Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Chevrolet HHRRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 508 owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR. Most complaints involve electrical system (151) and steering (127). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
23–26mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
508
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

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 use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Steering: electric power assist system

Remedy pending

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.

SteeringReported Mar 31, 2014NHTSA 14V153000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

508 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2009 – Jul 2025
  1. Electrical system151
  2. Steering127
  3. Air bags104
  4. Fuel/propulsion system69
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)25
  6. Structure21
  7. Service brakes20
  8. Engine18
  9. Fuel system, gasoline16

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each HHR model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20061,006
2007726
2008616
2009508
2010516
2011203
Crashes reported
20
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

151 reports3 crashes5 fires
“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 taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact had previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11673723

Steering

127 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light, the ESC service, the ESC off, and the traction control warning lights illuminated, followed by the loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the power steering assist motor and the power steering assist module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall or TSB. The failure mileage was 185,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2023SteeringODI 11517820

Air bags

104 reports14 crashes
“The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Service Air Bag message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2023Air bagsODI 11509856
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400342
HHR Panel FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400342
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
HHR Panel FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500355
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$2,600370
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
HHR Panel FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$2,600370
HHR Panel FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
HHR Panel FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600370
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192923$2,700386
HHR Panel FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192923$2,700386
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR Panel FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5873Vehicle 5872Vehicle 5078
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 HHR questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet HHR problems?

Owners filed 508 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (151), steering (127), air bags (104). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Chevrolet HHR at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026