repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. 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…
2009 Chevrolet HHRProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 508 owner complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-153 the manufacturer reports only 60% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 15, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Chevrolet HHR has problems
508 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
151Electrical system9 crash/fire/injury
127Steering3 crash/fire/injury
104Air bags18 crash/fire/injury
69Fuel/propulsion system
25Electronic stability control (ESC)
21Structure
20Service brakes
18Engine
16Power train
11317 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 151 | 9 |
| Steering | 127 | 3 |
| Air bags | 104 | 18 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 69 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 25 | 1 |
| Structure | 21 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 20 | 3 |
| Engine | 18 | 1 |
| Power train | 16 | 1 |
| 17 other systems | 113 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2009 Chevrolet HHR recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. 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.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Air bags
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Lever and linkage: column shift
Risk. THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
55kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 117 electrical system complaints. 80% were reported before 100,000 miles.
15under 30k miles94under 100k miles23100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
10 owners mentioned a cost$450median
Middle half: $325 – $575
Fuel/propulsion system
8 owners mentioned a cost$708median
Middle half: $600 – $1,062
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other HHR year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the HHR median. How we score
'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Chevrolet HHR safety ratings
2009 Chevrolet HHR 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, and the recalls they led to.
- Fuel Line LeakNo recall
In owners' words
What HHR owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated and occasionally flashed on and off. The vehicle was…
When driving my 2009 HHR the steering wheel shakes & vibrate at different intervals. Usually while slowing down to a stop & sometimes after during high speeds. Recently the noise it made was frightening. I had to use my emergency flashers & drive 50 mi per hr. on the freeway to arrive home safely.…
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that after parking, a popping noise was present coming from inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact discovered flames coming from the interior roof dome lights. The contact used water to extinguish the flames. The cause of the failure…
Own a 2009 HHR?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.