2011 Chevrolet HHR

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Fuel System

Fuel System leads by volume: 47 of 203 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more reported injuries (10) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 515 in 2010 to 203 in 2011.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category200920102011vs. 2011 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)2,400–2,7002,400–2,7002,400–2,600
Combined MPG23–2623–2624–26
City / Highway MPG19–22 / 29–3219–22 / 29–3221–22 / 29–31
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)342–386342–386342–370
Complaints filed508515203Not compared
Recalls issued543Not compared
Crash-involved complaints201913Not compared
Fire-involved complaints713Not compared
Injuries reported251316Not compared
Deaths reported000Not compared
Configurations compared12108

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Chevrolet HHR?

Fuel System: 47 of 203 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR get?

EPA rates it 24–26 MPG combined across 8 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Chevrolet HHR?

EPA estimates $2,400–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (8)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD22 mpg (high)29 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)370 g/mi (high)
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD22 mpg (high)29 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)370 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd42.2LFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD21 mpg (low)30 mpg24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)370 g/mi (high)
Configuration 4Automatic 4-spd42.2LFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD21 mpg (low)30 mpg24 mpg (low)$2,600 (high)370 g/mi (high)
Configuration 5Manual 5-spd42.2LFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD22 mpg (high)31 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)$2,400 (low)342 g/mi (low)
Configuration 6Manual 5-spd42.2LFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD22 mpg (high)31 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)$2,400 (low)342 g/mi (low)
Configuration 7Manual 5-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD22 mpg (high)29 mpg (low)25 mpg$2,500355 g/mi
Configuration 8Manual 5-spd42.4LFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD22 mpg (high)29 mpg (low)25 mpg$2,500355 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine250010
Transmission & Drivetrain100000
Fuel System470100
Electrical392050
Brakes3760100
Steering253010
Suspension, Wheels & Tires111020
Airbags & Restraints327060
Driver Assistance & Speed Control61030
Body, Seats & Latches290110
Visibility & Lighting50000
Other160110

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (3)

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 14E021000 · May 9, 2014

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: 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.

    Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V171000 · Apr 10, 2014

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: 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.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH; AIR BAGS · Campaign 14V047000 · Feb 11, 2014

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: 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.