IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.
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 reportsTHE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM IN MY 2010 CHEVY HHR COMPLETELY FAILED 3 DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WE WERE UNABLE TO STEER THIS VEHICLE AND IT ALMOST CAUSED A BAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. THE POWER SYSTEM FAILED AT 68,000 MILES. IT IS APPARENT THAT NUMEROUS HHR OWNERS HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM BUT GM HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO …
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THE ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM IN MY 2010 CHEVY HHR COMPLETELY FAILED 3 DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WE WERE UNABLE TO STEER THIS VEHICLE AND IT ALMOST CAUSED A BAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. THE POWER SYSTEM FAILED AT 68,000 MILES. IT IS APPARENT THAT NUMEROUS HHR OWNERS HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM BUT GM HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO RECALL THIS PART ON THIS VEHICLE. RESEARCHING THE ELECTRONIC POWER SYSTEM PART NUMBER 19257875 I DISCOVERED THAT GM HAS OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE A RECALL APPLICABLE TO THE HHR THAT MATCH THE PART NUMBER IN QUESTION. BUICK, CADILLAC, PONTIAC, COBALT HAVE RECALLS ON THIS SAME PART NUMBER WHICH COVER A LIFE TIME WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE HHR AND THE ELECTRONIC POWER SYSTEM AND GM SHOULD HAVE INITIATED A RECALL ON THE ELECTRONIC POWER SYSTEM AGES AGO. WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR. SOMEONE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
CAR STALLS AT ANY SPEED. SOMETIMES STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AND OTHER TIMES WILL NOT FOR A WHILE. MY CAR DIED AS I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY RAMP IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT 45 MPH AND CLIMBING. SUDDENLY DIED AND I HAD TO STAR IT BACK UP. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND I ALMOST GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. DIED 7 TIMES IN LESS THAN 15 MILE…
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CAR STALLS AT ANY SPEED. SOMETIMES STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AND OTHER TIMES WILL NOT FOR A WHILE. MY CAR DIED AS I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY RAMP IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT 45 MPH AND CLIMBING. SUDDENLY DIED AND I HAD TO STAR IT BACK UP. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND I ALMOST GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. DIED 7 TIMES IN LESS THAN 15 MILES. NO WARNING LIGHTS. OIL GOOD, FUEL GOOD, IT JUST DIES WITHOUT NOTICE.
DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT. THE PROBLEM RESET WITH A KEY CYCLE. THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT DURING THE LAST MONTH.
ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD SOME WARNING BEEPS AND MY INFO SCREEN SAID "POWER STEERING". MY STEERING BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO USE ESPECIALLY AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THE STEERING WORKED AGAIN. NOW IT GOES OUT EVERY SO OFTEN. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE HHR…
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ON THE HIGHWAY I HEARD SOME WARNING BEEPS AND MY INFO SCREEN SAID "POWER STEERING". MY STEERING BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT TO USE ESPECIALLY AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THE STEERING WORKED AGAIN. NOW IT GOES OUT EVERY SO OFTEN. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE HHR, BUT NO RECALL YET. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE DOOR FRAME AS THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE DOOR FRAME AS THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. .... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF
I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON, THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CURB. NO INJURIES AND NO OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IF INEXPERIENCED DRIVER OR ELDERLY PERSON WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BECAME FRACTURED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR, HE HAD TO OPEN WINDOW AND USE THE EXTERIOR HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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
WHEN I PLACE MY CAR INTO PARK "P" ALL THE DOORS UNLOCK. WHEN I PRESS MY REMOTE FOB (KEYLESS ENTRY/ALARM) ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR UNLOCKS. CBS REPORTED ON A NEW TREND CALLED GAS STATION SLIDERS, THEY ARE TARGETING LADY'S POCKETBOOKS. HTTP://WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/8301-504083_162-57597704-504083/SLIDERS-SLIPPING-INTO-CARS-STEALING-P…
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WHEN I PLACE MY CAR INTO PARK "P" ALL THE DOORS UNLOCK. WHEN I PRESS MY REMOTE FOB (KEYLESS ENTRY/ALARM) ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR UNLOCKS. CBS REPORTED ON A NEW TREND CALLED GAS STATION SLIDERS, THEY ARE TARGETING LADY'S POCKETBOOKS. HTTP://WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/8301-504083_162-57597704-504083/SLIDERS-SLIPPING-INTO-CARS-STEALING-PURSUES-WHILE-WOMEN-PUMP-GAS-SAYS-NY-REPORT/ >> I RECOMMEND GENERAL MOTORS "GM" COME OUT WITH A COMPUTER MEMORY FLASH THAT WOULD ALLOW THE SAME CONTROL OVER MY DOOR LOCKS, WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK "P", AS I GET WHEN I PRESS MY REMOTE ONCE. ONE DOOR OPEN, INSTEAD OF ALL FOUR. *TR
I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY HHR AND APPARENTLY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. IT STARTED WITH MY INSIDE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD RANDOMLY BLINKING. THEN ONE HEADLAMP WENT OUT, THE NEXT DAY AFTER REPLACING THE HEADLAMP, MY INSIDE MIDDLE DOME LIGHT WENT OUT. TODAY MY WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP. THIS IS ALL WITHIN 3 WEEKS SPAN. GOTTA BE AN ELEC…
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I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY HHR AND APPARENTLY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. IT STARTED WITH MY INSIDE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD RANDOMLY BLINKING. THEN ONE HEADLAMP WENT OUT, THE NEXT DAY AFTER REPLACING THE HEADLAMP, MY INSIDE MIDDLE DOME LIGHT WENT OUT. TODAY MY WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL BACK UP. THIS IS ALL WITHIN 3 WEEKS SPAN. GOTTA BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE, RIGHT? WHAT IS MY NEXT STEP? NO RECALL? *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.