10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,644 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #21

Dec 122023

HHR

  • miles
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.

- Peralta , NM, USA

problem #20

Apr 112022

HHR

  • miles
aBOUT 3 WEEEKS ago I went to exit my 2010 Chevrolet HHR ls and the drivers door handle broke off in my hand. This caused me to climb over to the passenger side to exit. After wards I realized that I could use the power windows to roll the window down to open door from outside. If in the case of a crash the power windows would not work thus trapping me and all of my occupants in the vehicle. I checked on the hhr owners web site and many owners complain it is a constant problem. Some carry extra in vehicle to combat the problem.

- Lafayette, TN, USA

problem #19

Apr 252018

HHR

  • 17,000 miles
On April 25,2018, while driving on the freeway rt passenger back door opened, no indicator light came on dash board to show rt back door ajared... on April 19,2018 while driving on city street rt front passenger door opened, no indicator light appeared on dash. Both rt front and back passenger doors opened with in five days apart while driving.I was informed by dealership that the vehicle was old. Cause: Faulty latch spring loader A15 body & electrical, 10470C lock, replaced rt front passenger door latch assembly. I purchased it in 2011and the present mileage is 17,000mi. I feel if the hatch door opens while on the freeway and my wheel chair rolls out a fatal accident would occur. I feel the material used in the latch spring loader and door latch assembly is unsafe. Parts should be recalled and replaced by the manufacturer, as well as notifying owner.thank U for your help.

- Norco, CA, USA

problem #18

Jul 012017

HHR 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
Two of the inside door handles have snapped off and had to be replaced. This is a safety hazard. A minor fender bender could jam the doors and the handles be too weak to open the door mechanisms. If a fire, occupants would perish. Recall in order for all vehicles with plastic inside door handles. Updated 09/11/2017

- Eidson, TN, USA

problem #17

Jul 232017

HHR

  • 120,270 miles
I parked my car in a parking space, turned it off and removed the key. I opened the driver door, stepped out with my left foot and the car started rolling backward, knocking me back into the driver seat. I slammed on the brake, checked the gear and noticed the car was not in park. Recently within the past 24 hours, I have had inconsistent power steering performance. I was driving at 45 mph then slowed down to make a right turn into the parking lot. As I entered the turn, my dash warning sounded and displayed "power steering." From that point, I have had intermittent power steering interruption. I bought power steering fluid only to discover (after checking online for the location of my power steering resevoir) that I have an electrical power steering system. This discovery led me to the 4 recalls since the manufacture of my vehicle... ignition fails and power steering fails. I checked my VIN but it comes up as no recalls although my car meets the criteria (2010 Chevy HHR non-turbo). This vehicle is not safe for me to drive especially to Transport my child/family. However I am forced to drive it in order to make my living. I will take a photo of the warning message and upload it when I get another... as I am positive I will get another fault warning on my way to work in the morning. My vehicle was purchased used in 2016... currently there is no lienholder.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #16

Apr 052016

HHR

  • 95,000 miles
The interior door handles beak off - there have been tons of complaints online about this safety issue. You cannot exit the car from the door the handle has snapped off without either going to a different door or rolling down window and using the outside handle. 2 handles have broke now in the last year.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #15

Mar 172017

HHR

  • 77,780 miles
ESC is what it said on the dash. It sounded as if something had crawled and was keeping the vehicle from moving properly I looked up what the meaning of the message on the dash and it said traction control warning which I had no clue but when I pulled over walking around the car nothing seemed to be wrong the entire car was shaking it was a scary experience and the cars had to go around me. When I re-started the car the message went off and the car moved as if nothing happened.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #14

Nov 072016

HHR

  • 123,000 miles
The plastic, interior door handles are prone to breaking. I replaced front, driver's-side interior door handle approximately 2 years ago. The front, passenger-side door handle is now broken. This is more than an inconvenience; it is a safety issue. To exit the vehicle, it is necessary to either roll down window and open door by pulling exterior door handle, or another occupant of the vehicle must exit the vehicle to open the door from outside. In the event of an emergency, this could result in further injury or death to occupant(s) being unable to quickly exit the vehicle. I don't know how many times this has been reported to the NHTSA, but there are many such cases that can be found by searching the internet. In fact, it is such a common occurance that dorman manufacturing sells a replacement door handle repair kit for the Chevrolet HHR because the original interior door handle is riveted to the interior door panel, and Chevrolet/GM would otherwise require entire interior door panel to be replaced at a cost of approximately $400, excluding labor. I paid approximately $45 (shipping included) through amazon for dorman's kit. My vehicle was stationary when interior door handles broke. Normally one would not open doors while vehicle is in motion.

- Lodi, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 062016

HHR

  • 249,000 miles
My car had got hit on the right side of the car when I crunk my car back up my horn was out it never worked again and its making a loud clicking noise when I drive the vehicle

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #12

Aug 022016

HHR

  • miles
Car only has 54,168 miles. Check engine light appeared 4 months ago. I have taken it to a number of mechanics as well a dealer but no one can seem to figure out what the cause of it is. Grossinger Chevy kept it for 1 day claims to not find anything but light still on. Tremendously concerning.

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

problem #11

Jan 032016

HHR

  • 89,000 miles
This vehicles safety chimes can shut off causing owner to be locked out of the vehicle with keys still in ignition. This occurs when parked and turned off or when parked and engine running. Small occupants as infants children and pets could be trapped in a freezing or hot car. This vehicle has no interior hatchback door opener and can essentially pin occupants in a accident into the vehicle if forward doors are damaged during accident. The only escape comes from removing plastic housing and using a screwdriver to a hidden latch inside the door housing.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #10

Dec 082015

HHR

  • 98,000 miles
Door handles break easily and have been replaced once each and drivers has been replaced twice. Also opening rear doors from outside of the car, the passenger rear door does not lock any longer and you can not get out the door without fighting with the lock on rear passenger side. The rear drivers side you have to jerk the door forward and sometimes it will open from the outside. You cannot open it from inside.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #9

Jun 292013

HHR

  • 55,000 miles
Key fob is inoperable except for the locate car option. Unable to lock/unlock doors or arm security system. Got a new battery and thought that might fix it, but it's still inoperable. This car is barely 6 years old and it should not be having all of these problems. This car that was rated with one of the highest safety ratings for it's type and that is why I purchased it. Now I cannot even arm the anti-theft device to safeguard my car and anything in it. Windows don't roll down, door handles break off, the electrical system is not reporting the correct information, the steering is locking up and the previously recalled ignition switch is not performing correctly.

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #8

Apr 292015

HHR 4-cyl

  • 106,900 miles
I was driving down I 20 in Georgia and I thought my tire blew out. I got out of the car and the tire is fine, the rim is bent up like someone beat it with a hammer. I have never seen anything like this, but it was vibrating and humming about 2 days before this happened. Scared me half to death and could have been a bad accident if traffic was heavier.

- Toccoa, GA, USA

problem #7

Nov 242014

HHR

  • miles
Rydell Chevrolet in northridge California postponed my recall service because the replacement parts they received were defective. Yes I said defective. I don't want my defective parts replaced with more defective parts. These cars are lemons and GM knows it. I should call the news.

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 232014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 26,570 miles
Having received several letters from GM regarding the recall of this vehicle, I contacted the local GM dealer only to be shown that the letter stated that I would be contacted again when the part(s) were available. The dealer told me to go away and wait for a follow-up letter in spite of the danger of driving the car in its current condition.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #5

Feb 202013

HHR 4-cyl

  • miles
Hello, I would like to report the intolerable odor coming out of the ac vent in my car, which is affecting my health (eg: Throat infection) and well being. The car has ~32000 miles in it and out of warranty by ~10 months. I found a tsb (#99-01-39-004C) on this issue. The tsb advisory states GM to install an after blower kit if the customers complain. These after blower kits are installed in some of the cars and not others depending on the location of sales. I bought this as a new car at cincinnati during 2010 and moved to charlotte during 2011 time frame. During Mar 2013, I started noticing the bad odor, but I convinced myself that this will go away during summer and didn't take it to a dealer at that time. Later, however it got worse and I took it to the dealer during Dec/2013. The dealer recommended dehumidifying the evaporator core and I went ahead did it. It cost me ~$110. It seemed to work fine for a week or so, but the bad odor returned. I was getting sick with throat infection(s). On further investigation, I came to know about this tsb that I mentioned above. But the dealer didn't disclose about this tsb to me in first place, when I took the car there during Dec/2013. I complained about this to GM and mentioned that it is their responsibility to install the missing after blower kit. GM replied to me saying that they can offer a cost assistance program to install this missing kit and cover 1/2 the costs because my car is out of warranty. To me, this is a clear design and manufacturing issue. GM didn't advise me (during purchase of this car) if I move out of cincinnati area, I may need this after blower kit to avoid mold and mildew build up in the ac system. Please advise as I don't want to pay for expensive fix that is not my fault to begin with.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #4

Jan 152014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Power steering unit went out when driving without warning. Pulled HHR over to the curb to get the car off the road and damaged tire on curb. Car very hard to steer and could not control when pulling vehicle off road. This is a serious safety hazard especially for my wife who does not have the upper arm strength to control the vehicle. Same power steering unit in the Chevy Cruze and Pontiac G6 has been recalled. Do not understand why the HHR has not been included in the recall. Same problem reported on the internet by many other owners.

- Manchester, MO, USA

problem #3

Jan 232012

HHR 4-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
I was at walmart my key would not turn at all. I called a Chevy dealership they said that it was a recall but not on 2010 just 2009. I had the ignition switch replaced at my cost. Today January 31 my key will not come out of the ignition switch which I'm for sure is defective parts on gms account this is a problem that many owners of complained on all over google.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #2

Nov 202011

HHR

  • 44,000 miles
My 2010 Chevy HHR has experienced an ignition issue. The key, when the car is set to park, will not disengage. It remains on, with the only option being to let the car run out of gas/the battery to drain. The key will turn (as if to start the car), and the gear can be shifted from park to reverse, neutral, etc., but will not turn off. All systems stay on, potentially burning out electrical components or causing permanent engine damage. The only way to safely address the immediate issue is to disengage the fuses under the steering wheel, which many consumers may be unable to do.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »