Chevrolet HHR reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 718 complaints about the Chevrolet HHR with NHTSA since 2010, most often about steering and electrical system. Chevrolet has filed 6 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns for it, and there are 3 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Chevrolet HHR? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the HHR a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 718
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 6
- Filed by Chevrolet
- Service campaigns
- 3
- Filed by Chevrolet
- Safety recalls
- 3
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the HHR with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 203 | Fuel and propulsion (21%) | 2 | 9 |
| 2010 | 515 | Steering (45%) | 3 | 8 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single HHR model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Chevrolet
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Chevrolet filed with NHTSA for the HHR, in its own words. A warranty extension means Chevrolet pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionNov 2016· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
14632C Special Coverage. On some vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the vehicle's transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal that allows the ignition key to be turned counter clockwise past the accessory mode to the "LOCK" position after…
- Warranty extensionMar 2015· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2010–2011
14632B - special coverage (revised part information). On some vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the vehicles transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal that allows the ignition key to be turned counter clockwise past the accessory mode…
- Warranty extensionFeb 2015· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
14632A - Special Coverage (part name revised). On some vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the vehicle?s transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal that allows the ignition key to be turned counter clockwise past the accessory mode to the…
- Warranty extensionDec 2014· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2011
14632 - special coverage (q&a). On december 11, 2014, general motors released special coverage adjustment 14632.
- Warranty extensionDec 2014· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
14632 - special coverage. On some vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the vehicles transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal that allows the ignition key to be turned counter clockwise past the accessory mode to the lock position after…
- Warranty extensionDec 2014· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
Special Coverage Adjustment ? Unable to Remove Ignition Key
- Service campaignAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
- Service campaignMar 2016· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignAug 2015· Electrical system· model years 2011
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every HHR model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Steering256 (36%)
- Electrical system158 (22%)
- Fuel and propulsion89 (12%)
- Airbags79 (11%)
- Body and structure65 (9%)
- Stability control55 (8%)
- Other or unspecified37 (5%)
- Brakes25 (3%)
Safety recalls
3 recalls cover at least one HHR model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
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.
NHTSA's own page for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Chevrolet HHR reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 718 owner complaints, 6 warranty extensions and 3 service campaigns Chevrolet filed, and 3 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (515), 2011 (203). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet HHR?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name steering (36%), electrical system (22%), fuel and propulsion (12%). Chevrolet has filed 6 warranty extensions covering the HHR, listed on this page.
Which HHR model years have the most complaints?
2010 (515), 2011 (203). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the HHR with each other rather than with other models.
Has Chevrolet extended the warranty on the HHR?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2010–2011); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2010–2011); electrical system (model years 2010–2011), and 3 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a HHR?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 3 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.