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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

What owners actually said

203 reports
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 · Aug 24, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10758855

76,918 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY, STALLED, AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY BRAKE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY, STALLED, AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY BRAKE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,918. MA 10/14 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10758746

95,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. UPON ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DOOR HANDLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10748239

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

132,000 miles · Jun 19, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK OF HOT AIR/LIQUID UNDER THE DASHBOARD COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS BURNED FROM THE HOT WATER LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SWOOSH NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS, WHICH CREATED A HOT MIST INSIDE TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK OF HOT AIR/LIQUID UNDER THE DASHBOARD COMING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS BURNED FROM THE HOT WATER LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SWOOSH NOISE WHEN MAKING TURNS, WHICH CREATED A HOT MIST INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #10726227

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

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2015
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

2011 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 8, 2013, AS HE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, HE HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ALLEY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED OFF. HE HIS SOME HEDGES AND A SNOW BANK AND PUT A DENT IN THE REAR BUMPER. THE CONSUMER STATED…

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2011 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 8, 2013, AS HE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, HE HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ALLEY AND THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED OFF. HE HIS SOME HEDGES AND A SNOW BANK AND PUT A DENT IN THE REAR BUMPER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE NEXT DAY, HIS BACK, LEGS AND FEET WERE NUMB. *JB UPDATED 8/21/15*CN UPDATED 10/20/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10725009

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWUNG OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCHES WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWUNG OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCHES WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10724007

36,000 miles · May 26, 2015
Electrical System

I WILL BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE HEAD LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS WILL GO OUT BEEN IN THE SHOP 10 TIMES TOTAL STILL CANT FIX

NHTSA ODI #10721442

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.