← New search

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

Electrical System complaints

119 reports
Clear category filter
57,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING, THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE FUEL PUMP FUSE WAS DISENGAGED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REP…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING, THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE FUEL PUMP FUSE WAS DISENGAGED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED EITHER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10418449

47,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Electrical System

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION IN 2010 HHR. COULD NOT TURN CAR OFF OR REMOVE KEY. HAD TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A NEW IGNITION PUT IN. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY GMC, BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS OR ISSUE RECALL. THE IGNITION SWITCHES THEY USE ARE DEFECTED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. SHOULD NOT FAIL ON NEW VEHICLES. COULD BE A DANGER …

Read full complaint

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION IN 2010 HHR. COULD NOT TURN CAR OFF OR REMOVE KEY. HAD TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A NEW IGNITION PUT IN. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY GMC, BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS OR ISSUE RECALL. THE IGNITION SWITCHES THEY USE ARE DEFECTED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. SHOULD NOT FAIL ON NEW VEHICLES. COULD BE A DANGER AND CAUSE HARM. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416530

28,092 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

BOUGHT A USED 2010 CHEVROLET HHR ON JULY 09, 2011 FROM A MAJOR DEALER. ON JULY 23,2011, DROVE TWO MILES TO SUPER MARKET. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. FINALLY HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE IGN…

Read full complaint

BOUGHT A USED 2010 CHEVROLET HHR ON JULY 09, 2011 FROM A MAJOR DEALER. ON JULY 23,2011, DROVE TWO MILES TO SUPER MARKET. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AND I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. FINALLY HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS BROKEN. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND WAS REPAIRED AT NO COST. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY WITH THIS CAR AND WOULD NO DOUBT HAPPEN AGAIN. GREAT TO KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, ONLY YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU WILL BE WHEN IT HAPPENS OR WHAT TIME OF DAY OR NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10415016

46,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE IGNITION INTERLOCK CYLINDER IN OUR 2010 CHEVROLET HHR FAILED AND THE KEY BECAME STUCK. WE WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OR TURN IT TO THE "OFF" POSITION. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE AND BATTERY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS ALSO DISABLED THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE. GM STATED THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND HAVE ISSU…

Read full complaint

THE IGNITION INTERLOCK CYLINDER IN OUR 2010 CHEVROLET HHR FAILED AND THE KEY BECAME STUCK. WE WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OR TURN IT TO THE "OFF" POSITION. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE AND BATTERY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS ALSO DISABLED THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE. GM STATED THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND HAVE ISSUED "ADVISORIES" BUT NO RECALL SO THE CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411559

40,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE KEY TO BECOME STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF BY REMOVING THE FUEL PUMP FUSE AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE IGNIT…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE KEY TO BECOME STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF BY REMOVING THE FUEL PUMP FUSE AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER CONFIRM THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10407016

40,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS WERE STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR TWO DAYS WHILE THE ENGINE STAYED ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING FOR TWO DAYS. ON THE SECOND DAY, THE CONTACT REMOVED A FUSE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS WERE STUCK IN THE IGNITION FOR TWO DAYS WHILE THE ENGINE STAYED ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING FOR TWO DAYS. ON THE SECOND DAY, THE CONTACT REMOVED A FUSE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10406835

277 miles · Apr 19, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ABNORMALLY AS THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JUMP WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SPORADIC FAILURE FOUR TIMES WHERE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, LUBRICATED THE HIGH SPEED …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ABNORMALLY AS THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JUMP WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SPORADIC FAILURE FOUR TIMES WHERE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, LUBRICATED THE HIGH SPEED LAND MODULAR CONNECTORS AND REPLACED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE, ALL TO NO AVAIL. THE FOURTH VISIT TO THE DEALER, PER THE MANUFACTURER, THE DEALER WAS ADVISED NOT TO PERFORM ANY FURTHER REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 277 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,345.

NHTSA ODI #10396827

46,000 miles · Apr 19, 2011
Electrical System

THE 2010 CHEVY HHR KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE SUV WAS RUNNING. WE WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY AT ALL. IT WAS VERY SCARY FOR US. THE SUV WAS TURNED ON AT 6:00 A.M. WE WERE FORCED TO LEAVE IT RUNNING UNTIL 8:30 A.M. WHEN THE DEALER SHIP OPENED. I HAD STOPPED TO PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I REALIZED THAT IT WO…

Read full complaint

THE 2010 CHEVY HHR KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHILE THE SUV WAS RUNNING. WE WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY AT ALL. IT WAS VERY SCARY FOR US. THE SUV WAS TURNED ON AT 6:00 A.M. WE WERE FORCED TO LEAVE IT RUNNING UNTIL 8:30 A.M. WHEN THE DEALER SHIP OPENED. I HAD STOPPED TO PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I REALIZED THAT IT WOULD NOT COME OUT. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHER HHR OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396788

470 miles · May 13, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 550. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 470.

NHTSA ODI #10330322

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.