The Lemon Index

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2009 Hummer H3, 1st generation, illustration2009
2010 Hummer H3, 1st generation, illustration

2010 Hummer H3 problems.

1st generation

Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 3,683 in the U.S. in 2010 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 2 complaints in its first 3 years.

Better years to buy

This generation200773

All 5 yearsCompare

2 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–16 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

2010 Dodge Nitro 562010 Mazda CX-7 692010 Jeep Liberty 70

Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.

When problems show up

No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.

Questions to ask the seller

  1. Were recalls 15V421000 (visibility) and 10V179000 (body structure) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
  2. Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
  3. Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
  4. Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
  5. Hummer sent dealers 1066 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Low tire pressure, leaking cast aluminum wheels (repair with adhesive sealant)”?

From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hummer's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.

How serious. Out of all 2 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:

0crashesaverage car: 0
0injuriesaverage car: 0
0firesaverage car: 0
0towsaverage car: 0

“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

body structure50%
visibility50%
electrical50%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Check engine light on? Look up any code →

In owners' words

Sun glare reflects off the chrome part placed on the engine hood and quickly blinds the driver for short periods of time causing very dangerous road driving conditions.

2010 Hummer H3 owner · NHTSA complaint 10348480

Fixes owners look up most.

From 200 YouTube videos · 8.5M views · 2006–2010 Hummer H3

Most-watched topics

  1. Driveshaft, axles & 4x4222K views
    How to Use Four-Wheel Drive 4X4 Control System on Hummer H3 Adventure Package 2009-2010How to Use Four-Wheel Drive 4X4 Control System on Hummer H3 Adventure Package 2009-2010Newroad · 190K views · 4 videos
  2. Infotainment, battery & electrical100K views
    2005 - 2010 Hummer H3 Radio Install2005 - 2010 Hummer H3 Radio InstallProvo Beast Audio Installation · 87K views · 3 videos
  3. Oil changes & service81K views
    Change Engine Oil and Filter 2006-10 Hummer H3 Removing Shield Guards – Resetting Change Oil WarningChange Engine Oil and Filter 2006-10 Hummer H3 Removing Shield Guards – Resetting Change Oil WarningJohn C RV · 45K views · 4 videos
  4. Timing chain & engine61K views
    2008 Hummer H3 Misfire Case Study (Part 4) Leak down test revisited2008 Hummer H3 Misfire Case Study (Part 4) Leak down test revisitedScannerDanner · 61K views
Show 4 more
  1. No-start: theft light, key & ignition57K views
    2008 Hummer H3 no crank no start fix2008 Hummer H3 no crank no start fixNestor Auto Repair · 57K views
  2. Steering & suspension44K views
    Front Differential Bushing Replacement | 2007 H3 Hummer 3.7L (Chevy Colorado - GMC Canyon)Front Differential Bushing Replacement | 2007 H3 Hummer 3.7L (Chevy Colorado - GMC Canyon)John C RV · 22K views · 5 videos
  3. Transmission & shifter37K views
    2008 HUMMER H3 Transmission replacement made easy. DIY Hummer H3 Transmission. (4L60)2008 HUMMER H3 Transmission replacement made easy. DIY Hummer H3 Transmission. (4L60)TheGrayMechanic · 21K views · 2 videos
  4. Lifters, AFM & cam phasers32K views
    HOW TO REPLACE a HVAC BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR | 2007 Hummer H3 - Ticking noise in DashHOW TO REPLACE a HVAC BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR | 2007 Hummer H3 - Ticking noise in DashJohn C RV · 32K views

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2010 is the same generation.

Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.

Problems Hummer told dealers about

Hummer sent dealers 1066 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Low tire pressure, leaking cast aluminum wheels (repair with adhesive sealant)
  • Gm/hummer/saab: intermittent illumination of mil, service lamps, service messages, or dtc set…
  • There are seat belt problems: difficulty latching and unlatching buckle

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Recalls 2

  • Visibility · recall issued 2015

    In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.

  • Body structure · recall issued 2010

    GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HUMMER H3 VEHICLES.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada

All Hummer recalls

Fuel cost and engines

About $3,750–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.

Every Hummer H3 year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.

2010–·2009–#22008–#3200773#12006111#4

Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Hummer H3 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.

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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2010 bar is highlighted.

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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/hummer-h3/?y=2010" title="Hummer H3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/hummer-h3/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Hummer H3 reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2010 Hummer H3 reliable?

We can't score it: only 3,683 were sold in the U.S. in 2010 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.

What are the most common 2010 Hummer H3 problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (50%), visibility (50%) and electrical (50%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2010 Hummer H3 have?

2 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Hummer H3 get?

14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Does the 2010 Hummer H3 have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2010 Hummer H3 cost in fuel a year?

About $3,750 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2010 Hummer H3 have?

3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.

What Hummer H3 year is better than the 2010?

Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).

The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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