← 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

Seat Belts complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
56,795 miles · Jan 27, 2015
Seat BeltsSteeringCrash

BEFORE I KNEW ABOUT THE RECALLS, I HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT REALLY SCARED ME. I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND LOCKED. I HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS, BUT DID NOT. SEAT BELTS EXPLODED. THE COP SAID I SHOULDN'…

Read full complaint

BEFORE I KNEW ABOUT THE RECALLS, I HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT REALLY SCARED ME. I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM SCHOOL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND LOCKED. I HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIRBAGS, BUT DID NOT. SEAT BELTS EXPLODED. THE COP SAID I SHOULDN'T BE WALKING AND TO GET THIS CHECKED OUT. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TWO RECALL REPAIRS AND NOW NEED ANOTHER REPAIR. ON VETERANS DAY, 2014, I WAS GIVEN A CAR FROM THE VFW AND PROGRESSIVE AS A PART OF THEIR "KEYS TO PROGRESS PROGRAM. SINCE THEN, THE HHR HAS BEEN DRIVEN MAYBE 3 TIMES. NO ONE WANTS TO DRIVE IT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BECAUSE ITS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. MY KIDS WON'T DRIVE IT EITHER. IF YOU CAN HELP ME IN ANY WAY, I WOULD BE GRATEFUL. I AM HAVING TROUBLE MAKING THE PAYMENTS TOO, BECAUSE I AM GOING THROUGH A DIVORCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679346

20,100 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Seat Belts

MY CAR CONTINUES TO SHAKE AS DO MOST HHR'S GM KNOWS THERE IS A STABILITY ISSUE AN HAS REFUSED TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT AND MY SEAT BELT AND BACK FLOOR BOARD STAYS DAMP MAKING THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE DANGERO…

Read full complaint

MY CAR CONTINUES TO SHAKE AS DO MOST HHR'S GM KNOWS THERE IS A STABILITY ISSUE AN HAS REFUSED TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT AND MY SEAT BELT AND BACK FLOOR BOARD STAYS DAMP MAKING THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS AND MY SEATBELT UNSAFE. GM EXECUTIVE RESPONSE IS THAT NOT ALL VIN NUMBERS FAL INTO THE SERVICE BULLETINS. THESE CARES NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED AND TAKEN OFF THE MARKET. THE BOLT COVERS IN THE BACK SEATS FALL OFF AT A TOUCH AND CANNOT BE REATTACHED. THEY DIG INTO LEGS. AN ACCIDENT WOULD PRESENT A STUPID IMPALEMENT THREAT. WHY ARE THEY THERE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR. GM STATES MY CARE DID NOT APPEAR TO THEM UNTIL 49,000 MILES. I BOUGHT IT AT 19,000 MILES. THERE ARE LIES EVERY WHERE. THERE ARE CROOKED SALESMAN AND GM IS STILL ON THE SCAM. OWNERS NEED A LEGAL OR CONGRESSIONAL ADVOCATE FOR THE CARS WE ARE STUCK WITH THAT ARE DANGEROUS AND SERIOUSLY DEVALUED. THEY HAVE HAD ALLOT OF TRAINING IN DEALING WITH OWNERS WITH ISSUES. WE NEED LIKEWISE REPRESENTATION. MY CARE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE A FROZEN SHOULDER FROM HOLDING IT IN THE ROAD FOR 3 YEARS. IT IS A BLOOD TRAP THAT YOU CANNOT SEE OUT OF. IT IS DAMP, SHAKING, DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND UNPREDICTABLE. I COULD OT SEL IT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE. WHO WOULD BUY IT ANY WAY? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LEGAL ORDER THAT REQUIRED THEM TO REPORT DANGEROUS PROBLEMS IN 5 DAYS OR FACE PENALTIES? THEY ARE WAY OVER THE MARK ON THIS ONE. JUST LOOK AT MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606433

26,000 miles · Mar 11, 2012
Seat Belts

REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT WOULD NOT UNLOCK TO EXTEND FOR USE. THIS SEATBELT HAD BEEN USED ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO IT LOCKING UP WHEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT FOR USE. IT WOULD NOT PULL OUT. *TR *JS

NHTSA ODI #10451083

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.