← New search

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

Power Train complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
42,000 miles · Jun 20, 2017
EnginePower Train

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #11000166

47,114 miles · May 13, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #10985545

82,567 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT STICK WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOID FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT STICK WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOID FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,567.

NHTSA ODI #10855137

70,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND SWITCHING THE SHIFTER TO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A SMALL INCLINE AND INTO THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,0…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND SWITCHING THE SHIFTER TO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A SMALL INCLINE AND INTO THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690787

70,900 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS LOCKED IN PARKED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DOORS LOCKED WITHOUT COMMAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,900.

NHTSA ODI #10670883

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…

Read full complaint

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

67,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Power Train

VEHICLE WILL JERK REALLY HARD WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC, VERY SCARY TO DRIVE. DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. JERKS THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609183

66,000 miles · May 6, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONED AND BECAME STUCK IN PARK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE SHIFTER COULD ALSO BE ENGAGED WITHOUT THE CONTACT APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER MALFUNCTIONED AND BECAME STUCK IN PARK. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE SHIFTER COULD ALSO BE ENGAGED WITHOUT THE CONTACT APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10586801

41,302 miles · Oct 11, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING. I LIVE JUST 5 MINUTES FROM THE OFFICE. I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND WAS GOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ESC ACTIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, THEN A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING STARTED FLASHING. THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE CAR DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING. I LIVE JUST 5 MINUTES FROM THE OFFICE. I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND WAS GOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ESC ACTIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, THEN A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING STARTED FLASHING. THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE CAR DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND THE WARNINGS WENT AWAY. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND AGAIN, THE SAME WARNINGS. HELP! THE ROADS WERE NOT WET, I WAS NEVER ABOVE 8MPH WHEN THESE TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547595

50 miles · Feb 10, 2012
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 03/14/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE REPORTED TO THE SALESPERSON, THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FOUND AND CORRECTED. THE DEALER ASKED THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 1000 MILES. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY FOUND THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THE REPAIR WAS MADE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SENSOR WAS NOT READING THE TIRE PRESSURE AND THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT OR AXLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A NOISE. UPDATED 04/10/12

NHTSA ODI #10447385

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.