There are 32 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet HHRin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR LT WHICH WAS PURCHASED AS A NEW VEHICLE. IT IS 'ALWAYS GARAGED'. IT HAS 36,1XX ORIGINAL MILES. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO WE BEGAN TO NOTICE 'CHUNKS' OF RUST GATHERING UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AN INSPECTION MADE BY SELF REVEALED EXTENSIVE RUST-OUT TO THE "REAR REINFORCEMENT BAR" (PART #10 IN THE ENCLOSED DIAGRAM). I CONTACTED "GM" VIA THEIR 'SOCIAL MEDIA CUSTOMER CARE CENTER', THOROUGHLY EXPLAINED THE ISSUE, AND WAS DIRECTED TO A LOCAL BUICK/GMC DEALERSHIP FOR AN EVALUATION, WITHIN HOURS I HEARD A NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE. SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS BY SELF HAVE NOT GIVEN ME A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION AS TO THE "WHY" OF THIS RUSTED PART. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED TO A HIGH DEGREE. THE EXAMINER TOLD ME HE DID NOT OBSERVE ANY OTHER RUST ISSUES ON OR UNDER THIS VEHICLE. KEEP IN MIND THAT I AM NOT AN 'AUTOMOTIVE' ENGINEER; BUT- TO MY 'UNTRAINED EYE' PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PART IS DEEPLY HIDDEN WITHIN THE REAR BUMPER COVER; AND THE DESIGN OF THE REAR BUMPER COVER IS SUCH THAT IT FOSTERS THE COLLECTION OF DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD ON IT'S HORIZONTAL SURFACES. THIS DEBRIS THEN IS IN SITU WITH THE METAL PARTS OF THE ACTUAL 'REAR BUMPER'. GIVEN TIME THE DEBRIS RETAINS MOISTURE WHICH 'APPARENTLY' THEN COVERS THE METAL PARTS. ...AND ONE GETS THE RESULTS SHOWN IN THE PHOTOS. NONE OF THIS WOULD BE VISIBLE UNLESS A PERIODIC, CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE HIDDEN PARTS WERE TO BE MADE BY THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE. A "POSSIBLE" MEASURE TO BE TAKEN WOULD BE FOR GENERAL MOTORS TO EDUCATE/INFORM OWNER/OPERATORS AS TO THE POTENTIAL FOR A PROBLEM. ANOTHER "POSSIBLE" SOLUTION, WERE THIS A VEHICLE STILL IN PRODUCTION (AND NOT YET ANOTHER GM 'ORPHAN' CAR) WOULD BE, OF COURSE, TO CORRECT THE APPARENT, ORIGINAL 'DESIGN DEFICIENCY'.
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.
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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
EXCESSIVE RUST ON INTERNAL REAR BUMPER SUPPORT. IT'S TO THE POINT OF FLAKING. THIS METAL SUPPORT IS MOUNTED TO THE BODY, BETWEEN THE VEHICLE BODY AND PLASTIC COVER. THIS IS ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 31,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE TRIED TO COVER THE EXPOSED AREAS WITH A INDUSTRIAL RUST CONVERTER CHASSIS SAVER TYPE OF PAINT.
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES TO OPEN THE CAR DOORS FROM INSIDE CAR BROKE OFF ON BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDES. THE ONLY WAY NOW TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION WE COULD NOT EASILY GET OUT, POSING A LIFE THREATENING DANGER. VEHICLE STATIONARY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FLOOD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
DOOR HANDEL IS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. HAVE TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN HANDEL FROM OUTSIDE. THIS IS NOT GOOD, IF ENGINE DIES SO WILL I. COULD NOT OPEN DOOR. *TR
WHEN THE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE LEAVING THE DOOR INOPERABLE FROM THE INSIDE. RISK OF BEING TRAPPED IN THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. I WILL BE CONTACTING GM TO REPORT ALSO. *TR
CHEAP PLASTIC USED TO MAKE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE AS A I WAS TRYING TO EXIT MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR INCIDENT OF ANY SORT, JUST TRYING TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. I AM PREGNANT AND GOD FORBID SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THERE IS AN INCIDENT WHERE I CANNOT ESCAPE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED POST HASTE. *TR
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
DRIVER'S DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE BROKE WITH MINIMAL FORCE, MAKING IT HARD TO EXIT VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE MADE A CLICKING SOUND AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR HANDLE APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONAL BUT SHE WAS ONLY ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND OCCASIONALLY HAD TO EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
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. I HAD IT REPLACED (APPROXIMATELY $195.00). ON JULY 25TH, 2015, I WENT TO GET OUT OF MY CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THIS POSES A MAJOR SAFETY AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. IF SOMEONE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE YOU'D DIE BEFORE YOU COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY CHEVROLET AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED PIECE OF CRAP CARS AND NEVER HAD A DOOR HANDLE BREAK ONCE, LET ALONE TWICE. I SPOKE TO CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNFORTUNATE BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS MYSELF. REALLY?? PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE FATAL IN A CRASH OR FIRE IF THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE DOOR HANDLE OF DRIVERS SIDE OF 2007 HHR. BROKE OFF. AS I OPENED DOOR..IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IF BATTERY SHOULD DIE OR IF THERE IS A FIRE THERE IS NO WAY TO EXIT QUICKLY FROM DRIVERS SEAT..THE HANDLE CANNOT BE REPLACED...RATHER AN ENTIRE DOOR PANEL UPWARDS OF 350.00 PLUS LABOR IS ONLY REMEDY..I SPOKE TO A GM REP WHO ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT INTO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION...IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY....THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED. *TR
UPON ATTEMPTING TO OPEN DRIVERS DOOR FROM INSIDE THE HANDLE BROKE. NOW I HAVE TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE TO EXIT. THE PLASTIC HANDLE IS AVAILABLE ONLY AS A COMPLETE DOOR UNIT. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AS WELL AS BEING INCONVENIENT. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
MY FAMILY AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON OR AROUND 04/29/12. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON WHICH CAUSED ME TO NOSE DIVE AND ROLLOVER SEVERAL TIMES DOWN INTO AN EMBANKMENT, AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WHICH IS SURPRISIING CONSIDERING HOW SEVERE THIS ACCIDENT WAS. MY VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER AS THE DAMAGES EXCEEDED THE VALUE OF THE CAR. THIS WAS A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT (NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED) THEREFORE MY CAR INSURANCE CARRIER PLACED THE BLAME ON ME AND THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS NEVER DETERMINED. I CAN HONESTLY SAY WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE LIVED THRU THIS ACCIDENT. *TR
PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHEN MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR DUE TO THE DOOR HANDLE. *TR
THE INSIDE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE BREAKS OFF AND CANNOT BE REPLACED PER CHEVY AND GM WITHOUT INSTALLING AN ENTIRE FRONT INSIDE DOOR PANEL. YOU CANNOT EXIT THE CAR WITHOUT LOWERING THE WINDOW AND REACHING OUTSIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR. WITH POWER WINDOWS YOU CANNOT LOWER THE WINDOW IF THERE ARE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO RESORT TO CLIMBING OVER THE CONSOLE AND OPENING THE PASSENGER DOOR AND EXITING THE CAR THAT WAY WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. IN AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY YOU COULD NOT EXIT THE CAR THAT WAY IF SEVERELY INJURED OR ON FIRE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM?? *TR
THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HAS BEEN MAKING A "CLICK" NOISE AND DIFFICULT TO OPEN. TODAY A PASSENGER TRIED TO GET OUT AND THE HANDLE REFUSED TO OPEN. DOOR WAS ABLE TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. A DOOR THAT DOES NOT PROPERLY OPEN COULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD SOMEONE BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 32 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026