IllustrationWATER PUMP
2010 Chevrolet Hhr
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Hhr do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 565.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Hhr years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
340–25K
9425–50K
13950–75K
7575–100K
50100–150K
21150K+
413 reports with mileage · 102 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 231 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports
Engine complaints
14 reportsMY 2010 CHEVY HHR IS LEAKING GAS AT A FAST PACE FROM THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE REAR WHEEL. I SMELLED A STRONG GAS ODOR AND AFTER PARKING I NOTICED PUDDLE AND DRIPPING NEW MY REAR WHEEL. IT WAS GAS. I TOOK IT TO A SERVICE SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS WORN AND BROKEN.
KEY LOCKS IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION AND CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING
A FAINT NOISE WAS HEARD AND I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD WALKED AROUND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE LOOKING TO SEE IF ANYTHING STOOD OUT, ASSESSED THE TIRES, ENGINE AND NOTHING APPEARED TO BE WRONG. I PROCEEDED TO GET ON THE RAMP ON AND AS I WENT THROUGH THE TOLL BOOTH DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH, THE CAR ACCELERATED TO A SPEE…
Read full complaint
A FAINT NOISE WAS HEARD AND I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD WALKED AROUND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE LOOKING TO SEE IF ANYTHING STOOD OUT, ASSESSED THE TIRES, ENGINE AND NOTHING APPEARED TO BE WRONG. I PROCEEDED TO GET ON THE RAMP ON AND AS I WENT THROUGH THE TOLL BOOTH DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH, THE CAR ACCELERATED TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 87 MPH, THE STEERING COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED IT WAS ALMOST AS IF IT WAS IN A LOCKED POSITION. ONCE THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT THE HIGH SPEED, IT THEN CAME ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WAS REVVING BUT THE SPEED WAS NOT SUPPORTING THE SOUND. I PROCEEDED TO BRAKE, USE THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO FUNCTIONS BUT NEITHER WOULD WORK. SCARED TO GO INTO THE FLOW OF HEAVY TRAFFIC, I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHICH ALLOWED ME TO ROLL DOWN THE RAMP AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. I THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT SIT AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT BACK ON TO REMOVE IT MORE OUT OF THE DRIVING LANE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE
I GOT MY CAR IN 2011 TOOK MY CAR INTO SHOP BECAUSE SMOG IS NOT PASSING NOW I WAS TOLD NEED NEW MOTOR AFTER 5YRS AT 5000.00
IN A PARKING GARAGE ON THE 4TH FLOOR. BACKING OUT OF SPACE. WHILE BACKING UP, I HEAR A LOUD BOOM. NOTHING BEHIND ME. THOUGHT PERHAPS A TIRE FAILURE. PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO PULL FORWARD OUT OF TRAFFIC LANE, AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. BRAKES WOULDN'T RESPOND. BY THE GRACE OF G-D OR REFLEXES, I TURNED THE WH…
Read full complaint
IN A PARKING GARAGE ON THE 4TH FLOOR. BACKING OUT OF SPACE. WHILE BACKING UP, I HEAR A LOUD BOOM. NOTHING BEHIND ME. THOUGHT PERHAPS A TIRE FAILURE. PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO PULL FORWARD OUT OF TRAFFIC LANE, AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. BRAKES WOULDN'T RESPOND. BY THE GRACE OF G-D OR REFLEXES, I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID FLYING THROUGH THE GUARDRAIL AND OFF THE 4TH STORY OF THE PARKING GARAGE. VEHICLE CAME TO A HALT WHEN IT SMASHED INTO A CONCRETE SUPPORT PILLAR. BOTH AIR BAGS DETONATED, PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG APPARENTLY BROKE THE WINDSHIELD ON THAT SIDE. ENGINE SHUT OFF. LIGHTS IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TURNED ON, HAZARDS STARTED FLASHING ON/OFF (COULDN'T TURN THEM OFF). WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK FOR 5 HOURS. TOW DRIVERS HAD TO JUMP BATTERY - COULDN'T GET FRONT HOOD OPEN, BACK DOOR ELECTRONIC LOCK NON-FUNCTIONAL DUE TO DEAD BATTERY. TOW DRIVER CLIMBED INSIDE CAR, REMOVED INSIDE DECKING TO ACCESS BATTERY. TOW DRIVER JUMPED BATTERY, ATTEMPTED START. FIRST TWO OR THREE TIMES, IT WOULDN'T START, EVENTUALLY ON THE 4TH OR 5TH TIME IT STARTED BUT THE ENGINE WAS RACING AGAIN. TOW DRIVER PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND IT FLEW BACKWARD (I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO GO OFF THE DECK OF THE GARAGE BACKWARDS...). HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, TURNED THE WHEEL AND HEADED FORWARD - IT SHOT DOWN THE RAMP UNTIL THEY GOT IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AND ON THE TRUCK (I WAS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WATCHING FROM A SAFE DISTANCE WHILE HE DID THIS). VEHICLE TOTALED. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS/WAS, BUT I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. HAVE HEARD OF ISSUES INVOLVING STUCK IDLE SOLENOIDS, DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS, ETC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED; HOWEVER…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT MOVE MY CAR, AND I HIT A POLL AND DAMAGED MY RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING OVER INDEPENDENCE PASS IN COLORADO AT 14,000 FEET, ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM THE TOP ON A WINDY, TWO LANE ROAD WITH LOTS OF CARS TRAVELING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND STUMBLE. WE HAD TO PULL OVER THE BEST WE COULD NOT TO BLOCK TRAFFIC (THIS IS A TWO LANE NO SHOULDER, NO GUARDRAIL, MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY W…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING OVER INDEPENDENCE PASS IN COLORADO AT 14,000 FEET, ABOUT A HALF MILE FROM THE TOP ON A WINDY, TWO LANE ROAD WITH LOTS OF CARS TRAVELING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS THE CAR BEGAN TO STALL AND STUMBLE. WE HAD TO PULL OVER THE BEST WE COULD NOT TO BLOCK TRAFFIC (THIS IS A TWO LANE NO SHOULDER, NO GUARDRAIL, MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY WITH MANY SWITCHBACKS) WE WERE HEADED UPHILL AND WITH NO POWER HAD TO ROLL SLOWLY BACK TO THE SWITCHBACK TO TURN AROUND. THE CAR WOULD START AND STUMBLE JUST ENOUGH TO MANEUVER IT AROUND GOING DOWN HILL. IT WAS 5PM ON A FRIDAY EVENING MILES FROM ANY RETAIL STORE AND OUT OF CELL PHONE RANGE SO WE WERE PRETTY DESPERATE. WE COASTED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN ROAD, STARTING THE STUMBLING AND SPUTTERING ENGINE WHEN OUR SPEED BECAME TO MUCH OR WE APPROACHED A SWITCHBACK SO THAT THE POWER BRAKES COULD BE USED TO SLOW US DOWN. THIS WENT ON FOR 20-30 MINUTES UNTIL WE WERE OFF THE HAZARDOUS PART OF THE MOUNTAIN PASS AND THEN WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT REMAINED RUNNING. WE WILL NEVER ATTEMPT TO GET INTO A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WITH THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH. WE COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THIS MOUNTAIN PASS FOR THE EVENING. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN A 2-3 DAY PERIOD THIS STALLING OCCURRED. OTHER CARS PASSED US BY WITHOUT ISSUE AND IN FACT I HAVE TAKEN MANY CARS OVER INDEPENDENCE PASS IN THE PAST WITH NO ISSUES. I SPOKE TO MY DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES, AND IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE GAS. THIS GAS IN THE FIRST STALL TWO DAYS PRIOR WAS NOT LOCAL GAS, THIS GAS ON THE STALL ON THE MOUNTAIN PASS WAS LOCAL GAS. IN NO WAY I BELIEVE IT WAS POOR GAS RELATED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE PROGRAMMING OF THE ENGINE CONTROL THAT COULD HAVE COST US DEARLY. *TR
AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL HOURS, CAME TO A ROAD CONSTRUCTION AREA AND STOPPED FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STUMBLE AND EVENTUALLY DIED AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. AFTER SETTING STILL WITH THE ENGINE AND IGNITION OFF, THE CAR STARTED BACK UP AND WENT ON DOWN THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR
Official recalls
314V171000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 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.
14V153000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
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.
14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.