The 2010 HHR electrical architecture has deep structural issues. Most critical: the ignition switch and lock cylinder frequently jam, trapping the key in the ON position with the engine running. Owners have disconnected batteries, pulled fuel pump fuses, and left vehicles running at dealerships (sometimes for 2+ days) because the key won't turn to OFF. This defect recurs across 85 separate complaints at various mileages—even after recall work.
Brake lights turn on without brake pedal input, disengaging cruise control unpredictably and defeating a core safety system. Replacing the brake switch doesn't fix it; the problem traces to a circuit board loose or shorted on the center console passenger side.
Headlights and running lights cycle on and off randomly or fail permanently. Right headlight failure is routine. Tail light bulbs burn out in weeks, then the fixture melts. Power windows—especially passenger and rear—stop responding to driver controls.
Airbag warning lights illuminate intermittently or stay lit. One owner's warranty airbag repair was ordered in 2012, never installed, and in 2014 the dealer demanded $400 to complete what should have been free—GM customer service refused to help.
The blower motor runs wild or not at all, fuses blow every three weeks, and the engine stalls without warning at highway speeds. After ignition switch recall work, these electrical gremlins persist. Dealer parts availability remains chronically poor, leaving owners stranded and without loaner vehicles for weeks.
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition Switch / Cylinder - Key Stuck, Engine Won't Shut Off
Key becomes stuck in the ignition switch, unable to turn the engine off or remove the key. Vehicle remains running, sometimes for extended periods. Owners forced to disconnect battery or pull fuel pump fuse to stop the engine.
When: Various mileages reported: 35,000–82,578 miles; incidents span 2011–2018
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn past ON position to OFF; Key cannot be removed from ignition; Engine continues running with key stuck in ON position; Ignition lock cylinder frozen or jammed
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition switch or lock cylinder replacement reported; costs range $240–$499.50; dealers cite failure of tumbler housing, worn lock cylinder, or missing/inadequate lubrication during prior recall work
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V171000 (Electrical System); also references to ignition switch recall; some owners report GM issued 'advisories' but no formal recall for lock cylinder failure; recall parts availability delays common; some owners report ignition switch replacement did not resolve subsequent key-sticking incidents
Brake Lights Illuminating Without Brake Input
Brake lights turn on randomly without driver pressing brake pedal. Cruise control disengages when this occurs. Replacement of brake switch above pedal does not fix the problem. Appears circuit board related, located on passenger side lower center console.
When: Ongoing issue; one owner reports starting a couple years ago and escalating
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights turn on with zero brake pedal input; Cruise control randomly disengages; Brake lights remain on even after depressing pedal fully; Cruise control can engage with brake pedal depressed, defeating safety disengagement
Repairs/costs cited: Brake switch replacement does not resolve; tapping center console with palm reportedly makes lights go off temporarily; suggests loose or defective circuit board connection
Headlight and Running Light Failures
Low beam and high beam headlights fail intermittently or completely. Parking lights and tail lights go out repeatedly. Right headlight failure is commonly reported. Lights cycle on and off unpredictably.
When: Reports from 2011 onwards; recurring failures within 3–6 months of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam headlights go out while driving; High beams must be used as workaround; Parking lights fail; Tail lights out intermittently; Lights come on then go off randomly
Repairs/costs cited: One repair diagnosed relay problem in headlight circuit; however, failures recur; one owner reports light holder melting on tail light; bulb replacements with OEM-recommended bulbs do not prevent recurrence
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner alleges right headlight failure is a known design defect affecting all GM products 2010 forward and should be recalled; no formal recall found in narratives
Power Window Failures
Passenger and rear windows will not roll down from driver-side door panel; some rear windows operate only with difficulty or by unlocking/locking and applying pressure at an angle. Safety concern if emergency window exit needed.
When: Reported onset a couple years before complaint; escalating
Symptoms owners cite: Front passenger window not working; Rear driver-side window not working; Rear passenger window only lowers with difficulty and pressure; Windows will not roll down using driver-side door panel
Repairs/costs cited: Costs cited as prohibitive; no specific repair costs given in narratives
Airbag Warning Light Illumination / Disabled Airbag
SRS/airbag warning lights illuminate intermittently or persistently. One owner reports airbag warning light came on immediately after ignition switch recall work. One owner unable to get airbag repair honored under warranty; part ordered in 2012 was never installed and later dealer refused to complete repair without payment. Security feature chip replacement suggested as cause in one case.
When: One case reported light coming on one month and clearing; another ongoing issue; airbag repair issue spanning 2012–2014
Symptoms owners cite: SRS or airbag warning light illuminated; Disabled airbag warning light on; Warning light appears intermittently or stays lit
Repairs/costs cited: One owner charged $400 for airbag part not installed; another case required security feature chip replacement; one service connector replacement performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner's warranty airbag repair request from 2012 was denied in 2014; dealer refused to honor warranty and demanded $400 payment; GM customer service refused to intervene; one owner reports open safety recalls on other models for airbag issues but HHR not included
Blower Motor / HVAC Control Failures
Blower motor operates erratically, blowing cold air when heat is needed or vice versa, or running without driver input. Dashboard heat reported. Frequently accompanied by blown fuses that must be replaced repeatedly.
When: Winter conditions trigger cold air from blower; incidents recur every 3 weeks when fuses blown
Symptoms owners cite: Blower motor blows cold air in freezing weather; Blower motor does not work on demand; Blower motor activates by turning ignition on without input; Blower motor runs continuously and will not turn off without key out; Dashboard gets very hot; Fuses blow repeatedly
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse replacement; one owner notes fuses blow again within 3 weeks, indicating underlying electrical short
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ignition switch recall (14E021000) performed but blower issues persisted after recall work
Engine Stalling / Loss of Power
Engine stalls or dies without warning at various speeds, sometimes multiple times in short driving distance. One case stalled at freeway merge, another at stop sign. Warning lights illuminate before stall in some cases. Vehicle restarts after stall in most cases.
When: Mileage reported 35,000–82,578 miles; one case stalled 7 times in 15 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at any speed, including highway speeds; No warning lights prior to stall; All instrument panel warning lights illuminate before stall; Vehicle restarts after stall, sometimes after delay; Stalling recurs multiple times in short distance
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic diagnosed security feature chip replacement needed; one case involved ignition switch recall repair (14V171000) but failure continued after repair; one case attributed to ignition cylinder issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner received ignition switch recall repair (14V171000); failure recurred and service rep stated new ignition was not installed despite paperwork indicating replacement
Door Latch / Door Opening While Driving
Passenger-side front and rear doors open while vehicle is driving on freeway or city street. No warning indicator lights appear on dashboard. Faulty latch spring loader and door latch assembly identified as cause in one service.
When: Two incidents reported within 5 days of each other in 2018 on vehicle with 17,000 miles (purchased 2011)
Symptoms owners cite: Right front passenger door opens while driving; Right rear passenger door opens while driving; No door-ajar indicator light on dashboard
Codes mentioned: A15 BODY & ELECTRICAL, 10470C LOCK
Repairs/costs cited: Right front passenger door latch assembly replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated vehicle was old (7 years) despite only 17,000 miles
Door Handle Breakage
Inside and outside door handles break, crumble, or crumble in owner's hands. Creates safety hazard as windows must be rolled down to exit vehicle in event of emergency.
When: Reported when vehicle was barely 3 years old; handles reported as broken on multiple doors
Symptoms owners cite: Door handles crumble or break in hands; Inside door handles inoperable; Cannot open doors normally, must use windows for emergency exit
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs around $400 per handle; owners cite inability to afford repair
Door Lock / Unlock Malfunction
All doors unlock automatically when vehicle placed in Park. Keyless entry remote fob only unlocks driver door, not others. Creates security vulnerability to vehicle theft, particularly at gas stations.
When: Ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: All four doors unlock automatically when placed in Park; Keyless entry remote only unlocks driver door
Tail Light Holder Melting / Repeated Bulb Failures
Right tail light bulb burns out repeatedly within weeks of replacement. After multiple replacements, light holder found to be melting. OEM-recommended bulbs used, suggesting electrical overload in fixture.
When: Onset 1.5 years before complaint; replacements needed every 1–3 months, then every 1 week
Symptoms owners cite: Right tail light bulb burns out repeatedly; Light holder melting; Rapid succession of failures after each replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Bulb replacements multiple times; last replacement not made due to melting holder discovery
Electrical Shorts / Multiple Electrical Failures
Multiple electrical components fail in short timespan, suggesting wiring short or battery/charging system issue. Dashboard lights blink, windows fail, headlights fail, dome light fails within 3 weeks. Pattern suggests ongoing electrical system problem.
When: Multiple failures within 3-week period
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard inside lights randomly blinking; One headlamp goes out; Inside middle dome light goes out; Power windows will not operate; Parking lights and headlights cycle on and off; Pattern of failures suggests short circuit
Safety Chime / Occupant Alert System Failure
Safety chimes shut off, which can lock vehicle owners out with keys still in ignition. Vehicle has no interior hatchback door opener, creating risk of occupant entrapment in accident or emergency situations.
When: Occurs when parked with engine off or running
Symptoms owners cite: Safety chimes disabled; Owner locked out with keys in ignition; Small occupants (infants, children, pets) at risk of entrapment in hot or cold vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No interior hatchback opener; emergency exit requires removing plastic housing and using screwdriver to access hidden latch
Power Steering Assist Motor Failure
Power steering assist motor failed while driving. One owner reports failure on busy highway during left-hand turn, creating immediate safety hazard.
When: Failure occurred on highway; power steering recall notice received after ignition switch recall
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist motor failure; Loss of power steering assistance while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Motor replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Power steering recall notice (14V171000 or related) issued; parts availability delays reported
Synthesized from 85 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.