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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Chevrolet HHRRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 516 owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Most complaints involve steering (232) and electrical system (120). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
23–26mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
516
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Steering: electric power assist system

Remedy pending

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.

SteeringReported Mar 31, 2014NHTSA 14V153000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

516 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2010 – Oct 2026
  1. Steering232
  2. Electrical system120
  3. Air bags49
  4. Fuel/propulsion system46
  5. Structure44
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)32
  7. Service brakes25
  8. Power train21
  9. Engine14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each HHR model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20061,006
2007726
2008616
2009508
2010516
2011203
Crashes reported
19
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

232 reports8 crashes
“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 approximately 20,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2024SteeringODI 11618141

Electrical system

120 reports3 crashes
“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 be engaged, even with obvious brake pressure being applied. This defeats the cruise control disengagement feature and the cruise control system will fight against the braking system to maintain speed instead of turning itself off as it seems to rely solely on the brake lights for the automatic disengagement. This issue is quite dangerous as this seems to happen quite often with the brake lights, but I cannot find any sort of consistent scenario that causes these issues to occur.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2023Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11530229

Air bags

49 reports6 crashes
“THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY . THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. I SAW TODAY ON THE NEWS THAT GM HAS RECALLED MANY VEHICLES FOR AIR BAG PROBLEMS HOWEVER, AFTER USING THIS SITE MY VEHICLE IS NOT SHOWING RECALLED. ANY SUGGESTIONS?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2020Air bagsODI 11376152
All 2010 HHR problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400342
HHR Panel FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400342
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
HHR Panel FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
HHR Panel FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
HHR Panel FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192923$2,700386
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5698Vehicle 5697
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 HHR questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet HHR have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet HHR problems?

Owners filed 516 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (232), electrical system (120), air bags (49). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Chevrolet HHR get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Chevrolet HHR at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026