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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
202,000 miles · Aug 1, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING MY 2010 CHEVY HHR, I HAD JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ENTERING THE SPEEDWAY FUEL STATION, MY STEERING JUST SEEMED TO LOCKUP ON ME AND A DASH ALERT FLASHED "SERVICE ESC" THEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER! IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY MAJOR TRAGEDY LIKE COLLIDING WITH A GAS PUMP OR ANOTHER VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO RUN IT INTO…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2010 CHEVY HHR, I HAD JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ENTERING THE SPEEDWAY FUEL STATION, MY STEERING JUST SEEMED TO LOCKUP ON ME AND A DASH ALERT FLASHED "SERVICE ESC" THEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER! IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY MAJOR TRAGEDY LIKE COLLIDING WITH A GAS PUMP OR ANOTHER VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO RUN IT INTO THE CURB I FELT LIKE MY ARMS WERE NEARLY RIPPED FROM THE SOCKETS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO MY HOME AND THE FOLLOWING DAY TOWED TO A MECHANIC. DISCOVERED THAT THE EXPERIENCE WAS NOT EXCLUSIVELY MINE, APPARENTLY SOME 444 OTHERS HAD AS WELL. I CHECKED FOR RECALL NOTICES WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALLS WERE CLOSED AND REPAIRS WERE DONE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BY WHOM, WHEN AND WHERE EXACTLY! IT OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT DONE PERMANENTLY NOR SATISFACTORILY AS I'M VERY SORE NOW, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!

NHTSA ODI #11241211

116,000 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD HOWEVER ALL THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AS LONG AS IT SAYS SERVICE AIRBAGS THE SYSTEM IS NOT ACTIVE NOR WORKING SO A CRASH IS GUARANTEED TO KILL YOU AND THE SEATBELT RETRACTION SYSTEM IS ALSO AFFECTED IT EXTENDS FINE BUT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IT WILL NOT LOCK E…

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AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD HOWEVER ALL THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AS LONG AS IT SAYS SERVICE AIRBAGS THE SYSTEM IS NOT ACTIVE NOR WORKING SO A CRASH IS GUARANTEED TO KILL YOU AND THE SEATBELT RETRACTION SYSTEM IS ALSO AFFECTED IT EXTENDS FINE BUT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IT WILL NOT LOCK EVEN UNDER HARD BRAKING THIS SAME PROBLEM EXISISTS SO IF IT WONT LOCK YOU WILL FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL ON YOUR FACE AND CHEST I HAVE MADE A CHEVY DEALER AWARE OF THIS BUT THEY SAID DONT WORRY THE SYSTEM WILL WORK FINE IGNORE THE SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MATTER SYSTEM HAS A FLAW IN IT AND GM WONT FIX IT

NHTSA ODI #11234336

110,000 miles · Jun 15, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT AT 8 YEARS OLD. JUST BEHIND PASSENGER DOOR. NEXT TO EXHAUST PIPE.

NHTSA ODI #11220317

173,000 miles · May 29, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

SERVICE AIR BAGS COMES ON SOMETIMES SAYING I NEED TO GET IT SERVICED ONLY COMES ON WHEN CAR HAS JUST BEEN STARTED . SOMETIMES GOS OUT SOMETIMES DON'T THEN SENDS SERVICE CODE ON MAIN DISPLAY. ALSO RADIO SHORTS OUT CAUSE DRIVER TO BE DISTRACTED TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPEN CHANGING FROM CD TO FM TO AUXILIARY ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI #11210532

115,000 miles · May 3, 2019
Steering

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING AT TIMES MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS A CHIME SOUNDS AND A MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS AND MAYBE EVEN THIS MODEL BUT FOR SOME REASON IT DOES NOT REGISTER FOR MY VIN . I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11205539

62,500 miles · Apr 13, 2019
Structure

THE DOOR HANDLE IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IT FAILS. THE PLASTIC CRACKS AND YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. MINE BROKE. WHAT IF SOMEONE GOT CAUGHT IN A FLASH FLOOD AND YOU LOSE POWER TO YOU WINDOW. YOU DIE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND GM ADDRESS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SSR. THEY REPLACE THE SSR HANDLES WITH ME…

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THE DOOR HANDLE IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND IT FAILS. THE PLASTIC CRACKS AND YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. MINE BROKE. WHAT IF SOMEONE GOT CAUGHT IN A FLASH FLOOD AND YOU LOSE POWER TO YOU WINDOW. YOU DIE. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND GM ADDRESS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SSR. THEY REPLACE THE SSR HANDLES WITH METAL. THERE ARE 40,000 MEMBERS ON THE HHR FORUM AND A LOT MORE CARS ON ROAD. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. IT'S SCARY THAT ONE PULL ON YOU DOOR HANDLE AND YOU CAN'T GET OUT UNLESS YOU OPEN THE WINDOW OR CRAWL OUT THE OTHER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11195967

62,500 miles · Apr 6, 2019
Structure

PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND CRACKED. ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO OPEN WINDOW AND USE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. IF THE WINDOW FAILS YOU NEED TO EXIT THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11194298

180,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT. THE CAR IS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD AND I GOT STUCK IN THE COUNTRY

NHTSA ODI #11194062

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2019
Steering

THE IGNITION IS LOCKING KEY IN. ALSO THIS IS CAUSING MY BATTERY TO DIE .

NHTSA ODI #11183649

92,000 miles · Nov 23, 2018
Service Brakes

I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT ON ALDI DR. AND ROUTE 48.WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN RUNNING THRU THE LIGHT STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 48 AFTER USING EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET STOPPED.IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDNT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.I DO HAVE A PA. CERTIFIED INSPECTION MECHANI…

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I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT ON ALDI DR. AND ROUTE 48.WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN RUNNING THRU THE LIGHT STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 48 AFTER USING EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET STOPPED.IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDNT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.I DO HAVE A PA. CERTIFIED INSPECTION MECHANICS LICENSE.I GOT OUT OF CAR AND SEEN BRAKE FLUID RUNNING OUT OF RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WITH 4 WAYS ON I BACKED CAR OFF OF ROUTE 48 INTO HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT AND CHECKED OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.I SEEN THE CALIBER BRAKE HOSE HANGING DOWN TOWARDS THE GROUND WITH FLUID RUNNING OUT.I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE ME HOME.WHEN GETTING AUTO HOME I JACKED RIGHT FRONT OF CAR UP AND PLACED JACK STAND UNDER CAR.THEN REMOVED R-FRONT WHEEL AND SEEN THE THAT THE METAL CLAMP HOLDING THE BRAKE HOSE TO THE CAR RUSTED AWAY ,IT WAS PAPER THIN RESULTING IN THE HOSE BLOWING OFF.WITH ABS AND A SINGLE MASTER CYLINDER IT WAS A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE! I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND THE WERE SORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED .I HAVE CHANGED BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES.THE BOTH HOSES WHERE UNDER $40.00 DOLLARS.THIS IS THE WORST BRAKE FAILURE THAT I HAVE SEEN IN MY LIFETIME! I AM IN MY 60S.I FILL THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO NO ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT VERY BAD .I WAS GOING ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND COULDNT STOP CAR.THE CHEVY COBALT AND HHR ARE ON THE SAME CHASSIS.I HAVE KEPT THE FAULTY BRAKE HOSE IF NEEDED IN THE FUTURE.I HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES CAN BE NOTIFIED SOMEHOW. IT WILL BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE TO STOP THESE VEHICLES WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT . THANK YOU (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11153273

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.