2009 Chevrolet HHR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
508 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 407 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 133 of 508 complaints (26.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 140 | 27.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 83 | 16.3% |
| Braking behavior | 46 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 29 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 23 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 133 |
| Steering | 123 |
| Air Bags | 99 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 69 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 25 |
| Service Brakes | 20 |
| Engine | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
Electrical System: 133; Steering: 123; Air Bags: 99; Fuel/Propulsion System: 69; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 25; Service Brakes: 20; Engine: 18; Unknown Or Other: 17
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 45 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 92 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 115 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 63 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 58 |
| 150,000 and above | 34 |
Under 25,000: 45; 25,000 to 49,999: 92; 50,000 to 74,999: 115; 75,000 to 99,999: 63; 100,000 to 149,999: 58; 150,000 and above: 34
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (115). 101 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2011 | 50 |
| 2012 | 70 |
| 2013 | 57 |
| 2014 | 110 |
| 2015 | 38 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 34 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 12; 2010: 19; 2011: 50; 2012: 70; 2013: 57; 2014: 110; 2015: 38; 2016: 17; 2017: 11; 2018: 25; 2019: 12; 2020: 34; 2021: 25; 2022: 10; 2023: 12; 2024: 5; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 140 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 83 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 46 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10347506 · 2010-08-05 (August 5, 2010)
POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY IN 2009 HHR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10370555 · 2010-12-14 (December 14, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD FAILED. THE FAILED COMPONENTS WERE NO LONGER LISTED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,536.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,536 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258362 · 2009-02-11 (February 11, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE DEALER INSTALLED HEATED SEATS. AFTERWARDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS STOPPED WORKING. THE HEATED SEATS ARE DRAINING THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, IT FAILS TO START DUE TO THE DRAINED BATTERY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER IN ORDER TO BE RESTARTED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A SWITCH UNDERNEATH THE SEATS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK …
Owner-reported narrative. 620 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269283 · 2009-05-18 (May 18, 2009)
FAILURE: "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT CAME ON. 1ST INCIDENT: "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT CAME ON WITH PASSENGER SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, DEALERSHIP REPAIRED FAULTY COMPONENT. 2ND INCIDENT: "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT CAME ON WITH PASSENGER SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, DEALERSHIP REPAIRED DIFFERENT FAULTY COMPONENT. 3RD INCIDENT: USE OF 12V ACCESSORY, NO PASSENGER PRESENT, AS WELL AS PASSENGER PRESENT, "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON/OFF. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOT TO USE 12V ACCESSORIES AS THEY MAY CAUSE SOME RF…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,240 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281421 · 2009-08-22 (August 22, 2009)
NEW 2009 CHEVY HHR - TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE NEW CAR - DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS - 850 MILES. WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES STARTED FEELING SOFT WHILE GOING DOWNHILL. LATER APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 20 MPH, BRAKES TRAVELED ABOUT 2/3 OF WAY BEFORE DOING ANYTHING. APPLIED MORE PRESSURE AND CAR PULLED TO RIGHT. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND CAR KEPT MOVING. PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND STOPPED WITH NOSE OF CAR IN THE INTERSECTION. THERE WERE NO PANEL LIGHTS INDICATING A BRAKE FAILURE. CHECK OF THE BRAKE FLUID SHOWED IT IS …
Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10395309 · 2011-04-08 (April 8, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF SHE HAD TO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THE FUSE THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS CURRENTLY WORKING ON A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10426914 · 2011-09-23 (September 23, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE BATTERY AND FUEL PUMP FUSE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE IGNITION LOCK AND CYLINDER. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED AND THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE IGNITION FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,426 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,726.
Owner-reported narrative. 71,426 miles reported. Look up ODI 10426914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365889 · 2010-11-15 (November 15, 2010)
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 09 CHEVY HHR AND WITHIN THE FIRST 150 MILES WE GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE FUEL WAS RUNNING LEAN. HE RESET THE COMPUTER AND TOLD ME TO PUT FUEL ADDITIVE IN THE TANK. I DID SO AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON AND THE ENGINE IS BEGINNING TO STALL AND LOSE POWER....WHAT ARE WE TO DO, CAR STILL HAS A FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT CAN'T GET HELP... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10365889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10442847 · 2012-01-08 (January 8, 2012)
DTC CODE P0475 ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE, CANADA HAS A RECALL ON THESE CARS WHY NOT THE UNITED STATES? THE LINK TO THE SITE WITH THE DETAILS LISTED BELOW IS.. >>> HTTP://WWWAPPS.TC.GC.CA/SAF-SEC-SUR/7/VRDB-BDRV/SEARCH/RECALLDETAIL.ASPX?LANG=ENG&&RN=2010447 <<< ROAD SAFETY RECALLS DATABASE TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL # 2010447 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECALL DATE 2010/12/16 NOTIFICATION TYPE SAFETY TC SYSTEM STEERING MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER 10413 UNITS…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442847 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10397470 · 2011-04-26 (April 26, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE KEYS WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10397470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10405426 · 2011-06-07 (June 7, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A CLUNKING NOISE AND SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS, HUBS, RIMS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE YET THE FAILURE RECURRED LESS THAN 100 MILES LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10405426 at NHTSA ↗