NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
32 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 26, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
OUR CHEVY HHR 2010 HAS BEEN DYING AND STALLING OUT ON US WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IT, THE ONLY TIME IT HAD POWER GOING TO IT WAS WHEN IT WAS BEING JUMPED. EVEN THEN SOON AS THE CABLES WERE UNHOOKED IT WOULD JERK THEN DIE RIGHT AWAY. IT SEEMED AS IF MOST OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDED OF THE TRUCK ONLY WOULD FLASH WHILE JUMPING IT…
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OUR CHEVY HHR 2010 HAS BEEN DYING AND STALLING OUT ON US WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IT, THE ONLY TIME IT HAD POWER GOING TO IT WAS WHEN IT WAS BEING JUMPED. EVEN THEN SOON AS THE CABLES WERE UNHOOKED IT WOULD JERK THEN DIE RIGHT AWAY. IT SEEMED AS IF MOST OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDED OF THE TRUCK ONLY WOULD FLASH WHILE JUMPING IT, THEN NOTHING. IT WAS ALSO VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND EVERYTHING BASICALLY SEEMS LIKE IT'S MALFUNCTIONING. THIS HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, NOR CAN I EVEN START IT AT THIS POINT,BUT I DEFINITELY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW BEING THAT IT POWERS COMPLETELY OFF WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. IT WAS IN MOTION A FEW TIMES ON CITY STREETS, AND IN MOTION TURNING WHEN IT DIED FOR THIS LAST TIME. ITS NOW PARKED ON A STREET UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326059
202,000 miles · Aug 1, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
WHILE DRIVING MY 2010 CHEVY HHR, I HAD JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ENTERING THE SPEEDWAY FUEL STATION, MY STEERING JUST SEEMED TO LOCKUP ON ME AND A DASH ALERT FLASHED "SERVICE ESC" THEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER! IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY MAJOR TRAGEDY LIKE COLLIDING WITH A GAS PUMP OR ANOTHER VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO RUN IT INTO…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2010 CHEVY HHR, I HAD JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ENTERING THE SPEEDWAY FUEL STATION, MY STEERING JUST SEEMED TO LOCKUP ON ME AND A DASH ALERT FLASHED "SERVICE ESC" THEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER! IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY MAJOR TRAGEDY LIKE COLLIDING WITH A GAS PUMP OR ANOTHER VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO RUN IT INTO THE CURB I FELT LIKE MY ARMS WERE NEARLY RIPPED FROM THE SOCKETS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO MY HOME AND THE FOLLOWING DAY TOWED TO A MECHANIC. DISCOVERED THAT THE EXPERIENCE WAS NOT EXCLUSIVELY MINE, APPARENTLY SOME 444 OTHERS HAD AS WELL. I CHECKED FOR RECALL NOTICES WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALLS WERE CLOSED AND REPAIRS WERE DONE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BY WHOM, WHEN AND WHERE EXACTLY! IT OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT DONE PERMANENTLY NOR SATISFACTORILY AS I'M VERY SORE NOW, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!
NHTSA ODI #11241211
116,000 miles · Jan 5, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
FIRST MY AIRBAG SYSTEM STARTED COMING ON SAYING SERVICE AIRBAGS AND THE SENSORS ARE ALL NEW, SECOND THE SERVICE ESC COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHIFT EXTREMELY HARD FROM 1ST GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANNY) BRAKING SYSTEM WAS WORKING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR NO BRAKES AND THE FLUID IS FUL…
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FIRST MY AIRBAG SYSTEM STARTED COMING ON SAYING SERVICE AIRBAGS AND THE SENSORS ARE ALL NEW, SECOND THE SERVICE ESC COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHIFT EXTREMELY HARD FROM 1ST GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANNY) BRAKING SYSTEM WAS WORKING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR NO BRAKES AND THE FLUID IS FULL AND THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING JUST FINE AFTER MAKING GM AWARE OF THIS THEIR RESPONSE TO IT ALL IS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT THIS WAS AN ISSUE FROM DATE OF MFG AND GM REFUSES TO FIX OR CORRECT THE ONGOING ISSUES ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS IF NHTSA CANT HELP WITH THIS ISSUE THEN I HAVE NO WHERE LEFT TO TURN EXCEPT EITHER TO A MORGUE OR A SCRAP YARD
NHTSA ODI #11060657
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2017
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2016 & WAS GAVE TO ME VIA MY GRANDPAS WILL AFTER HE PASSED AWAY IN JULY 2016. THE CAR NEVER RAN CORRECTLY & IT WAS PARKED FOR A TOTAL OF 9 MONTHS, WHILE GETTING WORKED ON IN THE MEANTIME. IVE PUT ALMOST 1000 INTO THIS CAR & REPLACED EVERY PART IT NEEDED. NOW THE CAR WONT START & SHOWS THE AIR BAG…
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THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY 2016 & WAS GAVE TO ME VIA MY GRANDPAS WILL AFTER HE PASSED AWAY IN JULY 2016. THE CAR NEVER RAN CORRECTLY & IT WAS PARKED FOR A TOTAL OF 9 MONTHS, WHILE GETTING WORKED ON IN THE MEANTIME. IVE PUT ALMOST 1000 INTO THIS CAR & REPLACED EVERY PART IT NEEDED. NOW THE CAR WONT START & SHOWS THE AIR BAG ICON IS ALWAYS ON WHILE THE CAR TELLS ME THAT MY ECS IS "OFF" & SERVICE ECS. I OWN THE VEHICLE & IT IS PAID OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11053779
81,000 miles · Nov 21, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
WHILE DRIVING 25 MILES AN HOUR ON DRY FLAT PAVEMENT MY ESC ACTIVE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD A VERY HARD TIME STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLYING THEMSELVES. I WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE LANE WITH NO WHERE TO PULL OVER. I AM LUCKY I DID NOT HIT ANYONE. AFTER 5 MINUTES OR SO IT WENT OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11047691
130,500 miles · Aug 31, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure
I AM EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE GAUGES AND POWER STEERING AS WELL AS WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON AND LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS TO THE D.L.C. CONNECTOR. IT MAY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME ANYWHERE.
NHTSA ODI #11021004
206,000 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN OR WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN OR WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO NOT HAVING THE EQUIPMENT TO PROPERLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,000.
NHTSA ODI #11018694
77,780 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
ESC IS WHAT IT SAID ON THE DASH. IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING HAD CRAWLED AND WAS KEEPING THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING PROPERLY I LOOKED UP WHAT THE MEANING OF THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH AND IT SAID TRACTION CONTROL WARNING WHICH I HAD NO CLUE BUT WHEN I PULLED OVER WALKING AROUND THE CAR NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG THE ENTIRE CAR WAS SHA…
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ESC IS WHAT IT SAID ON THE DASH. IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING HAD CRAWLED AND WAS KEEPING THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING PROPERLY I LOOKED UP WHAT THE MEANING OF THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH AND IT SAID TRACTION CONTROL WARNING WHICH I HAD NO CLUE BUT WHEN I PULLED OVER WALKING AROUND THE CAR NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG THE ENTIRE CAR WAS SHAKING IT WAS A SCARY EXPERIENCE AND THE CARS HAD TO GO AROUND ME. WHEN I RE-STARTED THE CAR THE MESSAGE WENT OFF AND THE CAR MOVED AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #10967283
70,000 miles · Nov 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACTION AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKES JOLTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10923920
75,114 miles · Jul 25, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
AFTER POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED WHEN REACHING SPEEDS OF 20MI PER HOUR WHOLE FRONT END SHAKES FEELS LIKE WHEELS LOCKING UP CAR WAS MOVING
NHTSA ODI #10888402
Official recalls
3Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Mar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Feb 10, 2014
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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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