2010 Chevrolet Hhr
The Verdict
The 2010 Chevrolet Hhr has 513 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (265 complaints) and electrical (130 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 25/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Hhr, consider the 2011 model year which has 60% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2011 has 60% fewer complaints
View the 2011 Chevrolet Hhr dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
Car is leaking gas on left rear side. Corrosion and rust due to fuel line.
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 with more than half of them being steering issues. This clearly is a wider recall issue than originally thought. My vehicle is inoperable due to this safety issue. I filed a complaint with GM. They told me it was not their issue and I could pay to have it diagnosed and fixed at a dealership. This is a GM issue due to the amount of complaints about this exact problem from other owners. I am hoping GM is made aware of the widespread issues and does the right thing, issuing another recall for all 2009-2010 HHRs regardless of VIN#.
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.
Gas lines rusted out after purchase.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle released gasoline fumes inside and around the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Loss of power while driving 35mph and service traction light along with airbags light keeps showing at random times
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.
Fuel leak coming from rear wheel area on drivers side of the vehicle
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering message was displayed on the instrument panel and while her daughter was driving the vehicle. The contact's daughter restarted the vehicle; however, the failure returned while driving at a low rate of speed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where she was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was also notified, and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
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.
Power steering goes out while driving
Noticed gasoline dripping under the vehicle just behind the driver side rear door. Upon investigation discovered steel fuel line has corroded between a plastic support bracket and fiber heat shield. This seems to be due to a design that allows moisture and road debris (salt) to accumulate, leading to corrosion. This could lead to total loss of power to the vehicle, and poses a risk of fire while in operation or while parked.
Fuel line leaking, driver side, forward of rear wheel. A very dangerous and common problem, one more of the many similar complaints on HHR-COBALT build platform spanning multiple years. This vehicle has only 60,000 miles.
Owner of 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 MPH and other various speeds, the vehicle intermittently lost power steering functionality. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was parked and turned off, then restarted. The warning light was no longer showing and power steering was restored. After driving for approximately 60 seconds there was again a loss of power steering functionality and the warring light illuminated. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included.
The Fuel Lines needed to be replaced because gasoline was leaking from the lines. Zaabs Full Service Auto Repair of Bloomington, IL 61701 at 711 E. Lincoln Street replaced the Fuel Lines. We noticed a bad fuel/gasoline smell and finally saw it leaking. No warnings other than the smell. We took the vehicle 2010 Chevrolet HHR LT into Zaabs for diagnosis and replacement. We leave on a busy street and a fire or explosion could have easily happened due to people tossing cigarettes. Problem appeared in January 2023. ZAABS REPAIR INVOICE #5922 DATED 03/06/2023 = PAID IN FULL $337.81. ZAABS PHONE (309) 386-1999.
The power steering failed, it is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of my two very young children were put at risk. Suddenly as I crossed the rail road tracks and attempted to turn right onto another street, the power steering went out of my vehicle. I narrowly avoided a collision with another vehicle stopped at the stop sign on the street I signaled to turn down. It hasn't been inspected by anyone yet. The power steering light came on right as it failed and I had no assisted power steering, manual only.
My vehicle is the 2010 HHR with electric assist steering. As with thousands of other Chevrolet HHRs, my power steering abruptly stopped working. It is the EPS system that is notorious for stopping abruptly and was and is the subject of a recall. However, GM refuses to repair mine like they have over a hundred thousand others with the same exact issue. They state that my vehicle, though exactly the same as thousands and thousands of others subject to the recall, is not included in the recall. . . How can this be? Same exact issue. . .
Gas is pouring onto the driveway on the left rear side when the vehicle is running
513 total