Is the 2010 Chevrolet HHR a bad year?
515 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other HHR years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR are in line with other HHR years. Steering and body structure stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 HHR owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 63,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 232 (45%) | 50k–82k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 43 (8%) | 48k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 119 (23%) | 37k–70k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 49 (10%) | 38k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 32 (6%) | 50k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 28 (5%) | 47k–83k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 23 (4%) | 42k–102k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (4%) | 43k–77k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Latches and locks | 12 (2%) | 42k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (2%) | 37k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 52 (10%) | 82k–131k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 63,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 515 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 9 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Power steering stops working at all speeds and conditions. Dash lights up saying power steering and from that point on until vehicle is restarted there is no power steering.
A faint noise was heard and I pulled the vehicle over to the side of road walked around the entire vehicle looking to see if anything stood out, assessed the tires, engine and nothing appeared to be wrong.
Driving down the road, no noise or indication of a problem then power steering indicator came on. No power steering.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 63,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR: 4
The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags. If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position. 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…
In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving. 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.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 352
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Neighbouring years
2009 HHR: 508 complaints, keep it · 2011 HHR: 203 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet HHR year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All HHR years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet HHR a bad year?
515 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other HHR years. At 63,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (232), body structure (43), electrical system (119), air bags (49), stability control (32).
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet HHR have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14E021000), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-171), Steering (NHTSA 14V-153), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-047). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.