Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 39 | 19% |
| Structure | 17 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 6% |
| Engine | 12 | 6% |
| Air bags | 12 | 6% |
| Steering | 9 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 3% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 7 | 3% |
| Power train | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Started with gas smell and I was able to see gas dripping down from fuel pipeline in the rear wheel driver side.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while approaching the locked vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear driver's side door had failed to latch securely and was open. The vehicle was not dia
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel lines corroded just like millions of other HHR's. Gas is leaking. What does it take to have a recall on this? Does someone really have to be killed?
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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, warn
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Fuel line/gas leaking from faulty tube carrying ignitable flammable fluid...no warning just smell and sighting at stop..went to savoy IL dealer immediately and had replaced @ 1k cost approx. 2+ yrs ago...cel
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel Line is leaking on back left rear. Other models have recall but i have a 2011 with the same exact problem
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel line/s started leaking just infront of the left rear wheel about 06/27/2023. Ignition switch started sticking about 06/22/2023.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 ignitio
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" pos
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 w
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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 s
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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 c
| Reliability raw | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 39 of them (19%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.