2009 Chevrolet Hhr Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr.

20082010
Complaints
689
Crashes
31
Fires
10
Injuries
36
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2009 Chevrolet Hhr Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1133 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:78,491 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:5
#2123 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:80,742 mi
Crash-related:2
#399 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:67,067 mi
Crash-related:13
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr.

Electrical Faults
133
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
5
Avg Miles
78,491
Steering Defects
123
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
80,742
Airbags
99
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
Avg Miles
67,067
Fuel System
69
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
113,450
Electronic Stability Control
25
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
86,249
Brakes
20
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
86,943
Engine Problems
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
86,979
Transmission / Drivetrain
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
83,322
Electrical System:Ignition
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,746
Headlight/Taillight Failures
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,206
Gasoline Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
88,000
Seat Belt Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
81,246
Hydraulic Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
15,157
Unintended Acceleration
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,949
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
82,783
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
62,139
Steering:Electric Power Assist System
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,630
Structure:Body:Door
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,421
Wipers & Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
56,470
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
98,764
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
49,000
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Chevrolet Hhr

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,755,125 vehicles.

14V171000Electrical System:ignition
~2,191,014 affected

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. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

14V153000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~1,373,177 affected

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. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

14V047000Airbags · Electrical System:ignition:switch
~2,190,934 affected

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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Other Chevrolet Hhr Years

2009 Chevrolet Hhr — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2009 Chevrolet Hhr has 689 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 133 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (133 complaints, avg 78,491 mi); Steering Defects (123 complaints, avg 80,742 mi); Airbags (99 complaints, avg 67,067 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 78,904 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr include 31 crash-related reports, 10 fire reports, 36 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Hhr have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,755,125 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Chevrolet Hhr?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Hhr reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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