Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
The contact's son owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he smelled the odor of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that he had noticed the smell a few weeks earlier but disregarded the odor. The contact stated that while he was driving, he noticed a trail of fluid on the roadway behind the vehicle. The contact also noticed a puddle of gasoline underneath the vehicle once the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the leak was nearby the driver's side rear tire and exhaust pipe. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated, however he noticed that the fuel consumption was rising. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
I left vehicle running on my concrete driveway while I ran in the house to get my father for an errand. When I came outside and went to get into the vehicle I noticed a fire in the front of the rear wheel on the driver's side kind of dripping flames from the vehicle on to the concrete. Luckily I reacted quickly enough to release the parking brake. [Car is a manual transmisson]. The car drifted forward [driveway has small downhill pitch]and I turned the motor off. Then I [luckily] ran over to a hose and brought it to the vehicle to extinguish the fire.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact was a certified mechanic and noticed that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the fuel line was leaking and needed to be replaced. The contact contacted the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while standing at the rear of the vehicle, there was a strong fuel odor present. Upon inspection, it was discovered that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel line was damaged due to rusting and corrosion and the lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
I would like to report of a fuel line leak in the fuel lines from the fuel tank to the engine. The lines are leaking due to corrosion caused by the manufacturer encasing the lines in , I think heat resistant tape to protect from the nearby exhaust , and a plastic type clamp that holds and separates the fuel and brake lines . The vehicle does not have to be running for fuel to leak as it will leak if just the key is on due to the electric fuel pump. I have read many complaints of this online and understand that there is an investigation into this safety problem ( fire hazard due to proximity of exhaust) . This is a manufacture design / engineering problem and should be recalled by them . …
Fuel line leaking very heavily. I have read that some of these vehicles were recalled but mine was NOT. The fuel is leaking at a very heavy drip drip drip rate from the rear driver side and causing fuel puddles. This is directly near the exhaust system. I'm very surprised as I also have an identical 2008 Chevy HHR with similar but lighter leak. I'm surprised that this is not a recall given a fuel leak. It should also be an EPA issue. Why would the car use coated brake lines but no stainless or coated lines for fuel when they run so closely to the exhaust system? This should easily be a safety/environmental recall related issue.
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 entire fuel line assembly needed to be replaced. They stated that the metal assembly has rusted and corroded over time. At the time of this writing, my vehicle is still in the shop awaiting to get fixed. It is available to be inspected upon request. There are no warning signs on my computer system prior to this. This leaking fuel could have put myself and my family at risk for harm due to the fire risk.
While refueling the vehicle several weeks ago I noted a strong smell of gasoline. I did not see any visible fuel leak at the gas station. Drove the vehicle home approximately 10 miles, 20 minutes travel time. Gasoline smell persisted. On exit from the vehicle the smell became strong and I observed a liquid dripping/pooling under the vehicle on the driveway. Drips were occurring from the driver side rear of the vehicle slightly in front of the left rear wheel approximately 6 inches interior from the edge of the vehicle. After 15 minutes the drips subsided. Vehicle has not been used or moved since this incident.
I am a former master certified mechanic from 1982 to the mid 90's. I also have a mechanical engineering degree and worked at GM for 22 years. I owned this vehicle since November 2014 and recently sold it to my girlfriends daughter. I have done all the repairs on this vehicle since 2014. I was told there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, I found the fuel lines rusted and leaking in front of the left rear tire where they contact a plastic holder. The evaporative lines are in the same bundle and are also rusted and will fail soon. The mileage on this vehicle is 201k miles.
i began noticing a fuel smell at the rear of my car late last week. upon inspection, I noticed that my fuel lines were corroded below some heat shield fabric ahead of the left rear wheel. when I went online, I noticed a recent recall for this exact problem, except, it did not include my model year.my complaint is that this car is identical, with regards to the fuel delivery and that GM should include it in its recall. I have not attempted to contact any dealership as of yet, because entering my vin, does not produce a positive result on this site or others I have tried.
Fuel System complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 Chevrolet HHR, 23% of the model year's 203 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet HHR fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.