Chevrolet HHR problems
515 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
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'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.