Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 37 MPH, the brake pedal was abruptly depressed, but failed to engage in time. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to the right toe and chest, which did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an undisclosed location. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified, but the local dealer was not. The failure mileage was 71,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed as the front of the vehicle shook violently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brakes failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rotors and outer tie rods failed and the rear brake pads needed to be dusted. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Vehicle was exiting parkway when loss of braking and steering occurred causing vehicle to collide with guardrail nearly head on. Air bags did not deploy. Major damage to front of vehicle as well as rear of vehicle as it swung around and struck the guardrail a second time with the rear of the vehicle before coming to rest across the roadway.
when I went to push on the brake, the brake pedal went to the floor... I had No Brakes? This could have been a terrible accident had I been going faster.
Chevrolet HHR brake rotor problem. Please see all of the complaints on the HHR at www.mycarstats.com/safetystation.asp?cars=7107127. Owners have been bringing their HHR's to the Chevrolet dealerships with this problem since 02/06/07. Out of 73 complaints on the 2007 Chevrolet HHR 19 complaints, or 26% of the complaints are related to the brakes and rotors. Please investigate the rotors that Chevrolet is using on the vehicles, before someone gets injured or killed. Most complaints are at low mileage, and are new vehicles. Sounds like there is some kind of defect in the metal that is being used to make the rotors. I checked to see if there were any recalls on the rotors, but it doesn't even seem that the problem is under investigation. I brought my HHR to a Chevrolet dealership in 2009 and a mechanic took my HHR for a drive by himself, but said that he could not find any problem. …
While driving on a wet road at 30 to 35 miles per hour. The car shuts off when I topped a small hill and I lost all power. No place to pull off the road. I placed the car in park and turn the key to off and restarted. The engine light came on and the message displayed was engine power reduction. I drove 20 to 25 miles per hour to my destination the car would only go 30 miles per hour and the car shifted roughly and jumped. A nice guy there, turned the key to the on position 3 times before the engine light would go off. Called dealership and they said bring it in, I already had the recall letter and ask him if it could be related to the recall (as I am on a fixed income) he said no and it would cost 150.00 I have not had any other episodes and I hope I don't it was very scary. Glad I was going slow and not a busy road. …
The brake system on our 2007 Chevrolet HHR violently shakes the whole car when trying to brake at higher speeds especially going down hill. The brakes are no where near needing replaced yet and the Chevy dealer we bought it from claims they know about the problem but cannot do anything about it without charging us for a repair??? I do not need new brakes I just need the ones on it to work properly. A search of the internet and this site demonstrates a design or parts problem since many owners have the exact same problem. I would invite anyone to contact me to take a ride in the car to see how unbelievably scary it is to be behind the wheel coming down a hill and trying to get it stopped. Some one needs to look into this before someone get seriously hurt when the brakes fail. …
The brakes started shuttering after 20000 miles, the dealer found the brake rotors were warped and turned the rotors. At 55000 miles the trouble has returned and since the car is out of the 3 yrs 36000 mile warranty will not fix. The brakes pulsate badly at this point and 2 service managers claim is the result of the rotors being too light for the weight of the car and it is happening to many Chevy HHR owners. The 2nd problem is the electronic steering. The steering shakes when the warped brakes are applied due to the plastic gears wearing and when you are driving over a rough surface. Again the dealer nor GM will make repairs due to car out of 3 yr 36000 warranty. Again the service managers has admitted this problem is happening to many owners. …
These vehicles are dangerous! The problems with mine are on-going despite several repair or replacement attempts. The rotors have been replaced five times since purchasing it new. Braking at higher speeds is near impossible. The vehicle shakes, lurches shimmies and feels like the brakes have locked up. Stopping on a hill is a scary experience. The only reason GM has not been forced to recall these cars is because no one has died yet. It would be easier for me to detail what is right with the car than try to explain all of its problems. It now has 60,000 miles on it and I've been trying to resolve the issues with it since it was new. I am now being forced to stop payment and let them repossess it. I cannot sell it in good faith nor can I afford to continue paying for these issues since it is now out of warranty. …
Tl contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the power steering failed and the vehicle began pulling to the right. The contact had to gain control of the steering wheel and pull it in the opposite direction in order to gain control of it. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer six times for diagnostic testing but the dealer offered no assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer was involved in a legal dispute for excessive gear backlash which caused steering failures under certain conditions. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500. The current mileage was 7,870. Updated 07/19/10. The consumer stated the vehicle would pull to the right, the dash lights were out on occasion, and the brake pedal would travel to the floor when it was applied. Updated 10/08/10
Brake complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Chevrolet HHR, 7% of the model year's 726 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet HHR brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet HHR brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.