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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Chevrolet HHR2006–2011

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚗 SEDAN
Chevrolet HHR
2006–2011
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
0.0/yr · seg. median 0.0
Limited data — provisional
Safety
Low
0 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
8
Recalls
0
Complaints
2006
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2006
6
Years Analyzed
8
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Chevrolet HHR

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK19yr old
2007
Acceptable · 51/100
Reliability57/100
Value window39/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK16yr old
2010
Acceptable · 51/100
Reliability57/100
Value window39/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Chevrolet HHR Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2006

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2008

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2009

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall.

Recently concluded investigations
PE20011 · fuel/propulsion system · closed Aug 2023Closed, no recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 11, 2026.

Chevrolet HHR — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
201100——
82
39
67
Excellent
201010——
57
39
51
Caution
200920——
57
39
51
Avoid
200820——
57
39
51
Avoid
200710——
57
39
51
Caution
200620——
57
39
51
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the HHR compares — best year within each era shown.

Pre-2013

Older HHR models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2011 · 672006 · 512007 · 512008 · 512009 · 512010 · 51

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year HHR to buy?+

The 2007 Chevrolet HHR scores highest on our Buyer Score (51/100) — combining a reliability score of 57/100 with a value score of 39/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which HHR years have the most problems?+

The 2006, 2008, 2009 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2006 HHR leads with 2 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common HHR problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Chevrolet HHR.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar sedan vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every HHR year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a VIN Check →