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2010 Chevrolet HHR: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, most recently filed April 2014. Owners have filed 515 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 3campaigns 1 electrical · 1 steering · 1 air bag Source: NHTSA Complaints 515filed Owner reports, 2006–2011 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 26mpg combined $2,512/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.2 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual 10 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V171000 Filed Apr 10, 2014

Key Can Be Removed when Ignition is not Off

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
71.6% repairedof 2,191,014 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V171000
Listed for 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V153000 Filed Mar 31, 2014

Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering

Steering · electric power assist system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
60.1% repairedof 1,373,177 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V153000
Listed for 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V047000 Filed Feb 10, 2014

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
71.7% repairedof 2,190,934 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V047000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which HHR years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet HHRAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (515)

515 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The steering is mentioned most often.

19involved a crash
1involved a fire
13injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 515.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2010 compares with other HHR years

Best and worst HHR years →
1,006 726 616 508 515 203
200620072008200920102011
This year (2010)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined

26
mpg combined
22
city
32
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,600
CO₂ tailpipe
342 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$2,512per year
$209per month
577gallons a year

Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2010 Chevrolet HHR configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 26$2,600342
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 26$2,600342
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$2,700356
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24$2,800370
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 23$2,900386

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2010 HHR for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All HHR years

Where to next

Which HHR years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2011 Chevrolet HHR report203 complaints · 2 campaigns →2009 Chevrolet HHR report508 complaints · 4 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2010 Chevrolet HHR FAQ

How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet HHR have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 14V171000 (electrical), 14V153000 (steering), 14V047000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet HHR problems?

Owners filed 515 complaints with NHTSA. Steering (231), Electrical system (119), Air bags (49) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2010 Chevrolet HHR get?

EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 22 city, 32 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2010 HHR compare with other years?

Among the 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (203) and the 2006 the most (1,006). The 2010 drew 515. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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