There are 43 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet HHRin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Started with gas smell and I was able to see gas dripping down from fuel pipeline in the rear wheel driver side.
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?
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
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
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 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.
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
Showing 1–20 of 43 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026