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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.

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

What owners actually said

203 reports
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

Fuel line is leaking in front of the rear driver's side tire. The lines are heavily corroded. It has not been officially inspected.

NHTSA ODI #11519918

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

The gauge cluster is not working.

NHTSA ODI #11510246

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

Fuel line leaking on driver side rear

NHTSA ODI #11508818

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

Fuel line is rusted and leaking. This is apparently in numerous models and prior years as well. This metal piece on the fuel line is leaking. Fuel leaks out no matter how short of time you drive. I’m concerned with a fire and live on a fixed disability income and it’s food or the vehicle which I need to get to the doctor.

NHTSA ODI #11506187

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2023
Fuel/propulsion System

While refueling the vehicle several weeks ago I noted a strong smell of gasoline. I did not see any visible fuel leak at the gas station. Drove the vehicle home approximately 10 miles, 20 minutes travel time. Gasoline smell persisted. On exit from the vehicle the smell became strong and I observed a liquid dripping/pooling under…

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While refueling the vehicle several weeks ago I noted a strong smell of gasoline. I did not see any visible fuel leak at the gas station. Drove the vehicle home approximately 10 miles, 20 minutes travel time. Gasoline smell persisted. On exit from the vehicle the smell became strong and I observed a liquid dripping/pooling under the vehicle on the driveway. Drips were occurring from the driver side rear of the vehicle slightly in front of the left rear wheel approximately 6 inches interior from the edge of the vehicle. After 15 minutes the drips subsided. Vehicle has not been used or moved since this incident.

NHTSA ODI #11501927

121,000 miles · Jan 6, 2023
Fuel System, Gasoline

The contact's son owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he smelled the odor of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that he had noticed the smell a few weeks earlier but disregarded the odor. The contact stated that while he was driving, he noticed a trail of fl…

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The contact's son owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he smelled the odor of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that he had noticed the smell a few weeks earlier but disregarded the odor. The contact stated that while he was driving, he noticed a trail of fluid on the roadway behind the vehicle. The contact also noticed a puddle of gasoline underneath the vehicle once the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the leak was nearby the driver's side rear tire and exhaust pipe. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated, however he noticed that the fuel consumption was rising. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #11500472

139,784 miles · Oct 20, 2022
Exterior Lighting

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlamps became dim, the bulbs then blew out and headlamps became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlamps became dim, the bulbs then blew out and headlamps became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,784.

NHTSA ODI #11490113

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

Fuel line is rusted, strong smell of Fuel, needs a total replacement.

NHTSA ODI #11481275

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

The fuel line on the drivers side just in front of the rear tire is leaking fuel.

NHTSA ODI #11479160

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

Fuel brake line on driver's side rear wheel corroded and sprung a leak. Leaky area was wrapped in a heat protecting shield and which probably collected water and caused the excessive corrosion. I notice many other similar complains regarding Chevy HHRs.

NHTSA ODI #11475751

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.