Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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, warnings, and gauges fluctuate back and forth, while the bell inide the car when stared keeps chiming.
The above vehicle has been in for repairs 6-7times for intermit anti-theft light coming on while driving and a recall for anti-theft/air bag malfunctions. Intermittingly the car will also not recognize the key(s) and will not start. My concern for safety is when the car begins to ding while I'm driving and then the anti-theft light comes on it will also decide to stall because it does not recognize the key and thinks it's being stolen. (it has not done that yet, but it is a fear). I had the Chevy 2014 anti-theft/airbag recall aug 2014. In dec 2014 my air bag light came on with a warning to repair. In jan 2015 the anti-theft light came on 2 times. Walker jones Chevy of waycross, ga detected no code for air bag. The anti-theft code revealed unrecognized key but no code to repair (jan.2015) the light has come on 5 times and not started on one occasion, since the recall repair. …
My husband and I purchased a vehicle from a Chevy dealership and within a couple of months the driver side door stopped opening from the inside. Therefore we have to open the door from the outside to get out or crawl to the passenger door to get out. This is a safety hazard for anyone who gets in a car accident, or anyone having a car issue. I have talked to many people I know who have the same car and they have the same problem. I would get it fixed but we don't have the money. My husband would fix it but then it would void my warranty. Also had my car brought for ignition recall got it fixed and told them about my air bag light coming on and off. This is also a major problem and needs to get fixed, I have 3 children and they wont tell me which one is faulty if any. As well no money to fix it. $100 deductible every time to just check is not very reasonable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 MPH, a loud popping noise occurred and all the air bags deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The interior dome light and the headliner detached from the ceiling of the vehicle. The contact coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to monument Chevrolet (3940 pasadena fwy, pasadena, tx 77503) where it was diagnosed. The contact was not provided information from the diagnostic test, but was informed to contact the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and left a voicemail for a call back, but there had been no response. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and the driver sustained minor injuries and required medical attention. In addition the contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the brakes, ESC, sbc, and the low traction warning lamps were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,000, and the current mileage was 52,000.
Tl* Takata recall - the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated for longer than two days without warning. The skid control warning light remained illuminated for several months, including the brake light. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was shaking and vibrating randomly in the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the driver side air bag deployed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a burn on the left arm and a neck injury that did not require medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the check air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed by the dealer. The contact was informed that the front driver and passenger side air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,818.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor module needed to be replaced. The dealer promised to order the part. Approximately six months later, the part had not been ordered or replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The air bag light was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,977.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the service air bag warning indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced an unknown sensor, but the failure recurred. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
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.
Airbag complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, 15% of the model year's 203 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet HHR airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-047 (air bags, Feb 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet HHR airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.