2011 Chevrolet HHR Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

24Engine complaints

11.8%Of all 203 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM43 · 21.2%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM37 · 18.2%

AIR BAGS29 · 14.3%

STEERING25 · 12.3%

ENGINE24 · 11.8%

Share of the 203 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10785102 — filed 10/21/2015

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ALL FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED REPLACED. 15,000 LATER THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED REPAIRED (SEPARATE COMPLAINT).”NHTSA complaint 10712381 — filed 04/23/2015

“NEVER RECEIVED ANY WARNINGS THAT ALL OF THE ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE CRACKED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TEMPERATURE GOING INTO COOLING MODE ONE TIME. TOOK…”NHTSA complaint 10712380 — filed 04/23/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have engine problems?

Engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR: 24 of 203 complaints on file (11.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet HHR have in total?

203 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 13 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 16 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.