TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND TIGHTENED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Hhr years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Steering complaints
231 reportsTHE POWER STEERING ON MY 2010 CHEVY HHR FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO HIT ANOTHER DRIVER. CHEVY HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE COBALT AND THE HHR HAS MANY SIMILARITIES TO THE COBALT. I THINK A RECALL IS NEEDED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE MANY HHR OWNERS ARE HAVING ISSUES! PLEASE HELP US THE INNOCENT CONSUMER. *TR
IN THE LAST WEEK THE POWER STEERING HAS WENT OUT 5+ TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT ON CITY STREETS. I WILL BE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH THEN I WILL HERE A DINGING SOUND THEN LOOK AT THE DASH AND IT SAYS POWER STEERING. AFTER IT SAYS POWER STEERING THERE WILL BE A COMPLETE LOSS IN POWER STEERING ASSIST FROM THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THI…
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IN THE LAST WEEK THE POWER STEERING HAS WENT OUT 5+ TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT ON CITY STREETS. I WILL BE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH THEN I WILL HERE A DINGING SOUND THEN LOOK AT THE DASH AND IT SAYS POWER STEERING. AFTER IT SAYS POWER STEERING THERE WILL BE A COMPLETE LOSS IN POWER STEERING ASSIST FROM THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT COULD EASILY CAUSE A WRECK IF DRIVING AROUND A CURVE WHEN IT GOES OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,050…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,050. UPDATED 8/21/13 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. UPDATED 09/05/13
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I HEARD A DING DING I LOOK AT MY MESSAGE BOARD AND IT SAID POWER STEERING. I HAD A HARD TIME STEERING AND MAKING TURNS. I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND THE MESSAGE WENT A WAY AND I COULD STEER AGAIN. ABOUT 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD A DING DING AND IT WAS MY POWER STEERING LIGHT AGAI…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN I HEARD A DING DING I LOOK AT MY MESSAGE BOARD AND IT SAID POWER STEERING. I HAD A HARD TIME STEERING AND MAKING TURNS. I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND THE MESSAGE WENT A WAY AND I COULD STEER AGAIN. ABOUT 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD A DING DING AND IT WAS MY POWER STEERING LIGHT AGAIN I HAD A HARD TIME STEERING. LUCKILY I MAD IT HOME. I ONLY HAVE 73,000 AND NO POWER STEERING. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT DINGED AND I HAD BEEN MAKING A TURN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT NOT KNOWING WHY IT WENT OUT. I CAN DRIVE THE CAR FOR 1 OR 2 MILES AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT AND I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR FOR IT TO BE WORKING AGAIN BUT IM TOLD IT SOME TYPE OF MODULE THAT CONTROLS IT AND ITS NOT COVERE…
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WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT DINGED AND I HAD BEEN MAKING A TURN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT NOT KNOWING WHY IT WENT OUT. I CAN DRIVE THE CAR FOR 1 OR 2 MILES AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT AND I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR FOR IT TO BE WORKING AGAIN BUT IM TOLD IT SOME TYPE OF MODULE THAT CONTROLS IT AND ITS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. I THINK CHEVY NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED FOR A STEERING ISSUE . I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS. *TR
ENTERING A ROUNDABOUT AT ONLY 27MPH AND POWER STEERING QUIT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL MY CAR. ANY OTHER SITUATION AT HIGHER SPEED COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC . THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE COBALT MODEL GM BUT NOT THE HHR MODEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING I HEARD A 3 BEEP WARNING LOOKED DOWN AT THE DASH AND ON THE DISPLAY "POWER STEERING" WAS DISPLAYED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS 304 MILES OVER MY WARRANTY AND THAT THIS WAS NOT RECALLED. I WENT HOME AND STARTED TO DO RESEARCH AND TO MY SURPRISE…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING I HEARD A 3 BEEP WARNING LOOKED DOWN AT THE DASH AND ON THE DISPLAY "POWER STEERING" WAS DISPLAYED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS 304 MILES OVER MY WARRANTY AND THAT THIS WAS NOT RECALLED. I WENT HOME AND STARTED TO DO RESEARCH AND TO MY SURPRISE I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THEM ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS VERY SCARY FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD AND A 1 1/2 YEAR OLD. I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE A REASON FOR ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. CHEVY ISN'T HELPING ME IN ANYWAY, I NEED HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
BOUGHT USED 2010 CHEVY HHR IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2013 FROM A DEALER. SHORTLY AFTER THE 30 DAY WARRANTY IS OVER, MESSAGE LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING "POWER STEERING" THEN THE POWER STEERING TURNS OFF. I ALMOST CRASHED AS I WAS TURNING THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS! THE POWER STEERING IS RESTORED WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR. …
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BOUGHT USED 2010 CHEVY HHR IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2013 FROM A DEALER. SHORTLY AFTER THE 30 DAY WARRANTY IS OVER, MESSAGE LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH WHILE DRIVING "POWER STEERING" THEN THE POWER STEERING TURNS OFF. I ALMOST CRASHED AS I WAS TURNING THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS! THE POWER STEERING IS RESTORED WHEN YOU RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY ALL THE TIME, AT ANY SPEED AND SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES IN JUST A 10 MINUTE DRIVE. THE CAR IS HARD TO STEER WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF AND IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS! *TR
Official recalls
314V171000 · 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. 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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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