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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
106,900 miles · Apr 30, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I 20 IN GEORGIA AND I THOUGHT MY TIRE BLEW OUT. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE TIRE IS FINE, THE RIM IS BENT UP LIKE SOMEONE BEAT IT WITH A HAMMER. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS, BUT IT WAS VIBRATING AND HUMMING ABOUT 2 DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH AND COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD ACCIDE…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN I 20 IN GEORGIA AND I THOUGHT MY TIRE BLEW OUT. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE TIRE IS FINE, THE RIM IS BENT UP LIKE SOMEONE BEAT IT WITH A HAMMER. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS, BUT IT WAS VIBRATING AND HUMMING ABOUT 2 DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH AND COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT IF TRAFFIC WAS HEAVIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713869

65,000 miles · Apr 28, 2015
Power Train

WIFE AND CHILDREN IN CAR ON HIGHWAY. SLOWED DOWN CAR IN TRAFFIC. ALL OF SUDDEN NO ACCELERATION AS ALL FORWARD GEARS PROVIDED NO POWER. CAR WOULD GO ONLY IN REVERSE. CAR WAS ON, JUST NO FORWARD POWER. ONSTAR FOUND NO TROUBLE CODES, MECHANIC SCANNER FOUND NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. FAMILY HAD TO BE RESCUED BY STATE HIGHWAY PATRO…

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WIFE AND CHILDREN IN CAR ON HIGHWAY. SLOWED DOWN CAR IN TRAFFIC. ALL OF SUDDEN NO ACCELERATION AS ALL FORWARD GEARS PROVIDED NO POWER. CAR WOULD GO ONLY IN REVERSE. CAR WAS ON, JUST NO FORWARD POWER. ONSTAR FOUND NO TROUBLE CODES, MECHANIC SCANNER FOUND NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. FAMILY HAD TO BE RESCUED BY STATE HIGHWAY PATROL AS CARE WAS BROKE DOWN IN MIDDLE LANE OF HIGHWAY WITH SEMI TRUCKS GOING 65MPH ON BOTH SIDES.SUSPECTED CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713468

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2015
Tires

FRONT TIRE STARTED BREAKING APART AT SEAM ON INSIDE OF TIRE LEAKING AIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712920

65,000 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Steering

POWER STEERING STOPS OPERATING AT ANY SPEED, BUT HAPPENED THIS TIME AT 50MPH IN A CURVE. CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE LANE AS A RESULT, BUT I MANAGED. THIS IS THE SAME SYMPTOM AS FOUND IN COBALT'S AND HHR'S IN CANADE. SAME PART NUMBERS INVOLVED, ETC... FOR SOME REASON THESE ARE NOT RECALLED ON US HH…

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POWER STEERING STOPS OPERATING AT ANY SPEED, BUT HAPPENED THIS TIME AT 50MPH IN A CURVE. CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE LANE AS A RESULT, BUT I MANAGED. THIS IS THE SAME SYMPTOM AS FOUND IN COBALT'S AND HHR'S IN CANADE. SAME PART NUMBERS INVOLVED, ETC... FOR SOME REASON THESE ARE NOT RECALLED ON US HHR'S. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706138

63,000 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Equipment Adaptive/mobilitySeat BeltsStructure

WHILE PUTTING ON NEW SEAT COVERS I NOTICED THE BOTTOM SEAT BELT SWIVEL ATTACHMENT TO THE CAR RUSTED. CHECKED BOTH FRONT SEATS AND THEY WERE BOTH CRUSTY RUSTED. THIS CAN'T BE GOOD. I HAVE PICTURES TO VERIFY MY FINDING. AWAITING YOUR REPLY. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705997

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2015
Service Brakes

I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS EVERY 6MONTHS AND THE TIRES WEAR UNEVEN. THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE IS LOOSE, AFTER THEY DID THE RECALL AND FIXED THE STEERING COLUMN THE VEHICLE STARED MESSING UP FROM LOUD NOISE TO VIBRATION IN THE PEDALS AND STEERING WHEEL. IF I WANT IT FIXED I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. ONLY HAD VEHICLE NOT EVEN 2 YEARS F…

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I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS EVERY 6MONTHS AND THE TIRES WEAR UNEVEN. THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE IS LOOSE, AFTER THEY DID THE RECALL AND FIXED THE STEERING COLUMN THE VEHICLE STARED MESSING UP FROM LOUD NOISE TO VIBRATION IN THE PEDALS AND STEERING WHEEL. IF I WANT IT FIXED I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. ONLY HAD VEHICLE NOT EVEN 2 YEARS FROM DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES. I WISH I NEVER GOT THIS VEHICLE AND DON'T RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN IT RAINS BECAUSE IT LOOSES TRACTION AND SLIDES CONSTANTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705140

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2015
Structure

BOTH FRONT DOOR HANDLES ON INSIDE BROKE OFF AND I ASKED THE DEALER TO FIX IT THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME ITS A DANGEROUS THING AND I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705138

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2015
Electrical System

ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT, REPLACED THE BULB. ABOUT 9 MONTHS AFTER THAT IT WENT OUT AGAIN, REPLACED IT. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER THAT IT WENT OUT AGAIN, REPLACED IT AGAIN. ABOUT A FEW MONTHS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN, REPLACED IT AGAIN. 3 WEEKS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN, REPLACED IT. ONE WEEK LATER IT WENT…

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ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO MY RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT, REPLACED THE BULB. ABOUT 9 MONTHS AFTER THAT IT WENT OUT AGAIN, REPLACED IT. ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER THAT IT WENT OUT AGAIN, REPLACED IT AGAIN. ABOUT A FEW MONTHS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN, REPLACED IT AGAIN. 3 WEEKS LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN, REPLACED IT. ONE WEEK LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN.... I HAVE NOT REPLACED IT YET BECAUSE THE LAST TIME MY HUSBAND SAID THAT THE LIGHT HOLDER IS MELTING. EACH TIME WE REPLACED THE BULB WE BOUGHT THE RECOMMENDED BULB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695339

120,000 miles · Mar 9, 2015
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED. THE DRIVER AND REAR SEAT PASSENGERS COULD ONLY EXIT THE VEHICLE BY RELEASING THE WINDOW AND ACCESSING THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED. THE DRIVER AND REAR SEAT PASSENGERS COULD ONLY EXIT THE VEHICLE BY RELEASING THE WINDOW AND ACCESSING THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10693027

68,300 miles · Mar 5, 2015
Steering

STARTED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT OF BUSINESS AFTER SHOPPING. "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE APPEARED IN DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. DROVE VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT; WAS NO POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING, MANUAL STEERING ONLY. CHECKED OWNER'S MANUAL, NO INFORMATION ABOUT STEERING SYSTEM, OTHER THAN CONTACT DEALER IF MSG APPEARED. DROVE V…

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STARTED VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT OF BUSINESS AFTER SHOPPING. "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE APPEARED IN DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. DROVE VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT; WAS NO POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING, MANUAL STEERING ONLY. CHECKED OWNER'S MANUAL, NO INFORMATION ABOUT STEERING SYSTEM, OTHER THAN CONTACT DEALER IF MSG APPEARED. DROVE VEHICLE HOME WITH MANUAL STEERING. DID RESEARCH ON NET AND FOUND THAT THE HHR (& SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS) HAD ELECTRIC MOTOR ASSIST FOR STEERING, AND GM HAD ISSUED A RECALL IN EARLY 2014 FOR THIS PROBLEM; COVERED WIDE VARIETY OF MODELS & YEARS, INCLUDING "SOME" 2010 HHR'S. CONTACTED DEALER, SAID BRING THE VEHICLE IN. STARTED VEHICLE, MESSAGE WAS GONE, POWER STEERING WORKED, BUT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ANYWAY. SERVICE WRITER WAS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. HE CHECKED THE VIN, SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL; SAID HE "COULD CONTACT GM ABOUT ANY PARTICIPATION IN THE COST OF THE REPAIR; MAY BE 10%, MAY BE 100%, BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE." HHR REMAINED AT DEALER OVERNIGHT;SVC WRITER CALLED NEXT DAY, SAID ELECTRIC MOTOR HAD DEFINITELY FAILED, IT WAS $346, AND GM WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF IT. I HAD DONE MORE RESEARCH ONLINE IN THE MEANTIME, AND THERE WERE SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE GM APPEARED TO BE VERY CONCILIATORY TO GETTING THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. MY QUESTION IS WHY GM WOULDN'T COVER ANY OF THIS COST, EVEN IF THIS PARTICULAR '10 HHR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE '10 HHR'S COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. A SECOND QUESTION WOULD BE HOW HARD THE SERVICE WRITER ACTUALLY TRIED TO CONTACT SOMEONE AT GM TO GET PARTICIPATION IN THE REPAIR COST. MY COMPLAINT THEN WOULD BE THAT GM HAS APPARENTLY DENIED TO COVER THE COST OF AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT PRODUCES A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD, EVEN THOUGH IT ACKNOWLEDGES THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES; AND I WOULD THINK THAT GM WOULD BE MORE CONCILIATORY IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692273

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.