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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2010 Chevrolet HHR

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 515 safety complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet HHR with the US government. Of those, 19 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 13 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 231 complaints, 45% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 62,000 miles, the median across the 413 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers May 2010 to November 2024 · How this is counted

What is on file

515 complaints on file

515

Complaints

19

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

13

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
STEERING 231 · 45%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 119 · 23%
AIR BAGS 49 · 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 46 · 9%
STRUCTURE 44 · 9%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 32 · 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 25 · 5%
POWER TRAIN 21 · 4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21 · 4%
ENGINE 14 · 3%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 12 · 2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10 · 2%
0 96 192

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 515.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 122.

132 99 66 33
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2024.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

14V171000 · April 10, 2014

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,191,014 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

14V153000 · March 31, 2014

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,373,177 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

14V047000 · February 10, 2014

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,190,934 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · 18,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE FOR THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FRONT SEAT DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND AND REAR SEAT PASSENGER BOTH SUFFERED MINOR HEAD INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN WAS

NHTSA complaint 10453841, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

3 injured · crash · 102,000 miles

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE LEGS, NECK, AND BACK. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND HANDS. THE OTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND THIGHS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V153000 (STEERING) AND 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS

NHTSA complaint 10619255, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed · 90,358 miles

ON NOVEMBER 29TH, 2017 I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS ABOUT 200 FEET BACK WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE BREAKS WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND I FREAKED OUT AND DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THERE WAS KNOW LIGHT THAT CAME ON FOR BREAK OR ABS LIGHT. I HIT A CAR IN FRONT AT THE STOP LIGHT AHEAD AND RAN INTO TO HER MY CAR IS TOTALED. I HAD A TOW TRUCK COME AND GET THE CAR AND HE SAID AS WELL THERE WERE NO BREAKS WHAT SO EVER. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I WAS NOTICING MY CAR WAS ACTING UP WITH THE ELECTRICIAL SYSTEM I HAD A OFFICER AT THE HOSPITAL COME OUT AND HELP ME AND HE SAID THATS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND HE HAS NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint 11052827. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 34,500 miles

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE SIDE AND FRONT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP BUT DUE TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER SHUT DOWN AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500.

NHTSA complaint 10374647. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car is leaking gas on left rear side. Corrosion and rust due to fuel line.

NHTSA complaint 11628096. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING

20,000 miles

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 not included. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was

NHTSA complaint 11618141, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
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 is not VIN# specific. However, when I contact the dealer for repair of this vehicle, I am told that the recall does not pertain to my VIN#, so its not covered. NHTSA has more than 135 complaints about HHRs since 10/2019

NHTSA complaint 11618144, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Gas lines rusted out after purchase.

NHTSA complaint 11604907. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet HHR

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2011 203 2 —

Other 2010 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst