IllustrationTHE ENGINE BEGAN A RANDOM MISFIRE PROBLEM, P0300 CODE. I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY CHANGED OUT, NOW THE CAR REVS HIGHER EVERY TIME I START IT. IT GIVES ITSELF FUEL IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, WITH NO HELP FROM THE GAS PEDAL. IT IS UNSAFE.
2011 Chevrolet Hhr
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Hhr are lower than the model-year median of 565.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Hhr years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
3825–50K
3550–75K
2175–100K
27100–150K
4150K+
144 reports with mileage · 59 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports
Engine complaints
24 reportsI WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN I BEGAN TO GET THE MESSAGES SERVICE ESC ESC OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OF, ENGINE REDUCED POWER AND NOT TO MENTION ALL MY LIGHTS LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. ALSO WHEN ALL OF THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN MY VEHICLE JERKS REDUCED SPEED DRASTICALLY AND WAS SHAKING VIGOROUSLY I HURRY UP…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH, WHEN I BEGAN TO GET THE MESSAGES SERVICE ESC ESC OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OF, ENGINE REDUCED POWER AND NOT TO MENTION ALL MY LIGHTS LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE. ALSO WHEN ALL OF THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN MY VEHICLE JERKS REDUCED SPEED DRASTICALLY AND WAS SHAKING VIGOROUSLY I HURRY UP AND EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP 3 MILES OR SO DOWN THE ROAD THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY THIS TIME I WAS TURNING UNTO A BUSY INTERSECTION AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT BUDGE I HAD TO END UP GETTING IT TOWED. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IT'S VERY DANGEROUS AND IF I WOULD HAVE HAD MY KIDS WITH ME I WOULDN'T BE AS CALM AS I AM NOW. I AM LIVID AND OUTRAGED AS TO WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE UNTIL THIS TYPE OF SITUATION GETS ADDRESSED THE WAY IT NEEDS TO? NOW HAVEN'T SPENT OVER $600 MY PROBLEM STILL EXISTS BUT ONLY NOW MY VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND PARKED. PLEASE SOMEONE GIVE US ANSWERS THE CORRECT ANSWERS THE ANSWERS WE'VE ALL BEEN SEARCHING FOR AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
MY 2011 HHR HAS STARTED ACTING UP BY THROWING OUT THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT, ESC LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN IN PARK(WHEN WARNING UP THE VEHICLE) AND WHEN IM DRIVING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN COLD WEATHER. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT REDUCES THE SPEED DOWN TO 25MPH AND LURCHES FORWARD AND SOUNDS HORRIBL…
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MY 2011 HHR HAS STARTED ACTING UP BY THROWING OUT THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT, ESC LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN IN PARK(WHEN WARNING UP THE VEHICLE) AND WHEN IM DRIVING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN COLD WEATHER. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT REDUCES THE SPEED DOWN TO 25MPH AND LURCHES FORWARD AND SOUNDS HORRIBLE! I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND THE INTERSTATE (LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND ABLE TO GET THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN IT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT ALSO WILL DO IT WHILE STOPPED WAITING FOR A STOP LIGHT TO CHANGE. IT WILL THROW ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WE HAVE CHECKED THE CODES AND CHANGED WHAT IT SAID NEEDED CHANGE BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. FROM WHAT I HAVE LOOKED UP IT LOOKS LIKE PEOPLE ARE HAVING ALL SORTS OF ISSUES WITH THIS BUT NO ONE HAS FOUND A SOLUTION. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SOLUTION BECAUSE SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR IT NOT TO FIX IT IS NOT RIGHT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO FROST AND FROST OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA WHERE THE TRANSMISS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO FROST AND FROST OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEVAN LOWES OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE DRIVE CLUTCH WERE FAULTY THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ *CN
I PROBLEMS WITH THE FUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE CONSOLE AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. IGNITION ISSUES WHERE MY KEY GETS STUCK ALWAYS HAD TO PULL FUSE FOR LIGHTS AND DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLE. AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS STAYED ON. SENSORS IS OFF, AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK. HEATER AND AIR WORK WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. REPLACE EXHAUS…
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I PROBLEMS WITH THE FUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE CONSOLE AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. IGNITION ISSUES WHERE MY KEY GETS STUCK ALWAYS HAD TO PULL FUSE FOR LIGHTS AND DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLE. AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS STAYED ON. SENSORS IS OFF, AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK. HEATER AND AIR WORK WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. REPLACE EXHAUST SYSTEM
CAR WAS STRUGGLING TO START, WHEN IT DID , IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 20MPH, WENT TO STORE, CAME OUT , IT WOULD START. HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP, ENGINE CRACK AND FROM THAT CRACKING IT BROKE OTHER STUFF. I OWE 3700. ON THE CAR AND TO FIX IT IS 3200.00 SADLY I DO T HAVE THE MONEY. NO CARE, NO WAY TO GET TO WORK. CAR WAS SITTING IN PARKIN…
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CAR WAS STRUGGLING TO START, WHEN IT DID , IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 20MPH, WENT TO STORE, CAME OUT , IT WOULD START. HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP, ENGINE CRACK AND FROM THAT CRACKING IT BROKE OTHER STUFF. I OWE 3700. ON THE CAR AND TO FIX IT IS 3200.00 SADLY I DO T HAVE THE MONEY. NO CARE, NO WAY TO GET TO WORK. CAR WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT OF OUR LOCAL SAVE A LOT.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER NEAR ME, IN ROCKAWAY, NJ. THEY REPORTED THAT THE CHARGE WOULD BE OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND THERE IS A RECALL
IGNITION RECALL , THE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE . I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES WHEN LEAVING KEY IN IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION , ALL DASH LIGHTS FLASH AND A LOT OF CLICKING NOISE AND WILL ALL LOCK DOORS . THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON , WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF AND RESTART CAR IT GOES OUT . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND…
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IGNITION RECALL , THE SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE . I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES WHEN LEAVING KEY IN IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION , ALL DASH LIGHTS FLASH AND A LOT OF CLICKING NOISE AND WILL ALL LOCK DOORS . THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON , WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF AND RESTART CAR IT GOES OUT . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SWITCH DEFECTIVE AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT , OR CHECK INTO THE MATTER WITH OUT CHARGING ME A SERVICE FEE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS . I TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES , AND CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY , AND OTHER THAT COULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO, IN TURN, CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN ORDER TO HAVE AN INVESTIGATOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK OF HOT AIR/LIQUID UNDER THE DASHBOARD COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS BURNED FROM THE HOT WATER LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SWOOSH NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS, WHICH CREATED A HOT MIST INSIDE TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK OF HOT AIR/LIQUID UNDER THE DASHBOARD COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS BURNED FROM THE HOT WATER LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SWOOSH NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS, WHICH CREATED A HOT MIST INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Official recalls
214V171000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 10, 2014
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 ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: 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 cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch
Feb 10, 2014
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 on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
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 on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
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 on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.