Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
I am filing this complaint, as a safty concern / hazard notice, associated with my 2011 Chevrolet HHR. Please be advised that this vehicle was purchased new by me, and has never been involved in any traffic accidents. This complaint concerns the mechanical failure of the vehicles passenger side, front door latch. This is the second door latch failure ( different door ) which has occurred on the same vehicle, and happened on March 31, 2017, during a stop at a shopping center. Again, I attempted to firmly "close" the door, however, the door would not latch closed. My HHR has now been repaired with a new latch assembly. The failed front door latch has been returned to me, and I will store it, in the event that the NHTSA would want it / need it, to perform a failure analysis. Please refer to the NHTSA id number: 10790779 report, for details about failure # 1 ... …
On August 2 2018 I was driving. I had my oldest daughter in the back seat. We came to a stop sign and made a right turn. As I was turning the rear driver side door flew open and my daughter and her cell phone went flying out. She got scrapes and bruises but nothing major. Her cell phone screen smashed. I immediately pulled over thinking she just didn't shut the door all the way and tried to shut it. It wouldn't latch. I went to the closest gas station and tried getting the door to shut, as I was standing there slamming the door in the pouring rain, I noticed a lady trying to shut her door. Hers wouldn't shut either (she drives a Chevy, not the same make) I went over to my mechanic and he told me the latch needed to be repaired. I called auto zone to see if they have the part for the car because I can not drive around with a rear door that will not shut. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact was experiencing multiple failures with the vehicle. The vehicle was previously repaired per a recall for the ignition switch; however, the repair was insufficient. At times, even with the key in the off position, the vehicle would not shut off. The battery would have to be disconnected to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that the key did not remain in the ignition and he felt unsafe driving the vehicle. In addition, the driver side door handle was not working properly and was replaced twice by the dealer. The contact stated that the ESC (electronic stability control) indicator illuminated shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Each time the ESC indicator illuminated, the vehicle drastically reduced in speed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
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.
The driver side door unexpected unlatched while backing out of the the driveway. The door closed and latched normally while stationary. While backing up then turning the wheel to the left out into the street, the driver door suddenly to swing open. The vehicle was stopped and closed the door again, the door shut and latched but wouldn't stay latched. The door latch and door strike don't look damaged, the door just won't stay latched.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side interior door handles fractured in half. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the door handles fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred twice more. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 139,000.
While exiting the parking lot, pulling onto the street, my driver side door swung open and I nearly fell out of the car had it not been for my seat belt.the\at was 3 months ago. It happened again today while I was driving and pulling out of a store parking lot onto the main road, my door flew open on me again, it scared the living daylights out of me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the front driver's side interior door handle fractured. The contact was able to exit the vehicle after accessing the exterior door handle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. Upon attempting to exit the vehicle, the door handle fractured on the front driver side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the door handle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the interior driver side door failed to open. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Body complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the body & structure of the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, 10% of the model year's 203 complaints. The component named most often is body (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet HHR body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet HHR body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.