This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Chevrolet HHR suspension problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Chevrolet HHR in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2007 HHR consistently report early and recurring suspension component failures. Front strut assemblies need replacement as soon as 4,600 miles and continue failing through the vehicle's life—one owner had struts replaced four times. Stabilizer bars and links cause loud clanking between 25–30 mph and at other speeds, with multiple repairs on the same vehicle often failing to fix the noise permanently. Sway bar replacement costs run $300–$325.
Brake rotors warp and deteriorate so rapidly that one owner replaced them five times by 60,000 miles, with another owner needing service every 6–12 months. Braking delivers a severe shimmy and shaking, particularly at higher speeds and on hills. One owner reported the anti-lock brake system engaging unexpectedly and causing a loss of control that resulted in hitting a guardrail.
General clanking and clunking from the front end starts early—as low as 11,000 miles—and persists despite multiple dealership visits and repairs. Owners note the same noise recurs after stabilizer and sway bar repairs, and technicians at multiple service centers have confirmed stabilizer failure without achieving a lasting fix. The combination of suspension noise, brake shudder, and steering feel issues has left owners frustrated with repairs that don't hold.
Same Chevrolet HHR suspension reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Front Strut Assembly Failure
Strut assemblies fail repeatedly, often requiring replacement multiple times over the vehicle's life. Owners report intermittent loud clanking or clunking noises from the front of the vehicle, with some experiencing vehicle stalling while turning.
When: As early as 4,600 miles; recurring through 50,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clanking noise underneath front of vehicle; Intermittent loud noise near front of vehicle; Clunking sounds over bumps; Vehicle stalling while turning; General rattling and shaking
Repairs/costs cited: Front strut assemblies replaced multiple times on same vehicles; at least one owner had struts replaced four times; early failure at 4,600 miles required strut and strut mount replacement
Sway Bar and Stabilizer Link Wear
Stabilizer bars and stabilizer links wear out or fail prematurely, causing clanking and clunking noises at specific speeds, particularly between 25–30 mph. Multiple repair attempts often fail to resolve the issue permanently.
When: Starting around 11,000–26,000 miles; recurring through 61,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clanking noise at 25–30 mph; Loud clanking noise on driver's side; Clanking when driving at any speed; Clunking sounds underneath vehicle; Rattling and shaking
Repairs/costs cited: Front passenger-side stabilizer control arm replaced; driver-side sway bar replaced; stabilizer link replaced on multiple occasions (at least 4 times on one vehicle); estimated repair cost $300–$325
Brake Rotor and Brake System Issues
Rotors warp or deteriorate rapidly, requiring replacement multiple times. Owners report shaking, lurching, and shimmy during braking, particularly at higher speeds and on hills. Anti-lock brake system activation has caused loss of control in at least one case.
When: From early ownership through higher mileage; one owner had five rotor replacements by 60,000 miles; recurring every 6–12 months on some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shaking and shimmy during braking; Lurching sensation when braking; Difficulty stopping at higher speeds; Anti-lock brake system engaging unexpectedly causing loss of control; Brake shudder; Front end shimmy when brakes depressed
Repairs/costs cited: Front rotors resurfaced and replaced multiple times; one owner replaced rotors five times by 60,000 miles; technicians advised front and rear rotor replacement on at least one vehicle; brake service every 6–12 months reported by one owner
Front-End Shimmy and Vibration
Persistent shimmy and vibration in the front end, often connected to brake application. Reports suggest the issue is widespread, with at least one owner noting the same problem on a rental HHR of the same model.
When: Recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Front-end shimmy; Shimmy when brakes applied; Shaking sensation in front end; Persistent shimmy at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair details provided in narratives; issue persists despite multiple visits to dealership
Clunking and Clanking Noise—Undetermined Source
Owners report clanking, clunking, and rattling sounds from underneath the vehicle, sometimes from the front driver's side, that persist despite multiple repair attempts and diagnostic evaluations at multiple service centers.
When: Low mileage (11,000 miles reported in one case) through higher mileage (67,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clanging noise underneath vehicle at low speeds; Clanking sound on front driver's side; Clunking over small bumps; General rattling and shaking; Clunking sounds of undetermined origin
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors resurfaced and replaced; sway bar replaced; multiple diagnostic evaluations at three separate service centers; repairs not always completed despite recommendations
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension trouble with your 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 30,000 and 79,505 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 79,505. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Chevrolet/HHR.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.