Is the 2011 Chevrolet HHR a bad year?
203 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other HHR years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR are in line with other HHR years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
1st quietest of 6 HHR years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 HHR owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 102,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 47 (23%) | 82k–129k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 39 (19%) | 38k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 30 (15%) | 36k–84k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 25 (12%) | 40k–101k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 25 (12%) | 29k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 23 (11%) | 38k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 21 (10%) | 34k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 13 (6%) | 42k–84k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 10 (5%) | 42k–71k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 102,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 203 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Mar 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
On wednesday 3/19/2014 I was forced to purchase this HHR that I didn't want. I drove off orr lot n it was pulling to the left bad, n was jumpin all over the road.
Driving on I-25 on the west side of eisenhower pass & the engine shut off leaving me with no power steering or breaks.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 102,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR: 3
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. If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position. 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…
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 344
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2010 HHR: 515 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet HHR year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All HHR years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2011 Chevrolet HHR a bad year?
203 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other HHR years. At 102,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet HHR?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (47), electrical system (39), air bags (30), engine (25), steering (25).
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14E021000), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-171), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-047). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.