← 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

Steering complaints

231 reports
Clear category filter
37,362 miles · May 26, 2012
Steering

AS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE I59 THE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED AND THE POWER STEERING ERROR SHOWED ON THE DASH. POWER STEERING WAS LOST UNTIL AUTO WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. THIS IS COMING AND GOING AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459721

42,000 miles · May 9, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WHICH WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10457860

15,000 miles · Apr 25, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MODULE WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MODULE WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10456428

53,300 miles · Apr 20, 2012
Steering

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE DOING 65 MPH, POWER STEERING INDICATOR WENT OFF AND LOST MY POWER STEERING. SINCE THE FIRST TIME, IT CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING, SOMETIMES 1-2/DAY SOMETIMES TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT IN ONE TRIP. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455892

51,000 miles · Apr 16, 2012
Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING", AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED FOR A MINUTE, THEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE & WAS WORKING FINE. THEN FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING". NOW I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING", AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED FOR A MINUTE, THEN I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE & WAS WORKING FINE. THEN FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING". NOW I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE HHR & CHEVROLET COBALT HAVE THE SAME SIMILAR POWER STEERING SYSTEM, AND A RECALL FOR THE CHEVROLET COBALT HAS BEEN ISSUED. WHY NOT FOR THE CHEVROLET HHR? THANKS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455439

50,000 miles · Mar 11, 2012
Steering

WHILE DRIVING APX. 25MPH THE WARNING "DING SOUND" CAME ON & THE DISPLAY READ "POWER STEERING". BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY OFF & TURNING IT BACK ON & PUTTING IN DRIVE, IT TEMPORARILY REMEDIES THE PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR LONG. SOMETIMES THIS HAS TO BE DONE 15-20 TIMES. THIS IS DRIVING IN TOWN OR INTERSTATE, IT…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING APX. 25MPH THE WARNING "DING SOUND" CAME ON & THE DISPLAY READ "POWER STEERING". BY PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING THE KEY OFF & TURNING IT BACK ON & PUTTING IN DRIVE, IT TEMPORARILY REMEDIES THE PROBLEM BUT NOT FOR LONG. SOMETIMES THIS HAS TO BE DONE 15-20 TIMES. THIS IS DRIVING IN TOWN OR INTERSTATE, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN JULY 30, 2011 WITH 45K MILES ON IT. EIGHT MONTHS LATER, WE STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I'VE SEEN MANY FORUMS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND FEEL THAT THERE DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SOUNDS LIKE A MALFUNCTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SHOULD STEP UP AND RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY! *TR *JS

NHTSA ODI #10451111

42,215 miles · Jan 29, 2012
Steering

ON 1/13/2012 WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP, I LOST THE POWER STEERING TO MY HHR AND THE DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING". I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, TURNED IT OFF, AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF I COULD FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BELTS. NOTHING WAS FOUND AND I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. TWO WEEKS…

Read full complaint

ON 1/13/2012 WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP, I LOST THE POWER STEERING TO MY HHR AND THE DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING". I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, TURNED IT OFF, AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF I COULD FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BELTS. NOTHING WAS FOUND AND I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING IT WILL RESOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN ONCE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AGAIN. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IN THE HHR IS THE SAME MODEL NOTED IN THE RECALL FOR THE 2010 CHEVY COBOLT NOTED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10005. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET. WHILE I INTEND TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS CONSIDERED AS THE COLBOLT AND HHR SHARE THE SAME FRAME AND ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL IN SCHEMATIC MAKEUP. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445786

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

THE STARTER IS MESSED UP, IT WONT IGNITE BACK SO I CAN TURN MY CAR OFF. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AMD THEY DID NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445457

42,000 miles · Nov 13, 2011
Air BagsSteering

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AT 42,000 PURCHASED VEHICLE AT 38,500 MILES. VEHICLE IS ALL ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435422

23,972 miles · Nov 10, 2011
Steering

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET WHEN MY CAR STARTING BEEPING(WARNING CHIME) AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE NEXT SIDE STREET AND FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO. I FOUND I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF AND WAIT 30 SEC AND THE STEERING WOULD COME BACK, BUT WITHIN 3 MIN. I WOULD LOSE IT AGAIN AN…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET WHEN MY CAR STARTING BEEPING(WARNING CHIME) AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE NEXT SIDE STREET AND FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SO. I FOUND I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF AND WAIT 30 SEC AND THE STEERING WOULD COME BACK, BUT WITHIN 3 MIN. I WOULD LOSE IT AGAIN AND I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP REPEATING THE PROCESS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE STEERING IS UNSAFE IN THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435225

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.