2011 Chevrolet HHR Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Chevrolet HHR ranks best among 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 0 and 203 complaints logged by NHTSA. It carries 2 recalls covering the ignition switch and airbag system, but no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #6 of 6 HHR years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 203
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 22 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2011 Chevy HHR problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System47 (23%)
- Electrical System42 (21%)
- Brakes37 (18%)
- Airbags30 (15%)
- Engine30 (15%)
- Structure & Body29 (14%)
- Steering25 (12%)
- Other16 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle veering or losing control during evasive steering maneuvers, sometimes ending in a guard rail or roadside crash.
- Airbags failed to deploy in several rear-end and multi-vehicle collisions despite hard impacts.
- The ignition switch reportedly turned off unexpectedly while driving, in one case after hitting a pothole, cutting power steering and control.
- Owners describe the vehicle stalling repeatedly, in one case leading to two separate crashes because the brakes could not stop the car in time.
- Brake pedal reportedly failed to stop the vehicle at low speed, causing rear-end collisions even when the driver pressed the pedal normally.
- A heated seat warmer caught fire while the vehicle was powered off, with the dealer unable to identify a cause.
2011 Chevrolet HHR recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V171000Apr 10, 2014Electrical System2,191,014 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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 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.
- NHTSA 14V047000Feb 10, 2014Airbags2,190,934 vehicles
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.
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.
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. GMÂs 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.
2011 Chevrolet HHR fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 HHR has a complaint index of 0 and ranks 6th out of 6 model years, meaning it is the Best-rated year for this model relative to the others.
- What problems does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have?
- The top problem area is the Fuel System, with 47 complaints (23% share). Electrical System (42 complaints), Brakes (37), and Airbags (30) follow, with a median failure mileage of 59,594.5 miles overall.
- Does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 HHR: one for an ignition switch defect (campaign 14V171000) and one for an airbag/ignition-related issue (campaign 14V047000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2011 HHR compare to other HHR model years?
- The 2011 HHR outperforms earlier years like 2006 (complaint index 80, Avoid) and 2009 (complaint index 100, Avoid). Only the 2010 model year is close, also rated Best with a complaint index of 20.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Chevrolet HHR?
- EPA rates the 2011 HHR at 24.5 mpg combined (22 city / 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650.