The Lemon Index
20101st generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
66 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Honda Civic 252011 Toyota Corolla 372011 Hyundai Elantra 40
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR
- Rust / frame corrosion21 complaintsmostly at 99,000–110,000 miles (160,000–177,000 km)
- Engine stalling11 complaintsmostly at 40,000–75,000 miles (64,000–120,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 203 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 24,000 and 54,000 miles (38,000–87,000 km) (the middle half of the 55 complaints, of all 66 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14E021000 (electrical), 14V171000 (electrical) and 14V047000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 1131 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Due to the parasitic drain/discharge on 2011 vehicles and trucks, a no crank/no start”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 66 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 23K to 54K miles (38K to 87K km) on the car (55 of all 66 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While driving.. Car suddenly stalled losing power steering all dash board lights on gages flickering causing car to shut down. Unable to start.
2011 Chevrolet HHR owner · NHTSA complaint 10618488
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 6.6M views · 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical532K views
Chevrolet HHR Car Stereo radio Removal replace 2006 - 2008 = Car Stereo HELPFactory Car Stereo Repair · 370K views · 7 videos - Death wobble & steering347K views
2009 Chevy HHR Power Steering (EZ FIX)James LaVerdi · 246K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door222K views
How to rechare AC on 2006 Chevy HHRDom B · 57K views · 7 videos - Steering & suspension214K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearing 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHRTRQ · 55K views · 10 videos
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring194K views
2006 Chevy HHR Dash Gauges and Dash Lights Intermittent IssuesCan They Drive Garage · 78K views · 4 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors151K views
2006 Chevy HHR Oxygen Sensor ReplacementKlelious Davis · 43K views · 8 videos - Brakes & ABS104K views
How to Replace Rear Brakes 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHRTRQ · 37K views · 6 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition98K views
No Start No Crank Code 1682 2007 HHR by Scared Shiftless Rides and WrecksMark Boice · 85K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Chevy HHR SUV 1st Generation 2006-111A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 347K views
Chevy HHR 2006 to 2011 common problems, issues, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 46K views
2006 Chevy HHR Gearshift/ Transmission problemsJ M · 37K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2011 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1131 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to the parasitic drain/discharge on 2011 vehicles and trucks, a no crank/no start
- On some trucks and passenger vehicles, accessory power outlets (apo) and trailer lighting are
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
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 · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
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 vehicle.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet HHR recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet HHR SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet HHR Panel VAN FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet HHR year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Chevrolet HHR years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-hhr/?y=2011" title="Chevrolet HHR reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-hhr/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Chevrolet HHR reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 109; 100 is average, lower is better). 2011 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.7× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet HHR problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (27%), airbags (26%) and steering (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR get?
24 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet HHR problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 24,000 and 54,000 miles (38,000–87,000 km) (the middle half of the 55 complaints, of all 66 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2011 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Chevrolet HHR year than the 2011?
Not nearby: the 2011 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Chevrolet HHR years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works