Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 10-25 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the power steering failed. The contact stated that the steering required excessive force to operate. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 08/17/16 consumer stated for some reason, the described failures were announced as recalls on other 2010 Chevrolet HHR vehicles, but not this make/ moder, according to the VIN. The power steeringg locked up in the middle of traffic and made driving conditions very dangerous. …
First my airbag system started coming on saying service airbags and the sensors are all new, second the service ESC comes on intermittently causing vehicle to shift extremely hard from 1st gear (automatic tranny) braking system was working fine and all of a sudden the brake pedal goes to the floor no brakes and the fluid is full and the system was working just fine after making GM aware of this their response to it all is the vehicle is out of warranty and there is nothing they can do but this was an issue from date of mfg and GM refuses to fix or correct the ongoing issues all of these things have happened on city streets and highways if NHTSA cant help with this issue then I have no where left to turn except either to a morgue or a scrap yard
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While the contact was driving approximately 70 MPH when the vehicle decelerated to 40 MPH without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice for the failure. The technician was unable to duplicate the problem but the vehicle was not repaired. On a separate occasion, the air bags failed to deploy when the vehicle was involved in a crash. The vehicle was destroyed. The front seat driver sustained minor injuries to the right hand. In addition, the front seat passenger and and rear seat passenger both suffered minor head injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Airbag system service is illuminated on the dashboard however all the sensors were replaced several times as long as it says service airbags the system is not active nor working so a crash is guaranteed to kill you and the seatbelt retraction system is also affected it extends fine but in the event of a crash it will not lock even under hard braking this same problem exisists so if it wont lock you will feel the steering wheel on your face and chest I have made a Chevy dealer aware of this but they said dont worry the system will work fine ignore the service airbag warning vehicle in motion on city street or highway driving the vehicle does not matter system has a flaw in it and GM wont fix it
The service air bag light kept appearing. It would be on for a few days, then go off and the check engine light would appear. The light designating seat belt use for the passenger would not issue a warning sound and sometimes would not come on even if someone was sitting in the passenger seat. This happens at any time when the car is turned on. This has been verified by a Chevy dealer, but they say since my car is not one of the vins being recalled for this problem that I will have to pay for it. They have offered me a reconciliation deal for a lesser dollar amount.
Tl contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While the driver was traveling approximately 40-45 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle on the side and front. No air bags deployed. A police report was filed. One passenger suffered injuries. The vehicle was towed to a body shop but due to the crash, the vehicle's computer shut down and the key could not be removed from the ignition. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 34,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 10 MPH, the brake pedal failed to respond and the electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a trailer. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 35,243.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and caused the contact to crash. The air bags did not deploy. The approximate speed at the time of failure was 40 MPH. The contact was injured and required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated they were not at fault, and no solution was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the service air bag warning displayed on the instrument panel intermittently. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the connector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the service air bag indicator illuminated. Also, the windows did not roll down and the speakers did not work. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was called, but did not call back. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
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.
Airbag complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, 10% of the model year's 515 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet HHR airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-047 (air bags, Feb 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet HHR airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.