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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.

About this comparison →

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
43,900 miles · Jan 31, 2013
Service Brakes

AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, STOPPING, AND PROCEEDING FORWARD I ATTEMPTED TO AGAIN APPLY THE BRAKE AFTER ABOUT 150 FEET OF MOVING FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING APPLIED AT ALL. IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE EVEN WHEN APPLYING MUCH ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL. IT FELT LIKE THE ABS WAS PREVEN…

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AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, STOPPING, AND PROCEEDING FORWARD I ATTEMPTED TO AGAIN APPLY THE BRAKE AFTER ABOUT 150 FEET OF MOVING FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING APPLIED AT ALL. IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE EVEN WHEN APPLYING MUCH ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL. IT FELT LIKE THE ABS WAS PREVENTING THE BRAKES FROM WORKING AS I COASTED TO A STOP. AFTER A BRIEF AMOUNT OF TIME THE BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK NORMALLY. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A NUMBER OF HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495334

50,000 miles · Jan 28, 2013
Power TrainSteering

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN DUE TO POWER STEERING. LIGHT CAME ON, MANUAL SAYS TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART AND IT WILL CLEAR LIGHT. HOWEVER, WHEN REACHING SPEED OF 40MPH THE POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN HARD TO TURN. AGAIN LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND GET OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AN…

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VEHICLE SHUT DOWN DUE TO POWER STEERING. LIGHT CAME ON, MANUAL SAYS TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART AND IT WILL CLEAR LIGHT. HOWEVER, WHEN REACHING SPEED OF 40MPH THE POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN HARD TO TURN. AGAIN LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND GET OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND THE POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING. UPON THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED, ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK, IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE AND GET IT OFF THE ROADWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDS POWER STEERING REPAIR. COSTING $365.00. WHAT A COSTLY REPAIR ON A NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD OLDER VEHICLES THAT NEVER HAD THE POWER STEERING NEEDING REPAIR. ALSO ASK THAT TRANSMISSION BE CHECKED AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED BY GM/ CHEVROLET. TRANSMISSION IS STILL SLIPPING WHEN TRYING TO GET ON FREEWAY. WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SOUND LIKE IT IS SLIPPING INTO ANOTHER GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494936

19,850 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SUDDENLY THE WARNING CHIME DINGS AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING" FLASHES ON THE DRIVERS INFORMATION CONSOLE. AT THAT SAME MOMENT THERE IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AND IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL WHEN PARKING. IT C…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SUDDENLY THE WARNING CHIME DINGS AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING" FLASHES ON THE DRIVERS INFORMATION CONSOLE. AT THAT SAME MOMENT THERE IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AND IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL WHEN PARKING. IT CAN BE RESET BY STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING RETURNS AND RANDOMLY FAILS AGAIN. IT MAY OCCUR AGAIN IN A FEW MINUTES,MILES OR WAIT TIL YOUR NEXT TRIP. NOW INTERMITTENTLY OCCURRING ON A DAILY BASIS. VEHICLE IS NOW SCHEDULED TO HAVE A CHEVROLET DEALER SERVICE THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493138

46,000 miles · Jan 11, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10492285

55,000 miles · Dec 27, 2012
Air Bags

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON, HAD IT FIXED IN OCTOBER 2012, AFTER ARGUING WITH THE DEALER THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. 2 MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT IS BACK ON. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

NHTSA ODI #10490209

45,588 miles · Dec 22, 2012
Steering

SLOW SPEED MADE U TURN POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON HARD TO STEER,TOOK TO A REPAIR SHOP NEAR BY THEY CAME BACK AND TOLD ME ELECTRIC MOTOR NEEDS REPLACED, VEHICLE ONLY HAS 45500 MILES ON IT.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489545

37,500 miles · Dec 17, 2012
Steering

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT TWICE OVER THE PAST WEEKEND. THE FIRST TIME IN A PARKING STRUCTURE WHILE TRYING TO TURN INTO A TIGHT SPOT. LATER WILL DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION EACH TIME AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. NOBODY WAS HURT IN EITHER EVENT, BUT …

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ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT TWICE OVER THE PAST WEEKEND. THE FIRST TIME IN A PARKING STRUCTURE WHILE TRYING TO TURN INTO A TIGHT SPOT. LATER WILL DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION EACH TIME AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. NOBODY WAS HURT IN EITHER EVENT, BUT WITH SNOW COMING TO THE MIDWEST I FEAR WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED ON A SNOW-COVERED ROAD. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND THAT GM REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL DESPITE A RECALL IN CANADA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489034

51,600 miles · Dec 9, 2012
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING MY TURN THE POWERSTEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2010 CHEVY HHR .THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES NOW,THE CHIME WOULD SOUND AND POWER STEERING SHOWED IN THE DASHBOARD AND AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR IT SEEMED OKAY .I SEE THERE IS ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BEFORE SOMEONE IS K…

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WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING MY TURN THE POWERSTEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2010 CHEVY HHR .THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES NOW,THE CHIME WOULD SOUND AND POWER STEERING SHOWED IN THE DASHBOARD AND AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR IT SEEMED OKAY .I SEE THERE IS ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE IT IS VERY HARD TO COMPLETE A TURN WITH NO POWER STEERING AND YOU JUST DON'T EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN WHICH IS MORE SCARIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487776

502,325 miles · Dec 7, 2012
Steering

I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 29 OTHER NOTED COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, HAVE HAD. POWER STEERING WORKS FINE ONE MINUTE THEN WARNING CHIME SOUNDS, POWER STEERING MSG. APPEARS AT THE SAME TIME STEERING GOES OUT. I HAVE TO RESET IT BY TURNING OFF AND ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. SOME TIMES IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES IN A DAY,…

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I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 29 OTHER NOTED COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, HAVE HAD. POWER STEERING WORKS FINE ONE MINUTE THEN WARNING CHIME SOUNDS, POWER STEERING MSG. APPEARS AT THE SAME TIME STEERING GOES OUT. I HAVE TO RESET IT BY TURNING OFF AND ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. SOME TIMES IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES IN A DAY, TO NOTHING FOR A FEW MONTHS. I WAS KINDA HOPING THE PROBLEM FIXED ITSELF, BUT HAH, WISHFUL THINKING ON MY PART, CAUSE IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS RECALLED?? I REALLY LIKE THE CAR OTHERWISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487717

40,000 miles · Nov 29, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. .....UPDATED 01/14/13 *BF UPDATED 01/17/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10486434

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.