Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am filing this complaint, as a safty concern / hazard notice, associated with my 2011 Chevrolet HHR. Please be advised that this vehicle was purchased new by me, and has never been involved in any traffic accidents. This complaint concerns the mechanical failure of the vehicles passenger side, front door latch. This is the second door latch failure ( different door ) which has occurred on the same vehicle, and happened on March 31, 2017, during a stop at a shopping center. Again, I attempted to firmly "close" the door, however, the door would not latch closed. My HHR has now been repaired with a new latch assembly. The failed front door latch has been returned to me, and I will store it, in the event that the NHTSA would want it / need it, to perform a failure analysis. Please refer to the NHTSA id number: 10790779 report, for details about failure # 1 ... …
On August 2 2018 I was driving. I had my oldest daughter in the back seat. We came to a stop sign and made a right turn. As I was turning the rear driver side door flew open and my daughter and her cell phone went flying out. She got scrapes and bruises but nothing major. Her cell phone screen smashed. I immediately pulled over thinking she just didn't shut the door all the way and tried to shut it. It wouldn't latch. I went to the closest gas station and tried getting the door to shut, as I was standing there slamming the door in the pouring rain, I noticed a lady trying to shut her door. Hers wouldn't shut either (she drives a Chevy, not the same make) I went over to my mechanic and he told me the latch needed to be repaired. I called auto zone to see if they have the part for the car because I can not drive around with a rear door that will not shut. …
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the underbody and rear wheel well were rusted and corroded adjacent to the exhaust pipe. The contact noticed that fuel was leaking. Eventually, the contact detected an abnormal odor of fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the nickel installation shield on the fuel lines had several holes. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. When the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal vibration at the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front driver and passenger side lower control arms rubber bushing were worn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the front driver side door handle fractured. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
I was driving and I went to roll the sunroof down and it ejected itself and came off the whole glass and frame and broke in many pieces on the bridge if there would of been a car or person walking it would of hit them and caused a major accident its going to cosy over$2000.00 to get it replaced whicj I cant afford to do I feel like the manufacturer should replace the part it wasnt my fault
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact noticed water leaking from the roof of the vehicle each time it rained. The location on the roof where the water was entering could not be determined. As a result, water surrounded the interior of the vehicle around the air bags and on the floorboard. The contact stated that the electrical power seats and the power windows failed to operate and the water shortened out the radio. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
My wife was driving we had pulled out of a parking lot on route 207 in the town of hamptonburgh,ny.no more then 20 feet from exiting the parking lot the car shut down and pulled to the right causing us to hit a telephone pole and totaling the car. It is my contention that power assist steering failed thus causing the accident. We where notified of the ignition recall had that taken care of in August of 2012. However Chevy/GM contention is the ignition did not fail. The body shop mechanic and GM/Chevy's own service advisor at the local dealership said that a catsophic malfunction took place causing the accident.
Our car had engine troubles where it kept shifting back into neutral while we were trying to drive on the highway and then on side streets on the way home. While driving it to get repaired, there was a loud popping noise and the engine burst into flames. The flames consumed a large portion of the car.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet HHR years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (119), 2010 (44), 2007 (43), 2009 (21) and 2011 (21) model years. Body complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet HHR body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Chevrolet HHR model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet HHR body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (112 mentions), followed by the body › door (98).
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.