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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
55,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

THE RADIO HAS BEEN GOING OUT WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULDN'T DO IT WHEN I TOOK IT IN BUT THEN WE HAD THE RECALL OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THAT WAS REPAIRED AND IT'S GOTTEN WORSE. THIS MORNING IT POPPED AND SIZE LED IN THE DASH AND THRU THE RADIO EVEN AFTER TURNING THE RADIO AND CAR OFF. IT DID START BACK UP BUT EVERY T…

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THE RADIO HAS BEEN GOING OUT WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULDN'T DO IT WHEN I TOOK IT IN BUT THEN WE HAD THE RECALL OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THAT WAS REPAIRED AND IT'S GOTTEN WORSE. THIS MORNING IT POPPED AND SIZE LED IN THE DASH AND THRU THE RADIO EVEN AFTER TURNING THE RADIO AND CAR OFF. IT DID START BACK UP BUT EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP THE RADIO MAY GO OUT. I CALLED CHEV AND THEY CAN'T GET ME IN UNTIL 11/17. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THESE HHR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652458

44,645 miles · Oct 31, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AS THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE WAS BLOWN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AS THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE WAS BLOWN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,645.

NHTSA ODI #10651675

38,798 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR EQUIPPED WITH PRIMEWELL PS830 TIRES (NA), SIZE 215/55/R16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES LOST AIR PRESSURE AND WERE OUT OF ROUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND ADDED AIR TO THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR EQUIPPED WITH PRIMEWELL PS830 TIRES (NA), SIZE 215/55/R16 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES LOST AIR PRESSURE AND WERE OUT OF ROUND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND ADDED AIR TO THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,798.

NHTSA ODI #10643337

73,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Tires

TIRE SEPARATED FROM TUBE CAUSING SEVER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. TIRE #DOT V6B2AA7(2510) D581 P215/55R16. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641452

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…

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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

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10632171

48,201 miles · Sep 6, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

STEERING SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING FROM 45 MPH AND SLOWER CAUSING THE CAR TO TRY TO CHANGE POSITION IN THE LANE. THERE IS A NOISE OF SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEN BRAKING OR HITTING BUMPS OR ON ROUGH ROADS. BRAKE PEDAL PULSES. ALL THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION …

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STEERING SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING FROM 45 MPH AND SLOWER CAUSING THE CAR TO TRY TO CHANGE POSITION IN THE LANE. THERE IS A NOISE OF SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEN BRAKING OR HITTING BUMPS OR ON ROUGH ROADS. BRAKE PEDAL PULSES. ALL THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND NEEDS THE NHTSA ATTENTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631266

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

36,000 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. EXCESSIVE FORCE NEEDED TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. EXCESSIVE FORCE NEEDED TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE OTHER FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10621707

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, WHICH RESULTED IN TWO CRASHES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER EACH CRASH. THE FIRST CRASH OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STRUCK THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, WHICH RESULTED IN TWO CRASHES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER EACH CRASH. THE FIRST CRASH OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STRUCK THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE SECOND CRASH OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS CRASHED INTO A TREE. POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED FOR BOTH CRASHES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN SHOULDER. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER BOTH CRASHES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10618972

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.