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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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35,550 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Engine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALL FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED REPLACED. 15,000 LATER THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED REPAIRED (SEPARATE COMPLAINT). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712381

50,547 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Engine

NEVER RECEIVED ANY WARNINGS THAT ALL OF THE ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE CRACKED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TEMPERATURE GOING INTO COOLING MODE ONE TIME. TOOK IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT WHILE IT WAS THERE. ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED REPAIRED AT 50,547 MILES. ALL CYLINDER SLEEVES CRACKED, REPLACED HEAD GASKET, HEAD …

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NEVER RECEIVED ANY WARNINGS THAT ALL OF THE ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE CRACKED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TEMPERATURE GOING INTO COOLING MODE ONE TIME. TOOK IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT WHILE IT WAS THERE. ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED REPAIRED AT 50,547 MILES. ALL CYLINDER SLEEVES CRACKED, REPLACED HEAD GASKET, HEAD INTAKE AND ALL SEALS, GASKETS AND O-RINGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712380

59,000 miles · Mar 2, 2015
Engine

DRIVING ALONG, 'LOW ENGINE POWER' LIGHT CAME ON (ALONG WITH OTHER ERRORS, SOMETHING ABOUT TRACTION, SOMETHING ESC, ENGINE CHUGGING; CAR SLOWS DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH AND WON'T ACCELERATE; AFTER TURNING CAR OFF, WAITING A FEW MINUTES, CAR STARTED AGAIN (BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON); THIS HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES IN T…

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DRIVING ALONG, 'LOW ENGINE POWER' LIGHT CAME ON (ALONG WITH OTHER ERRORS, SOMETHING ABOUT TRACTION, SOMETHING ESC, ENGINE CHUGGING; CAR SLOWS DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH AND WON'T ACCELERATE; AFTER TURNING CAR OFF, WAITING A FEW MINUTES, CAR STARTED AGAIN (BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON); THIS HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS (I DON'T RECALL THE EXACT DATES) - I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE FROM THE EXTREME COLD (CLOSE TO 0 OR BELOW) - BUT TODAY IT IS 31 DEGREES AND HAPPENED AGAIN. I'M GLAD I WASN'T ON THE EXPRESSWAY! FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED AT MODERATE SPEED AND I WAS IN A PLACE I COULD SAFELY PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING WITH NUMEROUS VEHICLES FROM AROUND THAT YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691592

100,990 miles · Mar 2, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING A FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DASH INDICATIONS - SERVICE ESC, TRACTION OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND A FAILED ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TROUBLE CODES STORED IN THE COMPUTER: P2135 CHEVROLET -…

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I WAS DRIVING A FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DASH INDICATIONS - SERVICE ESC, TRACTION OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND A FAILED ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TROUBLE CODES STORED IN THE COMPUTER: P2135 CHEVROLET - THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH 'A'/'B' VOLTAGE CORRELATION REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY, AT THIS POINT THE CAR SEEMS FINE. I HAVE THE FAILED PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691577

118,000 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690532

95,000 miles · Jan 26, 2015
Engine

I WAS DRIVING 55MPH WHEN MY REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MPH WITH MY GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE NEXT DAY PULLED THE BATTERY CABLE AND LET IT RESET. DROVE FINE FOR 3 MILES AND THEN DID THE SAME THING. REDUCED POWER CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 40MPH. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HI…

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I WAS DRIVING 55MPH WHEN MY REDUCED POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 40 MPH WITH MY GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE NEXT DAY PULLED THE BATTERY CABLE AND LET IT RESET. DROVE FINE FOR 3 MILES AND THEN DID THE SAME THING. REDUCED POWER CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 40MPH. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN AND THERE ARE CARS BEHIND YOU AND YOU CAN'T GET OVER! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678908

80,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WORK TWO JOBS JUST BOUGHT MY 2011 CHEVY HHR JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND STARTED GETTING REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT AND THEN LOSE POWER AND HAVE TROUBLE GOING OVER 20 STRUGGLES TO GET TO 40 MPH I HAVE 3 YOUNG CHILDREN THAT RIDE WITH ME AND THERE SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE AND IF I CAN'T TRUST MY NEW VEHICLE THEN HOW CAN I TRUST CHEVY. …

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I WORK TWO JOBS JUST BOUGHT MY 2011 CHEVY HHR JUST OVER A YEAR AGO AND STARTED GETTING REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT AND THEN LOSE POWER AND HAVE TROUBLE GOING OVER 20 STRUGGLES TO GET TO 40 MPH I HAVE 3 YOUNG CHILDREN THAT RIDE WITH ME AND THERE SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE AND IF I CAN'T TRUST MY NEW VEHICLE THEN HOW CAN I TRUST CHEVY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663499

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT HAD TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT HAD TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10662877

35,328 miles · Sep 10, 2014
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY EVEN PAVEMENT THE ESC LIGHT/SYSTEM KICKED IN ON MY 2011 HHR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE AND BRAKES. LUCKILY, NO OTHER CARS OR PEDESTRIANS WERE NEAR ME OR THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE UNTIL THE IGNITION THIS TURNED COMPLETELY OFF AND ON AGAIN. I HAD IT CHECKED AND NO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON DRY EVEN PAVEMENT THE ESC LIGHT/SYSTEM KICKED IN ON MY 2011 HHR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE AND BRAKES. LUCKILY, NO OTHER CARS OR PEDESTRIANS WERE NEAR ME OR THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE UNTIL THE IGNITION THIS TURNED COMPLETELY OFF AND ON AGAIN. I HAD IT CHECKED AND NO ERROR CODES WERE STORED ON THE ECM/BCM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM!! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME AND I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY THE NEXT TIME! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632293

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

2011 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE EXHIBIT A BOOST/JERK TYPE MOVEMENT, AND IT MADE A STRANGE NOISE. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS A SPARK PLUG AND THEY FIXED IT. HOWEVER, ONE …

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2011 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE EXHIBIT A BOOST/JERK TYPE MOVEMENT, AND IT MADE A STRANGE NOISE. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS A SPARK PLUG AND THEY FIXED IT. HOWEVER, ONE NIGHT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN EXHIBITED THE SAME BOOST/JERK MOVEMENT, AS IF SHE SUDDENLY HIT THE BRAKE, AS THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING SPEED, UNTIL IT SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, AND RE-STARTED IT AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM. A MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, ONLY THAT TIME, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE NOISE. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN IN MAY 2014. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10597175

Official recalls

2

14V171000 · 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. GM’s 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. GM’s 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. GM’s 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.