IllustrationSTEERING WENT OUT ALL AT ONCE WHILE ROUNDING CURVES BECAME HARD TO KEEP FROM WRECKING OR TO MOVE TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. *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
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
What owners actually said
515 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. ...UPDATED 03/07/14 *BF
ON NOV. 26 ,2013 I WAS TURNING CAR AROUND IN A LOT AT 1 MPH AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND DASH LIGHT CAME ON POWER STEERING. I DROVE HIGHWAY FOR 5 MILES TO A GARAGE WITH STEERING DIFFICULTY TO GET IT CHECKED, TURNED MOTOR OFF. MECHANIC SAID TO PULL IN GARAGE. WHEN I STARTED IT UP POWER STEERING WORKED AND HE CO…
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ON NOV. 26 ,2013 I WAS TURNING CAR AROUND IN A LOT AT 1 MPH AND POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND DASH LIGHT CAME ON POWER STEERING. I DROVE HIGHWAY FOR 5 MILES TO A GARAGE WITH STEERING DIFFICULTY TO GET IT CHECKED, TURNED MOTOR OFF. MECHANIC SAID TO PULL IN GARAGE. WHEN I STARTED IT UP POWER STEERING WORKED AND HE COULD NOT CHECK IT SINCE IT WAS WORKING AT THAT TIME. DEALER SAID IF ITS PS MOTOR INCLUDING STEERING COLUMN IT COULD COST $1500 OR MORE. I WROTE TO GMC MOTORS AND THEY PHONED AND SAID THEY NEVER RECALLED FOR THIS " BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FILED.". BOB FISHER CHEVROLET WHERE I PURCHASED THE AUTO , RT 61 READING PA ASSISTANT MANAGER, [XXX] TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW HHR'S IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. GMC ONLY WANTS TO PAY ONLY FIRST HOUR OF DIAGNOSTIC WHICH I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE INFORMATION SYSTEM ALERTED A POWER STEERING FAILURE AFTER THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE INFORMATION SYSTEM ALERTED A POWER STEERING FAILURE AFTER THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BECAME FRACTURED WHEN ENGAGED. IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER RELEASED THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BECAME FRACTURED WHEN ENGAGED. IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER RELEASED THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500.
KEY IS STUCK IN THE CYLINDER WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. I CAN NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE, ON A SUNDAY NIGHT. NO OPTIONS, BUT TO LEAVE THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND UNLOCKED. COST WAS $499.50 TO REPLACE, PLUS LOSS OF WORK THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. TODAY'S DATE IS NOVEMBER 30, 2013, HAPPENED AGAIN WITH THE CAR OFF, (A…
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KEY IS STUCK IN THE CYLINDER WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. I CAN NOT TURN OFF THE ENGINE, ON A SUNDAY NIGHT. NO OPTIONS, BUT TO LEAVE THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND UNLOCKED. COST WAS $499.50 TO REPLACE, PLUS LOSS OF WORK THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. TODAY'S DATE IS NOVEMBER 30, 2013, HAPPENED AGAIN WITH THE CAR OFF, (ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER). I FOUND HUNDREDS OF REPORTED INCIDENTS OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT ON THE INTERNET AND IS NOT CONSIDERED A REASON FOR THE MANUFACTURE TO RECALL THE DEFECT, AS IT DOES NOT MEET A SAFETY ISSUE AS OUTLINED BY NHTSA. *TR
WHEN I DRIVE MY CHEVY HHR IS WAS NOT SOUND ALERT ONLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COME ON AND HARD TO DRIVE ALMOST HAD ON ACCIDENT,WHEN I TRY TO CHECK THE FLUID IS NOTHING SO I CALL THE LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD ME THAT KIND THE CAR NO USE POWER STEERING FLUID IS ELECTRIC MY CONCERN IS POST TO HAVE SAME KIND OF ALERT BEFORE USED IN MY…
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WHEN I DRIVE MY CHEVY HHR IS WAS NOT SOUND ALERT ONLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COME ON AND HARD TO DRIVE ALMOST HAD ON ACCIDENT,WHEN I TRY TO CHECK THE FLUID IS NOTHING SO I CALL THE LOCAL DEALER AND TOLD ME THAT KIND THE CAR NO USE POWER STEERING FLUID IS ELECTRIC MY CONCERN IS POST TO HAVE SAME KIND OF ALERT BEFORE USED IN MY CASE IS HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET . MAYBE YOU GUYS HELP TO THIS NOT HAPPEN AGAIN HOW I DON'T KNOW MAYBE WITH THE CHEVROLET COMPANY BECAUSE I HEARD I NOT THE FIRST PERSON THIS IS HAPPEN CAN BE A DEFECT IN THE CAR...... THANKS FOR U TIME I TRY TO WRITE CORRECT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET. I HEARD A CLICK AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON THE DISPLAY AND THEN THE WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. THE POWER STEERING MESSSAGE CONTINUES TO COME ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR LESS…
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I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH ON A SURFACE STREET. I HEARD A CLICK AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON THE DISPLAY AND THEN THE WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. THE POWER STEERING MESSSAGE CONTINUES TO COME ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR LESS THAN 5 MIN EACH TIME I HAVE DRIVEN IT SINCE THE INITIAL INICIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY TIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY TIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,398.
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.