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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
98,000 miles · Mar 25, 2016
Unknown Or Other

DOOR HANDLES BREAK EASILY AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE EACH AND DRIVERS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ALSO OPENING REAR DOORS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR DOES NOT LOCK ANY LONGER AND YOU CAN NOT GET OUT THE DOOR WITHOUT FIGHTING WITH THE LOCK ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE YOU HAVE TO JERK THE DOOR …

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DOOR HANDLES BREAK EASILY AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE EACH AND DRIVERS HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. ALSO OPENING REAR DOORS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR DOES NOT LOCK ANY LONGER AND YOU CAN NOT GET OUT THE DOOR WITHOUT FIGHTING WITH THE LOCK ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE YOU HAVE TO JERK THE DOOR FORWARD AND SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. YOU CANNOT OPEN IT FROM INSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10851714

116,687 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Steering

MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR BAD POWER STEERING MOTOR AND IT HAS BROKE AGAIN AND DEALER WANTS ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS I WAS JUST DRIVING TO WORK THAT MORNING AND THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN AND NO WARNING LIGHTS THE LASTIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR HAD 84,117 MILES

NHTSA ODI #10849590

Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR ASSIST SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I START THE CAR AND WITHIN 2 MINUTES THE CAR IS SAYING THAT THE EPS IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND STEERING THE CAR BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. ALL THE TIME. VERY UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED ESPECIALLY TURNING. I WOULD LIKE MY CAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10839077

81,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Structure

THE DOORS COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10838492

161,100 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Steering

STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP. CAR IS VERY,VERY,VERY HARD TO STEER. POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT ANY TIME AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED ,02/15/2016, AND COMPLAINED ABOUT POWER STEERING LOCK UP.

NHTSA ODI #10837587

80,000 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE VIN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10837536

55,000 miles · Feb 15, 2016
Unknown Or Other

KEY FOB IS INOPERABLE EXCEPT FOR THE LOCATE CAR OPTION. UNABLE TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOORS OR ARM SECURITY SYSTEM. GOT A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT THAT MIGHT FIX IT, BUT IT'S STILL INOPERABLE. THIS CAR IS BARELY 6 YEARS OLD AND IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS CAR THAT WAS RATED WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST SAFETY RATIN…

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KEY FOB IS INOPERABLE EXCEPT FOR THE LOCATE CAR OPTION. UNABLE TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOORS OR ARM SECURITY SYSTEM. GOT A NEW BATTERY AND THOUGHT THAT MIGHT FIX IT, BUT IT'S STILL INOPERABLE. THIS CAR IS BARELY 6 YEARS OLD AND IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THIS CAR THAT WAS RATED WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST SAFETY RATINGS FOR IT'S TYPE AND THAT IS WHY I PURCHASED IT. NOW I CANNOT EVEN ARM THE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE TO SAFEGUARD MY CAR AND ANYTHING IN IT. WINDOWS DON'T ROLL DOWN, DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT REPORTING THE CORRECT INFORMATION, THE STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND THE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10826104

70,000 miles · Feb 14, 2016
Steering

STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING IN PLACE AS IT SHOULD WHEN YOU PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY, BUT THEN THE STEERING REMAINS LOCKED WHEN YOU INSERT THE KEY AND ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR. THE WHEELS ARE NOT IN A TURNED POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN IT'S APPROPRIATE POSITION. IT TAKES WIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL AS M…

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STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING IN PLACE AS IT SHOULD WHEN YOU PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY, BUT THEN THE STEERING REMAINS LOCKED WHEN YOU INSERT THE KEY AND ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE CAR. THE WHEELS ARE NOT IN A TURNED POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN IT'S APPROPRIATE POSITION. IT TAKES WIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL AS MUCH AS YOU CAN UNTIL THE KEY CATCHES TO GET IT TO START. THE KEY WILL COMPLETELY TURN TO THE "ON" POSITION, BUT IF THAT STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED THERE IS NO CONNECTION AND THE STEERING MUST BE WIGGLED UNTIL THE KEY ENGAGES. ALSO, THE STEERING DOES NOT RESPOND AS WELL AS IT DID BEFORE THE 1ST RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT FEELS AS IF THE WHEELS ARE NOT RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY WHEN I AM DRIVING. IT'S HARDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND STAY IN MY LANE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL ON THE STEERING THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED BUT IT IS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #10826100

48,000 miles · Feb 14, 2016
Structure

BOTH INSIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF BEFORE THE CAR WAS 2 YEARS OLD. I AM DISABLED AND WITH THE OTHER PROBLEMS I AM REPORTING THAT ARE RELATED TO THIS CAR, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT WOULD TRAP ME IN THE CAR IF THERE WERE EVER AN ACCIDENT. WITH THE WINDOWS NOT BEING ABLE TO BE ROLLED DOWN FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONT…

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BOTH INSIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF BEFORE THE CAR WAS 2 YEARS OLD. I AM DISABLED AND WITH THE OTHER PROBLEMS I AM REPORTING THAT ARE RELATED TO THIS CAR, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT WOULD TRAP ME IN THE CAR IF THERE WERE EVER AN ACCIDENT. WITH THE WINDOWS NOT BEING ABLE TO BE ROLLED DOWN FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE TWO FRONT DOORS IF YOU DON'T HAVE SMALL ENOUGH FINGERS TO REACH INSIDE THE DOOR AND UNLATCH THE MECHANISM. EVERYONE I HAVE SPOKEN WHO HAS AN HHR ARE ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10826099

44,000 miles · Feb 14, 2016
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

POWER WINDOWS: UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN ANY WINDOW EXCEPT THE DRIVER SIDE USING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DOOR HANDLES BREAKING OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD, MAKES IT A SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE WINDOWS. I AM ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS UP WHEN USING THE…

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POWER WINDOWS: UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN ANY WINDOW EXCEPT THE DRIVER SIDE USING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. THIS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DOOR HANDLES BREAKING OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD, MAKES IT A SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE WINDOWS. I AM ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS UP WHEN USING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL BUTTON, JUST UNABLE TO ROLL THEM DOWN. THIS STARTED OUT WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW NOT WORKING, THEN WENT TO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND NOW THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW CAN ONLY BE LOWERED BY LOCKING THEN UNLOCKING THE WINDOW AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE WINDOW SWITCH AT AN ANGLE. IF I NEEDED TO GET MY SERVICE DOG OUT OF THE BACK SEAT AND WAS UNABLE TO USE THE DOOR, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOWER THE WINDOW WITHOUT EFFORT. THIS PUTS HER LIFE OR THE LIFE OF A HUMAN WHO MAY BE PRESENT IN THE BACK SEAT AT SERIOUS RISK. THIS SLOWLY STARTED A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND HAS ESCALATED. THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, RIVERSIDE CHEVY IN ROME, GEORGIA, IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THE COST IS TOO MUCH FOR MY DISABILITY INCOME TO COVER.

NHTSA ODI #10826097

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.