IllustrationThere is a serious electrical glitch that's in the computer, that causes the car to perform poorly at a slow speed, which cases the steering to become very hard to turn, and maintain lanes while driving. All lights, warnings, and gauges fluctuate back and forth, while the bell inide the car when stared keeps chiming.
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
Steering complaints
25 reportsI TRIED TO USED REMOTE START FROM MY FOB. IT WORKED THE FIRST TIME BUT NOTHING AFTER THAT..STATIONARY THESE WERE THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED: ALL AT THE SAME TIME LOST POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING ASSIST) LANDED ME IN THE HOSPITAL WITH TORN CHEST MUSCLE WHILE CAR WAS MOVING ON A INTERSTATE NO A/C (COMPRESSOR DOES NOT COME ON) …
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I TRIED TO USED REMOTE START FROM MY FOB. IT WORKED THE FIRST TIME BUT NOTHING AFTER THAT..STATIONARY THESE WERE THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED: ALL AT THE SAME TIME LOST POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING ASSIST) LANDED ME IN THE HOSPITAL WITH TORN CHEST MUSCLE WHILE CAR WAS MOVING ON A INTERSTATE NO A/C (COMPRESSOR DOES NOT COME ON) STATIONARY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE CAR WAS MOVING ON THE INTERSTATE SERVICE TIRE MONITORS STATIONERY NO TEMP READING STATIONARY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PIONEER CHEVROLET (1315 PIKE ST, M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PIONEER CHEVROLET (1315 PIKE ST, MARIETTA, OH) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
WHEN STEERING AROUND SHARP TURNS AT SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO RETURN TO CENTER WHEN RELEASED. STEERING IS NOT SMOOTH, FEELS 'NOTCHY'. FUSE IS GOOD. REPLACING POWER STEERING MOTOR DID NOT REPAIR PROBLEM.
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.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET SOUTH HARMONY ROAD IN BLOOMINGTON MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON I LOST CONTROL I WAS FORCED TO THE RIGHT INTO A DITCH OVER A DRIVEWAY BACK INTO THE DITCH AND I WOUND UP SIDEWAYS IN MY STREET SLAMMED INTO A TREE. I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 HHR AS I UNDERSTAND IT ALL THE HHR'S OF 2010 HAVE BEEN RECALLED F…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET SOUTH HARMONY ROAD IN BLOOMINGTON MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON I LOST CONTROL I WAS FORCED TO THE RIGHT INTO A DITCH OVER A DRIVEWAY BACK INTO THE DITCH AND I WOUND UP SIDEWAYS IN MY STREET SLAMMED INTO A TREE. I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 HHR AS I UNDERSTAND IT ALL THE HHR'S OF 2010 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THEIR POWER STEERING I DID GO TO DEALERS I WAS TURNED AWAY AS TO LEAVE I CALLED UM OVER AND OVER AGAIN I WAS BLOWN OFF I WAS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND AS A RESULT I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR WE ARE ON DISABILITY UNABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND THEIR IDEA OF HELPING ME IS A $2,000 VOUCHER TOWARDS A NEW CAR THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE I HAVE A LETTER THAT STATES IT WAS THEIR FAULT NOT MINE THAT IT WAS A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING AND I WANT MY CAR REPLACED AND THEY'RE REFUSING TO DO SO SO AS A RESULT NOW MY FAMILY HAS NO WAY TO GET AROUND TO GM'S FAULT I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY CAR OR AT LEAST GIVE ME ABOUT YOUR WORTH AT LEAST $10,000 TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE BUT SO FAR AFTER THE VOUCHER NOBODY'S RETURNING MY CALLS THERE'S SOME MISSING CDR DATA OR CD RX I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE I'M CONFUSED INTO THE WHOLE THING THEY'RE NOT TELLING ME THE WHOLE STORY I BELIEVE THEY'RE HIDING INFORMATION FOR ME NOBODY IS RETURNING MY CALLS I'VE HAD TO CALL WRTV 6 NEWS OUT OF INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA THEY ARE DOING A STORY IT WILL BE AIRING IN JULY AND I'M TIRED OF GETTING THE RUNAROUND FROM GM AND NOW I'M NOT GETTING THE RUNAROUND BECAUSE NOBODY'S RETURNING MY CALLS THEIR KNOWING ME AND I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND THAT OTHER PEOPLE DRIVING THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE MIGHT BE SEVERE ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE I WANT THEM TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE
WHILE DRIVING MY EPS POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN MY CAR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET IT BECAME REALLY HARD TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE I HEARD CLICKING COMING FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL PANEL ALSO THE POWER STEERING CAME ACTIVE ON MY DASH PANEL WHILE DRIVING
TRAVELING AT 30MPH POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND CAR DROVE OVER CURB & HIT FIRE HYDRANT. UNABLE TO STEER CAR AT ALL. CITED BY POLICE FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL.
POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE PARKING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TEACHING MY WIFE HOW TO DRIVE. SHE WAS PRACTICING 3 POINT PARKING. UPON TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT PRIOR TO BACKING UP IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING OF A 53 CHEVROLET, THEN AFTER BACKING INTO THE DRIVE WAY IT WOULD NOT COME BACK STRAIGHT. BEING A RETIRED MEC…
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POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE PARKING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE TEACHING MY WIFE HOW TO DRIVE. SHE WAS PRACTICING 3 POINT PARKING. UPON TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT PRIOR TO BACKING UP IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING OF A 53 CHEVROLET, THEN AFTER BACKING INTO THE DRIVE WAY IT WOULD NOT COME BACK STRAIGHT. BEING A RETIRED MECHANIC I WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT A CAR WITH ONLY 17000 MILES WOULD HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM. BUT AFTER INVESTIGATING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS TO WORK OK THOUGH WITH NORMAL DRIVING, BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE EVENT OF THE NECESSITY TO TURN SHARPLY ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HAVE NO IDEA AND I DON'T CARE TO FIND OUT.
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'…
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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
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.