Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet HHR vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet HHR and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chevrolet HHR vs Toyota Camry: The HHR averages 596 complaints per year over 6 years, while the Camry averages 206 per year over 10 years. The HHR has 28 recalls and 8 deaths; the Camry has 31 recalls and 1 death. HHR issues often involve steering and fuel leaks; Camry issues often involve power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet HHR or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet HHR
The Chevrolet HHR is a compact wagon that, based on owner complaints, can be a high-maintenance used car. It averages about 596 complaints per year over six years, with steering and electrical problems dominating the reports. Owners frequently describe electrical glitches that cause hard steering and fluctuating gauges, as well as fuel leaks from corroded lines. These issues can lead to expensive repairs and safety concerns.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much lower complaint rate—about 206 per year over ten years. The most common complaints involve the power train, engine, and brakes, often described as hesitation, shuddering, or electronic parking brake failures. While not trouble-free, the volume of complaints is significantly lower than the HHR's, suggesting a better ownership experience overall.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet HHR | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,574 | 2,056 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 28 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 171 | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 595.7 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 142 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 8 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Chevrolet HHR
- 01STEERING1,562
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM750
- 03AIR BAGS332
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM316
- 05STRUCTURE261
Owners report an electrical glitch that makes the steering very hard to turn at low speeds and causes the car to wander. This can make parking and slow-speed maneuvers difficult and may indicate a failing electric power steering system.
Complaints include electrical glitches that affect gauges, warning lights, and even the ignition switch, which can stick. These issues can leave a driver stranded or cause unpredictable vehicle behavior.
Several owners describe fuel leaks from corroded lines near the left rear wheel, often after the car is parked. A fuel leak is a serious fire hazard and should be addressed immediately.
Air bag complaints often appear alongside the same electrical glitch that affects steering and gauges. This suggests that the electrical problems may also interfere with air bag deployment, though the exact link is not clear from the data.
“There is a serious electrical glitch that's in the computer, that causes the car to perform poorly at a slow speed, which cases the steering to become very hard to turn, and maintain lanes while driving. All lights, warnings, and gauges fluctuate back and for…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues such as the ignition key getting stuck in the ignition even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, which can be unsettling and may indicate transmission or engine management problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, sometimes taking several seconds for the car to move. This can be a safety concern when merging or pulling out into traffic.
Some owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Others hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer attributes to the ABS system but owners find abnormal.
A few complaints mention multiple systems malfunctioning at once, such as stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring. These complex electronic failures can be hard to diagnose and costly to repair.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Chevrolet HHR — 28 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: 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…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency o…
The risk: 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.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later v…
The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…
The risk: 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.
The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: 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…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet HHR or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has far fewer complaints per year (about 206) compared to the Chevrolet HHR (about 596). In practice, this means a Camry owner is less likely to face frequent repairs, especially for steering and electrical issues that plague the HHR. However, the Camry still has its own notable problems, particularly with the power train and brakes.
Key differences
- The HHR has nearly three times as many complaints per year as the Camry, with steering and electrical issues being the most common.
- HHR owners frequently report fuel leaks from corroded lines, a serious fire risk that is not a prominent complaint for the Camry.
- Camry complaints often involve the power train, such as a stuck ignition key or hesitation, while HHR complaints center on electrical glitches affecting steering and gauges.
- The Camry has a lower fatality count (1 death) compared to the HHR (8 deaths) in the provided data, though these figures alone do not prove cause and effect.
- Check for fuel odors or wet spots near the left rear wheel, which could indicate a leaking fuel line due to corrosion.
- Test the steering at low speeds for any sudden increase in effort or warning lights, as electrical glitches can cause hard steering.
- Try removing the key from the ignition after parking to ensure it doesn't stick, a reported power train issue.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake to see if it disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially for the HHR's ignition and steering recalls and the Camry's air bag sensor recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the HHR's fuel lines, steering system, and electrical components for signs of corrosion or glitches.
- For the Camry, ask the mechanic to check the power train for hesitation, the ignition key operation, and the electronic parking brake function.
- Test drive both vehicles at low speeds and during parking maneuvers to feel for steering problems or brake noises.
- Review the NHTSA complaint database for the specific model year you are considering to see if patterns persist.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chevrolet HHR or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet HHR vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet HHR total complaints
- 3,574
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet HHR total recalls
- 28
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet HHR avg complaints/year
- 595.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet HHR top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN