Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2011 Chevrolet HHRRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 203 owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (43) and electrical system (39). The EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
24–26mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
203
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

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 out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Air bags

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2014NHTSA 14V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

203 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2011 – Mar 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system43
  2. Electrical system39
  3. Air bags30
  4. Steering25
  5. Engine24
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)23
  7. Structure21
  8. Service brakes12
  9. Power train10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each HHR model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20061,006
2007726
2008616
2009508
2010516
2011203
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

43 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11631633

Electrical system

39 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2024Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11564742

Air bags

30 reports6 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED AN UNKNOWN SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2018Air bagsODI 11118299
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223126$2,400342
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,500355
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$2,600370
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 235
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 HHR questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet HHR problems?

Owners filed 203 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (43), electrical system (39), air bags (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet HHR at 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026