CSR

Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2011 Chevrolet HHR

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 203 safety complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet HHR with the US government. Of those, 13 describe a crash, 3 mention a fire, 16 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the electrical system and the air bags.

The most complained-about system is the fuel and propulsion system, named in 43 complaints, 21% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 59,595 miles, the median across the 144 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers July 2011 to March 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

203 complaints on file

203

Complaints

13

Describe a crash

3

Mention fire

16

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 43 · 21%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 39 · 19%
AIR BAGS 30 · 15%
STEERING 25 · 12%
ENGINE 24 · 12%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 23 · 11%
STRUCTURE 21 · 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 · 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 12 · 6%
POWER TRAIN 10 · 5%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 7 · 3%
SUSPENSION 6 · 3%
0 19 38

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 203.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 47.

52 39 26 13
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV FWD
Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal, driver Not rated
Frontal, passenger Not rated
Side crash Not rated
Side barrier Not rated
Side pole Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover 14.3%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

14V171000 · April 10, 2014

The 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.
The 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 occupant or pedestrian injuries.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,191,014 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

14V047000 · February 10, 2014

The 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 748,024 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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,190,934 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

3 injured · crash · towed · 156,000 miles

I PURCHASE CHEVY HHR IN GOOD CONDITIONS UNTIL I GOT ON THE FREEWAY. AS I WAS IMMERGING IN TO THE FREEWAY THE ACCELORATOR GOT STUCK ON 6RPM AND WAS SPEEDING 60MPH I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND THE BRAKES DIDNT GO DOWN AT ALL. IT WAS ALL LOCKED UP MY KIDS AND I FREAK OUT WITH THE SPEED THAT THE CAR WAS PICKING UP AND HOW THE BREAKS WERENT WORKING I DECIDED TO USE THE EMERGENCY HANDDLE AND SOME SIDE BUSHES TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR AND NOTHING WORKED! I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND NOTHING THEN I CHECKED TO SEE IF IT WAS ON DRIVE IT WAS THE I PUSHED HARD ON THE BREAKS BUT NEVER ONCE IT WENT DOWN AT ALL IT WAS SO HARD I FORCE MY FOOT SO MUCH AND THE BREAK HANDDLE EMERGED OFF THE

NHTSA complaint 10783826, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · 20 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 10563196. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 injured · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, WHICH RESULTED IN TWO CRASHES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER EACH CRASH. THE FIRST CRASH OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STRUCK THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE SECOND CRASH OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS CRASHED INTO A TREE. POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED FOR BOTH CRASHES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN SHOULDER. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER BOTH CRASHES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED

NHTSA complaint 10618972, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 19,000 miles

LAST JUNE, MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2011 HHR IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SAFER, MORE DEPENDABLE VEHICLE FOR OUR TEENAGE DAUGHTERS TO LEARN TO DRIVE AND TO HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO TAKE OUR DOGS WITH US WHEN WE WANTED TO GO SOMEWHERE AS A FAMILY. IN JANUARY, ON ONE OF THE DAYS WE ACTUALLY HAD SNOW ON THE GROUND, I CAME TO AN INTERSECTION, TRIED TO STOP, COULDN'T, AND SLID THROUGH. A CAR IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION MADE A LEFT TURN, NOT REALIZING I COULDN'T STOP, HIT ME ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE HHR, TURNING ME 90 DEGREES FROM THE DIRECTION I WAS GOING AND CAUSING OVER $8,000 OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT NO ONE WAS HURT. WHEN I GOT HOME, THE FIRST THING MY WIFE ASKED WAS, DID

NHTSA complaint 10453475, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

NHTSA complaint 11727282. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

42,495 miles

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 the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 42,495.

NHTSA complaint 11668600. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 time of this writing, my vehicle is still in the shop awaiting to get fixed. It is available to be inspected upon request. There are no warning signs on my computer system prior to this. This leaking fuel could have put myself and my family at risk for harm due to the fire risk.

NHTSA complaint 11631633. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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?

NHTSA complaint 11610617. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
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.

NHTSA complaint 11564742. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11551279. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet HHR

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2010 515 3 —

Other 2011 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst