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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

Electrical System complaints

119 reports
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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

45,000 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEYS BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEYS BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10427148

23,968 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Electrical System

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE "ON" POSITION AND THERE IS NO WAY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF UNLESS YOU PULL THE FUEL PUMP FUSE OR DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426385

44,000 miles · Sep 19, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO STOP THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10426298

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2011
Electrical SystemTires

I WENT TO TURN OF MY CAR AFTER TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK, AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR 5 HRS AT THE REPAIR SHOP TILL THEY OPENED. THIS REPAIR COST ME $452.00 WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION WAS BAD AND THE HOUSING THAT THE TUMLERS SET IN WAS BAD. THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND AFTER ABOUT 2 MIN WILL G…

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I WENT TO TURN OF MY CAR AFTER TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK, AND THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD TO SIT IN MY CAR FOR 5 HRS AT THE REPAIR SHOP TILL THEY OPENED. THIS REPAIR COST ME $452.00 WAS TOLD THAT THE IGNITION WAS BAD AND THE HOUSING THAT THE TUMLERS SET IN WAS BAD. THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND AFTER ABOUT 2 MIN WILL GO OFF. TIRE MONITOR FOR TIRE PRESSURE COMES ON AND GOES OFF NOW IT IS OFF FOR THE LEFT REAR TIRE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10425543

37,000 miles · Sep 5, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION, CAN NOT TURN OFF VEHICLE, HAVE TO DISCONNECT FUEL PUMP POWER AND THEN DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE BATTERY. MFG KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING WITH OUT CHARGING LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY. I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE NOT SEEN THIS PROBLEM EVER. I WANT TO SEE A RE…

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THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION, CAN NOT TURN OFF VEHICLE, HAVE TO DISCONNECT FUEL PUMP POWER AND THEN DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE BATTERY. MFG KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING WITH OUT CHARGING LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY. I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE NOT SEEN THIS PROBLEM EVER. I WANT TO SEE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423797

50,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE BATTERY AND A FUSE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER WHICH WOULD …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE BATTERY AND A FUSE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER WHICH WOULD COST $240. THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10420101

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.