Wheel & Tire complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Heading home , going over the bridge @ 20mph from the nationals field going south bound heading towards south capital exit. Traveling On the right side of the road , I approached and drove over the metal sewer drainage that's not properly in the ground leveled which caused damage to my vehicles suspension. Immediately after the impact , I started hearing a strange noise as well as when I moved the steering wheel. I took my vehicle to Sears auto center on 7/01/21to be evaluated and explained the incident. I couldn't avoid the drainage due to another vehicle was on the left side of the road . I had to pay $1,111.92 out of my pocket and would like my money back. This drainage isn't in the ground properly which caused the problem to my vehicle. Is unavoidable especially if there's an vehicle directly across from you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH the steering wheel began pulling to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to correct the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50 and the current mileage was 17,000. Updated 03/14/12 the consumer stated after test driving the vehicle, he reported to the salesperson, that the vehicle pulled to the left and something was wrong with the steering. The consumer was informed the problem had been found and corrected. The dealer asked the consumer to drive the vehicle about 1000 miles. When the consumer returned the vehicle to the dealer, they found the alignment was out of specification. The repair was made. However, the consumer continued to experience problems. …
I was going 25 MPH when I crashed causing over 5,000 dollars worth of auto and property damage in addition to the medical bills which I have not received in full yet. The car malfunctioned while I was driving and I was not able to control it. I received the recall information in the mail, but the car had not been repaired. Also, the airbags did not deploy when the crash happened. I suffered a concussion due to the accident. I was the only person injured.
Lost tire pressure in one tire (right rear) in brand new vehicle after 100 miles driving due to improperly installed air valve with tire pressure monitor system sensor attached to tire air valve. Tire pressure monitor system alerted driver to a sudden loss of pressure. Driver was able to drive to a tire repair shop after changing to spare tire. Tire repair person found no leaks in tire, and upon dis-mounting the tire discovered the tire air valve was not properly seated. After properly installing the air valve and remounting the wheel on the vehicle, the tire had no further leakage until the end of the rental when we returned the vehicle to the rental agency, at 2600 miles. Vehicle is a rental vehicle; one of many identical recently delivered to rental car agency. Complainant was a renter, not the owner of the vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR equipped with cooper ultra touring ht tires (na). While driving approximately 60 MPH, the rear driver's side tire blew out. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated and the tire pressure monitoring system indicated that the tire pressure was decreasing. In addition, there was a recurring failure of tread separation with the replacement tires over the course of two months. A dealer was not made aware of the failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures through several voice messages by the contact. The tire size, dot number, VIN, and tire failure mileage were unknown. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Vehicle while being taken through an automated car wash with me inside sitting behind the steering wheel, with the transmission in the neutral position, and both of my hands resting on my knee caps, with engine running the vehicle goes into reverse by itself.. The backup light are also turned on when this action occurs. This same action have happened three times at random during my last nine visits to the same automated car wash. None of the vehicles moving forward behind my vehicle have been damaged when this action occurs.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release. Additionally, the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the key was stuck and needed to be broken, and any damages would be at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The car completely shut down while driving, no noise no warning, could not steer, brake, roll windows down. This happened last year. Took to dealership. Said it was my alternator and charge me an extreme high charge to replace. Very scaredy when happened, for auto to cut off like that. Luckily I was driving about 30mpr an not on an interstate. Bought 2nd hand. Have not been happy with since. When bought did not receive key fan of, an the drivers door, will lock on its own, which left me baffled how to get into it with no other key holes on any other doors or especially the backend. I feel this is very troublesome for anyone, and a bad design feature. The airbag is questionable, and now the water pump has went out, and they say the manifold has to come off to get to and want to charge 750.00 at a car repair to fix, but will check first to see if that's for sure where leaking. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet HHR years have wheel & tire problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (15), 2006 (14), 2007 (12), 2009 (7) and 2011 (7) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet HHR wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the pressure monitoring and regulating systems (7 mentions), followed by the sidewall (2).
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.