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Chevrolet HHR VIN Check

NHTSA holds 2,980 owner complaints on the Chevrolet HHR from 472 production runs; the worst run has 46, the typical one 6.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 2,980 complaints · 472 runs · 2006–2011 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported HHR run is 3GNDA23P46S (2006 builds) with 46 complaints, 7.3× the typical run. Steering problems make up 41% of reports; 2006 is the worst model year at 15.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for HHR model years 2006–2011.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet HHR has 472 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every HHR complaint on file.

FIG.01·Chevrolet HHR — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
3GNDA23P46S••••••2006463—
3GNDA23P66S••••••2006452—
3GNDA23P06S••••••2006432—
3GNDA23P16S••••••2006392—
3GNDA23PX6S••••••2006392—
3GNDA23P56S••••••2006381—
3GNDA23P26S••••••20063722
3GNDA23P36S••••••2006362—
3GNBABDB3AS••••••2010322—
3GNDA23P96S••••••2006321—
3GNDA23P76S••••••200631——
3GNBABDB6AS••••••2010302—
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 460 HHR runs has 30 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 24 HHR VINs so far, most often 2006, 2010, 2011 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet HHR the gap between build years is 4.6×: a 2006 car draws 15.2 complaints per run, a 2008 one 3.3.

FIG.02·Chevrolet HHR — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20113.61714812
20105.84407615
20095.44217816
20083.354216424
200785997533
200615.28075337
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2006 at 15.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2008 at 3.3.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 41% of everything Chevrolet HHR owners report: Steering, 1,298 of 2,980 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Chevrolet HHR — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Steering1298442
Electrical System613236
Fuel/propulsion System298—4
Air Bags285671
Structure215101
Service Brakes19722—
Power Train15071
Latches/locks/linkages1252—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 8 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet HHR; the 6 below cover build years 2006 to 2011. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Chevrolet HHR — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
14V171000Electrical System:ignition2006–2011
14E021000Electrical System:ignition:switch2006–2011
14V047000Air Bags2006–2011
08V444000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch2006–2008
08V046000Air Bags2006–2008
14V153000Steering:electric Power Assist System2009–2010
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

14V171000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2006: 8 years on the road before the recall.

The HHR against its rivals

The HHR draws 6.3 complaints per production run; the Jeep Liberty 7.6, the Dodge Nitro 4.2 and the Chrysler PT Cruiser 4.1.

FIG.05·Chevrolet HHR VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Chevrolet HHR2,9804726.34.6%
Jeep Liberty7,5229887.66.5%
Dodge Nitro1,2072884.23.6%
Chrysler PT Cruiser2,0304904.17.4%
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 2,980 reports on the Chevrolet HHR, 4.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Chevrolet HHR — complaint severity
OutcomeChevrolet HHRAll vehicles
Complaints filed2,9801,115,966
Involved a crash137 (4.6%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire21 (0.7%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported11058,013
Deaths reported62,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet HHR share of that is 2,980 complaints over 472 runs, 0.27% of everything on record.

Everything on the Chevrolet HHR
Recalls28 campaignsFuel economy26 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems3,574 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsUsed prices594 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2006–2011

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Chevrolet HHR VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,980 NHTSA complaints from 472 HHR runs and 8 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which HHR production run has the most complaints?

3GNDA23P46S, a 2006 build, with 46 complaints, 3 of them after a crash. The typical HHR run has 6.3.

Which HHR years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2006 is heaviest at 15.2 complaints per run and 2008 lightest at 3.3.

Does the HHR get more complaints than the Jeep Liberty?

No: 6.3 complaints per production run for the HHR against 7.6 for the Jeep Liberty.

How many HHR complaints involve a crash?

4.6% of 2,980 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 21 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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