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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.

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

What owners actually said

515 reports
63,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Steering

ON 03/30/2014 THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON MY HHR PANEL AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AT THAT TIME I COULD POWER OFF THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK FOR ONE TO TWO DAYS. WITHIN A WEEK OF THIS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT EACH TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN WITHIN 5 MINUTES OR LESS. IT OCCURS IF YOU A…

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ON 03/30/2014 THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON MY HHR PANEL AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AT THAT TIME I COULD POWER OFF THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK FOR ONE TO TWO DAYS. WITHIN A WEEK OF THIS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT EACH TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN WITHIN 5 MINUTES OR LESS. IT OCCURS IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT 5 MPH TO 65 MPH AND IF THE CAR IS COLD OR HOT. THIS IS BECOMING MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT REQUIRES EXTRA STRENGTH TO MANEUVER THE CAR SINCE NO POWER STEERING IS AVAILABLE. AT THIS TIME CHEVROLET HAS ANNOUNCED A RECALL ON 03/31 FOR THE 2010 HHR BUT NOTHING HAS SHOWN UP WHEN I PUT MY VIN NUMBER ON THEIR WEBSITE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT NOT HAVING POWER STEERING BUT WE NEED THE CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION. TODAY IS JUNE 5 AND THIS ISSUE OCCURS EVERY DAY AND NO RECALL NOTICE HAS HAPPENED WITH MY VIN. THE MILEAGE WAS ADJUSTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596467

29,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE NOT AT FAULT, AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ODI #10596020

58,409 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,409.

NHTSA ODI #10595983

59,444 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT ALL THERE WOULD BE A CHIME AND A MESSAGE ON THE DASH THEN MY POWER STEERING WOULD BE TOTALLY GONE, YOU HAVE ABOUT A 4 SECOND WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT REPAIRED, IT WAS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET DIRECTLY AFTER HAVING IT REPAIRED COMPLAINING THAT TH…

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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT ALL THERE WOULD BE A CHIME AND A MESSAGE ON THE DASH THEN MY POWER STEERING WOULD BE TOTALLY GONE, YOU HAVE ABOUT A 4 SECOND WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT REPAIRED, IT WAS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET DIRECTLY AFTER HAVING IT REPAIRED COMPLAINING THAT THIS VERY PROBLEM HAD BEEN RECALLED IN CANADA BUT NOT THE US. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE REPAIR RECEIPT (WHICH I DID) IN CASE THERE WAS A LATER RECALL. SO WHEN THE RECALL HAPPENED IN THE US MY VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED. IT WAS CLEARLY A FAULTY POWER STEERING MOTOR YET NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE OUT THERE THAT GM ISN'T RECALLING. IF MINE DONE IT THEN THERE ARE MORE OUT ON THE ROAD THAT THIS HAS EITHER HAPPENED TO ALREADY OR IT WILL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595878

77,985 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON DRY ASPHALT STREET AT ABOUT 28 MPH. THE BRAKES BEGAN APPLYING THEMSELVES VERY HARD OVER AND OVER AND OVER. MADE CAR BUCK AND NEARLY STOPPED ME DEAD IN TRAFFIC. DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER SAID "ESC ACTIVE". IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATING ITSELF FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I FORTUNATELY…

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DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON DRY ASPHALT STREET AT ABOUT 28 MPH. THE BRAKES BEGAN APPLYING THEMSELVES VERY HARD OVER AND OVER AND OVER. MADE CAR BUCK AND NEARLY STOPPED ME DEAD IN TRAFFIC. DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER SAID "ESC ACTIVE". IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATING ITSELF FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I FORTUNATELY KNOW WHERE THE ESC OFF SWITCH IS, PRESSED AND HELD IT IN UNTIL "ESC OFF" CAME UP ON THE MESSAGE CENTER. THIS HALTED THE ROGUE BRAKING. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY, A TOTAL LOSS OF WOULD SEEM LIKELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595858

80,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAD SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAD SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10595639

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR FOUR DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERS, BUT TO NO AVAIL DUE TO A LACK OF PART AVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR FOUR DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALERS, BUT TO NO AVAIL DUE TO A LACK OF PART AVAILABILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT COULD EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10595629

68,108 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Steering

AS I WAS DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE PROBLEM HAD DISAPPEARED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO A GMC DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR ASSIST MOTOR (RECALLED ON OTHER VIN …

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AS I WAS DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE PROBLEM HAD DISAPPEARED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO A GMC DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC MOTOR ASSIST MOTOR (RECALLED ON OTHER VIN NUMBERS). AND THEY CHARGED ME A HEFTY FEE FOR THE REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595582

196,236 miles · May 26, 2014
Steering

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY POWER STEERING SIGN CAME ON AND I HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING. AFTER PARKING AND LETTING MY CAR SIT WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR SEVERAL MILES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING SIGN CAME ON AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594136

37,500 miles · May 22, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND SAY SERVICE AIR BAGS. IT COMES AND GOES AND CAN BE RESET MANUALLY. HAD IT SERVICED AND IT HAD A BAD CONNECTOR. THE DEALERSHIP RE PINED THE CONNECTOR FOR $155.00 LABOR I FELT RIPPED OFF. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FALLS UNDER DIFFERENT CATEGORY THE RADIO NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593378

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.