2010 Chevrolet HHR problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There are 3 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 65
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Median mileage
- 100,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 40 of 65 complaints (62%).
- Steering (17) and electrical system (5) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 100,000 mi.
- Owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries.
- The 2010 Chevrolet HHR has 3 recalls on file.
- It ranks 4th of 6 Chevrolet HHR model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 25% fewer complaints than the 2009 model year (87).
2010 Chevrolet HHR problems by category
- 40 complaints
- Steering17 complaints
- Electrical System5 complaints
- Engine2 complaints
- Other / Unknown2 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control2 complaints
- Suspension2 complaints
- Body & Structure2 complaints
- Brakes2 complaints
- Airbags1 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 35 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Electrical system | 5 |
| Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 |
| Structure:body | 2 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2010 Chevrolet HHR recalls (3)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Risk: 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.
- STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
Risk: 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.
- AIR BAGS · 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.
Risk: 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.
Recent 2010 Chevrolet HHR complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 4, 2024MOSteering
Although this vehicle is a 2010 HHR, it has less than 23000 miles on it, has been garaged kept and maintained impeccably. The warning light blinks at random and then the power steering fails. It does not matter the speed of the vehicle and happens at random. Once turned off and restarted, the power steering works for approx 5 minutes and then fails again. There was a recall on 2009-2010 HHRs for sudden loss of power steering issued in 3/2014, recall # 14V153000. This recall…
NHTSA complaint #11618144 · source - Filed Oct 4, 202420,000 miMOSteering
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle temporarily returned to normal functionality however, the failure reoccurred. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was…
NHTSA complaint #11618141 · source - Filed Dec 31, 2023NMOther / Unknown
Rear 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.
NHTSA complaint #11562846 · source - Filed Dec 27, 2023MIFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
Gas line rusted and leaking. Gas everywhere, strong odor, highly flammable. Under inspection at the Chevy dealer in Highland Twp. No warning lights were on.
NHTSA complaint #11562075 · source - Filed Oct 24, 2023INFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle released gasoline fumes inside and around the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11551536 · source - Filed Aug 17, 2023MIFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
While operating vehicles , the smell of fresh gasoline was coming into cabin. Made left hand turn to pull over and check gas cap, as I turned the rear of my car spun around like I was on ice. Almost hit pedestrians, my rear tires soaked with gasoline…scary. Gas pouring out from real lines next to Muffler.
NHTSA complaint #11539043 · source - Filed Aug 9, 2023100,000 miMNSteering
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering message was displayed on the instrument panel and while her daughter was driving the vehicle. The contact's daughter restarted the vehicle; however, the failure returned while driving at a low rate of speed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where…
NHTSA complaint #11537345 · source - Filed Jul 3, 2023INBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
Noticed that the cruise control would disengage randomly when activated. I checked the function of the brake lights at night and found that the brake lights would turn themselves on randomly with zero brake input, disengaging the cruise control. In this state, depressing the brake pedal more than around 30-40% would turn the brake lights off, even with the brake pedal fully pressed. Furthermore, with the brake pedal pressed to a moderate level, the cruise control is able to…
NHTSA complaint #11530229 · source
Compare the 2010 Chevrolet HHR with another vehicle →
Other 2010 Chevrolet models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology