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).
In a parking garage on the 4th floor. Backing out of space. While backing up, I hear a loud boom. Nothing behind me. Thought perhaps a tire failure. Put vehicle in drive to pull forward out of traffic lane, and the engine accelerated uncontrollably. Brakes wouldn't respond. By the grace of g-d or reflexes, I turned the wheel to the right to avoid flying through the guardrail and off the 4th story of the parking garage. Vehicle came to a halt when it smashed into a concrete support pillar. Both air bags detonated, passenger-side air bag apparently broke the windshield on that side. Engine shut off. Lights in passenger compartment turned on, hazards started flashing on/off (couldn't turn them off). Waited for tow truck for 5 hours. Tow drivers had to jump battery - couldn't get front hood open, back door electronic lock non-functional due to dead battery. …
A faint noise was heard and I pulled the vehicle over to the side of road walked around the entire vehicle looking to see if anything stood out, assessed the tires, engine and nothing appeared to be wrong. I proceeded to get on the ramp on and as I went through the toll booth driving around 40 MPH, the car accelerated to a speed of about 87 MPH, the steering could not be controlled it was almost as if it was in a locked position. Once the vehicle took off at the high speed, it then came almost to a complete stop. The sound of the engine was revving but the speed was not supporting the sound. I proceeded to brake, use the accelerator and was going back and forth between the two functions but neither would work. Scared to go into the flow of heavy traffic, I placed the vehicle in neutral which allowed me to roll down the ramp and onto the shoulder. …
Driving from work car started rumble ring then engine light came on. Panel said reduce power and service traction. Coast the car to side of highway sat about 15 mins and restarted car. It started engine light still on but was able to drive fine had about 40 miles to get home and it did it again. I repeated the steps again and drove home. On the next dat took it to the dealership and had it serviced and they said the throttle body just needed cleaning. Drove it for about 3 weeks and again it happen. Now on February 2, 2015 again it has happened and the car won't even turn stay to allow me to get it serviced I will probably have to tow it. The temperature has been so cold so I have been commuted on trains and buses to get to work for almost a month.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While at a stop sign, the vehicle shook violently and stalled. The lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
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.
My 2010 Chevy HHR is leaking gas at a fast pace from the fuel line near the rear wheel. I smelled a strong gas odor and after parking I noticed puddle and dripping new my rear wheel. It was gas. I took it to a service shop and they confirmed that the fuel line was worn and broken.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering failed intermittently. The power steering, air bag, and service engine sensors were all illuminated and the contact had a difficult time turning the steering wheel. There was a loud clicking noise that was heard each time the steering wheel was turned. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V153000 (steering) and 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 10/7/14 the vehicle overheated, the engine and air bag light illuminated. The lower control bushing, timing solenoid and camshaft needed to be replaced. Updated 11/25/14 the consumer stated the dealership could not duplicate the power steering failure. The left front head light was replaced 5 times. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. After several attempts, the contact was able to start the vehicle with reduced power. The vehicle would not accelerate past 40 MPH with the reduced engine power warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired or taken to the dealer for repairs. In addition, the contact stated that when driving 45 MPH and up, there was a very high noise level in the interior cabin. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was designed to exhibit the noise. The current and failure mileage was 1,300.
My 2010 Chevy HHR has experienced an ignition issue. The key, when the car is set to park, will not disengage. It remains on, with the only option being to let the car run out of gas/the battery to drain. The key will turn (as if to start the car), and the gear can be shifted from park to reverse, neutral, etc., but will not turn off. All systems stay on, potentially burning out electrical components or causing permanent engine damage. The only way to safely address the immediate issue is to disengage the fuses under the steering wheel, which many consumers May be unable to do.
Engine complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, 4% of the model year's 515 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet HHR engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2010 Chevrolet HHR, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet HHR engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling 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.