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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
7,520 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Electrical System

TURNED IGNITION KEY TO TURN OFF WOULD NOT SHUT OFF TOOK THE FUSE OUT TO TURN OFF ENGINE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH WARRANTY COVERED THE WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453972

6,099 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Electrical System

VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453969

24,988 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Electrical System

WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF REMOVED FUSES TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453964

4,486 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Electrical System

WENT TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF REMOVED FUSES TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE SWITCH AND IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453961

18,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FRONT SEAT DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND AND REAR SEAT PASSENGER BOTH SUFFERED MINOR HEAD INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10453841

37,000 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE IN ORDER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE IN ORDER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #10452162

50,000 miles · Mar 11, 2012
Steering

WHILE DRIVING APX. 25MPH THE WARNING "DING SOUND" CAME ON & THE DISPLAY READ "POWER STEERING". BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY OFF & TURNING IT BACK ON & PUTTING IN DRIVE, IT TEMPORARILY REMEDIES THE PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR LONG. SOMETIMES THIS HAS TO BE DONE 15-20 TIMES. THIS IS DRIVING IN TOWN OR INTERSTATE, IT…

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WHILE DRIVING APX. 25MPH THE WARNING "DING SOUND" CAME ON & THE DISPLAY READ "POWER STEERING". BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY OFF & TURNING IT BACK ON & PUTTING IN DRIVE, IT TEMPORARILY REMEDIES THE PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR LONG. SOMETIMES THIS HAS TO BE DONE 15-20 TIMES. THIS IS DRIVING IN TOWN OR INTERSTATE, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN JULY 30, 2011 WITH 45K MILES ON IT. EIGHT MONTHS LATER, WE STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I'VE SEEN MANY FORUMS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND FEEL THAT THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SOUNDS LIKE A MALFUNCTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SHOULD STEP UP AND RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY! *TR *JS

NHTSA ODI #10451111

8,000 miles · Mar 8, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WE WERE DRIVING OUR HHR ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY AND THE ECS CAME ON AND OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE UNTIL WE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE HHR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THIS WAS THE FIRST INDECENT. WE TOOK THE HHR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, THIS WORKED FOR ALMOST A YEAR BEFO…

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WE WERE DRIVING OUR HHR ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY AND THE ECS CAME ON AND OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE UNTIL WE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE HHR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THIS WAS THE FIRST INDECENT. WE TOOK THE HHR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, THIS WORKED FOR ALMOST A YEAR BEFORE IT STARTED DOING THIS AGAIN. WE HAVE ONCE AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE HHR, I ASKED THEM WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THE HHR IS UNSAFE WHEN THE ECS FAILS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO ANSWERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450736

2,553 miles · Feb 10, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

I WAS TURNING LEFT AT A DUEL LEFT TURN LANES, I WAS ON THE OUT SIDE, AS I TURNED AND ACCELERATED TO 35 THE BIG RED TRUCK ON THE INSIDE LANE CAME INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. AS I SAW THIS BIG RED TRUCK GOING ACROSS MY HOOD I TRIED TO STOP AND DOWN SHIFT WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SKIDDED AND THE CAR JERKED TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR AND T…

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I WAS TURNING LEFT AT A DUEL LEFT TURN LANES, I WAS ON THE OUT SIDE, AS I TURNED AND ACCELERATED TO 35 THE BIG RED TRUCK ON THE INSIDE LANE CAME INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. AS I SAW THIS BIG RED TRUCK GOING ACROSS MY HOOD I TRIED TO STOP AND DOWN SHIFT WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SKIDDED AND THE CAR JERKED TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR AND TRUCK MET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447464

56,000 miles · Jan 31, 2012
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I WAS AT WALMART MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I CALLED A CHEVY DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON 2010 JUST 2009. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT MY COST. TODAY JANUARY 31 MY KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH I'M FOR SURE IS DEFECTIVE PARTS ON GMS ACCOUNT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY OWNE…

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I WAS AT WALMART MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL. I CALLED A CHEVY DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A RECALL BUT NOT ON 2010 JUST 2009. I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT MY COST. TODAY JANUARY 31 MY KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH I'M FOR SURE IS DEFECTIVE PARTS ON GMS ACCOUNT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY OWNERS OF COMPLAINED ON ALL OVER GOOGLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10446081

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.