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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

16 reports
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81,000 miles · Sep 2, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LIGHT WENT ON FOR THE TRACTION WARNING . ITS A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH CAR IN THE MIDDLE STARTED FLASHING , CAR MAKING A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I WAS TRYING TO STOP IT WAS MAKING A CRAKING NOISE AND COULDN'T STOP EASILY. IT WAS AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING ON ICE AND SLIDIN…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LIGHT WENT ON FOR THE TRACTION WARNING . ITS A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH CAR IN THE MIDDLE STARTED FLASHING , CAR MAKING A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I WAS TRYING TO STOP IT WAS MAKING A CRAKING NOISE AND COULDN'T STOP EASILY. IT WAS AS THOUGH I WAS DRIVING ON ICE AND SLIDING OR SOMETHING AND HAD NO TRACTION. IT WAS SCARY. THRN IT STOPPED AND I PROCEEDED HOME THEN IT FID IT AGAIN THEN IT STOPPED THEN GOT HOME AND HAD TO FET MY SON AT WORK SO ITS MY ONLY CAR. I TOOK A CHANCE AND WENT IN CAR AND IT DROVE FINE. TAKING TO ORILEYS TO CHECK COMPUTER TODAY. I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO TK IT TO DEALER AND CHANCES ARE THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG CAUSE IT'S WORKING FINE NOW AND I'M SO SCARED CAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN ITS GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN. I ALSO HAVE READ WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT'S WRONG. I DONT WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA ODI #10761028

75,000 miles · Sep 2, 2015
Unknown Or OtherInjury

I WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN I WENT TO OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THE SILVER HANDLE BROKE RIGHT IN HALF CUT MY HAND BUT I JUST CLEANED AND BANDAGED MY HAND. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT SO I LOOKED UP THE PART . ITS A $50 BUT THEY WANT $250 AT THE DEALER. I FINALLY GOT SOME MONEY TOGETHER AND BECAUSE IT WAS WINDER AND ONE TOME TH…

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I WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN I WENT TO OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THE SILVER HANDLE BROKE RIGHT IN HALF CUT MY HAND BUT I JUST CLEANED AND BANDAGED MY HAND. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT SO I LOOKED UP THE PART . ITS A $50 BUT THEY WANT $250 AT THE DEALER. I FINALLY GOT SOME MONEY TOGETHER AND BECAUSE IT WAS WINDER AND ONE TOME THE WINDOW WAS FROZEN AND THE DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE GOOD WHEN I GOT IN SO I HAD TO STOP AND CLIMB OUT OF TBE CAR FROM THE PASSENGERS SIDE WITH A BAD BACK TOO. IM DISABLED. IT COULD HAVE BERN A DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT ANYWAY I HAS TO GATHER THE MONEY AND FIX IT BECAUSE I KNEW I COULDN'T CONTINUE TO CLIMB OUT THE PASSANGER SIDE AND WITH THE HANDLE BROKE AND THE COLD WEATHER CAUSING THE WINDOW TO BE FROZEN I HAD NO CHOICE. EVERYONE IS RIGHT GMC SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND WE SHOULD BE REFUNDED OUR MONEY AND AND ISSUES WE WENT THRU. ITS NOT A CHEEP CAR AND THIS PART IS LIKE MADE OF PLASTIC AND ITS $50 AND THE DEALER IS OVR CHARGING. ITS ALL WRONG. IM TIRED OF CHEVY. I DON'T KNOW WHY I BOUGHT THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10761017

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2015
Unknown Or Other

LEFT TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE TURN SIGNAL TO USE IT, THE THE HAZARD LIGHTS TURNED ON AND OF TWICE WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING THE BUTTON TO ACTIVATE THOSE. RECENTLY THE BATTER JUST DIED AND NEW REPLACED. BUT THE KEY ALSO WAS STUCK IN IGNITION TIL WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE IGNITION RECALLS WERE REPAIRED. NOW THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10730814

38,190 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

THE ABOVE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 6-7TIMES FOR INTERMIT ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMING ON WHILE DRIVING AND A RECALL FOR ANTI-THEFT/AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS. INTERMITTINGLY THE CAR WILL ALSO NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY(S) AND WILL NOT START. MY CONCERN FOR SAFETY IS WHEN THE CAR BEGINS TO DING WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THEN THE ANTI-THEFT…

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THE ABOVE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS 6-7TIMES FOR INTERMIT ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMING ON WHILE DRIVING AND A RECALL FOR ANTI-THEFT/AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS. INTERMITTINGLY THE CAR WILL ALSO NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY(S) AND WILL NOT START. MY CONCERN FOR SAFETY IS WHEN THE CAR BEGINS TO DING WHILE I'M DRIVING AND THEN THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON IT WILL ALSO DECIDE TO STALL BECAUSE IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND THINKS IT'S BEING STOLEN. (IT HAS NOT DONE THAT YET, BUT IT IS A FEAR). I HAD THE CHEVY 2014 ANTI-THEFT/AIRBAG RECALL AUG 2014. IN DEC 2014 MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITH A WARNING TO REPAIR. IN JAN 2015 THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT CAME ON 2 TIMES. WALKER JONES CHEVY OF WAYCROSS, GA DETECTED NO CODE FOR AIR BAG. THE ANTI-THEFT CODE REVEALED UNRECOGNIZED KEY BUT NO CODE TO REPAIR (JAN.2015) THE LIGHT HAS COME ON 5 TIMES AND NOT STARTED ON ONE OCCASION, SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR. I AM TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT THE LIGHT MUST BE ON FOR THEM TO RETRIEVE A REPAIR CODE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF THE LIGHT GOES OFF. THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT PROBLEM CAN WAIT MONTHS BEFORE SURFACING AGAIN. I BELIEVE IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF PAST CASES OF OTHER SIMILAR CARS WITH ANTI-THEFT/AIRBAG ISSUES. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY CORPORATION BUT SINCE I DID NOT PURCHASE A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND NO REPAIR CODES COME UP TO SHOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM ITS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI #10726050

60,800 miles · May 21, 2015
Unknown Or Other

DRIVERS INSIDE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF. HAVE TO OPEN WINDOW TO OPEN DOOR. CALLED GM THEY TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WASN'T ON A RECALL. THIS WAS ALSO NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE TO PURCHASE A HANDLE AND HAVE IT INSTALLED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR DURING AN EMERGENCY, WHAT IF MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM…

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DRIVERS INSIDE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF. HAVE TO OPEN WINDOW TO OPEN DOOR. CALLED GM THEY TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WASN'T ON A RECALL. THIS WAS ALSO NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE TO PURCHASE A HANDLE AND HAVE IT INSTALLED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR DURING AN EMERGENCY, WHAT IF MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN, HOW CAN I ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, I'LL HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT TO GET OUT AND THAT COULD BE TO LATE. THEY NEED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10717864

78,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
Unknown Or OtherFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A HOUR AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A HOUR AFTER PARKING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10628463

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.