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.
2011 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems
39 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 65,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 39
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- typical mileage
- 65,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition2
- Wiring: interior/under dash1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet HHR electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- 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
What 2011 Chevrolet HHR owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fuel line/s started leaking just infront of the left rear wheel about 06/27/2023. Ignition switch started sticking about 06/22/2023.
The gauge cluster is not working.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the onboard computer malfunctioned and caused the power steering, traction control, speedometer, and fuel mileage indicator to go haywire. Gill chevrolet (4700 e broad st, columbus, oh 43213, (614) 364-4376) repaired the vehicle on three separate visits, but the failure recurred especially in the winter with the cold weather. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 37,500.
I tried to used remote start from my fob. It worked the first time but nothing after that..stationary these were the events that followed: all at the same time lost power steering (power steering assist) landed me in the hospital with torn chest muscle while car was moving on a interstate no A/C (compressor does not come on) stationary service airbag light came on while car was moving on the interstate service tire monitors stationery no temp reading stationary
Instrument panel functions work intermittently while vehicle is running and flashes on and off. It is a safety concern as the speedometer function does not work while driving vehicle. This problem also affects the ability of transmission to shift into gear properly. When vehicle is checked using diagnostic computer, computer fails to detect code error or identify problem with vehicle.electrical system.
My 2011 hhr has started acting up by throwing out the reduced engine power light, ESC light and service traction light. This will happen when in park(when warning up the vehicle) and when im driving. It seems to happen more in cold weather. When it happens it reduces the speed down to 25mph and lurches forward and sounds horrible! I have had this happen when driving down a highway and the interstate (luckily I was in the right lane and able to get the shoulder safely. There is no warning when it is about to happen. It also will do it while stopped waiting for a stop light to change. It will throw on the check engine light and we have checked the codes and changed what it said needed change but that did not work. From what I have looked up it looks like people are having all sorts of issues with this but no one has found a solution. There needs to be a solution because spending hundreds of dollars for it not to fix it is not right.
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
Purge vent valve ground wire keeps breaking off in the wiring harness due to not enough protection(from the elements)and causing the check engine light to come on(p0449 -purge vent valve circuit malfunction) and sometimes have a gas order in the vehicle due to this ongoing issue and needs to be addressed on how to remedy this issue. This is the second time that I have with this issue.
On september 20 2016 while parked after picking up my children from school. My kids got into the rear passenger side door and when closing, the door would not shut. The latch would not catch onto the bar to keep the door shut. Uppon further research I found many complaints of chevy hhr owners having the same problems with their car door locks as well. The lock actuator no longer functioning causing the latch to nonlinear work. Causing a huge safety problem. We can not drive a car that's door will not close and stay shut. It just pops right back open. Seeing how many similar complaints and reports there are online, this should be addressed by chevy and gm. This has happened to our driver side passenger door in the past as well. Thank goodness it did not happen while we were driving.
Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet HHR electrical
Does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 39 complaints about the electrical of the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, 19% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 65,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V171000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet HHR have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet HHR model years with the most electrical complaints are 2006 (222 complaints), 2009 (151 complaints) and 2010 (120 complaints).
Other 2011 Chevrolet HHR problems
Fuel system 47Airbags 30Driver assistance 25Engine 25Steering 25Body 21Brakes 13Transmission 10Locks 7Acceleration 6Suspension 6Lights 5Wheels 4Seat belts 3Tires 3Seats 2
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 Chevrolet HHR?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history