2011 Chevrolet HHR Complaint Log

Started with gas smell and I was able to see gas dripping down from fuel pipeline in the rear wheel driver side.

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 diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 42,495.

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.

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?

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.

fuel line leak

Fuel Line is leaking on back left rear. Other models have recall but i have a 2011 with the same exact problem

Fuel line/s started leaking just infront of the left rear wheel about 06/27/2023. Ignition switch started sticking about 06/22/2023.

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.

Fuel line is leaking in front of the rear driver's side tire. The lines are heavily corroded. It has not been officially inspected.

Fuel line leaking on driver side rear

The gauge cluster is not working.

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.

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.

Fuel line is rusted and leaking. This is apparently in numerous models and prior years as well. This metal piece on the fuel line is leaking. Fuel leaks out no matter how short of time you drive. I’m concerned with a fire and live on a fixed disability income and it’s food or the vehicle which I need to get to the doctor.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlamps became dim, the bulbs then blew out and headlamps became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,784.

The fuel line on the drivers side just in front of the rear tire is leaking fuel.

Fuel brake line on driver's side rear wheel corroded and sprung a leak. Leaky area was wrapped in a heat protecting shield and which probably collected water and caused the excessive corrosion. I notice many other similar complains regarding Chevy HHRs.

Fuel line is rusted, strong smell of Fuel, needs a total replacement.

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.

Fuel line rusted and leaks

Fuel line leak by rear driver side tire. Vehicle was hard to start then ran fine as had lost fuel pressure while sitting not running. Noticed fuel on ground by tire contacting dealer Monday for repair.

The fuel line has corroded near the driver rear tire and is leaking fuel near the exhaust pipe. The leak is bad enough to create a 12 inch puddle in less than 30 seconds.

In 2016 the rear passenger door latch failed. Thinking it was a natural wear & tear type thing, we ordered parts online and re[paired it ourselves for about $100 With in 6 months something inside the door failed, we opened it up and thought we repaired it again, but something is wrong and it just wont open. Has not opened in over 5 years, but I can live with it. after all it is the rear passenger door. In 2018 the front passenger door latch failed and again we ordered parts online and repaired it ourselves for about $100. In 2019 the spring inside the front passenger door broke, but since the door still opened & locked, we let it ride. I can live with the interior door handle feeling loose as long as it still opens the door. In June, 2021 the front drivers interior door handle broke off in my hand while opening the car door. I took it to the dealership for repair at a cost of $237....should have just ordered the part and replaced it myself....or switched out the one from the rear passenger door (lol) since we dont use that door anymore. Wednesday, 11/17/21, the driver front door latch failed. It would not have been much of an issue, but we were not home and I had to drive home with the window down and holding the door closed. This caused my husband, who already has anxiety issues, MUCH anguish. I now also had to deal with his having a panic attack while driving, with the window down and holding the door so it would not open while moving. We did stop at the local mechanic and their initial parts search says $245 for parts, plus labor, so roughly $400 this time. I am starting to wonder if the door latches on Chevy cars are just defective and needed to be recalled way before 2016? I know there was a recall on Ford door latches. I have heard instances where the hatch latches have failed on 2011 HHRs, so I know it is just a matter of time before my hatch latch as well as the drivers rear door latch fails.

Metal fuel line is leaking near exhaust. Leak is coming from factory heat sheild that is around the fuel line. Heat sheild is holding moisture causing lines to rust. Doing research I am seeing this is a common problem and wondering why there is no recall.

Known issue with Chevrolet HHR/Cobalt - corrosion of fuel line and leak just forward of driver side rear wheel. See https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2020/INOA-PE20011-5388.PDF

Fuel supply lines near drivers rear wheel started leaking while engine is running. Strong odors of gasoline and significant puddle of fuel under the car after a short time of running. It appears to be excessive corrosion of the line near the supports, heat shield. This leak seams to be near the exhaust system of the car so could be a fire safety issue. Inside of a garage or other closed area, these fumes could lead to possible explosion from an ignitions source

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.

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 . This is a very expensive repair ( $ 1,200.00 if only fuel , more if brake lines need replacing ) , that not all people will be able to afford and will therefore ( like myself ) continue to drive their vehicles until they can have it repaired or worst try to attempt to repair it themselves ( not something I would suggest ). I think everybody is at risk if vehicles are driving around leaking fuel ( and maybe losing brakes next ) because people can not afford to fix them . I hope tragedy doesn't strike first ( as seems to be the case nowadays ) before people are motivated to take action . Attached are pictures showing the lines dry and wet . The tape and clamp are visible in picture , showing where corrosion and leaking occurred .

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.

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.

Heading home , going over the bridge @ 20mph from the nationals field going south bound heading towards south capital exit. Traveling On the right side of the road , I approached and drove over the metal sewer drainage that’s not properly in the ground leveled which caused damage to my vehicles suspension. Immediately after the impact , I started hearing a strange noise as well as when I moved the steering wheel. I took my vehicle to Sears auto center on 7/01/21to be evaluated and explained the incident. I couldn’t avoid the drainage due to another vehicle was on the left side of the road . I had to pay $1,111.92 out of my pocket and would like my money back. This drainage isn’t in the ground properly which caused the problem to my vehicle. Is unavoidable especially if there’s an vehicle directly across from you.

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

My 2011 Chevy HHR has developed a fuel leak that has progressed to the point where I no longer drive the vehicle. The gasoline appears to be leaking from the fuel line, just in front of the left rear tire and leaks only while the engine is running. I understand that NHTSA is conducting an investigation into this matter, but has not included my year of vehicle. I would like for NHTSA become aware that this fuel leak issue does effect vehicles with manufacture dates outside the scope of its investigation.

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.

DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. IMMEDIATELY SMELLED GAS UPON EXITING CAR AND SAW PUDDLE FORMING IN FRONT OF LEFT REAR TIRE. COULD FEEL THE SPOT WHERE LEAK WAS COMING FROM AND SEE THE DROPS AS THEY FELL. I CRAWLED UNDERNEATH AND TOOK THESE PICTURES. THE CORROSION WAS AT ONE OF THE BRACKETS RIGHT BEFORE A PIECE OF HEAT SHIELD. I THEN PEELED BACK PART OF THE HEAT WRAP AND FOUND THAT IT WAS VERY WET FROM THE LEAKING GAS AS WAS THE FRAME AND OTHER PARTS IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEAK. THE LEAK ONLY OCCURRED OF COURSE WHEN THE FUEL LINES WERE PRESSURIZED. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF THE DRIPS OF FUEL WOULD STOP.

BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN THE FUEL LINES ON MY HHR RUSTED AND DEVELOPED A LEAK SPRAYING FUEL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE . WE NOTICED THE ODER OF GASOLINE WHEN WE PARKED. IT IS A 2011 HHR

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE NEAR VEHICLE AND INSIDE VEHICLE. ODOR PERSISTENTLY GOT WORSE OVER TIME, AND WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED. VEHICLE REPAIRED ON JANUARY 11, 2021, HOWEVER ODOR STARTED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR EARLIER, BUT ONLY AFTER FILLING TANK WITH GAS. FUEL TANK BROKEN AND LEAKING.

FUEL LEAK BY DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL SPRAYING ON EXHAUST SYSTEM DISCOVERED WHILE CAR WAS IDLING IN DRIVE WAY

GAS LEAK UNDER CAR DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE. REPLACED FUEL LINES. PUDDLES OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH CAR AND STRONG SMELL OF FUMES.

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 THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDERNEATH THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM HENRY CHEVROLET (5886 WILLIAM FLINN HWY, BAKERSTOWN, PA 15007, (724) 471-4569) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *BF *TR

REAR FUEL LINE CORRODED AND LEAKED ! NOTICED SMELL AND LEAK WHEN PARKED !

MY FUEL LINE JUST IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE HAS STARTED LEAKING REALLY BAD. THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE PLUS VISIBLE GASOLINE LEAKING ON THE GROUND. VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER A SEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA AND GM. ADD MY 2011 HHR TO THE LIST OF FUEL LINES THAT HAS STARTED LEAKING.

CORRODED FUEL LINES AT BACK OF VEHICLE CAUSING FUEL LEAK

ABS AND TRACTION STABILITY LIGHTS ON..REPLACED WHEEL HUB AND CLEANED SELINOIDS..ESC SERVICE COMES ACROSS DASH HOLE IN DRIVERS SIDE BACK FUEL LINE...REPLACED FUEL LINE DUE TO GAS LEAK...TROUBLE STARTING CAR DRIVING CAR WHEN ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS CAME ON AT HOME AND WENT TO LEAVE WHEN NOTICED CAR HAVING TROUBLE STARTING

INTENSE GAS SMELL AND SLIGHT IGNITION DELAY. NO GAS SMELL UNTIL AFTER IT IS RUNNING.. I UNDERSTAND I SHOULD NOT EVEN DRIVE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE OF A FIRE DANGER. MANY MORE COMPLAINTS EXACTLY LIKE MIND. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK BECAUSE OF FIRZE. I QUESTION WHY THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL. WE CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE A YEAR TO WAIT FOR AN INVESTIGATION.

MY 2011 CHEVY HHR LIKE MANY OTHERS I'VE LEARNED FROM CHECKING ONLINE IS LEAKING GAS NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND IS VERY DANGEROUS . WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS ARE YOU WAITING FOR ONE OF THESE CARS TO BURST IN FLAMES AND SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BEFORE GM IS MADE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE DEFECT . I DON'T HAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS .AND EVEN WHEN GM IS HELD RESPONSIBLE THEY DO AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE AND THEY DON'T REALLY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A 2004 CHEVY IMPALA AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THAT FOR THE IGNITION , BY THE TIME THEY NOTIFIED ME MY IGNITION SWITCH HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND THEY WON'T FIX THAT . THERE FIX IS TO ALTER THE KEY SO THERE ISN'T SO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE SWITCH. THAT DOES ME NO GOOD SINCE THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY HARD AND IT IS DEAD BECAUSE THE SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED.. WHEN THEY SELL A CAR THEY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY KN IT BUT THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT . AND NO ONE MAKES THEM DO SO. BUT AS SOON AS SOMEONE IS KILLED THEN THEY DO DAMAGE CONTROL AND YOU HEAR ALL THIS BULL, WE DIDN'T KNOW ,WE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT BAD , AND WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE . I KNOW THIS RANT WILL DO NO GOOD BUT I COULDN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT IF I KNEW I WAS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THINGS LIKE THIS . THANKS

MY VEHICLE HAS A GAS LEAK. SMELLS LIKE GAS WHILE DRIVING AND NOTICED GAS UNDER VEHICLE WHILE PARKED.

A small gas leak developed in the fuel line....