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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
39,980 miles · May 8, 2012
Electrical System

I RETURNED FROM THE GROCERY STORE AND MY KEY COULDN'T SWITCH OFF THE IGNITION OR BE WITHDRAWN. THE CAR WAS RUNNING WHILE I DID SOME RESEARCH AND TRIED OUT THE PLUNGER RELEASE THAT WORKED FOR OTHERS. I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUNGER TO RELEASE THE LOCK IS WORKING PROPERLY, SO IT MUST BE THE IGNITION LOCK ITSELF THAT IS DEFECTIVE. I …

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I RETURNED FROM THE GROCERY STORE AND MY KEY COULDN'T SWITCH OFF THE IGNITION OR BE WITHDRAWN. THE CAR WAS RUNNING WHILE I DID SOME RESEARCH AND TRIED OUT THE PLUNGER RELEASE THAT WORKED FOR OTHERS. I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUNGER TO RELEASE THE LOCK IS WORKING PROPERLY, SO IT MUST BE THE IGNITION LOCK ITSELF THAT IS DEFECTIVE. I FOUND THE FUSE BLOCK AND LOCATED THE FUEL PUMP FUSE AND PULLED IT TO STALL THE ENGINE. THE IGNITION IS STILL ON, BUT SINCE IT'S 9PM, I'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW BEFORE I CAN GET IT CHECKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457836

15,000 miles · Apr 25, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MODULE WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MODULE WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10456428

53,300 miles · Apr 20, 2012
Steering

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE DOING 65 MPH, POWER STEERING INDICATOR WENT OFF AND LOST MY POWER STEERING. SINCE THE FIRST TIME, IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING, SOMETIMES 1-2/DAY SOMETIMES TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT IN ONE TRIP. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455892

51,000 miles · Apr 16, 2012
Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING", AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED FOR A MINUTE, THEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE & WAS WORKING FINE. THEN FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING". NOW I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND…

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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING", AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED FOR A MINUTE, THEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE & WAS WORKING FINE. THEN FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING". NOW I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE HHR & CHEVROLET COBALT HAVE THE SAME SIMILAR POWER STEERING SYSTEM, AND A RECALL FOR THE CHEVROLET COBALT HAS BEEN ISSUED. WHY NOT FOR THE CHEVROLET HHR? THANKS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455439

34,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTISTATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED WHILE INSIDE THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONECT THE FUEL PUMP FUSE FROM THE FUEL BOX IN ORDER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTISTATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE TURNED WHILE INSIDE THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONECT THE FUEL PUMP FUSE FROM THE FUEL BOX IN ORDER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10454554

46,000 miles · Apr 5, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10454239

2,989 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Electrical System

TURNED IGNITION KEY TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. REMOVED THE FUSE THAN LATER TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ALL COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454081

10,882 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Electrical System

TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO SHUT ENGINE OFF ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. REMOVED THE FUSE AND LATER TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ALL WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454079

10,361 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Electrical System

TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING REMOVED THE FUSE AND LATER TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ALL WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454078

10,726 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Electrical System

WENT TO TURN IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF PULLED FUSE. TOOK VEHICLE THE THE DEALER SHIP REPLACED IGNITION LOCK WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454072

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.