IllustrationWENT TO OPEN DOOR TO GET OUT OF CAR AND THE HANDLE CAME OFF IN MY HAND. *TR
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
What owners actually said
203 reportsI WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT OCTOBER 30TH 2013 IN MY CHEVY HHR. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HAD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. FIVE SECONDS THERE AFTER STOPPING I FELT THIS HUGE PUSH BEHIND ME THAT CAUSE ME TO SLIDE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN THIS ACCIDENT I HAVE SUBSTAIN…
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I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT OCTOBER 30TH 2013 IN MY CHEVY HHR. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HAD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. FIVE SECONDS THERE AFTER STOPPING I FELT THIS HUGE PUSH BEHIND ME THAT CAUSE ME TO SLIDE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN THIS ACCIDENT I HAVE SUBSTAINED INJURIES OF A BRUISE STERNUM, STRAIN BACK AND NECK (WHIP LASH) AND A SPRAINED KNEE (RESULTED IN A TORN MANISCUS) THAT WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DASH BOARD IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED!! I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ER BY AMBULANCE WHILE MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOW COMPANIES LOT, TO LATER BE TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I CURRENTLY TREAT WITH A PHYSICAL THERAPIST FOR MY INJURIES. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 2011 CHEVY HHR FROM CARMAX. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT, IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT AND AFTER IT WAS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY REPLACED ALL OF THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS AND REALIGNED IT. IT IS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THEY HAVE NO REASONING BEHIND IT AND THEY CAN NOT FIX THE ISSUE. CAN SOM…
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I BOUGHT MY 2011 CHEVY HHR FROM CARMAX. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT, IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT AND AFTER IT WAS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY REPLACED ALL OF THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS AND REALIGNED IT. IT IS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THEY HAVE NO REASONING BEHIND IT AND THEY CAN NOT FIX THE ISSUE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS!! *TR
MERGING INTO TRAFFIC CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE RENTAL JUST CONTINUE TO SLIDE INTO THE CAR CAUSING REAR END ACCIDENT WARNING LIGHTS IN DASH CONTROL TRACTION SERVICE AND ENGINE SERVICE SOON LOW OILS LIGHTS LOUD NOISE FROM BRAKES LOINS NOISE FROM UNDERPARTS
I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2013 WITH 54000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END WHILE BRAKING. I WAS INSURED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS BECAUSE IT HAS NEW BRAKES AND IF IT DOES NOT STOP BRING IT BACK AND THEY WILL FIX IT. I BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY ROTATED THE ROTORS. IT WORKED WELL FOR ABOUT TWO WEEK…
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I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2013 WITH 54000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END WHILE BRAKING. I WAS INSURED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS BECAUSE IT HAS NEW BRAKES AND IF IT DOES NOT STOP BRING IT BACK AND THEY WILL FIX IT. I BROUGHT IT BACK AND THEY ROTATED THE ROTORS. IT WORKED WELL FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THE ROTORS STARTED SHAKING AGAIN AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS. SO I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN AND THEY PUT NEW ROTORS ON THE VEHICLE. IT HAS STARTED AGAIN WITH THE NEW ROTORS. THIS TIME IT STARTED WITH IN A MONTH. MY CAR WHILE BREAKING WILL SOMETIME FEEL LIKE THERE IS ICE UNDER IT ON DRY ROADS. I AM GOING TO TAKE IT TODAY TO BIG O TIRES AND HAVE A FRIEND WORK ON IT THAT I TRUST. THE CAR JUST HIT 70000 MILES. I HAVE DONE ONLY ONE OIL CHANGE AND TAKING THE CAR IN THREE TIMES FOR WRAPPED ROTORS. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG THAT THEY ARE JUST IGNORING. I STATED THAT I TOOK IT IN TWICE I TOOK IT TO PINEGAR CHEVORLET IN BRANSON, MO WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HERE IS SOME SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON SERVICE DATES AND MILEAGE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE: 02/14/2013 52534 MILES 1ST REPAIR: 04/22/2013 ROTATED ROTORS 56032 MILES 2ND REPAIR: 08/24/2013 61,107 REPLACED ROTORS WENT AND TALKED TO PINEGAR CHEVROLET TOLD THEN THAT THEY ARE VIBRATING AGAIN ON 10/26/2013 65777 MILES. BLAMMED THE WHOLE THING ON MY DRIVING. THE ROTORS ARE THINNER THEN THEY ARE IN THE NEW CARS. THEY DO IT TO BE MORE FUEL EFFICIENT. IT WILL COST ABOUT 100 TO ROTATE THE ROTORS. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKING SYSTEM AND THEY ARE JUST IGNORING IT. *TR
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
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING. I LIVE JUST 5 MINUTES FROM THE OFFICE. I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND WAS GOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ESC ACTIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, THEN A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING STARTED FLASHING. THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE CAR DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED…
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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING. I LIVE JUST 5 MINUTES FROM THE OFFICE. I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND WAS GOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE ESC ACTIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, THEN A YELLOW TRIANGLE WARNING STARTED FLASHING. THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE CAR DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND THE WARNINGS WENT AWAY. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND AGAIN, THE SAME WARNINGS. HELP! THE ROADS WERE NOT WET, I WAS NEVER ABOVE 8MPH WHEN THESE TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED. THANK YOU. *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
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 …
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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
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.