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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
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2016
Steering

FINANCED HHR 2010 FROM BLOOMINGTON LINCOLN AUGUST 2014. DECEMBER 2014 TRACTION LIGHT ON. SNOWING. CAR SLIDING DANGEROUSLY. WENT TO NEARBY TIRES PLUS. ARMS REPLACED AND 4 NEW TIRES. $1800.00, TIRES PLUS. 2015 TOTAL CHECK AT CHEVY DEALER GAVE CAR OVERALL APPOVAL. DID NOT MENTION ARMS. 2016 JUNE. ARMS ARE WORN AND LOOSE, AND…

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FINANCED HHR 2010 FROM BLOOMINGTON LINCOLN AUGUST 2014. DECEMBER 2014 TRACTION LIGHT ON. SNOWING. CAR SLIDING DANGEROUSLY. WENT TO NEARBY TIRES PLUS. ARMS REPLACED AND 4 NEW TIRES. $1800.00, TIRES PLUS. 2015 TOTAL CHECK AT CHEVY DEALER GAVE CAR OVERALL APPOVAL. DID NOT MENTION ARMS. 2016 JUNE. ARMS ARE WORN AND LOOSE, AND HAZARDOUS TO DRIVER AND WITHIN WARRANTY TO HAVE TOTAL REPAIR AT TIRESPLUS. . THE ARMS DISFUNCTION CAUSED FRONT TIRES TO BLOW OUT. JUNE 2016 DRIVING ON HWY 694W. LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW. TOWED TO NEARBY TIRESPLUS A DIFFERENT ONE. THEY FOUND FAULTY ARMS CAUSED TIRES WORN BEYOND EXPECTATION. THE 2 FRONT TIRES. THE BACK TIRES ARE NICE. TIRES ARE WITHIN TIRES PLUS WARRANTY ALSO. TIRES PLUS WILL NOT COMPLY AND BLAMES FAULTY PARTS MANUFACTER RESPONSIBLE. PLEASE CHECK THIS AS POSSIBLE RECALL. I FILED SMALL CLAIMS LITIGATION. JUNE 23, 2016 AND WILL TARGET ALL OF THEM. MANUFACTURER 1ST. MY FINAL PYMT IS DUE 11/2018 ON THIS CAR. I BELEIVE CAR DEALER SHOULD OF BEEN FAIR TO ME WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK 3 DAYS LATER. DEALER DENIED ME BECAUSE I DID NOT GET A WARRANTY. TIRESPLUS SEEMS VALID OF DECISION NOT TO FIX DUE TO RECALL POSSIBILITY. I AGREE. THE MANUFACTURER AND CHEVY NEED BE INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI #10876463

67,000 miles · Jun 20, 2016
Steering

MY POWER STEERING MOTOR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET. I WAS LUCKY AT THE TIME TO BE ABLE TO PULL SAFELY OVER WITH MUCH EFFORT. I CHECKED RECALL LIST AND ALTHOUGH 2010 WAS LISTED AS RECALLED STEERING MOTORS, MY VIN # WAS NOT LISTED AS ONE. I HAD TO PAY OVER $300 TO REPLACE. WHY NOT MY VIN FOR THAT YEAR? DEFECTIVE!

NHTSA ODI #10875287

72,000 miles · Jun 17, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10874766

77,000 miles · Jun 15, 2016
Air BagsSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 10-25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 10-25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND EPS MOTOR CONTROLLER UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED FOR SOME REASON, THE DESCRIBED FAILURES WERE ANNOUNCED AS RECALLS ON OTHER 2010 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES, BUT NOT THIS MAKE/ MODER, ACCORDING TO THE VIN. THE POWER STEERINGG LOCKED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND MADE DRIVING CONDITIONS VERY DANGEROUS. AS WELL AS IF THE AIRBAG HAD OPENED AT ANYTIME, WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO MALFUNCTIONS LOCKING/UNLOCKING DOORS AND OPENING/ CLOSING WINDOWS, AND THE VEHICLE SKIPS AT SPEEDS 10-40 MPH. UPDATED 6/11/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10874465

160,000 miles · Jun 12, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

CHANGED VVT SENSOR & SERVICE ESC & SERVICE TRACTION WARNINGS APPEARED ON DISPLAY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON ALSO

NHTSA ODI #10873760

45,000 miles · May 25, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10870742

129,000 miles · May 5, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FRONT HEADLIGHTS, LOW BEAM AND HIGH BEAM, NOT WORKING BECAUSE BULB WIRE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED.

NHTSA ODI #10863461

80,120 miles · May 4, 2016
Steering

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS..STARTED RANDOMLY BUT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE..CAN DRIVE APPROX. 1 MILE EACH TIME WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER ASSIST FAILS....DEALER INFORMS ME MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL...THIS STARTED HAPPENING SHORTLY AFTER BREAKING 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE...THE MILE…

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POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS..STARTED RANDOMLY BUT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE..CAN DRIVE APPROX. 1 MILE EACH TIME WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER ASSIST FAILS....DEALER INFORMS ME MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL...THIS STARTED HAPPENING SHORTLY AFTER BREAKING 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE...THE MILEAGE SEEMS TO BE CONCURRENT WITH MOST OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM..I AM LEARY OF DEALER REPAIRING THIS AS THEY TOLD ME TO CHECK MY POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT USE POWER STEERING FLUID.

NHTSA ODI #10863040

68,500 miles · Apr 14, 2016
Steering

TAKATA RECALL 2010 CHEVY HHR LOOSES POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED ON 4/8/2016 AND 4/13/2016. NHTSA ISSUED RECALL BULLETIN 14115B JULY 2014 BUT LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS IT DOES NOT AFFECT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE SINCE IT DOES NOT COME UP WHEN VIN IS SEARCHED.

NHTSA ODI #10855535

89,000 miles · Apr 10, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THIS VEHICLES SAFETY CHIMES CAN SHUT OFF CAUSING OWNER TO BE LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH KEYS STILL IN IGNITION. THIS OCCURS WHEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF OR WHEN PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING. SMALL OCCUPANTS AS INFANTS CHILDREN AND PETS COULD BE TRAPPED IN A FREEZING OR HOT CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS NO INTERIOR HATCHBACK DOOR OP…

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THIS VEHICLES SAFETY CHIMES CAN SHUT OFF CAUSING OWNER TO BE LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH KEYS STILL IN IGNITION. THIS OCCURS WHEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF OR WHEN PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING. SMALL OCCUPANTS AS INFANTS CHILDREN AND PETS COULD BE TRAPPED IN A FREEZING OR HOT CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS NO INTERIOR HATCHBACK DOOR OPENER AND CAN ESSENTIALLY PIN OCCUPANTS IN A ACCIDENT INTO THE VEHICLE IF FORWARD DOORS ARE DAMAGED DURING ACCIDENT. THE ONLY ESCAPE COMES FROM REMOVING PLASTIC HOUSING AND USING A SCREWDRIVER TO A HIDDEN LATCH INSIDE THE DOOR HOUSING.

NHTSA ODI #10854649

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.