Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Noticed that the cruise control would disengage randomly when activated. I checked the function of the brake lights at night and found that the brake lights would turn themselves on randomly with zero brake input, disengaging the cruise control. In this state, depressing the brake pedal more than around 30-40% would turn the brake lights off, even with the brake pedal fully pressed. Furthermore, with the brake pedal pressed to a moderate level, the cruise control is able to be engaged, even with obvious brake pressure being applied. This defeats the cruise control disengagement feature and the cruise control system will fight against the braking system to maintain speed instead of turning itself off as it seems to rely solely on the brake lights for the automatic disengagement. …
This a recalled 2010 Chevrolet HHR. We had the ignition switch recalled, power steering system recalled, and right after the ignition switch was installed, the keys stop working and we had to get towed. Now, the airbag light came on. And when we went to re-start the car, nothing. The power went totally out, and the key is still stuck in the ignition switch. About a few weeks ago, we got another recall notice from GM that the transmission shifter May not properly transmit an electrical signal properly that will cause the key to stay in a lock position. We are now stranded. And we have to once again get the car towed to the dealer and pay for a rental. And there are still so many recalled cars at the dealer that they are so behind. All of this is going on while GM is showing off their new cars at the detroit auto show. Cars that will probably soon be on another recall list. …
On going issue of brake lights intermittently coming on without touching brake pedal. First noticed something wrong because cruise control wouldn't activate. Found problem at night when I could see the glow from my brake lights on the top inside edge of my rear hatch. Replacing brake switch above pedal did not fix problem. Sounds kind of funny, but I got brake lights to go off while setting in driveway and pounding my center console out of frustration. Internet search found other GM vehicles with similar problems and frustrated owners that took vehicles to dealerships that didn't fix their problem. Issue appears to be circuit board related with circuit boards located on passenger side lower center console. A sharp rap with the palm of my hand in that area will always get the brake lights to go off when they shouldn't have been on. …
Power windows: unable to roll down any window except the driver side using the driver side door panel. This, in conjunction with the door handles breaking off when the car was barely 3 years old, makes it a safety concern should I need to get out of the car through the windows. I am able to roll the windows up when using the driver side door panel button, just unable to roll them down. This started out with the front passenger side window not working, then went to the rear driver side and now the rear passenger side window can only be lowered by locking then unlocking the window and applying pressure to the window switch at an angle. If I needed to get my service dog out of the back seat and was unable to use the door, I would not be able to lower the window without effort. This puts her life or the life of a human who May be present in the back seat at serious risk. …
On April 25,2018, while driving on the freeway rt passenger back door opened, no indicator light came on dash board to show rt back door ajared... On April 19,2018 while driving on city street rt front passenger door opened, no indicator light appeared on dash. Both rt front and back passenger doors opened with in five days apart while driving.I was informed by dealership that the vehicle was old. Cause: faulty latch spring loader a15 body & electrical, 10470c lock, replaced rt front passenger door latch assembly. I purchased it in 2011and the present mileage is 17,000mi. I feel if the hatch door opens while on the freeway and my wheel chair rolls out a fatal accident would occur. I feel the material used in the latch spring loader and door latch assembly is unsafe. Parts should be recalled and replaced by the manufacturer, as well as notifying owner.thank u for your help.
While driving my 2010 Chevy HHR, I had just exited the highway and was entering the speedway fuel station, my steering just seemed to lockup on me and a dash alert flashed "service ESC" then I suddenly lost all power! In order to avoid any major tragedy like colliding with a gas pump or another vehicle, I was able to run it into the curb I felt like my arms were nearly ripped from the sockets. After having it towed to my home and the following day towed to a mechanic. Discovered that the experience was not exclusively mine, apparently some 444 others had as well. I checked for recall notices was told that the recalls were closed and repairs were done. I would like to know by whom, when and where exactly! It obviously was not done permanently nor satisfactorily as I'm very sore now, but could have been killed!
Tl * the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact was driving at an unknown speed when the steering wheel seized and the vehicle crashed into a truck. The contact sustained minor injuries to the legs, neck, and back. One of the passengers sustained injuries to the lower back and hands. The other passenger sustained injuries to the lower back and thighs. Medical attention was received and a police report was filed. After the crash, the contact received recall notices for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V153000 (steering) and 14e021000 (electrical system: ignition switch); however, the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
1) the turn signals have failed to cancel after a turn on an intermittent basis since the car was new. 2) recently, the turn signal will not hold in the on position on a left turn and has to be manually held down to actuate the signal for the entire turn. 3) at the same time, the right signal will no longer automatically cancel and has to be manually turned off after a turn. These are issues because you either have the turn signal not on during a cross traffic turn when you thought it was engaged, or you have it on when you thought it had automatically shut off.
This vehicles safety chimes can shut off causing owner to be locked out of the vehicle with keys still in ignition. This occurs when parked and turned off or when parked and engine running. Small occupants as infants children and pets could be trapped in a freezing or hot car. This vehicle has no interior hatchback door opener and can essentially pin occupants in a accident into the vehicle if forward doors are damaged during accident. The only escape comes from removing plastic housing and using a screwdriver to a hidden latch inside the door housing.
Power steering unit went out when driving without warning. Pulled HHR over to the curb to get the car off the road and damaged tire on curb. Car very hard to steer and could not control when pulling vehicle off road. This is a serious safety hazard especially for my wife who does not have the upper arm strength to control the vehicle. Same power steering unit in the Chevy cruze and Pontiac g6 has been recalled. Do not understand why the HHR has not been included in the recall. Same problem reported on the internet by many other owners.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the…
Electrical complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 119 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, 23% of the model year's 515 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-171 (ignition, Apr 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.