2009 Chevrolet HHR
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 508
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2009
Opened by NHTSA
30% of complaints
Complaints per year
2009: 508 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,006 |
| 2007 | 726 |
| 2008 | 616 |
| 2009 | 508 |
| 2010 | 515 |
| 2011 | 203 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
30% · 153 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and switch.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. While driving at an unspecified rate of speed, the curtain air bags deployed with force on the driver's and front passenger sides. The driver's hearing was impacted for days after the air bag deployment.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-16
Also filed under Air bags
Steering
26% · 132 reportsMost commonly citing electric power assist system and power steering fluid.
Show complaint excerpts
The eps (Electronic power steering) goes out in my 2009 Chevrolet HHR every single day, usually after about 5 minutes of driving. It hasn't caused me to have a major accident yet, but it caused me to scrape against a guard rail.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-14
Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)
Air bags
20% · 104 reportsMost commonly citing side/window and driver clockspring/spiral cassette.
Show complaint excerpts
Takata recall on feb,25/2019 I was I was traveling 95 north to chesterfield to get on chippenham parkway and I was in a car accident with my 2009 HHR I hit a another car from behind and my hood on my HHR was torn back so bad it would not open ,the...
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-02-28
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that he applied the brakes and as the vehicle stopped, the roof-mounted air bag deployed inadvertently. The vehicle was not involved in any type of crash.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-16
Hit by a Mazda miata at about 30 MPH HHR was totaled and air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2010-11-14
Fuel/propulsion system
14% · 69 reportsService brakes
6% · 31 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2009-03-15Power train09V073000 General Motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, Traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac G5, G6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is…
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2014-04-04Electrical system14E021000 UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for...
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.
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2014-04-18Electrical system14V171000 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.
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...
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2014-04-18Air bags, electrical system14V047000 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.
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.
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2014-07-17Steering14V153000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.
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.
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2020-07-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-17 Fuel Line Leak
Buy-smart checklist
2009 Chevrolet HHR — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 153 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 132 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 104 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 09V073000 · Power train
- Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
- Recall 14V153000 · Steering
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2009 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Chevrolet HHR is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.