Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2010 Hummer H3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2010 Hummer H3. Most complaints involve electrical system (4) and power train (1). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–16mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2015
Owner complaints
7
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Visibility: defroster

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Hummer H3 vehicles manufactured February 5, 2005, to May 24, 2010, and 2009-2010 Hummer H3T vehicles manufactured May 21, 2008, to May 24, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.

VisibilityReported Jul 1, 2015NHTSA 15V421000

Structure: hood

Free remedy

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HUMMER H3 VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTEGRAL CLIP-TABS ON THE LOUVER ON THE HOOD MAY FRACTURE, CAUSING THE HOOD LOUVER RATTLE AGAINST THE HOOD AND BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS INDICATOR IS UNNOTICED, ADDITIONAL CLIPS COULD FRACTURE AND THE HOOD LOUVER COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.

StructureReported Apr 30, 2010NHTSA 10V179000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2010 – Mar 2024
  1. Electrical system4
  2. Power train1
  3. Engine1
  4. Visibility1
  5. Structure1

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 H3 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20032
2006362
2007238
2008113
200980
20107
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HUMMER H3. ON MANY OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START AND THE SECURITY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED FOR THE SAME FAILURE MANY TIMES AT MARITIME MOTORS (985 POST RD, FAIRFIELD, CT). THE FUEL PUMP, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED DURING THE REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95570738708. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2019Electrical systemODI 11270118

Power train

1 report
“My transfer case established a large fluid leak so I inspected it, the findings was a large hole in the main housing on the transfer case fluid was leaking out. The transfer case was removed and disassembled, and found that the 2 screws that hold the chain guide to the housing had backed out or fell out and let the chain guide fall down in to the gear mechanism and ground it up and broke the main case. In result was the quarter size hole in the housing of the transfer case allowing liquid to escape and damage the housing. Leaving me without a vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2024Power trainODI 11575109

Engine

1 report
“WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD GOING HOME I NOTICED THAT MY TEMPERATURE WAS SLOWLY RISING THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE ROOM WAS SMOKING I PULLED ASIDE AND LOOKED AT THE ENGINE ROOM THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY THE RADIATOR LEAKING ON FRONT TOP COVER OF RADIATOR WAS CRACKED... DON'T GET ME WRONG BUT I NEVER DID 4 WHEELING ON MY HUMMER I DRIVE IT FOR MY EVERYDAY COMMUTE THAT'S ABOUT IT...UPON CHECKING ON BLOGS OF OTHER HUMMER OWNERS THEY SAY ITS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT'S WHY I WAS AMAZED THAT IT WASN'T A PART OF ANY RECALLS I COULD HAVE JUST IMAGINED IF IM DOING 4WHEELING WELL ANYWAYS WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS CAUSE IM CONFUSED ALSO ON THEIR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY CAUSE THE FIRST SENTENCE SAYS RADIATOR IS INCLUDED BUT THE SUCCEEDING PARAGRAPHS SAYS OTHERWISE...SINCE ITS A COMMON KNOWN ISSUE AND BELIEVE ME THIS THE ONLY PART OF HUMMER THAT DEALERSHIP STOCK IN THEIR INVENTORY SHOULD IT BE IN A RECALL NOTICE OR AT LEAST HAVE GM REVIEW IT CAUSE THE WAY I SEE WHY THE CRACK ON THE RADIATOR HAPPENED WAS BECAUSE OF THE FLAW OF THE DESIGN OF RADIATOR SUPPORT THE METAL LIP ON IT RUBS ON FRONT TOP COVER PORTION SO EVENTUALLY THIS WILL GIVE IN PLASTIC VS METAL WE ALL KNOW…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 28, 2015EngineODI 10679360
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.7L 5-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
4-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
H3 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900555
H3 4WD
Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
H3 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel Drive
131614$4,450635
  • H3 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • H3 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • H3 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    13 city · 16 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
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

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Hummer H3 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5667
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 H3 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Hummer H3 have?

2 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 Hummer H3 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (4), power train (1), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Hummer H3 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Hummer H3 at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026