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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.

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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

6 reports
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116,000 miles · Jun 19, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

INSTRUMENT PANEL FUNCTIONS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND FLASHES ON AND OFF. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE SPEEDOMETER FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM ALSO AFFECTS THE ABILITY OF TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY. WHEN VEHICLE IS CHECKED USING DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER, COMPUTER FAI…

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INSTRUMENT PANEL FUNCTIONS WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND FLASHES ON AND OFF. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE SPEEDOMETER FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM ALSO AFFECTS THE ABILITY OF TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO GEAR PROPERLY. WHEN VEHICLE IS CHECKED USING DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER, COMPUTER FAILS TO DETECT CODE ERROR OR IDENTIFY PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE.ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #11102499

59,497 miles · Jan 14, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,497.

NHTSA ODI #10820185

156,000 miles · Oct 20, 2015
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I PURCHASE CHEVY HHR IN GOOD CONDITIONS UNTIL I GOT ON THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS IMMERGING IN TO THE FREEWAY THE ACCELORATOR GOT STUCK ON 6RPM AND WAS SPEEDING 60MPH I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKES DIDNT GO DOWN AT ALL. IT WAS ALL LOCKED UP MY KIDS AND I FREAK OUT WITH THE SPEED THAT THE CAR WAS PICKING UP AND HOW THE BREAKS WER…

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I PURCHASE CHEVY HHR IN GOOD CONDITIONS UNTIL I GOT ON THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS IMMERGING IN TO THE FREEWAY THE ACCELORATOR GOT STUCK ON 6RPM AND WAS SPEEDING 60MPH I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKES DIDNT GO DOWN AT ALL. IT WAS ALL LOCKED UP MY KIDS AND I FREAK OUT WITH THE SPEED THAT THE CAR WAS PICKING UP AND HOW THE BREAKS WERENT WORKING I DECIDED TO USE THE EMERGENCY HANDDLE AND SOME SIDE BUSHES TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR AND NOTHING WORKED! I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND NOTHING THEN I CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS ON DRIVE IT WAS THE I PUSHED HARD ON THE BREAKS BUT NEVER ONCE IT WENT DOWN AT ALL IT WAS SO HARD I FORCE MY FOOT SO MUCH AND THE BREAK HANDDLE EMERGED OFF THE FREEWAY AND IMMEDIATELY HIT SOMETHING MORE SOLID TO STOP THE CAR. IT WAS THEN WE HEADED TO A BUILDING BUT I HIT A PALM TREE. THE CAR EXPLODED BLACK SMOKE AND THE AIREBAGS WENT OFF THE FRONT DOOR DIDNT OPEN AND MY DAUGHTER AND I JUMP OFF THROUGH THE SMALL LITTLE WINDOWS. WE THANK GOD WE ARE ALIVE!! MY TWO KIDS 11 AND 8 COULD HAVE DIED W ME IN THAT VEHICLE IF I DIDNT EXIT THE FREEWAY BEFORE THE CAR KEPT PICKING UP SPEED. WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I WOULD NEVER EVER RIDE A CHEVY HHR OR ANY OTHER CHEVY AS I LIVE. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED IN THE FRONT AND THE WINDOWS ARE CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI #10783826

65,000 miles · Oct 8, 2015
Electrical SystemTraction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED AND HESITATED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REDUCED SPEED AND HESITATED AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND REDUCED SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURES. UPON TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE COMPUTER RESET AND THE WARNING LIGHTS DIMMED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10780873

100,990 miles · Mar 2, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING A FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DASH INDICATIONS - SERVICE ESC, TRACTION OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND A FAILED ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TROUBLE CODES STORED IN THE COMPUTER: P2135 CHEVROLET -…

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I WAS DRIVING A FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DASH INDICATIONS - SERVICE ESC, TRACTION OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND A FAILED ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TROUBLE CODES STORED IN THE COMPUTER: P2135 CHEVROLET - THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH 'A'/'B' VOLTAGE CORRELATION REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY, AT THIS POINT THE CAR SEEMS FINE. I HAVE THE FAILED PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691577

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING A KM/H LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH... EVERYTHING CONVERTED TO KHP... I NOW HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE ON HOW FAST/SLOW IM DRIVING... GOT TO MY DESTINATION AND TOOK A LOOK AT MY OWNERS MANUAL TO SEE IF MAYBE THERE WAS A WAY TO SWITCH BACK TO MPH... AND GO FIGURE... FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS TO A T... AND IT DOESN'T WORK...…

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WHILE DRIVING A KM/H LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH... EVERYTHING CONVERTED TO KHP... I NOW HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE ON HOW FAST/SLOW IM DRIVING... GOT TO MY DESTINATION AND TOOK A LOOK AT MY OWNERS MANUAL TO SEE IF MAYBE THERE WAS A WAY TO SWITCH BACK TO MPH... AND GO FIGURE... FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS TO A T... AND IT DOESN'T WORK... COULDN'T PUT IN MY MILEAGE AT THE TOP OF THIS FORM BECAUSE IT ASKS FOR MPH AND SUDDENLY MY DASH IS ONLY PUTTING OUT KM/H. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689718

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.