latch recalls were completed—check GM VIN lookup even if previous owner claims it was done
Inspect transmission cooler lines annually in salt states; they rust from outside-in with no warning
If buying a turbo 2.0L SS model, budget for intercooler boost leaks and higher maintenance across the board
Decent cheap runabout if recalls are done and timing chain was addressed before 120k miles, but the sudden-failure power steering and ignition issues make it a gamble for a primary vehicle—budget $1,500 in deferred maintenance on any high-miler.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
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.
Consequence: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · 14V171000
2014-04-10
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.
Consequence: 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" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: 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 will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
AIR BAGS · 14V047000
2014-02-10
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · 08V444000
2008-09-03
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.
Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: 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 HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
AIR BAGS · 08V046000
2008-01-30
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.
Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: 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 HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.