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2007 Chevrolet HHR Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Chevrolet HHR has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel line corrosion and leak.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Chevrolet HHR.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel line corrosion and leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

44 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2026-05

“Fuel line leak. My fuel line has cracked in multiple places and needs to be replaced entirely. The leak was consistent, with a constant stream leaking out when in operation and for several minutes after stopping the engine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11605034
“FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES ARE RUSTING THROUGH. LEAK STARTED JUST UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR. UPON INSPECTION BOTH LINES NEED REPLACED COMPLETELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11338156
“FUEL LINE LEAK JUST IN FRONT OF REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE NEAR EXHAUST PIPE DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED "PROTECTIVE" WRAPPED AROUND THE LINES CAUSING CORRROSIVE ROAD SALT SPRAY TO BE TRAPPED NEXT TO STEEL FUEL LINES AND ACCELERATING CORROSION OF LINES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10850328

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Interior door handle and latch failure

STRUCTURE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2018-05

“I GOT INTO MY CAR WITH NO PROBLEM, WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR I COULD NOT BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO LET THE WINDOW DOWN TO GET OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11092131
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES DETACHED FROM THE DOORS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11000081
“IN SEPTEMBER 2013 WHEN I WENT TO OPEN MY DOOR TO GET OUT OF MY CAR THE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR UNLESS I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN, REACH OUTSIDE, AND OPEN THE DOOR USING THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10746327

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch key entrapment after recall repair

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2016-07

“2007 CHEVY HHR WITH MILEAGE 63,223. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL 11/05/14 RECALL 14063 IGNITION SWITCH AND 14113 LOCK CYLINDER WERE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10888000
“AFTER PUTTING THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED TO ME FOUR TIMES IN ONE DAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10779521

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water intrusion into cabin and electrical components

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2018-12

“LEAKING OF WATER FROM WIPER CROWL TO FAN MOTOR OF HEATER AND HAS BURNT RESISTER TO HEATER BLOWER MOTOR. LEAK OF WATER WAS QUITE A BIT ON FLOOR BOARD. AFRAID IT WILL CAUSE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. LEAK OF WATER HAS HAPPENED DURING VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11157124
“ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IT HAS RAINED WHILE MY CAR SAT OVERNIGHT AND WATER HAS SEEPED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE COMPARTMENT FROM BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX , I HAVE HAD THIS ADDRESSED 3 TIMES AND REPAIRED 3 TIMES AND FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A SMALL FLAP THAT COVERS A HOLE ON THE FIREWALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10862621

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Intermittent loss of electric power steering assist

STEERING

109 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2025-11

“POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING, IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING AND IN NO PARTICULAR SITUATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033391
“THE POWER STEERING FAILED UNDER LOW SPEED DRIVING. LEAVING ONE LOCATION, THE 'POWER STEERING' LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON, STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. CHECK FUSES , NONE SEEMED AT FAULT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10926410
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10944427

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2021-04

“I HAD AN AUTO ACCIDENT ON FEBRUARY 7, 2021. I LOST CONTROL ON AN ICY HIGHWAY AND FLIPPED MY CAR IN A DITCH FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE DITCH HARD ENOUGH IT BOUNCED BACK ON ALL FOUR TIRES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11406459
“THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE CAR FLIPPED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY DIAPHRAGM WAS CRUSHED. MT BACK WAS BROKEN. I AM STILL UNABLE TO BREATHE CORRECTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10765073
“MY DAUGHTER IN LAW WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT TODAY AND NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN A CONCUSSION TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HEAD WHEN IT HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND BUSTED IT!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11298538

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

172 crashes 1990–2024

How the 172 occupant deaths break down

133

driver deaths

39

passenger deaths

172

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

42

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Chevrolet HHR reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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