IllustrationKnown issue with Chevrolet HHR/Cobalt - corrosion of fuel line and leak just forward of driver side rear wheel. See https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2020/INOA-PE20011-5388.PDF
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
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
43 reportsMetal fuel line is leaking near exhaust. Leak is coming from factory heat sheild that is around the fuel line. Heat sheild is holding moisture causing lines to rust. Doing research I am seeing this is a common problem and wondering why there is no recall.
My 2011 Chevy HHR has developed a fuel leak that has progressed to the point where I no longer drive the vehicle. The gasoline appears to be leaking from the fuel line, just in front of the left rear tire and leaks only while the engine is running. I understand that NHTSA is conducting an investigation into this matter, but has …
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My 2011 Chevy HHR has developed a fuel leak that has progressed to the point where I no longer drive the vehicle. The gasoline appears to be leaking from the fuel line, just in front of the left rear tire and leaks only while the engine is running. I understand that NHTSA is conducting an investigation into this matter, but has not included my year of vehicle. I would like for NHTSA become aware that this fuel leak issue does effect vehicles with manufacture dates outside the scope of its investigation.
Fuel supply lines near drivers rear wheel started leaking while engine is running. Strong odors of gasoline and significant puddle of fuel under the car after a short time of running. It appears to be excessive corrosion of the line near the supports, heat shield. This leak seams to be near the exhaust system of the car so cou…
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Fuel supply lines near drivers rear wheel started leaking while engine is running. Strong odors of gasoline and significant puddle of fuel under the car after a short time of running. It appears to be excessive corrosion of the line near the supports, heat shield. This leak seams to be near the exhaust system of the car so could be a fire safety issue. Inside of a garage or other closed area, these fumes could lead to possible explosion from an ignitions source
I would like to report of a fuel line leak in the fuel lines from the fuel tank to the engine. The lines are leaking due to corrosion caused by the manufacturer encasing the lines in , I think heat resistant tape to protect from the nearby exhaust , and a plastic type clamp that holds and separates the fuel and b…
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I would like to report of a fuel line leak in the fuel lines from the fuel tank to the engine. The lines are leaking due to corrosion caused by the manufacturer encasing the lines in , I think heat resistant tape to protect from the nearby exhaust , and a plastic type clamp that holds and separates the fuel and brake lines . The vehicle does not have to be running for fuel to leak as it will leak if just the key is on due to the electric fuel pump. I have read many complaints of this online and understand that there is an investigation into this safety problem ( fire hazard due to proximity of exhaust) . This is a manufacture design / engineering problem and should be recalled by them . This is a very expensive repair ( $ 1,200.00 if only fuel , more if brake lines need replacing ) , that not all people will be able to afford and will therefore ( like myself ) continue to drive their vehicles until they can have it repaired or worst try to attempt to repair it themselves ( not something I would suggest ). I think everybody is at risk if vehicles are driving around leaking fuel ( and maybe losing brakes next ) because people can not afford to fix them . I hope tragedy doesn't strike first ( as seems to be the case nowadays ) before people are motivated to take action . Attached are pictures showing the lines dry and wet . The tape and clamp are visible in picture , showing where corrosion and leaking occurred .
Fuel line leaking very heavily. I have read that some of these vehicles were recalled but mine was NOT. The fuel is leaking at a very heavy drip drip drip rate from the rear driver side and causing fuel puddles. This is directly near the exhaust system. I’m very surprised as I also have an identical 2008 Chevy HHR with similar …
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Fuel line leaking very heavily. I have read that some of these vehicles were recalled but mine was NOT. The fuel is leaking at a very heavy drip drip drip rate from the rear driver side and causing fuel puddles. This is directly near the exhaust system. I’m very surprised as I also have an identical 2008 Chevy HHR with similar but lighter leak. I’m surprised that this is not a recall given a fuel leak. It should also be an EPA issue. Why would the car use coated brake lines but no stainless or coated lines for fuel when they run so closely to the exhaust system? This should easily be a safety/environmental recall related issue.
i began noticing a fuel smell at the rear of my car late last week. upon inspection, I noticed that my fuel lines were corroded below some heat shield fabric ahead of the left rear wheel. when I went online, I noticed a recent recall for this exact problem, except, it did not include my model year.my complaint is that this car …
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i began noticing a fuel smell at the rear of my car late last week. upon inspection, I noticed that my fuel lines were corroded below some heat shield fabric ahead of the left rear wheel. when I went online, I noticed a recent recall for this exact problem, except, it did not include my model year.my complaint is that this car is identical, with regards to the fuel delivery and that GM should include it in its recall. I have not attempted to contact any dealership as of yet, because entering my vin, does not produce a positive result on this site or others I have tried.
DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. IMMEDIATELY SMELLED GAS UPON EXITING CAR AND SAW PUDDLE FORMING IN FRONT OF LEFT REAR TIRE. COULD FEEL THE SPOT WHERE LEAK WAS COMING FROM AND SEE THE DROPS AS THEY FELL. I CRAWLED UNDERNEATH AND TOOK THESE PICTURES. THE CORROSION WAS AT ONE OF THE BRACKETS RIGHT BEFORE …
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DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. IMMEDIATELY SMELLED GAS UPON EXITING CAR AND SAW PUDDLE FORMING IN FRONT OF LEFT REAR TIRE. COULD FEEL THE SPOT WHERE LEAK WAS COMING FROM AND SEE THE DROPS AS THEY FELL. I CRAWLED UNDERNEATH AND TOOK THESE PICTURES. THE CORROSION WAS AT ONE OF THE BRACKETS RIGHT BEFORE A PIECE OF HEAT SHIELD. I THEN PEELED BACK PART OF THE HEAT WRAP AND FOUND THAT IT WAS VERY WET FROM THE LEAKING GAS AS WAS THE FRAME AND OTHER PARTS IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEAK. THE LEAK ONLY OCCURRED OF COURSE WHEN THE FUEL LINES WERE PRESSURIZED. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF THE DRIPS OF FUEL WOULD STOP.
BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN THE FUEL LINES ON MY HHR RUSTED AND DEVELOPED A LEAK SPRAYING FUEL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE . WE NOTICED THE ODER OF GASOLINE WHEN WE PARKED. IT IS A 2011 HHR
STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE NEAR VEHICLE AND INSIDE VEHICLE. ODOR PERSISTENTLY GOT WORSE OVER TIME, AND WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED. VEHICLE REPAIRED ON JANUARY 11, 2021, HOWEVER ODOR STARTED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR EARLIER, BUT ONLY AFTER FILLING TANK WITH GAS. FUEL TANK BROKEN AND LEAKING.
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.