IllustrationIGNITION STUCK, CAR WONT SHUT OFF , CAN'T REMOVE KEY. *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 reportsTHE HHR INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHILE OPENING DOOR.HAD THIS HAPPENED UNDER OTHER CONDITIONS IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TRAGEDY. LOOKING THIS UP ON THE INTERNET BREAKING INSIDE DOOR HANDLES APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE HHR .HANDLES ARE MADE OF LIGHT PLASTIC. *TR
DOOR HANDLES ARE JUNK. DRIVER SIDE BROKE AT 58K. SWITCHED WITH REAR DRIVER. AT 74K THAT ONE BROKE. 75K PASSENGER SIDE BROKE. HANDLES ARE BRITTLE. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTER SUCH A PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR. IT IS AN "AMERICAN" CAR AND PEOPLE EXPECT A CERTAIN STANDARD SO I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
ON JUNE 29, 2013, I PUT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULDN'T GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. THE RECALLED IGNITION HAD BEEN REPLACED AT GMC BUICK, HILLTOP. WHEN I CALLED GMC BUICK, HILLTOP RICHMOND CA, ON JUNE 29, 2013, AND SPOKE TO [XXX] AT GMC BUICK, HILLTOP RICHMOND CA, SHE STATED IT WAS PROBABLY A DIFFERENT PROBLE…
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ON JUNE 29, 2013, I PUT MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULDN'T GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE IGNITION. THE RECALLED IGNITION HAD BEEN REPLACED AT GMC BUICK, HILLTOP. WHEN I CALLED GMC BUICK, HILLTOP RICHMOND CA, ON JUNE 29, 2013, AND SPOKE TO [XXX] AT GMC BUICK, HILLTOP RICHMOND CA, SHE STATED IT WAS PROBABLY A DIFFERENT PROBLEM BUT TO BRING THE CAR IN TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. WHEN I ARRIVED AT GMC BUICK, I WAS THEN TOLD IT WOULD BE $ 150.00 UP FRONT TO JUST CHECK OUT THE CAR. I SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH BAY CITY CHEVROLET IN OAKLAND CA ON 7/8/13. IT WAS DETERMINED BY BAY CITY CHEVROLET, " CUST RECALL N120045- IGNITION WAS REMOVED , NO GREASE WAS APPLIED DURING RECALL; BAY CITY APPLIED CORRECT LOCK CYLINDER GREASE. I WAS CHARGED $ 45.00. THIS RECALLED IGNITION THAT WAS REPLACED JUNE 6, 2012, BY HILLTOP BUICK WHOM FAILED TO PUT GREASE IN THE REPLACED IGNITION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE REPLACED RECALL IGNITION. I WAS ALSO CHARGED $ 45.00. HILLTOP BUICK GMC WAS NEGLIGENT IN NOT PUTTING GREASE IN THE REPLACED IGNITION. THIS RECALLED IGNITION HAD BEEN ON MY CHEVY HHR FROM 6/4/12 TO 7/8/13, WITHOUT GREASE IN THE LOCK CYLINDER OF THIS RECALLED IGNITION. I WANT THE RECALLED IGNITION REPLACED AND REIMBURSED MY $45 BY HILLTOPBUICK OR GMC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE POWER STEERING (ELECTRICAL) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE SAME WARNING FLASHED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. MY WIFE, EIGHT…
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THE POWER STEERING (ELECTRICAL) WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE SAME WARNING FLASHED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN. MY WIFE, EIGHT-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND I WERE GETTING READY TO GET ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE UNCOVERED THE FACT THAT GM HAS HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE COBALT AND OTHER MODELS (INCLUDING MANY HHR OWNERS) BUT HAVE YET TO RECALL THE HHR FOR THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OCCURRING AROUND THE 45,000-60,000 MILE MARK. THE FACT THAT GM KNOWS THAT CERTAIN COMPONENTS ARE FAILING AND HAVE NOT YET RECALLED THE VEHICLE IS TROUBLING. IF THIS MALFUNCTION WERE TO HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED (WITH NO PREVIOUS WARNING LIGHT OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM UNTIL ACTUAL POWER STEERING FAILURE), OR IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE RESULTS WILL BE CATASTROPHIC. I WOULD LIKE TO HOPE THAT GM WOULD BE MORE PROACTIVE IN PROTECTING THE LIVES OF ITS CUSTOMERS AND FAMILIES. I REALLY HOPE THAT IT WON'T TAKE A TRAGIC "LOSS OF LIFE" EVENT TO GET GM AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT AMERICANS WHO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS TIGHTER, AFTER EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY THE VEHICLE BECAME EVEN HARDER TO STEER. I PULLED INTO A HAS STATION CHECKED ALL THE FUSES ALL WE'RE FINE, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN, AFTER A FEW MILES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND MY POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS TIGHTER, AFTER EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY THE VEHICLE BECAME EVEN HARDER TO STEER. I PULLED INTO A HAS STATION CHECKED ALL THE FUSES ALL WE'RE FINE, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN, AFTER A FEW MILES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAD 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION. *TR
WE ARRIVED AT HOME AND WHEN TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL FUSE AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER FOR IT TO TURN IT OFF. THE KEY IS STILL IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE IM DRIVING. IM UNABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL W/O USING ALOT OF FORCE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND TIGHTENED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. *TR
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2010 CHEVY HHR FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO HIT ANOTHER DRIVER. CHEVY HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE COBALT AND THE HHR HAS MANY SIMILARITIES TO THE COBALT. I THINK A RECALL IS NEEDED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. IF YOU LOOK ONLINE MANY HHR OWNERS ARE HAVING ISSUES! PLEASE HELP US THE INNOCENT CONSUMER. *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.