Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
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 (44.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Steering complaints here are 7.1× the median for that category across the 1656 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 | 448 · 44.5% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 185 · 18.4% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Air Bags | 58 · 5.8% | Recalled | Recall 14V047000 · Recall 08V046000 · Recall 06V417000 |
| Structure:body:door | 47 · 4.7% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 47 · 4.7% | No official action | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 44 · 4.4% | 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 1,006 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
NHTSA campaign 06V417000 · 2006 · reported 10/31/2006
IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED. 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 CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, THE TRACTION CONTROL…”NHTSA complaint 10267498 — filed 05/01/2009 · STEERING
“I BOUGHT THE 2006 HHR IN MARCH 2007, IN JULY I HAD THE STABILIZER LINKS REPLACED, THEN IN DECEMBER I HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING…”NHTSA complaint 10247299 — filed 10/30/2008 · STEERING
“2006 CHEVY HHR - WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF, KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. AFTER MOVING THE SHIFTER IN AND OUT…”NHTSA complaint 10247268 — filed 10/30/2008 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 448 of 1,006 NHTSA complaints (44.5%), followed by electrical system (185), air bags (58), structure:body:door (47). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
1,006 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 47 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 29 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 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.
