2010 Chevrolet HHR problems
The 2010 Chevrolet HHR has 515 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2010 Chevrolet HHR has 515 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 231 complaints, typically surfacing around 69,628 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 HHR | 726 | 0 |
| 2008 HHR | 615 | 2 |
| 2009 HHR | 508 | 0 |
| 2010 HHR (this page) | 515 | 0 |
| 2011 HHR | 203 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Chevrolet HHR? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 231 owner reports · tends to show around 69,628 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 85 owner reports · tends to show around 54,729 mi · ~$850 to fix
- body — 36 owner reports · tends to show around 60,669 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- airbags — 27 owner reports · tends to show around 68,929 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 68,929 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2010 Chevrolet HHR
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2010 Chevrolet HHR
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~47,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~60,000 mibody~$1,500
- ~63,000 misteering~$700
- ~65,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~69,498 miairbags~$1,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was going 25 MPH when I crashed causing over 5,000 dollars worth of auto and property damage in addition to the medical bills which I have not received in full yet. The car malfunctioned while I was driving and I was not able to control it. I received the recall information in…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet hhr. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue.…
My power steering is going out randomly making it unsafe to drive, I see there's a recall for 2010 chevy hhr power steering which is exactly what's happening with my vehicle. When I turn it off and turn it back on it will work for a minute then click and go back out, yet when my…
Air bag warning light constantly coming on, had it fixed in october 2012, after arguing with the dealer that it should be covered under the warranty. 2 months later the light is back on. *tr ## VIN failed ##
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 515 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Chevrolet HHR is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
The 2010 Chevrolet HHR is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 231 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,628 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Chevrolet HHR a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 515 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 69,628 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 231 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,628 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,628 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet HHR has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 515 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.