Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 4 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

4 total · 4 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14E021000 · Apr 2014

If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

Remedy
UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V171000 · Apr 2014

If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

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 ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V153000 · Mar 2014

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V047000 · Feb 2014

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

515 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
74

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

fluid leaks 33corrosion 16sudden stalling 10
A recent report: Car is leaking gas on left rear side. Corrosion and rust due to fuel line.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11628096 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
88

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 9software faults 8
A recent report: Loss of power while driving 35mph and service traction light along with airbags light keeps showing at random times

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11545986 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
18

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 6loss of steering 4software faults 4
A recent report: 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…
Read full complaint

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 issue is quite dangerous as this seems to happen quite often with the brake lights, but I cannot find any sort of consistent scenario that causes these issues to occur.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11530229 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
226

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 9 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

loss of steering 209premature wear 5
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. In…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle temporarily returned to normal functionality however, the failure reoccurred. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11618141 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
42

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 5 mention a crash, 6 mention an injury.

software faults 14airbags not deploying 9
A recent report: THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY . THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. I SAW TODAY ON THE NEWS THAT GM HAS RECALLED MANY VEHICLES FOR AIR BAG PROBLEMS HOWEVER, AFTER USING THIS…
Read full complaint

THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY . THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. I SAW TODAY ON THE NEWS THAT GM HAS RECALLED MANY VEHICLES FOR AIR BAG PROBLEMS HOWEVER, AFTER USING THIS SITE MY VEHICLE IS NOT SHOWING RECALLED. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11376152 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
53

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

premature wear 11fluid leaks 1
A recent report: Rear door locking system failure. Door opened suddenly and without warning while driving endangering occupants. The door locking mechanism will not allow the door to remain secure and closed when…
Read full complaint

Rear door locking system failure. Door opened suddenly and without warning while driving endangering occupants. The door locking mechanism will not allow the door to remain secure and closed when shut. Online search revealed many similar incidents occurring for other drivers.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11562846 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
14

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration.

unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: The gas pedal would stick and the car would not decelerate when removing pressure from it. This happened a couple of times on separate days but would unstick and decelerate fairly quickly. Then today…
Read full complaint

The gas pedal would stick and the car would not decelerate when removing pressure from it. This happened a couple of times on separate days but would unstick and decelerate fairly quickly. Then today the gas pedal not only became stuck but it accelerated and I had to hit the brakes to get it to stop accelerating.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11469471 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 515 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2024, roughly 35 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 515 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (203). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.