NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
515 reports42,215 miles · Jan 29, 2012
Steering
ON 1/13/2012 WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP, I LOST THE POWER STEERING TO MY HHR AND THE DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING". I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, TURNED IT OFF, AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF I COULD FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BELTS. NOTHING WAS FOUND AND I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. TWO WEEKS…
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ON 1/13/2012 WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP, I LOST THE POWER STEERING TO MY HHR AND THE DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING". I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, TURNED IT OFF, AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF I COULD FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BELTS. NOTHING WAS FOUND AND I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN ONCE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AGAIN. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IN THE HHR IS THE SAME MODEL NOTED IN THE RECALL FOR THE 2010 CHEVY COBOLT NOTED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10005. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. WHILE I INTEND TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS CONSIDERED AS THE COLBOLT AND HHR SHARE THE SAME FRAME AND ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL IN SCHEMATIC MAKEUP. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10445786
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
THE STARTER IS MESSED UP, IT WONT IGNITE BACK SO I CAN TURN MY CAR OFF. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AMD THEY DID NOTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10445457
39,000 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION OR REMOVE THE KEY. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUEL FUSES AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION OR REMOVE THE KEY. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUEL FUSES AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 39,000.
NHTSA ODI #10444851
19,060 miles · Dec 27, 2011
Electrical System
2010 CHEVROLET HHR WITH 19,060 MILES. IGNITION WAS STUCK IN ON POSITION WITH ENGINE RUNNING. DROVE TO DEALERSHIP AND THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. I WAS OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN ONE HOUR AND THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441339
47,000 miles · Dec 19, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10440428
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
MY 2010 HHR HAS EXPERIENCED AN IGNITION ISSUE AS WELL. I CANNOT GET THE KEY TO TURN BACK TO THE OFF POSITION. I GOT HOME FROM WORK AT MIDNIGHT, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WHEN I TRIED TO SHUT THE CAR OFF IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK. THE ONLY OPTION I HAD WAS TO PULL THE ECM FUSE AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (OR LET IT RUN OUT OF GAS). THE…
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MY 2010 HHR HAS EXPERIENCED AN IGNITION ISSUE AS WELL. I CANNOT GET THE KEY TO TURN BACK TO THE OFF POSITION. I GOT HOME FROM WORK AT MIDNIGHT, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND WHEN I TRIED TO SHUT THE CAR OFF IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK. THE ONLY OPTION I HAD WAS TO PULL THE ECM FUSE AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (OR LET IT RUN OUT OF GAS). THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL ALLOW ME TO SHIFT BETWEEN ALL GEARS BUT IT WON'T TURN OFF. ALL THE ELECTRICAL STAY ON, I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR 3 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10438958
44,000 miles · Nov 21, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
MY 2010 CHEVY HHR HAS EXPERIENCED AN IGNITION ISSUE. THE KEY, WHEN THE CAR IS SET TO PARK, WILL NOT DISENGAGE. IT REMAINS ON, WITH THE ONLY OPTION BEING TO LET THE CAR RUN OUT OF GAS/THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE KEY WILL TURN (AS IF TO START THE CAR), AND THE GEAR CAN BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, ETC., BUT WILL NOT TUR…
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MY 2010 CHEVY HHR HAS EXPERIENCED AN IGNITION ISSUE. THE KEY, WHEN THE CAR IS SET TO PARK, WILL NOT DISENGAGE. IT REMAINS ON, WITH THE ONLY OPTION BEING TO LET THE CAR RUN OUT OF GAS/THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE KEY WILL TURN (AS IF TO START THE CAR), AND THE GEAR CAN BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, ETC., BUT WILL NOT TURN OFF. ALL SYSTEMS STAY ON, POTENTIALLY BURNING OUT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OR CAUSING PERMANENT ENGINE DAMAGE. THE ONLY WAY TO SAFELY ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE IS TO DISENGAGE THE FUSES UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH MANY CONSUMERS MAY BE UNABLE TO DO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436550
42,000 miles · Nov 13, 2011
Air BagsSteering
POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT 42,000 PURCHASED VEHICLE AT 38,500 MILES. VEHICLE IS ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435422
23,972 miles · Nov 10, 2011
Steering
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET WHEN MY CAR STARTING BEEPING(WARNING CHIME) AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE NEXT SIDE STREET AND FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO. I FOUND I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF AND WAIT 30 SEC AND THE STEERING WOULD COME BACK, BUT WITHIN 3 MIN. I WOULD LOSE IT AGAIN AN…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET WHEN MY CAR STARTING BEEPING(WARNING CHIME) AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE NEXT SIDE STREET AND FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO. I FOUND I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF AND WAIT 30 SEC AND THE STEERING WOULD COME BACK, BUT WITHIN 3 MIN. I WOULD LOSE IT AGAIN AND I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP REPEATING THE PROCESS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE STEERING IS UNSAFE IN THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435225
17,000 miles · Oct 26, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED TO LET THE VEHICLE RUN OUT OF GAS AND THEN HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED TO LET THE VEHICLE RUN OUT OF GAS AND THEN HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALER WITH A SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA ODI #10432854
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
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.
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. GMs 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. GMs 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. GMs 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 ↗
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