Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (57.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Steering complaints here are 9.3× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 420 · 57.9% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 105 · 14.5% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Air Bags | 45 · 6.2% | Recalled | Recall 14V047000 · Recall 08V046000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 43 · 5.9% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 32 · 4.4% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 27 · 3.7% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 726 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V171000 · 2014 · reported 04/10/2014
If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14E021000 · 2014 · reported 04/30/2014
If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V047000 · 2014 · reported 02/10/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V444000 · 2008 · reported 09/03/2008
THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V046000 · 2008 · reported 01/30/2008
THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILS ALMOST EVERY TIME MY CHEVY HHR (2007) IS DRIVEN. THIS LEAVES THE VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL. I AM TOLD…”NHTSA complaint 10369272 — filed 12/05/2010 · STEERING
“OUR HHR'S POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OFF, AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. I LOOKED IT UP AND FOUND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.”NHTSA complaint 10363790 — filed 11/02/2010 · STEERING
“MY 2007 CHEVROLET HHR IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PROBLEMS IN WHICH IT WILL STOP WORKING CAUSING IT TO STEER HARD ALL OF A SUDDEN…”NHTSA complaint 10362243 — filed 10/25/2010 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 420 of 726 NHTSA complaints (57.9%), followed by electrical system (105), air bags (45), fuel/propulsion system (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
726 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 42 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 28 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V171000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
