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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

515 reports
249,000 miles · Oct 19, 2016
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

MY CAR HAD GOT HIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN I CRUNK MY CAR BACK UP MY HORN WAS OUT IT NEVER WORKED AGAIN AND ITS MAKING A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #10917244

85,000 miles · Sep 10, 2016
Steering

MY POWER STEERING CUTS OUT AND DISPLAY ON DASH SAYS POWER STEERING . CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND BROUGHT VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS . THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL GM VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC STEERING AND MANY HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT …

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MY POWER STEERING CUTS OUT AND DISPLAY ON DASH SAYS POWER STEERING . CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND BROUGHT VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS . THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL GM VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC STEERING AND MANY HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT I WAS TOLD THAT NOT ALL HHR'S WERE RECALLED JUST CERTAIN ONES AND MINE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM SHOULD OWN UP TO AND STAND BEHIND THERE VEHICLES .

NHTSA ODI #10905481

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

CAR ONLY HAS 54,168 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED 4 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A NUMBER OF MECHANICS AS WELL A DEALER BUT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE CAUSE OF IT IS. GROSSINGER CHEVY KEPT IT FOR 1 DAY CLAIMS TO NOT FIND ANYTHING BUT LIGHT STILL ON. TREMENDOUSLY CONCERNING.

NHTSA ODI #10898419

87,000 miles · Aug 22, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON, ALSO PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT ALARMS INTERMITTENTLY, RADIO DISPLAY SCREEN INTERMITTENTLY BLANK AND SCRAMBLED, BUT AUDIO WORKS MOST OCCURRENCES STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS. APPT. W/DEALER FOR AIRBAG SERVICE TOMORROW

NHTSA ODI #10897566

94,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A RECALL FOR THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A RECALL FOR THE LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TORQUE SENSOR AND EPS MOTOR CONTROLLER UNIT WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 10/13/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10896689

64,000 miles · Aug 12, 2016
Exterior Lighting

THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE BACK RIGHT SIDE KEEPS GOING OUT. HAVE HAD BULB REPLACED 4 TIMES. THE BULBS BURN RIGHT OUT. LAST TIME DURING OIL CHANGE AT MISTER CAR WASH THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE TAIL LIGHT REPAIRED AS IT IS ALL MELTED INSIDE AND THE BULB WILL NOT STAY IN THE LAST TIME I HAD IT REPLACED WAS DURING A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION…

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THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE BACK RIGHT SIDE KEEPS GOING OUT. HAVE HAD BULB REPLACED 4 TIMES. THE BULBS BURN RIGHT OUT. LAST TIME DURING OIL CHANGE AT MISTER CAR WASH THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE TAIL LIGHT REPAIRED AS IT IS ALL MELTED INSIDE AND THE BULB WILL NOT STAY IN THE LAST TIME I HAD IT REPLACED WAS DURING A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AT MONDAY CHEVROLET BEFORE THIS. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A FACTORY DEFAULT? NOT SURE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND ONLY HAD 30 THOUSAND MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND NOW ONLY ABOUT 65000 ON IT NOW .. I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH .HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 35 THOUSAND ON IT IN OVER 6 YEARS I HAVE OWNED... HAVE OTHERS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TAIL LIGHT. I HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED YET I DO HAVE NEW BULBS BUT THEY GO OUT IN A DAY OR LESS SO NO NEED TO REPLACE UNTIL I GET A NEW TAIL LIGHT HOLDER THING? YOU TELL ME... WHAT CAUSED THIS? I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR EXCEPT THE TAIL LIGHT. GREAT LITTLE CAR FOR SURE! I HAD TAKEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT HAS EXPIRED AND I NEVER USED IT... CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE OTHER THAN THE TAIL LIGHT ......OH AND RIGHT BLINKER STICKS HAS ALWAYS STUCK BLINKING AND I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF MY SELF.

NHTSA ODI #10895471

72,700 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MANUALLY RESTARTED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE BRIEFLY OPERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE MANUALLY RESTARTED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE BRIEFLY OPERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,700.

NHTSA ODI #10893923

98,000 miles · Aug 5, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10893417

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

59,375 miles · Jul 7, 2016
Steering

THE POWER STEERING LIGHT RECENTLY HAS STARTED COMINGS ON RESULTING IN THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING. INITIALLY IT WENT OUT WHEN I WAS TURNING A CORNER, TODAY IT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE A HARD TIME TRYING TO STEER IT OFF THE ROAD ANYTIME IT HAPPENS. I …

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THE POWER STEERING LIGHT RECENTLY HAS STARTED COMINGS ON RESULTING IN THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING. INITIALLY IT WENT OUT WHEN I WAS TURNING A CORNER, TODAY IT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAVE A HARD TIME TRYING TO STEER IT OFF THE ROAD ANYTIME IT HAPPENS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL TAKEN CARE OF AND AM NOW WONDERING IF THIS IS A RELATED PROBLEM. I'VE REALLY ENJOYED MY HHR BUT AM VERY UNHAPPY THAT THIS IS GOING ON AND AM NOW VERY NERVOUS TO TRY TO DRIVE IT TO A AUTO REPAIR, THE NEAREST BEING 75 MILES AWAY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING 5 DAYS AGO ON JULY 3, 2016.

NHTSA ODI #10883437

Official recalls

3

14V171000 · 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. GM’s 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. GM’s 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. GM’s 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.