IllustrationRear door locking system failure. Door opened suddenly and without warning while driving endangering occupants. The door locking mechanism will not allow the door to remain secure and closed when shut. Online search revealed many similar incidents occurring for other drivers.
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
340–25K
9425–50K
13950–75K
7575–100K
50100–150K
21150K+
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
21 reportsaBOUT 3 WEEEKS ago I went to exit my 2010 Chevrolet HHR ls and the drivers door handle broke off in my hand. This caused me to climb over to the passenger side to exit. After wards I realized that I could use the power windows to roll the window down to open door from outside. If in the case of a crash the power windows would …
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aBOUT 3 WEEEKS ago I went to exit my 2010 Chevrolet HHR ls and the drivers door handle broke off in my hand. This caused me to climb over to the passenger side to exit. After wards I realized that I could use the power windows to roll the window down to open door from outside. If in the case of a crash the power windows would not work thus trapping me and all of my occupants in the vehicle. I checked on the hhr owners web site and many owners complain it is a constant problem . Some carry extra in vehicle to combat the problem.
ON APRIL 25,2018, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY RT PASSENGER BACK DOOR OPENED, NO INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON DASH BOARD TO SHOW RT BACK DOOR AJARED... ON APRIL 19,2018 WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET RT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENED, NO INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH. BOTH RT FRONT AND BACK PASSENGER DOORS OPENED WITH IN FIVE DAYS APAR…
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ON APRIL 25,2018, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY RT PASSENGER BACK DOOR OPENED, NO INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON DASH BOARD TO SHOW RT BACK DOOR AJARED... ON APRIL 19,2018 WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET RT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPENED, NO INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH. BOTH RT FRONT AND BACK PASSENGER DOORS OPENED WITH IN FIVE DAYS APART WHILE DRIVING.I WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OLD. CAUSE: FAULTY LATCH SPRING LOADER A15 BODY & ELECTRICAL, 10470C LOCK, REPLACED RT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. I PURCHASED IT IN 2011AND THE PRESENT MILEAGE IS 17,000MI. I FEEL IF THE HATCH DOOR OPENS WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND MY WHEEL CHAIR ROLLS OUT A FATAL ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR. I FEEL THE MATERIAL USED IN THE LATCH SPRING LOADER AND DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY IS UNSAFE. PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AS WELL AS NOTIFYING OWNER.THANK U FOR YOUR HELP.
TWO OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE SNAPPED OFF AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. A MINOR FENDER BENDER COULD JAM THE DOORS AND THE HANDLES BE TOO WEAK TO OPEN THE DOOR MECHANISMS. IF A FIRE, OCCUPANTS WOULD PERISH. RECALL IN ORDER FOR ALL VEHICLES WITH PLASTIC INSIDE DOOR HANDLES. UPDATED 09/11/2017*JS
I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING SPACE, TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, STEPPED OUT WITH MY LEFT FOOT AND THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD, KNOCKING ME BACK INTO THE DRIVER SEAT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE, CHECKED THE GEAR AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS NOT IN PARK. RECENTLY WITHIN THE PAST 24 HOURS, I HAVE HAD …
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I PARKED MY CAR IN A PARKING SPACE, TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, STEPPED OUT WITH MY LEFT FOOT AND THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD, KNOCKING ME BACK INTO THE DRIVER SEAT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE, CHECKED THE GEAR AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS NOT IN PARK. RECENTLY WITHIN THE PAST 24 HOURS, I HAVE HAD INCONSISTENT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE. I WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH THEN SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT. AS I ENTERED THE TURN, MY DASH WARNING SOUNDED AND DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING." FROM THAT POINT, I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING INTERRUPTION. I BOUGHT POWER STEERING FLUID ONLY TO DISCOVER (AFTER CHECKING ONLINE FOR THE LOCATION OF MY POWER STEERING RESEVOIR) THAT I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THIS DISCOVERY LED ME TO THE 4 RECALLS SINCE THE MANUFACTURE OF MY VEHICLE... IGNITION FAILS AND POWER STEERING FAILS. I CHECKED MY VIN BUT IT COMES UP AS NO RECALLS ALTHOUGH MY CAR MEETS THE CRITERIA (2010 CHEVY HHR NON-TURBO). THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY TO TRANSPORT MY CHILD/FAMILY. HOWEVER I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IT IN ORDER TO MAKE MY LIVING. I WILL TAKE A PHOTO OF THE WARNING MESSAGE AND UPLOAD IT WHEN I GET ANOTHER... AS I AM POSITIVE I WILL GET ANOTHER FAULT WARNING ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2016... CURRENTLY THERE IS NO LIENHOLDER.
THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BEAK OFF - THERE HAVE BEEN TONS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. YOU CANNOT EXIT THE CAR FROM THE DOOR THE HANDLE HAS SNAPPED OFF WITHOUT EITHER GOING TO A DIFFERENT DOOR OR ROLLING DOWN WINDOW AND USING THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. 2 HANDLES HAVE BROKE NOW IN THE LAST YEAR.
ESC IS WHAT IT SAID ON THE DASH. IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING HAD CRAWLED AND WAS KEEPING THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING PROPERLY I LOOKED UP WHAT THE MEANING OF THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH AND IT SAID TRACTION CONTROL WARNING WHICH I HAD NO CLUE BUT WHEN I PULLED OVER WALKING AROUND THE CAR NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG THE ENTIRE CAR WAS SHA…
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ESC IS WHAT IT SAID ON THE DASH. IT SOUNDED AS IF SOMETHING HAD CRAWLED AND WAS KEEPING THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING PROPERLY I LOOKED UP WHAT THE MEANING OF THE MESSAGE ON THE DASH AND IT SAID TRACTION CONTROL WARNING WHICH I HAD NO CLUE BUT WHEN I PULLED OVER WALKING AROUND THE CAR NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG THE ENTIRE CAR WAS SHAKING IT WAS A SCARY EXPERIENCE AND THE CARS HAD TO GO AROUND ME. WHEN I RE-STARTED THE CAR THE MESSAGE WENT OFF AND THE CAR MOVED AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED.
THE PLASTIC, INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE PRONE TO BREAKING. I REPLACED FRONT, DRIVER'S-SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. THE FRONT, PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS NOW BROKEN. THIS IS MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE; IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, IT IS NECESSARY TO EITHER ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OPEN DOOR BY …
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THE PLASTIC, INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE PRONE TO BREAKING. I REPLACED FRONT, DRIVER'S-SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. THE FRONT, PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS NOW BROKEN. THIS IS MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE; IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, IT IS NECESSARY TO EITHER ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OPEN DOOR BY PULLING EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, OR ANOTHER OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE MUST EXIT THE VEHICLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, THIS COULD RESULT IN FURTHER INJURY OR DEATH TO OCCUPANT(S) BEING UNABLE TO QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA, BUT THERE ARE MANY SUCH CASES THAT CAN BE FOUND BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET. IN FACT, IT IS SUCH A COMMON OCCURANCE THAT DORMAN MANUFACTURING SELLS A REPLACEMENT DOOR HANDLE REPAIR KIT FOR THE CHEVROLET HHR BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS RIVETED TO THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL, AND CHEVROLET/GM WOULD OTHERWISE REQUIRE ENTIRE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $400, EXCLUDING LABOR. I PAID APPROXIMATELY $45 (SHIPPING INCLUDED) THROUGH AMAZON FOR DORMAN'S KIT. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE. NORMALLY ONE WOULD NOT OPEN DOORS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
MY CAR HAD GOT HIT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN I CRUNK MY CAR BACK UP MY HORN WAS OUT IT NEVER WORKED AGAIN AND ITS MAKING A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE
CAR ONLY HAS 54,168 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED 4 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A NUMBER OF MECHANICS AS WELL A DEALER BUT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE CAUSE OF IT IS. GROSSINGER CHEVY KEPT IT FOR 1 DAY CLAIMS TO NOT FIND ANYTHING BUT LIGHT STILL ON. TREMENDOUSLY CONCERNING.
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.