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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
80,000 miles · Nov 23, 2017
Unknown Or Other

BOTH FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE ONLY WAY OUT WAS TO LOWER THE WINDOW AND OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE SITUATION COULD BE AN EXTREME HAZARD SHOULD THE VEHICLE BE ON FIRE OR UNDER WATER. WHAT IF IN A COLD CLIMATE THE WINDOW WAS FROZE? WHAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND WOULDN'T START TH…

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BOTH FRONT INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE ONLY WAY OUT WAS TO LOWER THE WINDOW AND OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE SITUATION COULD BE AN EXTREME HAZARD SHOULD THE VEHICLE BE ON FIRE OR UNDER WATER. WHAT IF IN A COLD CLIMATE THE WINDOW WAS FROZE? WHAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND WOULDN'T START THEREFORE THE WINDOW WOULDN'T WORK. WHAT IF A ELDERLY PERSON OR A CHILD WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS UNABLE TO LOWER THE WINDOW AND OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE? INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS NUMEROUS OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE POTENTIAL FOR LIFE AND DEATH IS LIKELY, NOT TO MENTION NEARLY $600 FOR REPAIRS. VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DOOR HANDLES FOR A PURPOSE.

NHTSA ODI #11048155

124,000 miles · Sep 18, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE OCCURRED AND ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT AND THE HEADLINER DETACHED FROM THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE OCCURRED AND ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT AND THE HEADLINER DETACHED FROM THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MONUMENT CHEVROLET (3940 PASADENA FWY, PASADENA, TX 77503) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED INFORMATION FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND LEFT A VOICEMAIL FOR A CALL BACK, BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO RESPONSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #11024023

42,000 miles · Jun 20, 2017
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO FROST AND FROST OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA WHERE THE TRANSMISS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF, BUT LOST POWER COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO FROST AND FROST OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEVAN LOWES OF GADSDEN, ALABAMA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE DRIVE CLUTCH WERE FAULTY THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/22/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #11000166

10,100 miles · Jun 16, 2017
SteeringCrash

I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET SOUTH HARMONY ROAD IN BLOOMINGTON MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON I LOST CONTROL I WAS FORCED TO THE RIGHT INTO A DITCH OVER A DRIVEWAY BACK INTO THE DITCH AND I WOUND UP SIDEWAYS IN MY STREET SLAMMED INTO A TREE. I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 HHR AS I UNDERSTAND IT ALL THE HHR'S OF 2010 HAVE BEEN RECALLED F…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET SOUTH HARMONY ROAD IN BLOOMINGTON MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON I LOST CONTROL I WAS FORCED TO THE RIGHT INTO A DITCH OVER A DRIVEWAY BACK INTO THE DITCH AND I WOUND UP SIDEWAYS IN MY STREET SLAMMED INTO A TREE. I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 HHR AS I UNDERSTAND IT ALL THE HHR'S OF 2010 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THEIR POWER STEERING I DID GO TO DEALERS I WAS TURNED AWAY AS TO LEAVE I CALLED UM OVER AND OVER AGAIN I WAS BLOWN OFF I WAS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND AS A RESULT I AM NOW WITHOUT A CAR WE ARE ON DISABILITY UNABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND THEIR IDEA OF HELPING ME IS A $2,000 VOUCHER TOWARDS A NEW CAR THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE I HAVE A LETTER THAT STATES IT WAS THEIR FAULT NOT MINE THAT IT WAS A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING AND I WANT MY CAR REPLACED AND THEY'RE REFUSING TO DO SO SO AS A RESULT NOW MY FAMILY HAS NO WAY TO GET AROUND TO GM'S FAULT I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY CAR OR AT LEAST GIVE ME ABOUT YOUR WORTH AT LEAST $10,000 TO BE ABLE TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE BUT SO FAR AFTER THE VOUCHER NOBODY'S RETURNING MY CALLS THERE'S SOME MISSING CDR DATA OR CD RX I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE I'M CONFUSED INTO THE WHOLE THING THEY'RE NOT TELLING ME THE WHOLE STORY I BELIEVE THEY'RE HIDING INFORMATION FOR ME NOBODY IS RETURNING MY CALLS I'VE HAD TO CALL WRTV 6 NEWS OUT OF INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA THEY ARE DOING A STORY IT WILL BE AIRING IN JULY AND I'M TIRED OF GETTING THE RUNAROUND FROM GM AND NOW I'M NOT GETTING THE RUNAROUND BECAUSE NOBODY'S RETURNING MY CALLS THEIR KNOWING ME AND I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND THAT OTHER PEOPLE DRIVING THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE MIGHT BE SEVERE ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE I WANT THEM TO REPLACE MY VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #10995591

53,189 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO OPEN IT WHILE I WAS PARKED. I HAD TO PUT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IF I HAD TO GET OUT IN A EMERGENCY I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT SAFELY AND BECOME TRAPPED BECAUSE IF THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10994119

60,000 miles · Jun 8, 2017
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE WHEN PROMPTED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S DOOR EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. AN UNKNOWN CHEVROLET DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE WHEN PROMPTED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S DOOR EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. AN UNKNOWN CHEVROLET DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10994026

47,114 miles · May 13, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #10985545

41,050 miles · Apr 7, 2017
Structure

I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT, AS A SAFTY CONCERN / HAZARD NOTICE, ASSOCIATED WITH MY 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME, AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE VEHICLES PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT DOOR LATCH. THIS IS…

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I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT, AS A SAFTY CONCERN / HAZARD NOTICE, ASSOCIATED WITH MY 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME, AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE VEHICLES PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT DOOR LATCH. THIS IS THE SECOND DOOR LATCH FAILURE ( DIFFERENT DOOR ) WHICH HAS OCCURRED ON THE SAME VEHICLE, AND HAPPENED ON MARCH 31, 2017, DURING A STOP AT A SHOPPING CENTER. AGAIN, I ATTEMPTED TO FIRMLY "CLOSE" THE DOOR, HOWEVER, THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH CLOSED. MY HHR HAS NOW BEEN REPAIRED WITH A NEW LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE FAILED FRONT DOOR LATCH HAS BEEN RETURNED TO ME, AND I WILL STORE IT, IN THE EVENT THAT THE NHTSA WOULD WANT IT / NEED IT, TO PERFORM A FAILURE ANALYSIS. PLEASE REFER TO THE NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10790779 REPORT, FOR DETAILS ABOUT FAILURE # 1 ... WHICH WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE, REAR DOOR LATCH. IN CONCLUSION ... I FEEL THAT THE FAILURE OF THIS DOOR LATCH COULD HAVE POSSIBLY RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, IF IT HAD NOT BEEN NOTICED WHILE AT THE PARKING LOT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF MY FAILED FRONT AND REAR DOOR LATCHES SHOULD BE GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA ODI #10971234

80,300 miles · Mar 8, 2017
Structure

BACK DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT LATCH.

NHTSA ODI #10959557

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

I PROBLEMS WITH THE FUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE CONSOLE AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. IGNITION ISSUES WHERE MY KEY GETS STUCK ALWAYS HAD TO PULL FUSE FOR LIGHTS AND DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLE. AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS STAYED ON. SENSORS IS OFF, AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK. HEATER AND AIR WORK WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. REPLACE EXHAUS…

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I PROBLEMS WITH THE FUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE CONSOLE AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. IGNITION ISSUES WHERE MY KEY GETS STUCK ALWAYS HAD TO PULL FUSE FOR LIGHTS AND DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLE. AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS STAYED ON. SENSORS IS OFF, AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT WORK. HEATER AND AIR WORK WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. REPLACE EXHAUST SYSTEM

NHTSA ODI #10956677

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.