Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 at 45 MPH, the engine stalled and caused the contact to crash into the rear end of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the back and both legs, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received two notifications for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (electrical system) and 14V171000 (electrical system). The contact believed both of these recalls were related to the failure that caused the crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated three months after purchasing the vehicle it would not start. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where she was advised they were unable to make repairs. The vehicle was then towed to a different repair facility where the mechanic advised the ignition would need to be reprogrammed. She would also need a new key that would also have to be reprogrammed. The repairs were completed at the contact's expense. On her drive home, the contact smelled something burning and there was a loud pop. She was able to make it to her residence and when inspecting the vehicle, she found that the engine fan had been tampered with. The dealer advised that both the fan and radiator would need to be replaced at her expense. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The current mileage was approximately 90,100.
Proceeding at normal speed on hwy 14. The check engine light illuminated followed by an illumination of the traction control light. There was a loud pop sound emanating from the front the vehicle. At this point the engine stopped running and I pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle was already on fire by the time I reached the side of the freeway. By the time I was able to exit the vehicle the engine compartment was fully involved in fire and within a matter of two or three minutes the remainder of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. I did notice other hhrs have been on fire as shown on the internet and the adjuster stated HHR fires are common. I barely made it out of the car.
While traveling on an interstate hwy, at approx, 65 to 70 MPH I felt the car pull hard to the right, after going into a spin , it became hard to apply brakes and to try to correct or control the spin , there were vehicles including a semi all around my car. As I slid off the traveled portion of the hwy. My car impacted the wall head on. I was slammed into the dash . A moment later I calmed down and thought to myself why didn't the airbags deploy? I hit the wall at least at 35 MPH, then I saw the car was not running, I saw the key had moved to off, I started the car and drove home.
I was driving my 07 Chevrolet HHR @ 45 MPH when the dash display blinked then displayed engine power reduced, followed by a substantial reduction of speed. I couldn't accelerate beyond 30 MPH, so I pulled off of the road to avoid being hit by the 18 wheeler traveling behind me. I turned the engine off and back on. The check engine light came on and stayed on. I drove 15 miles back home @ a speed of 30 MPH. The vehicle refuses to accelerate beyond 30 MPH
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
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. …
Approximately 6 weeks ago, I was driving my Chevrolet HHR 2007, (40 MPH), when traction control light came on, and the info showed traction control off, and then service traction, at the same time I could hear and feel the car was shifting hard. It was like kicking. I parked, turned off the car and turned on again, and the light disappear but after few hours, it was there again, shortly after the engine light came on with the info check engine, and stayed on with the traction control light, then this disappear but the engine light stayed. Also the car has made noise since 2008 when my husband bought it.I don't know if both problems are related. On 10/15/14 I went to the dealer because my car has 5 different recalls to fix, and the service traction light was on, they didn't check it, they said if I want them check it, I have to paid for the inspection. …
Tl contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the engine has suddenly shut off over 20 times, usually while traveling at any speed on the interstate. The most recent failure occurred while driving 15 MPH. She called the dealer from where the vehicle was purchased and was informed that they would take the vehicle back. When she went to turn in the vehicle, the dealer attempted to sell her another vehicle and then refused to take the defective vehicle back. They stated that the cause of the failure was due to corrosion of one of the plugs. They repaired the plug corrosion and some brake issues. The repair lasted for approximately one month before recurring. The vehicle has not been repaired again. The failure mileage was 34,666 and current mileage was 48,000. Updated 09/29/08. The gear shift also needed to be replaced. Updated 09/29/08.
I own a 2007 HHR (mileage 10753). It is easy to drive, is roomy and economical to operate. I had a very scary experience last evening while driving the HHR on an expressway in traffic. The motor shut off completely. The lights, radio, etc continued to work properly. The warning message was "engine power reduced". I made it to the side of the road. The car would not restart. No sounds, clicks, nothing. I waited a few minutes and the car started with an engine warning light on. I got off the highway and had something to eat. I went out and the car started up without an engine warning light. I took it to, holler Chevrolet (winter park, fl), this morning. Holler Chevrolet replaced a chip (PCM) and said it would be fine. Mike laing at holler represented both GM and holler with professionalism, skill and dignity.
Engine complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Chevrolet HHR, 5% of the model year's 726 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet HHR engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling 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.