IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
Structure complaints
21 reportsWHILE EXITING THE PARKING LOT, PULLING ONTO THE STREET, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND I NEARLY FELL OUT OF THE CAR HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR MY SEAT BELT.THE\AT WAS 3 MONTHS AGO. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND PULLING OUT OF A STORE PARKING LOT ONTO THE MAIN ROAD, MY DOOR FLEW OPEN ON ME AGAIN, IT SCARED THE LIVI…
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WHILE EXITING THE PARKING LOT, PULLING ONTO THE STREET, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR SWUNG OPEN AND I NEARLY FELL OUT OF THE CAR HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR MY SEAT BELT.THE\AT WAS 3 MONTHS AGO. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND PULLING OUT OF A STORE PARKING LOT ONTO THE MAIN ROAD, MY DOOR FLEW OPEN ON ME AGAIN, IT SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. *TR
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. THEREFORE WE HAVE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET OUT OR CRAWL TO THE PASSENGER DOOR TO GET OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANYONE WHO GETS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, OR ANYONE HAVING…
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MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. THEREFORE WE HAVE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET OUT OR CRAWL TO THE PASSENGER DOOR TO GET OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANYONE WHO GETS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, OR ANYONE HAVING A CAR ISSUE. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE I KNOW WHO HAVE THE SAME CAR AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD GET IT FIXED BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. MY HUSBAND WOULD FIX IT BUT THEN IT WOULD VOID MY WARRANTY. ALSO HAD MY CAR BROUGHT FOR IGNITION RECALL GOT IT FIXED AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF. THIS IS ALSO A MAJOR PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO GET FIXED, I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND THEY WONT TELL ME WHICH ONE IS FAULTY IF ANY. AS WELL NO MONEY TO FIX IT. $100 DEDUCTIBLE EVERY TIME TO JUST CHECK IS NOT VERY REASONABLE. *TR
I GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN MY CHEVY 2011 HHR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO EXIT MY VEHICLE AND THE HANDLE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF!!! I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF THING HAPPEN BEFORE AND AM NOT SURE WHY A CAR MANUFACTURER WOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE ONE OF THE MOST INTEGRAL PARTS OF A VEHICLE OUT OF CHEAP MATERIAL. TO ADD INSULT TO INJ…
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I GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN MY CHEVY 2011 HHR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO EXIT MY VEHICLE AND THE HANDLE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF!!! I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF THING HAPPEN BEFORE AND AM NOT SURE WHY A CAR MANUFACTURER WOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE ONE OF THE MOST INTEGRAL PARTS OF A VEHICLE OUT OF CHEAP MATERIAL. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE DEALERSHIP IS HINTING THAT I MAY HAVE TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PAYING SOMETHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE BY BRINGING THE CAR IN TO SEE IF THE ISSUE IS COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR COVERED AT ALL. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL NO BRAINER, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COVER THE COST TO FIX THIS IN ANY WAY. ALSO TO MY SURPRISE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONGST CHEVY 2006-2011 HHR OWNERS WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIPS THAT IT WOULD COST THEM BETWEEN 300 & 400 DOLLARS TO "REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL" OR THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY GM THAT A "DIAGNOSTIC" HAS TO BE DONE THAT MIGHT COST THEM OUT OF POCKET MONEY. BOTH SCENARIOS ARE ABSOLUTELY INSANE. I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN MADE A RECALL ISSUE, THEREBY FORCING GM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER???? IT IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE AS WELL AS SAFETY ISSUE. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND I NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT. ALSO, I LIVE IN CHICAGO AND AS EVERYONE KNOWS IT IS COMING UPON THE WINTER SEASON AND IF LAST YEAR WAS ANY INDICATION, WE COULD BE IN FOR ANOTHER BRUTAL WINTER WHERE BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES HAVE A FREEZING EFFECT ON POWER WINDOWS, WHICH IS MY CURRENT METHOD OF EXITING THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN MAR. OF 2014 AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE KNOWN TO EVEN CONSIDER TO THINK ABOUT BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT YOUR AGENCY SHOULD BE ON TOP OF. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOW HAD TO BE OPENED IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPRO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOW HAD TO BE OPENED IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED OR OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS O…
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED OR OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE USING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. JFT
WENT TO OPEN DOOR TO GET OUT OF CAR AND THE HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND. *TR
WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR THE BACK DOORS WHERE A LITTLE HARD TO OPEN I CHALKED IT DOWN TO IT STILL BEING NOT BROKE IN WELL I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR NOW AND THE BACK HANDLES DO NOT WORK AT ALL FROM THE INSIDE SOMETIMES ONE WILL WORK THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF THERE IS A ACCIDENT WHO EVER IS SITTING IN THE BACK CANNOT OPEN THE…
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WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR THE BACK DOORS WHERE A LITTLE HARD TO OPEN I CHALKED IT DOWN TO IT STILL BEING NOT BROKE IN WELL I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR NOW AND THE BACK HANDLES DO NOT WORK AT ALL FROM THE INSIDE SOMETIMES ONE WILL WORK THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF THERE IS A ACCIDENT WHO EVER IS SITTING IN THE BACK CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS I REALLY THINK CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE THEY GET SUED ONLY HOPE NO ONE GETS KILLED / HURT OVER THE BACK DOORS BEING OPENED I'VE HAD IT CHECKED 2 TIMES THEY SAID ITS JUST BECAUSE OF LACK OF USE THAT'S BS CONSIDERING ITS BEEN WELL USED FOR THE YEAR I'VE HAD IT AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON GREAT. *TR
WENT TO PULL INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON DRIVER SIDE AND IT CAME OFF IN MY HAND. USED SAME AMOUNT OF FORCE TO OPEN AS I HAVE EVERY OTHER PREVIOUS TIME. *TR
BOTH REAR DOOR LATCHES HAVE BEEN GIVING PROBLEMS. LH DOOR LATCH STICKS AND NOW RH REAR DOOR LATCH WILL NOT LATCH. HAVE A BUNGY CORD BETWEEN DOORS TO KEEP SHUT. SAFETY ISSUE!!! NO RECALLS. *TR
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.