2007 Chevrolet HHR powertrain problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Among the 6 model years of Chevrolet HHR in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2007 HHR has chronic powertrain and transmission control issues: power steering shutdowns, shifter stuck in park or unable to lock, keys jammed in the ignition, and engine power loss in reduced-power mode. Many problems recur despite dealer repairs and occur outside warranty coverage with limited manufacturer support.
The 2007 Chevrolet HHR has a pattern of powertrain and electronic control failures that create real safety hazards.
Power steering disables without warning while driving, sometimes at normal speeds like 25 mph. Owners hear a click, then lose power assist entirely and must wrestle the steering wheel manually to stay in the lane. Restarting the engine restores steering temporarily, but the problem recurs. In one case the engine also stalled mid-turn when power steering failed.
Shifter and ignition problems form a cluster: gear shifters get stuck in park and won't move, keys jam in the ignition and can't be removed, and the shifter moves freely without locking—allowing the parked car to roll downhill or be shifted into gear without the engine running. Owners discovered an undocumented emergency release under the steering column. Transmission shifter assembly replacement has been the fix, but the defect appears systemic; one owner found 15,000 other HHR owners reporting the identical stuck-shifter issue.
Engine power loss strikes randomly: the check engine light comes on, the car enters limp mode and won't accelerate, even with full throttle. Dealers have replaced throttle switches, connectors, and checked wiring multiple times on the same vehicles without solving it.
Clutch cylinder failure punctured one owner's firewall while driving, causing sudden stall in traffic. One owner also reported unintended acceleration at 45 mph despite braking hard. Owners consistently note GM denied recalls or out-of-warranty assistance despite widespread complaints.
Same Chevrolet HHR powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering failure/loss
Power steering module shuts off or disables while driving, requiring the driver to maneuver with manual steering effort. Owners report a 'click' sound preceding failure. Turning the engine off and restarting resets the system temporarily. In at least one case, the engine stalled entirely when power steering failed during a turn.
When: Various speeds (25–45 mph reported); failures appear intermittent and unpredictable
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering disables mid-drive; Warning chime and 'Power Steering' message on dash; Audible click just before loss of power steering; Extreme difficulty steering without power assist; Engine stall in at least one instance during power steering failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for some model years; 2007 owner reported being outside recall coverage despite identical symptoms
Gear shifter stuck in park / cannot shift from park
Shifter locks in park and cannot be moved to other gears, or moves freely without locking. Related to a defective park lock switch or micro-safety switch on the transmission shifter assembly. Owners report the gearshift knob sometimes comes apart. When the shifter does not lock in park, the vehicle can roll or be placed in gear unintentionally.
When: Various mileages reported (32,600; 45,000+; 73,000; 74,860; 86,000)
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter stuck in park or will not move from park; Shifter moves freely without locking in park; Gears do not match up with shifter lever position; Shifter knob separates from assembly; Vehicle can roll away if parked on an incline; Vehicle can be shifted into gear while parked without starting engine
Repairs/costs cited: Gear shift control/transmission shifter assembly replacement; cost cited as $497.99; park lock switch replacement mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite owner reports of 15,000+ HHRs with identical issue; GM denied assistance on out-of-warranty vehicles; dealer service under recalls 14V047000 and 14V171000 (electrical) did not prevent recurrence
Key stuck in ignition
Owner cannot remove the ignition key after powering off the vehicle. The problem can be intermittent at first, then worsens over time. An emergency release switch under the steering column exists but is not documented in owner materials. Occurs when the park lock switch or micro-safety switch becomes inoperative; the shifter must be in park for the key to release, but if the switch is faulty, the release mechanism fails.
When: Various; one owner reported the problem persisting and worsening over a few days intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Key cannot be removed from ignition after turning off vehicle; Problem intermittent at first, then constant; Undocumented emergency release switch required to remove key; Related to shifter assembly or micro-safety switch failure
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter assembly replacement; floor shifter replacement; park lock switch replacement; manual release switch under steering column serves as temporary workaround
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls for key-stuck issue identified in narratives; dealer repair covered under warranty when service performed; GM customer service offered $1,700 loyalty certificate but no further assistance beyond warranty
Reduced engine power / check engine light with throttle control issues
Engine enters reduced power mode (limp mode) triggered by check engine light. Throttle does not respond normally; vehicle loses power and cannot accelerate properly even when driver applies full throttle. Problem occurs randomly and repeatedly despite multiple dealer repair attempts (throttle switch replacement, connector replacement, wiring inspection). Owners report the vehicle fails to pick up speed on highways, creating a safety hazard.
When: 45 mph roads and highways; occurs randomly
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Engine enters reduced power mode; Speedometer flashing in one report; Throttle does not respond; vehicle loses power; Car cannot accelerate despite pressing gas pedal; Occurs randomly and unpredictably
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle switch replacement; connector replacement; wiring inspection; repair attempts have not resolved issue permanently
Traction control malfunction / service traction light
Traction control system activates inappropriately or disables without driver input. 'Service Traction Control' warning appears on dash along with 'Traction Control Off' message. Vehicle exhibits hard, jerky shifting described as 'kicking' when the warning is active. Problem may be intermittent; turning vehicle off and restarting temporarily clears the warning.
When: 40 mph; first reported approximately 6 weeks prior to complaint filing; recurring after initial reset
Symptoms owners cite: Service Traction Control warning on dash; Traction Control Off message; Hard, jerky shifting ('kicking' sensation); Audible and tactile shifting harshness; Warning disappears after engine restart but returns
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer did not inspect issue; advised owner inspection would require paid diagnostic fee despite vehicle being within recall coverage for other electrical systems (campaigns 14V047000, 14V171000)
Transmission clutch cylinder failure
Clutch cylinder (likely slave cylinder) punctures through firewall while driver is operating the vehicle. Owner heard a snap when depressing the clutch pedal; clutch lost all pressure and went to the floor. The cylinder breach is classified by owner as a manufacturing defect. Engine stalled as a result, and owner reports this created risk of serious accident in traffic.
When: Specific mileage unknown; occurred while driving in traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Snap sound when depressing clutch pedal; Complete loss of clutch pressure; Clutch pedal goes to floor; Engine stalls; Clutch cylinder penetrates firewall
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch cylinder replacement required
Unintended acceleration
Vehicle accelerates without driver input or continues accelerating when brakes are applied. Owner reports applying brakes at 45 mph but vehicle started accelerating instead; excessive brake force was required to reduce engine RPM and restore control. No check engine light appeared. Owner attributes incident to driving experience preventing accident.
When: 45 mph; specific mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input; Vehicle continues accelerating when brakes are applied; Excessive brake force required to regain control; Engine RPM reduces only after sustained brake pressure; No check engine light warning
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 58,400 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,400; a quarter make it past 107,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.