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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 · Apr 5, 2020
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

SOMEONE HAS HACKED MY VEHICLE. AT NIGHT I CAN HEAR MY CAR DOORS BEING UNLOCKED AND LOCKED WITH A REMOTE AND ITEMS HAVE BEEN STOLEN FROM MY CAR. MY CAR WAS PARKED OVER NIGHT

NHTSA ODI #11320249

117,890 miles · Mar 8, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2011 CHEVY HHR LIKE MANY OTHERS I'VE LEARNED FROM CHECKING ONLINE IS LEAKING GAS NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND IS VERY DANGEROUS . WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS ARE YOU WAITING FOR ONE OF THESE CARS TO BURST IN FLAMES AND SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BEFORE GM IS MADE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE DEFECT .…

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MY 2011 CHEVY HHR LIKE MANY OTHERS I'VE LEARNED FROM CHECKING ONLINE IS LEAKING GAS NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND IS VERY DANGEROUS . WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS ARE YOU WAITING FOR ONE OF THESE CARS TO BURST IN FLAMES AND SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BEFORE GM IS MADE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE DEFECT . I DON'T HAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS .AND EVEN WHEN GM IS HELD RESPONSIBLE THEY DO AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE AND THEY DON'T REALLY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT FOR THE IGNITION , BY THE TIME THEY NOTIFIED ME MY IGNITION SWITCH HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THEY WON'T FIX THAT . THERE FIX IS TO ALTER THE KEY SO THERE ISN'T SO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE SWITCH. THAT DOES ME NO GOOD SINCE THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY HARD AND IT IS DEAD BECAUSE THE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED.. WHEN THEY SELL A CAR THEY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY KN IT BUT THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT . AND NO ONE MAKES THEM DO SO. BUT AS SOON AS SOMEONE IS KILLED THEN THEY DO DAMAGE CONTROL AND YOU HEAR ALL THIS BULL, WE DIDN'T KNOW ,WE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT BAD , AND WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE . I KNOW THIS RANT WILL DO NO GOOD BUT I COULDN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT IF I KNEW I WAS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THINGS LIKE THIS . THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11316825

10,000 miles · Apr 20, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I NOTICED A STICK ON THE WINDOW FROM THE RECENT STORMS, AND WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO REMOVE THE STICK FROM THE WINDSHIELD, THE HANDLE JUST CAME OFF IN MY HAND. THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND I HAD BEEN TRAPPED IN MY CAR? SUDDEN TEMPERATURE CHANGES AND THE PLASTIC …

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I NOTICED A STICK ON THE WINDOW FROM THE RECENT STORMS, AND WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO REMOVE THE STICK FROM THE WINDSHIELD, THE HANDLE JUST CAME OFF IN MY HAND. THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND I HAD BEEN TRAPPED IN MY CAR? SUDDEN TEMPERATURE CHANGES AND THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR'S SHAPE PROBABLY DOESN'T HELP. CONNECTOR ISN'T DESIGNED WELL, IT'S CLOSE TO A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. SO, ANY STRESS ALL GOES TO THE SAME POINT ON THE CONNECTOR.

NHTSA ODI #11202692

37,500 miles · Mar 18, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL, SPEEDOMETER, AND FUEL MILEAGE INDICATOR TO GO HAYWIRE. GILL CHEVROLET (4700 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43213, (614) 364-4376) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ON THREE SEPARATE VISITS, BUT THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL, SPEEDOMETER, AND FUEL MILEAGE INDICATOR TO GO HAYWIRE. GILL CHEVROLET (4700 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43213, (614) 364-4376) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ON THREE SEPARATE VISITS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER WITH THE COLD WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,500.

NHTSA ODI #11189738

142,980 miles · Jan 1, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringInjury

I TRIED TO USED REMOTE START FROM MY FOB. IT WORKED THE FIRST TIME BUT NOTHING AFTER THAT..STATIONARY THESE WERE THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED: ALL AT THE SAME TIME LOST POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING ASSIST) LANDED ME IN THE HOSPITAL WITH TORN CHEST MUSCLE WHILE CAR WAS MOVING ON A INTERSTATE NO A/C (COMPRESSOR DOES NOT COME ON) …

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I TRIED TO USED REMOTE START FROM MY FOB. IT WORKED THE FIRST TIME BUT NOTHING AFTER THAT..STATIONARY THESE WERE THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED: ALL AT THE SAME TIME LOST POWER STEERING (POWER STEERING ASSIST) LANDED ME IN THE HOSPITAL WITH TORN CHEST MUSCLE WHILE CAR WAS MOVING ON A INTERSTATE NO A/C (COMPRESSOR DOES NOT COME ON) STATIONARY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE CAR WAS MOVING ON THE INTERSTATE SERVICE TIRE MONITORS STATIONERY NO TEMP READING STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #11164343

64,000 miles · Dec 19, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PIONEER CHEVROLET (1315 PIKE ST, M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PIONEER CHEVROLET (1315 PIKE ST, MARIETTA, OH) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #11162534

103,000 miles · Nov 18, 2018
Engine

THE ENGINE BEGAN A RANDOM MISFIRE PROBLEM, P0300 CODE. I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY CHANGED OUT, NOW THE CAR REVS HIGHER EVERY TIME I START IT. IT GIVES ITSELF FUEL IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, WITH NO HELP FROM THE GAS PEDAL. IT IS UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #11152273

114,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
StructureInjury

ON AUGUST 2 2018 I WAS DRIVING. I HAD MY OLDEST DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT. WE CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND MADE A RIGHT TURN. AS I WAS TURNING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FLEW OPEN AND MY DAUGHTER AND HER CELL PHONE WENT FLYING OUT. SHE GOT SCRAPES AND BRUISES BUT NOTHING MAJOR. HER CELL PHONE SCREEN SMASHED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER …

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ON AUGUST 2 2018 I WAS DRIVING. I HAD MY OLDEST DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT. WE CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND MADE A RIGHT TURN. AS I WAS TURNING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FLEW OPEN AND MY DAUGHTER AND HER CELL PHONE WENT FLYING OUT. SHE GOT SCRAPES AND BRUISES BUT NOTHING MAJOR. HER CELL PHONE SCREEN SMASHED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER THINKING SHE JUST DIDN'T SHUT THE DOOR ALL THE WAY AND TRIED TO SHUT IT. IT WOULDN'T LATCH. I WENT TO THE CLOSEST GAS STATION AND TRIED GETTING THE DOOR TO SHUT, AS I WAS STANDING THERE SLAMMING THE DOOR IN THE POURING RAIN, I NOTICED A LADY TRYING TO SHUT HER DOOR. HERS WOULDN'T SHUT EITHER (SHE DRIVES A CHEVY, NOT THE SAME MAKE) I WENT OVER TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. I CALLED AUTO ZONE TO SEE IF THEY HAVE THE PART FOR THE CAR BECAUSE I CAN NOT DRIVE AROUND WITH A REAR DOOR THAT WILL NOT SHUT. THE LADY I SPOKE TO TOLD ME THAT IT IS A DEALER PART AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE DEALER BUT IN THE MEANTIME I CAN GET A STRIKER REPAIR KIT ONLINE. SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE ALSO HAS A CHEVY AND HER DOORS WON'T STAY SHUT. I CALLED CHEVY AND HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM SOMEONE ON WHAT TO DO. THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM THAT WE CAN SEE. IT HAS TO BE AN INTERNAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11118495

62,000 miles · Aug 7, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED AN UNKNOWN SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED AN UNKNOWN SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #11118299

140,000 miles · Jul 2, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ESC SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11105140

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.