Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlamps became dim, the bulbs then blew out and headlamps became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,784.
Instrument panel functions work intermittently while vehicle is running and flashes on and off. It is a safety concern as the speedometer function does not work while driving vehicle. This problem also affects the ability of transmission to shift into gear properly. When vehicle is checked using diagnostic computer, computer fails to detect code error or identify problem with vehicle.electrical system.
The brake light on the back right side keeps going out. Have had bulb replaced 4 times. The bulbs burn right out. Last time during oil change at mister car wash they told me to have tail light repaired as it is all melted inside and the bulb will not stay in the last time I had it replaced was during a recall for the ignition switch at Monday Chevrolet before this. This seems to me to be a factory default? Not sure if anyone else has had this happen. This car is garage kept and only had 30 thousand miles on it when I bought it and now only about 65000 on it now .. I do not drive it much .have only put about 35 thousand on it in over 6 years I have owned... Have others had this problem with the tail light. I have not had it fixed yet I do have new bulbs but they go out in a day or less so no need to replace until I get a new tail light holder thing? You tell me... What caused this? …
On going issue of brake lights intermittently coming on without touching brake pedal. First noticed something wrong because cruise control wouldn't activate. Found problem at night when I could see the glow from my brake lights on the top inside edge of my rear hatch. Replacing brake switch above pedal did not fix problem. Sounds kind of funny, but I got brake lights to go off while setting in driveway and pounding my center console out of frustration. Internet search found other GM vehicles with similar problems and frustrated owners that took vehicles to dealerships that didn't fix their problem. Issue appears to be circuit board related with circuit boards located on passenger side lower center console. A sharp rap with the palm of my hand in that area will always get the brake lights to go off when they shouldn't have been on. …
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH at night, the low-beam headlights became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local mechanic which replaced the headlight bulbs; however, the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,087
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 35 MPH, the driver side headlight failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side headlight wiring harness and bulb needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 05/18/16
While driving my car on the city streets the doors suddenly unlock the lights flicker off and back on and the car jerks and then the car does the same thing and locks the doors again and then unlocks the doors again with the headlights going out again and back on again just as quickly. It does this over and over again while driving to work or to run to the store or where ever. I took it to the Chevrolet dealer and they cannot tell me what the problem is. No codes are showing what the problem is. I have had it to three different garages and no one can seem to tell me what the problem is. The last dealer told me that I would have to leave the car there and every time they got into the car to drive it to see if it would do it again for them it would cost me right around $130.00 each time. I can't afford that. I asked them if it could be the ignition and they said no. …
Problems with lighting include no bright headlights. Alternating problems occur with the running lights and dim lights. Alternating meaning that both do work at different times in almost a back and forth pattern. They have not both failed to work at the same time as of yet. I have managed to simply switch around fuses/relays of the same model number to get both running and dim lights to work. The bright lights have not worked in almost a year. Problems occur when car is started from a stationary position. I have had the fuses/relays tested at an independent auto parts store and was told they are fine after buying replacements on two occasions. This matter needs to be the topic of a recall as it is a serious safety hazard to not have bright lights, running lights and especially headlights. I read online that this is a common issue with the 2008 Chevy HHR.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet HHR years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (16), 2009 (16), 2008 (12), 2010 (10) and 2007 (6) model years. Headlight complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet HHR headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (5 mentions), followed by the tail lights (3).
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.