- What you'll get from Chevrolet HHR VIN check?
- Chevrolet HHR Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet HHR VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet HHR
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet HHR VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Chevrolet HHR VIN.
- 10th Character in the Chevrolet HHR VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Chevrolet HHR VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Chevrolet HHR Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet HHR
- How to find a Chevrolet HHR's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet HHR
What you’ll get from Chevrolet HHR VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Vehicle Type: A VIN can specify the body class, indicating if it’s a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) or another type, and can also define the vehicle as a Truck or another category.
- Engine Specifications: Essential details about the engine, including its configuration (e.g., In-Line), number of cylinders (e.g., 4), displacement (e.g., 2.4 liters), and fuel type (e.g., Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)), can often be decoded from the VIN.
- Safety Features: Information about safety features such as airbag locations, including 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) and potentially other restraint system information, may be accessible through the VIN.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN can sometimes identify the primary fuel type a vehicle uses, like Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV), suggesting the vehicle’s compatibility with different fuel types, including gasoline and ethanol blends.
- Manufacturing Information: Details about the manufacturing location, including the plant city (e.g., Ramos Arizpe), country (e.g., Mexico), and potentially the company name, can usually be deduced from the VIN.
- Transmission and Drivetrain: The VIN often includes details on the transmission style (e.g., Automatic) and may indicate the type of brake system (e.g., Hydraulic), providing insights into the vehicle’s drivetrain and handling characteristics.
Chevrolet HHR Vehicle History Risk Factors
Chevrolet’s reliability is model-dependent — the Silverado and Suburban are among the most durable vehicles in their segments, while some car-based models have more checkered histories. A Bumper check on a used Chevrolet is particularly valuable for the following:
AFM/DoD lifter failures on 5.3L V8 engines (2007–2021 Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban). GM’s Active Fuel Management system, which deactivates cylinders at highway speeds, caused widespread lifter and camshaft failures in this engine generation. The repair cost ($2,000–$5,000) makes this one of the most expensive used-vehicle surprises in any segment. Service records showing lifter replacement or an AFM delete kit are significant items to verify before purchase.
Ignition switch recall (2005–2014 multiple models). GM’s ignition switch recall — one of the most significant safety-related recalls in automotive history — affected Malibus, Cobalts, and several other models. Affected switches could move out of the “run” position while driving, cutting power to safety systems including airbags. Verify recall compliance on any Chevrolet from this era.
Transmission shudder on 8-speed automatic (2015–2019 Silverado, Colorado). GM’s 8L90 and 8L45 eight-speed automatics generated extensive owner complaints and TSBs related to torque converter shudder, especially at low speeds. This is well-documented and frequently appears in service records.
Rust on older Silverado and Colorado frames. Like other full-size trucks, older Chevrolet pickups from rust-belt states can have significant frame deterioration. A registration and ownership history in the Bumper report is your first indicator — a truck that’s spent decades in Minnesota or Michigan is a different proposition than one from Arizona.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Chevrolet HHR VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet HHR VIN
WMIs, or World Manufacturer Identifiers, are unique three-letter codes that are part of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), assigned to manufacturers to identify the vehicle’s maker and country of origin. For instance, the Chevrolet HHR, a multipurpose passenger vehicle and truck produced by General Motors LLC, carries the WMI codes 3GN and 3GC for models manufactured between 2006 and 2011. These codes specifically indicate that these vehicles were made in Warren, Michigan, United States. The WMIs help in distinguishing the vehicle’s manufacturing location and type, providing essential information for identification, registration, and historical research. Through these identifiers, every vehicle has a traceable footprint back to its manufacturer, model year, and vehicle type.
List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet HHR
WMI: 3GN
- Model Years Covered: 2006-2011
- Example VIN: 3GNDA13D06S504110
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 3GC
- Model Years Covered: 2007-2011
- Example VIN: 3GCDA15D07S621788
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet HHR VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Chevrolet’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system, engine type, and series level across its Silverado, Equinox, Malibu, and Tahoe lineups. On Silverados, the VDS is particularly useful for confirming cab style (regular, double, or crew cab), bed length, and engine variant — important because a 5.3L V8 Silverado and a 4.3L V6 from the same model year can look identical from the exterior. For the Equinox and Traverse, the VDS distinguishes between engine variants that differ significantly in fuel economy, towing capacity, and long-term reliability profiles. When comparing two Chevrolets with similar prices, always cross-reference VDS characters to confirm you’re comparing equivalent specifications.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Chevrolet HHR VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Chevrolet HHR VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 2011 Chevrolet HHR |
| A | 2010 Chevrolet HHR |
| 9 | 2009 Chevrolet HHR |
| 8 | 2008 Chevrolet HHR |
| 7 | 2007 Chevrolet HHR |
| 6 | 2006 Chevrolet HHR |
11th Character in the Chevrolet HHR VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Chevrolet HHR Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Ramos Arizpe | Mexico | Gmna | 3GNDA13D06S504110 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet HHR
The final 6 characters in a Chevrolet HHR’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Chevrolet HHR’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Chevrolet HHR is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet HHR. The VIN is often displayed through the windshield on a small plate.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet HHR. The VIN might be located on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Examine the vehicle registration documents for your Chevrolet HHR. The VIN will be listed along with other important details about the vehicle.
- Review your Chevrolet HHR’s insurance card or insurance policy documents. The VIN is usually printed on these documents for reference.
- Inspect the frame of your Chevrolet HHR underneath the vehicle. This is less common but some vehicles display the VIN in this area for additional identification.
Don’t have your Chevrolet HHR’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet HHR
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 2400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 146.45698582735 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | GM |
| Engine Model | LE9 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg) |
| Model | HHR |
| Model Year | 2010 |
| Other Engine Info | ALUM, HO, Flex Fuel: Gas/ALC, E85 compatible |
| Other Restraint System Info | Airbags: Roof Side (All seating rows for vehicles with 3 or fewer seating rows; 1st, 2nd, 3rd row for vehicles with 4 or more seating rows) |
| Plant City | Ramos Arizpe |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Mexico |
| Plant State | Coahuila |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 1/2 ton |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | LT |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 3GCAABDV*AS |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample VIN | 3GCAABDV5AS568323 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Chevrolet HHR for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Chevrolet HHR?
On most Chevrolet vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Chevrolet HHR's history for free?
Enter the Chevrolet HHR’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Chevrolet HHR VIN numbers start with?
Chevrolet HHR VIN's start with 3GN and 3GC for vehicles manufactured by General Motors LLC in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Chevrolet HHR.
Decode a Chevrolet VIN
Look up a Chevrolet HHR by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today