Chevrolet HHR Chevrolet HHR

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Chevrolet HHR repairs by problem area

Engine (22%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (26%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (11%)

Other (7%)

Chart based on 780 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Chevrolet HHR.

Chevrolet HHR engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (50%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 147 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2010 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

172-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

89678 mi

US $485
Leak from coolant pipe. Mechanic replaced o-ring on thermostat housing. Also serviced transmission while it was there. 
97546 mi

US $610
Replaced water pump, thermostat, radiator cap (water pump was functional but leaking). 

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2009 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 250hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

78500 mi

US $100
DTC codes p0221 and p0121, throttle position sensors. still in process of diagnosis, numerous things can cause these trouble codes. car still not fixed at present time 
98000 mi

US $600
throttle body replaced, then numerous wiring issues after install. mechanic made it right after 3rd trip 
108000 mi

US $600
fuel lines rotted out in rear, replaced entire fuel lines 
115000 mi

US $1500
timing chain and guides replaced. one guide fell broke/fell apart inside while driving. 

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2009 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

172-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

96000 mi

US $90
Check engine light came on indicating bad exhaust fuel purge solenoid. Replaced both exhaust and intake solenoids. 
21000 mi The ignition cylinder locked up. My car was stuck running. They had to pull the battery and fuel relay to turn it off. It took them a day to get my car back to me. 
27800 mi The ignition cylinder was recalled. Too bad it already locked up on me once. I feel so much better about my car to have the redesigned part in there now. 
37300 mi The flex-joint failed between the manifold and catalytic converter. The catalytic converter assembly was replaced under the emissions warranty. 
178000 mi

US $50
CEL, CODE P-001. REPLACED BOTH CAM POSITION ACTUATORS (ONLY 1 WAS BAD). NO CEL AND CAR RUNS GREAT. 
162000 mi

US $1400
Emission and catalytic converter replacement 
139500 mi

C $160
engine was missing replaced plugs problem solved 
145700 mi

C $20
engine started to run rough and serge at intersections removed mass air flow sensour problem cleared up 

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2009 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

155-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

174000 mi

US $277
Replaced exhaust flex pipe from back of engine to catalytic converter. 
196000 mi

US $375
Replaced both valve timing actuators. Car was running rough because of amount of fuel being dumped was more than needed resulting in less MPG. 
36000 mi Check Engine light due to engine misfire 
38000 mi Rebuilt cylinder head due to carbon build up 
47000 mi

US $200
Key in ignition switch could not be removed, and would not turn to shut the engine off. 
40000 mi

US $245
Started the car and drove to the gas station and was unable to turn the car off. the key would not rotate in the ignition lock. Drove to the dealer and they removed the lock and replaced it with a new unit keyed to match my existing keys. 
46000 mi

US $650
broken ignition switch 
85000 mi

US $400
Replaced ignition switch due to occasional inability to remove key. Also checked out a separate issue with the exterior doorlock; it has twice failed to unlock the car & we had to break-in with help of AAA. Didn't make repairs cause of cost. 
97000 mi

US $600
Valve sensor, clean throttle body, serpentine belt replace 
94000 mi

US $100
Engine would cut off while driving 
94000 mi I replaced another sensor and it stopped just had a little looping. Never fully fixed. 
70000 mi

US $8
rusted out fuel line 
79000 mi Check engine light on, had cracked head and faulty ignition module 
147000 mi

US $6000
Engine Problem do to no safety feature for the engine if it overheats. ED from Chevy Corporate said they would help us out with the problem and then said it will cost us 6,000. Still owe 4,000 on the car so that was no help at all. 

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2008 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 260hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

15000 mi

US $150
Had the GM stage 1 kit installed in Dec. 08. In May of 09 I noticed some hesitation and sputtering when driving. Turns out that the stage 1 MAF sensor wiring had to be soldered versus the original install's crimped connection. 
60000 mi failed head gasket 
7440 mi Fuel relay needed to be replaced. 
9900 mi TSB #09126: Charge Air Cooler Inlet Duct Detachment 
14260 mi P0499 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent Solenoid Control Circuit High Voltage 
15500 mi P0499 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent Solenoid Control Circuit High Voltage again. No record of previous 'repair' which was probably just the dealer resetting the check engine light. Light was not on during visit so dealership did nothing. P0499 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent Solenoid Control Circuit High Voltage replaced for real. (Used an alternate dealership) 
100000 mi

US $190
Replaced thermostat and coolant.  
117000 mi

US $12
Message about gas cap not sealing. Was not leaking fuel. Replaced gas cap. 
131000 mi

US $262
Replace ignition lock cylinder due to wear. Long crank time after refueling.. every time. Solved by replacing purge solenoid. 
155300 mi

US $479
Car would overheat in city traffic. Diagnosed as defective radiator cooling fan. 
162000 mi

US $50
Replaced Intake camshaft variable valve timing actuator valve and solenoid. 
38700 mi

US $112
Cylinder 1 misfire. Not covered under warranty so I replaced the coil pack and spark plug myself. 

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2008 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 250hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

47000 mi Car overheating, failed thermostat. 
55000 mi

US $50
serpentine belt and tensioner pulley 
109000 mi

US $100
Cam Position Solenoid went bad. Code P0011. Easy fast repair and dealer had the part too. I replaced both and it cost about $100. 
115000 mi

US $4551
Bad turbo, resulted in over heated engine blown head gssket and cracked block. New GM crate engine installed. 
134000 mi

US $13
Check engine light on. Fuel pressure leak, cleaned fuel fill neck at the cap and replaced cap. 
135800 mi

US $1100
Car overheating. The chain that powers the water pump broke. Replaced water pump chain, timing chain, chain guides, water pump sproket, thermostat and seal. 
162000 mi

US $180
Camshaft position sensor 

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2008 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

172-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

61000 mi Car surges when driven at certain speeds and when stopped at light. 
61000 mi Still surging when last had it. 
53200 mi

US $5500
Blown engine, coolant leaking into engine and mixing with oil. Replaced engine. 
54000 mi

US $500
Traction control and service engine light came on. Diagnosed as misfire on cylinders 1 and 4, performed complete fuel injection cleaning service 
71000 mi Check engine light comes and goes. When it is on the engine seems to have loss of power, car wants to stall and runs rough when in gear. Cannot operate radio and AC at same time. Mechanic replaced all spark plugs and cleaned coils. Car is at dealership,ltr from GM on ignition cylinder issue-it's locking up. Also reported check engine issue-am in a rental car until they get it repaired, major engine issue covered by drive train warranty. 
76600 mi Misfire on one of the valves, issue was covered under factory warranty. Dealership had to rebuild the valve. Cost for rental car covered by dealership as well! My mechanic didn't figure this out and only replaced spark plugs. 
10000 mi The electronics don't work properly - they randomly fail to record or over-represent the speed/mileage/gas amount, etc. This has been happening since right after I bought the car. Chevy finally admitted there's a problem. 
105000 mi

US $140
knock sensor failed. 
78700 mi

US $400
The pins in the ignition lock cylinder broke. 

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2008 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

149-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

69000 mi Thermostat replaced 

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2008 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

149-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

44000 mi Warped engine head. Replaced by dealer under warranty 
103000 mi

US $16
Replace torn serpentine belt. 
115623 mi

US $198
Hole in catalytic converter causing car to fail smog. Replaced CAT and small section of rusted exhaust pipe. 
31000 mi Ignition key would not turn in the ignition. Could not move out of park or turn the steering wheel so it had to be towed to the dealer. 
34000 mi Mass air flow sensor replaced. 
122400 mi A sensor stopped working and the dealer said that I could drive with it not working and it would be ok. The cost to replace the sensor would be about $180.00. No way. 
31000 mi

US $130
Ignition switch hard to turn with key 
8000 mi Throttle Position Sensors not reporting within accepted values. wiring harness repaired by dealer per TSB 

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2007 Chevrolet HHR

Engine not specified

77000 mi Major repair needed requiring engine tear-down. GM covered all expenses. 
97000 mi

US $115
Car sputters and idles up and acts like it doesn't want to start after fueling up, and also the electric steering freezes up and has no power to it. I have to turn the car off and start it again in order for it to work dealer says no prob. 

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2007 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

175-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

100000 mi

US $30
I installed a Dorman #917-216 Variable Valve Timing Solenoid 
117000 mi

US $30
Replaced The Intake variable valve timing solenoid Dorman part # 917-215. Engine light was on, read code and replaced this part. 
93500 mi

US $100
Dealer said had to replace injectors for cylinders 2 and 4. Work done at independent shop to save money. Light came back on, actually 1 and 3, dealer was wrong. Replaced those. 
98500 mi

US $180
It was a sensor or actuator that was part of the variable valve timing system. Had the car back by noon. 
119000 mi

US $150
Replace thermostat and coolant flush 
70680 mi Key locked in on position could not shut off or remove key. Shifter worked fine so drove to dealer. Fixed for no charge under a TSB. 
46000 mi injectors were faulty. gm tech bulletin stated problem. replaced under drivetrain warranty. 
17980 mi

$500
2 injectors were changed front driver tire was change too 
100000 mi

US $150
Oil leak 
160000 mi Check engine light on. 
165000 mi

US $250
hole in flex portion of exhaust. Replaced which include catalytic converter. 
8000 mi Poor gas mileage. Took in for routine maintenance, oil change. Tech loaded new update for pcm. Have not driven veh enough to know if change has made a difference. 
17000 mi Remote start, very cold outdoor temp. Car had been driven an hour previously for a few minutes only. When started from a distance of 100 yds away could hear a distinct popping sound from exhaust and smell gas odor when approaching the vehicle. 
29000 mi

US $56
Random Engine Misfire 
33000 mi Engine Misfire / Fuel Injector Replaced 
140000 mi

US $800
Timing chain skipped one tooth on the crankshaft sprocket. All timing related parts had to be replaced. 
216000 mi

US $50
Bad fuel injector for cylinder #2. Replaced with used injector from salvage yard. MPG increased from 28 to 30 mpg after repair. 
235000 mi

US $75
Water pump started leaking. Even after using the special tool (that allows changing the pump without disturbing the timing chain), the tensioner over tightened itself and the chain made noise. Had to pull timing cover to reset tensioner. 

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2007 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

149-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

55480 mi

C $250
code P0121 throttle body, replace throttle body 
89000 mi O2 sensor wiring short. 
135000 mi

US $150
Preventively replaced spark plugs and coil packs; also replaced leaking. valve cover gasket 
139000 mi

US $750
Gas fumes inside vehicle after filling tank. Replaced fuel tank and vent lines to tank 
89000 mi

US $1300
Bad valve loosing compression in cylinder #4. The head had to be reworked. Affecting computer and transmission. 
10000 mi Bushing in air breather mount tore and allowed assembly to vibrate when idling. Replaced rubber mount bushing. 
32000 mi Vehicle became difficult to start, poor performance and check engine light. Dealer diagnosed low fuel pressure due to pump failure.  
115000 mi

US $222
Check engine light comes on. The digital and analog coolant temperature gauge won't function. The AC will not emit cold air. The thermostat was replaced and now all is well. 
246140 mi

C $250
Replaced upper engine mount 
253580 mi

C $300
Engine was slow to start, taking two sometimes three tries to start. Replaced intank fuel pump and fuel injectors and battery 
276520 mi

C $36
Replaced the fuel pipe , from the tank to the steel line above the fuel tank, I had to drop the fuel cell again 

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2006 Chevrolet HHR

Engine not specified

47740 mi

C $700
sensor light on 

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2006 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

172-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

22000 mi Again addressed occasional dead/no start problem. Corporate involved. Level of attentiveness much improved. Replaced ignition switch. They're not sure this is the fix, but it was best guess. Month has passed, but problem only once every 3 mos on average. 
24500 mi Another attempt at intermittent start problem. Acted up immediately, so they ordered more parts and scheduled another try. Replaced bcm and other modules. Had MANY problems when picked up, so they kept it another two days. Some minor problems remain, but main one hasn't occurred again yet, though it's been only 2 weeks. new problem...gas mileage down by 15%. 10/2-10/6 Dealer again tried to repair intermittent problems. Replaced BCM computer. Result was no fix, but new problems. Took car again from 10/9-10/15. Reprogrammed and replaced other module. Results to be determined over period of time. 
26000 mi Same problems recurred, so October repair also was a failure, and new problem created - mileage down 20%. GM involved again cuz nobody knows what to try. All my dealer contacts fired-again, so starting again with new person. I am pushing for new car. 
27000 mi New service manager and general manager neither has any idea what to do, so we are negotiating an arbitration for a replacement vehicle. 
27000 mi Dealer took one last shot at fixing recurring "no-start" problem, but found nothing. Reached agreement to get me into new vehicle. Transaction is complete and I will add vehicle here. 
93000 mi SES light. GMTechlink: camshaft reluctor that has moved on the camshaft usually due to heat (but not in my case). Only cure new camshaft. http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/ 
106000 mi

US $120
The flex pipe connecting the header to the cat had developed a leak. The shops I spoke to indicated that the dealer was the only place to find a replacement because of the 5 speed manual. 
141000 mi Oil leak from the block. Am not able to find the source or fix. 
35960 mi

C $623
New Radiator, Complained to GM about no lower grill as every other GM product has a lower grill except the Cobalt and HHR which have the same chasis. lots of 3rd party mfg's have a lower matching grill. GM did not warranty as a small stone punctured it. 
43877 mi Catalytic Converter Replaced. Hole in flex pipe. Covered under warranty. 
C $315 Thermostat went! 
130200 mi

US $290
CEL, replaced solenoid, $92 to diagnose. Also found that front end shimmy due to scalloped tires, replaced tires (not in total), rides much better. 
223000 mi

US $30
Replaced Knock Sensor 

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2006 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

172-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

84684 mi

US $31
thermostat 
213000 mi

US $75
Code for downstream O2 sensor. Replaced both upstream and downstream sensors 
221100 mi

US $525
Both fuel lines, supply and return, rusted thru behind heat shield near left rear of vehicle causing leaking fuel. Water was trapped inside of heat shield material causing rust thru. Both fuel lines replaced. 
60000 mi

US $70
Indications of exhaust and intake cam solenoid failures. 
61000 mi Replaced 4) injectors, reprogrammed based on TSB and Codes P0171 and P0300. Now after approx. 800 miles codes and trouble lights have returned. Requires re-diagnosis. 
33057 mi t/c light came on when acclerating hard, car ran funny. would reset after car was turned off for a minute or so. MAF sensor was replaced MAP sensor replaced - traction control light comes on when accelerating hard on a curve or from a stop. traction control system disabled due to code C0561 in PCM code. P0106 also stored in system. 
50000 mi Variable valve timing actuator solenoid replaced. 
59500 mi Catalytic converter rusted/corroded 
39000 mi

US $50
key could not be removed from ignition. Problem was with the shifter sensor not showing the transmission in Park. Dealer replaced shifter mechanism and the sensor. 
122200 mi

US $338
Code P0010..Intake and exhaust timing solenoid and camshaft position sensor. $210 parts, $128 labor. 
43000 mi Bad thermostat caused the check engine light to be activated. 
55500 mi The exhaust pipe adjacent to the catalytic converter split open causing a leak. 
75000 mi

US $100
Replaced MAP sensor 
106000 mi Exhaust leak at flex joint in pipe containing catalytic converter. 
127500 mi

US $1000
some part of crankshaft broke and object created hole in crankcase leading to oil being evacuated from crankcase 
148000 mi

US $170
Check engine light came on and stayed on. Used code reader which reported either failed catalytic converter or downstream O2 sensor failure. Replaced O2 sensor since catalytic converter was replaced aprx. 18 months ago. Clrd code prob. gone 
211900 mi

US $115
Serpentine belt broke while on trip. Belt was recently replaced along with alternator and tensioner. 
96500 mi

US $533
Check engine light and traction control light and hard shifting. Diagnostic codes P0013 and P0014. Dealer replaced intake and exhaust camshaft actuator solenoids and cleaned throttle body. Engine air filter was also replaced. 
136000 mi

US $622
Replaced section of fuel lines near rear axle to eliminate fuel leak where line had corroded. DTC Code p2127 replaced faulty ECM with GM refurbished ECM and programmed ECM. 
136000 mi

US $335
replaced thermostat 
139000 mi Relearn crankshaft and idle variation. N/C 
182000 mi

US $100
Code P0010 displayed on Code reader... Replace Valve Actuator solenoid Intake side. Fairly simple straightforward procedure, less than 1 hour, cost less than $100... Problem Resolved 
192000 mi

US $260
Replace Radiator 
109120 mi

C $200
Bank 2 oxygen sensor replaced. 
3100 mi Bad fuel injector. 
140000 mi

US $50
Thermostat quit working. 
52080 mi

$150
P0i02 maf sensor - replaced P0449 vent solenoid-replaced 
125240 mi

C $150
Intake and exhaust solenoids replaced as service engine light and traction light was present causing hard shifting, especially into 2nd gear. 

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2006 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

143-horsepower 2.2L I4 5-speed manual FWD

84000 mi

US $600
Ignition COntrol Module Thermostat 
94500 mi

US $35
Downstream O2 sensor. 
96000 mi

US $137
Had a P0240 code, hoped the downstream O2 was the problem, had to replace the cat. 
108000 mi

US $75
MAP sensor 
112500 mi

US $75
Upstream O2 

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2006 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

143-horsepower 2.2L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

41000 mi IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. 
49000 mi Crack in pipe coming off exhaust manifold to converter. 
63000 mi Throttle body gasket blown. Was replaced. 
101000 mi

US $600
Had to replace the ECM. 
121000 mi

US $87
O2 sensor Bank 1 Sensor 1. Heating Element bad. replace O2 sensor 
70000 mi

US $400
Ignition coil and module both went bad. Ext. Warranty only covers the ignition coil not the module (under the electrical portion of the Chrysler Group Service Contract)I paid $100 deduct for coil and full price for module. 
49600 mi Flex pipe rusted through at motor. Had to replace whole pipe back to catalytic converter as it is all 1 piece. 
74400 mi

C $50
Cracked manifold 
77500 mi

C $81
Previously was told by dealer that car had a cracked exhaust manifold, this shop found that the bolts on the right hand side were loose 
86140 mi Had metalic rattle near drivers rear wheel. They removed a Heat guard that had rusted through and become loose. 
122000 mi Replaced the ignition switch under the recall. The car would shut off if you just touched the key. But it never shut off by itself. Now the old key still works in the ignition and the door even though they changed the lock mechanism. 
75000 mi

US $3800
Burned exhaust valves 
115000 mi

US $560
Leaking rear main seal 
133000 mi

US $1170
Exhaust leak near catalytic converter, which I noticed because of the sound. Also, check engine light. O2 sensor and catalytic converter replaced. 
32000 mi intermittant t/c light goes on also check engine same thing. 
26000 mi Check engine light, replaced thermostat. 
34000 mi

US $223
Bad fuel injector, replaced under warranty, replaced other 3 injectors per bulletin, reprogrammed computer.  
39300 mi Bad o2 Sensor 

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2006 Chevrolet HHR 4dr Wagon

111000 mi Recall- ignition and key replaced 

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Chevrolet HHR Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Chevrolet HHR problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.