2011 Chevrolet HHR
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Chevrolet HHR has 288 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 682. The most common issue is fuel system problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving a freeway speeds when the engine suddenly went into limp home mode. i received the following dash indications - service esc, traction off, reduced engine power. upon further inspection we found a failed accelerator position sensor and we had the following trouble codes stored in th. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
288
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
FUEL SYSTEM
47 complaints- • I WAS DRIVING A FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DASH INDICATIONS - SERVICE ESC, TRACTION OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND A FAILED ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TROUBLE CODES STORED IN TH
- • CAR WAS STRUGGLING TO START, WHEN IT DID , IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 20MPH, WENT TO STORE, CAME OUT , IT WOULD START. HAD IT TOWED TO THE SHOP, ENGINE CRACK AND FROM THAT CRACKING IT BROKE OTHER STUFF. I OWE 3700. ON THE CAR AND TO FIX IT IS 3200.00 SADLY I DO T HAVE THE MONEY. NO CARE, NO WAY TO GET TO W
- • FUEL LINE LEAK DUE TO RUST HAD TO BE REPLACED.
“I WAS DRIVING A FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DASH INDICATIONS - SERVICE ESC, TRACTION OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND A FAILED ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TROUBLE CODES STORED IN TH”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR
Based on 209 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 57K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
SUSPENSION
STEERING
ELECTRICAL
BODY/STRUCTURE
ENGINE
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (3)
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.
Fix: 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.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2011 Chevrolet HHR
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Chevrolet HHR
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet HHR Service Intervals
GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2011 HHR, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2011 Chevrolet HHR
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 288 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: I WAS DRIVING A FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE. I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DASH INDICATIONS - SERVICE ESC, TRACTION OFF, REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE FOUND A FAILED ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND WE HAD THE FOLLOWING TROUBLE CODES STORED IN TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WAS DRIVING AT 45MPH WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN ALL GAUGES, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE WENT ERRATIC. LOST POWER STEERING GOING DOWN HWY. CAR DARTED TO THE LEFT A LITTLE. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE DATA LINK CIRCUIT SHORTED CAUSING ELECTRIC SHORT TO POWER STEERIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH, SHE STEERED THE VEHICVLE TO THE LEFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID CRASHING. THE CONTACT MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, VEERED TO THE RIGHT ACROSS THE ROADWAY, AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, WHICH CAUSED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: UNKNOWN TYPE OF FUMES ENTERING DRIVERS COMPARTMENT, APPEARS TO BE AT START UP AND WHILE DRIVING WITH THE FAN TURNED ON. NEED TO OPEN BOTH FRONT WINDOWS AN INCH OR TWO WHEN FAN IS RUNNING. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet HHR — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 288
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 11
- Injury reports
- 16
- Segment avg
- 682
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Chevrolet HHR