Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Chevrolet HHR problems
Owners filed 516 complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet HHR with NHTSA between May 2010 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (232).
Complaints
516
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering232
- Electrical system120
- Air bags49
- Fuel/propulsion system46
- Structure44
- Electronic stability control (esc)32
- Service brakes25
- Power train21
- Engine14
- Latches/locks/linkages12
- Exterior lighting10
- Engine and engine cooling9
- Suspension7
- Fuel system, gasoline6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
25
59
93
122
43
41
28
18
14
18
11
15
17
4
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 25 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 93 |
| 2014 | 122 |
| 2015 | 43 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
232 reports8 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Electrical system
120 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“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.”
Air bags
49 reports6 crashes1 related recall
“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?”
Fuel/propulsion system
46 reports1 fire
“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.”
Structure
44 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the underbody and rear wheel well were rusted and corroded adjacent to the exhaust pipe. The contact noticed that fuel was leaking. Eventually, the contact detected an abnormal odor of fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the nickel installation shield on the fuel lines had several holes. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.”
Electronic stability control (esc)
32 reports1 crash
“OUR CHEVY HHR 2010 HAS BEEN DYING AND STALLING OUT ON US WHILE WE ARE DRIVING IT, THE ONLY TIME IT HAD POWER GOING TO IT WAS WHEN IT WAS BEING JUMPED. EVEN THEN SOON AS THE CABLES WERE UNHOOKED IT WOULD JERK THEN DIE RIGHT AWAY. IT SEEMED AS IF MOST OF THE LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDED OF THE TRUCK ONLY WOULD FLASH WHILE JUMPING IT, THEN NOTHING. IT WAS ALSO VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND EVERYTHING BASICALLY SEEMS LIKE IT'S MALFUNCTIONING. THIS HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, NOR CAN I EVEN START IT AT THIS POINT,BUT I DEFINITELY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW BEING THAT IT POWERS COMPLETELY OFF WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. IT WAS IN MOTION A FEW TIMES ON CITY STREETS, AND IN MOTION TURNING WHEN IT DIED FOR THIS LAST TIME. ITS NOW PARKED ON A STREET UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.