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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

Service Brakes complaints

25 reports
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35,000 miles · Feb 8, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN THE 3YR/36,000MILE WARRANTY, THE ESC AND ANTILOCK TEMPORARILY WENT OUT WITH DASHBOARD NOTIFICATION. NO ESC PROBLEMS SINCE, SO IT WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE A POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT ONLY OCCURRED ONCE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AT 35,000 MILES. NOW, AT 40,000, THE PROBLEM HA…

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ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN THE 3YR/36,000MILE WARRANTY, THE ESC AND ANTILOCK TEMPORARILY WENT OUT WITH DASHBOARD NOTIFICATION. NO ESC PROBLEMS SINCE, SO IT WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE A POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT ONLY OCCURRED ONCE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD AT 35,000 MILES. NOW, AT 40,000, THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED SO THE POWER STEERING FAILS EVERY TRIP. THE CAR STEERS HARD WHEN THIS OCCURS, OBVIOUSLY. RESTARTING THE CAR RESOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563496

62,000 miles · May 14, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-SKID TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-SKID TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511955

50,000 miles · Apr 16, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

I HAVE HAD TWO ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND IT HAS MADE ME FEEL UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING IT. THE FIRST INVOLVES THE BRAKES. WHEN BRAKING AFTER DRIVING AT 45MPH OR MORE, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS SHAKING. I WAS TOLD THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. I DID AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. LAST MONTH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE…

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I HAVE HAD TWO ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND IT HAS MADE ME FEEL UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING IT. THE FIRST INVOLVES THE BRAKES. WHEN BRAKING AFTER DRIVING AT 45MPH OR MORE, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS SHAKING. I WAS TOLD THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. I DID AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. LAST MONTH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, IT WENT AWAY BUT SOON THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME TOO HARD TO TURN. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE POWER STEERING MODULE AS INDICATED BY THE DIAGNOSTICS TEST. ONCE THE CHANGE WAS DONE, THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR HAS BEEN CRAZY EVER SINCE. I HAVE YET TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AS NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH ALREADY. I AM UNHAPPY WITH THIS CAR AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYBODY. AFTER LOOKING IT UP, I SEE THAT MANY HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. IT IS VERY UNSAFE SINCE THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT WHILE DRIVING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508394

43,900 miles · Jan 31, 2013
Service Brakes

AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, STOPPING, AND PROCEEDING FORWARD I ATTEMPTED TO AGAIN APPLY THE BRAKE AFTER ABOUT 150 FEET OF MOVING FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING APPLIED AT ALL. IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE EVEN WHEN APPLYING MUCH ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL. IT FELT LIKE THE ABS WAS PREVEN…

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AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, STOPPING, AND PROCEEDING FORWARD I ATTEMPTED TO AGAIN APPLY THE BRAKE AFTER ABOUT 150 FEET OF MOVING FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING APPLIED AT ALL. IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE EVEN WHEN APPLYING MUCH ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL. IT FELT LIKE THE ABS WAS PREVENTING THE BRAKES FROM WORKING AS I COASTED TO A STOP. AFTER A BRIEF AMOUNT OF TIME THE BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK NORMALLY. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A NUMBER OF HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495334

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

ON APPROXIMATELY MARCH 26 2012 AT NIGHT ON A TRIP FROM PHOENIX AZ TO RENO NV MY VEHICLE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS WENT OUT, I DROVE FROM KINGMAN AZ TO INDIAN SPRINGS NV WITH JUST MY HIGHBEAMS AFTER STOPPING IN INDIAN SPRINGS AND TRYING EVERY KNOB AND SWITCH IN THE VEHICLE THE FRONT LOW BEAMS CAME ON. THEN IN THE MONTH OF APRIL …

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ON APPROXIMATELY MARCH 26 2012 AT NIGHT ON A TRIP FROM PHOENIX AZ TO RENO NV MY VEHICLE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS WENT OUT, I DROVE FROM KINGMAN AZ TO INDIAN SPRINGS NV WITH JUST MY HIGHBEAMS AFTER STOPPING IN INDIAN SPRINGS AND TRYING EVERY KNOB AND SWITCH IN THE VEHICLE THE FRONT LOW BEAMS CAME ON. THEN IN THE MONTH OF APRIL THE LOW BEAMS WENT OUT ALL TOGETHER AND AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP FOR 2 DAYS IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RELAY PROBLEM AND REPAIR WAS MADE AND I HAD LOW BEAMS AGAIN, BUT NOW THE HORN DOESN'T FUNCTION AND AFTER BEING PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE I WAS ADVISED THAT MY TAILLIGHTS ARE OUT. BOTH PROBLEMS POSSIBLY RELATED TO A FUSE OR RELAY PROBLEM BUT I HAVEN'T HAD IT IN THE SHOP YET. NOW WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEH IN SEPTEMBER OF 2011 I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER TO A STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY. HAD A BRAKE JOB DONE IN MARCH AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED. HAD THEM REPAIRED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY JUNE 1ST WHEN THE SHUTTERING/VIBRATING STARTED UP AGAIN AND THE SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY AT THAT. I AM REALLY CONCERNED WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THAT SOMETHING MAY BREAK LOSE WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET MANY COMPLAINTS FROM CHEVROLET HHR (DIFFERENT YEAR MODELS) OWNERS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND THAT AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES WORKED ON THAT THE VIBRATING/SHUTTERING COMES BACK WITHIN 3 MONTHS. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461219

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.