A Chevrolet HHR VIN opens with 3GN (Mexico). Position 11, the plant, shows 6 codes, most often S (98%); a 2011 HHR carries B in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 8 recall campaigns and 2,980 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Chevrolet HHR VIN
Here is a real 2011 Chevrolet HHR VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 3GNBABFW1BS618394 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Where Chevrolet HHR VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 24 Chevrolet HHR VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:
| WMI | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on file | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3GN | Mexico | — | 19 | |
| 3GC | Mexico | — | 5 |
Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.
Model-year codes for the Chevrolet HHR
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Chevrolet HHR has not yet outlived: its 6 years still map one-to-one. All 6 model years of the Chevrolet HHR, 2006 to 2011, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Chevrolet HHR VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 24 VINs the Chevrolet HHR uses 11 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | D (38%) · B (38%) · C (21%) · A (4%) | 4 distinct |
| 5 — series | A (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | D (33%) · B (25%) · W (17%) · P (13%) · X (4%) · V (4%) | 6 distinct |
What a decoded Chevrolet HHR VIN gets you
Behind a Chevrolet HHR VIN: 2,980 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 8 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 2,980 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 25 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 6 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Chevrolet HHR
A Chevrolet HHR VIN normally opens with 3GN; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Chevrolet HHR VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 8 recall campaigns and 2,980 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Chevrolet HHR.
What year is my HHR by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2011 HHR carries B, a 2010 HHR carries A, a 2009 HHR carries 9.
Where was my HHR built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 2,974 dated Chevrolet HHR VINs it reads S 98%, 5 1%, 6 0%, B 0% and 2 rarer codes.
What does position 4 mean on a Chevrolet HHR VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 24 Chevrolet HHR VINs here, D is the most common character in position 4, on 38% of them.
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