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2011 Chevrolet HHR problems

The most common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 103,560 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical HHR model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
87/100
Owner complaints
203
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
1,131
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
24-26mpg

The worst 2011 Chevrolet HHR problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR

Door locks 25Fuel leak 22Airbag light 16Fuel smell 12Loss of power 11Stalling 10Check engine light 9Power steering loss 9Jerking 7Pulling 7Fire or smoke 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2011 Chevrolet HHR mention

P2135 2

Recalls 2

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 14V171000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported February 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. 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.

Recall number 14V047000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR 1,131

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,131 bulletins for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR

2011 Chevrolet HHR fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD21-2230-3124-26
2.4L 4‑cylFWD222924-25

What 2011 Chevrolet HHR owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 26, 2026 · Fuel system · OH

Started with gas smell and I was able to see gas dripping down from fuel pipeline in the rear wheel driver side.

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Locks · 42,495 miles · CA

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 federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 42,495.

Filed Dec 19, 2024 · Fuel system · KY

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.

Filed Aug 24, 2024 · Fuel system · IL

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?

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · LA

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.

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Fuel system · IL

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

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Fuel system · NC

fuel line leak

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Fuel system · VA

Fuel Line is leaking on back left rear. Other models have recall but i have a 2011 with the same exact problem

Filed Jul 8, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · KS

Fuel line/s started leaking just infront of the left rear wheel about 06/27/2023. Ignition switch started sticking about 06/22/2023.

Filed Jun 17, 2023 · Fuel system · PA · 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. [Car is a manual transmisson]. The car drifted forward [driveway has small downhill pitch]and I turned the motor off. Then I [luckily] ran over to a hose and brought it to the vehicle to extinguish the fire.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet HHR

Is the 2011 Chevrolet HHR reliable?

Owners have filed 203 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, fewer than a typical HHR model year.

What is the 2011 Chevrolet HHR year score?

The 2011 Chevrolet HHR scores 87 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet HHR: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Chevrolet HHR?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 47 complaints, typically around 103,560 miles. Next is electrical (39).

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have?

2 recalls, covering electrical system and air bags.

What year does the Chevrolet HHR have the most fuel system problems?

The Chevrolet HHR model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2008 (85 complaints), 2009 (84 complaints) and 2010 (52 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR get?

Official estimates for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR range from 24 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 30-31 highway.

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