2011 Chevrolet Hhr problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (42) · Steering (21) · Engine (16)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Hhr model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
144 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2014-04-30 · campaign 14E021000 · 14,529 vehicles
Defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move
Risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
Electrical System:ignition 2014-04-10 · campaign 14V171000 · 2,191,014 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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 occup
Fix: 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
Air Bags 2014-02-10 · campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles
Defect: 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 748,0
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Service bulletins (1,130)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-20 · PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of general motors technical assistance center. if va
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,130 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“started with gas smell and i was able to see gas dripping down from fuel pipeline in the rear wheel driver side.…”
2025-06-23 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch · 42,495 mi“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while approaching the locked vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear driver's side door had failed to latch securely and was open. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to …”
2024-12-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System“last week, i noticed fuel leaking out from the bottom of my vehicle on the rear passenger side in my driveway after returning home. i had my vehicle towed into a local shop to get looked at. the shop informed me that my entire fuel line assembly needed to be replaced. they stated that the metal assembly has rusted and corroded over time. at the tim…”
2024-08-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel lines corroded just like millions of other hhr's. gas is leaking. what does it take to have a recall on this? does someone really have to be killed?…”
2024-01-10 · Steering“there is a serious electrical glitch that's in the computer, that causes the car to perform poorly at a slow speed, which cases the steering to become very hard to turn, and maintain lanes while driving. all lights, warnings, and gauges fluctuate back and forth, while the bell inide the car when stared keeps chiming. …”
2023-10-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel line/gas leaking from faulty tube carrying ignitable flammable fluid...no warning just smell and sighting at stop..went to savoy il dealer immediately and had replaced @ 1k cost approx. 2+ yrs ago...cel…”
2023-08-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel line is leaking on back left rear. other models have recall but i have a 2011 with the same exact problem …”
2023-07-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel line/s started leaking just infront of the left rear wheel about 06/27/2023. ignition switch started sticking about 06/22/2023.…”
2023-06-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“i left vehicle running on my concrete driveway while i ran in the house to get my father for an errand. when i came outside and went to get into the vehicle i noticed a fire in the front of the rear wheel on the driver's side kind of dripping flames from the vehicle on to the concrete. luckily i reacted quickly enough to release the parking brake. …”
2023-05-01 · 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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.