← New search

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

Steering complaints

25 reports
Clear category filter
45,000 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringWheels

I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY RIGHT FRONT END SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. WHEN I CUT THE WHEEL HARD TO THE RIGHT, IT MAKES A LOUD THUMPING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO POP OFF. IT MAKES THE MOST NOISE IN A SLOW OR PARKING MOVEMENT. THEN I TAKE IT IN AND THEY PUMP UP THE TIRES WITH AIR, AND SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. …

Read full complaint

I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY RIGHT FRONT END SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. WHEN I CUT THE WHEEL HARD TO THE RIGHT, IT MAKES A LOUD THUMPING NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO POP OFF. IT MAKES THE MOST NOISE IN A SLOW OR PARKING MOVEMENT. THEN I TAKE IT IN AND THEY PUMP UP THE TIRES WITH AIR, AND SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEN THE AIR LOW LIGHT FOR THE TIRES COMES ON. YOU FILL IT UP, AND THEN ANOTHER ONE COMES ON. THEN CHECK THE AIR BAG POPS ON. I'VE EVEN EXPERIENCED THE CAR LITERALLY FEELING LIKE THE MOTOR IDLING REAL LOW TO ALMOST SHUT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST 3 TIMES. I WAS ONLY DOING ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR, BUT IT WAS REALLY COLD OUTSIDE. EVERYTIME I HAVE TAKEN IT FOR REPAIR, THEY HAVE SAID, WE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578633

12,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Steering

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, FROM A DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT. THEY TRIED TWICE AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS UP TO SPECS. THEY SAID THEY CALL IT A DRIFT. WELL IT WANTS TO DRIFT ME INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE. AS OF 3-12-14 STILL NOT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568777

12,000 miles · Oct 23, 2013
SteeringSuspension

I BOUGHT THE HHR WITH 12000 MILES ON IT, FROM A GM DEALER. I TOLD THEM THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, AND THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS WITHIN TOLERANCES. STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT. ALSO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE IS WEARING OUT, BUT NOT THE OTHERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549214

38,000 miles · Aug 6, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN ALL GAUGES, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE WENT ERRATIC. LOST POWER STEERING GOING DOWN HWY. CAR DARTED TO THE LEFT A LITTLE. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE DATA LINK CIRCUIT SHORTED CAUSING ELECTRIC SHORT TO POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND IT WOULD …

Read full complaint

WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN ALL GAUGES, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE WENT ERRATIC. LOST POWER STEERING GOING DOWN HWY. CAR DARTED TO THE LEFT A LITTLE. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE DATA LINK CIRCUIT SHORTED CAUSING ELECTRIC SHORT TO POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND IT WOULD BE $1125.00 TO REPAIR. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM BUT HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM THEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE DUE TO POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF CAR AND CAUSING A CRASH. ALSO A POSSIBLE FIRE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SHORT THEY DESCRIBED TO ME ON THE INVOICE. THE POWER STEERING AND GAUGES ARE ALL STILL GOING ERRATIC BECAUSE I AM TRYING TO SEE IF GM WILL FIX THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL DO TO THE FACT THAT A YOUNG DRIVER OR EVEN FEMALE DRIVER OR ANYONE IN FACT COULD LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE DECIDES TO GO OUT AND COME BACK ON THEN GO OUT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533907

50 miles · Feb 10, 2012
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 03/14/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, HE REPORTED TO THE SALESPERSON, THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FOUND AND CORRECTED. THE DEALER ASKED THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 1000 MILES. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY FOUND THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THE REPAIR WAS MADE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SENSOR WAS NOT READING THE TIRE PRESSURE AND THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT OR AXLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A NOISE. UPDATED 04/10/12

NHTSA ODI #10447385

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.