Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Chevrolet HHR problems

Owners filed 508 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet HHR with NHTSA between Feb 2009 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (151).

Complaints
508
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
20
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
25
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Power train16
  11. Exterior lighting15
  12. Seat belts11
  13. Vehicle speed control10
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic10

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200912
201019
201150
201270
201357
2014110
201538
201617
201711
201825
201912
202034
202125
202210
202312
20245
20251

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

151 reports3 crashes5 fires2 related recalls
“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 crashes1 related recall
“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 crashes1 related recall
“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

Fuel/propulsion system

69 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that there was a fuel leak near the driver's side rear door. The contact stated that the TPMS, ESC, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact researched online and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: PE20011 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact called the local dealer and was informed there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 136,440.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2024Fuel system, gasoline, Fuel system, other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11622868

Electronic stability control (esc)

25 reports1 crash
“THE SERVICE ECS DOES NOT GO OFF. THEIRFOR THE CAR WILL NOT GO UNLESS THE ROADS ARE COMPLETELY FREE OF SNOW AND ICE. THE CAR JUST SITS AND SPINS. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY .CAN NOT DRIVE CAR IN WINTER MONTHS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2019Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11290454

Structure

21 reports
“I was driving and I went to roll the sunroof down and it ejected itself and came off the whole glass and frame and broke in many pieces on the bridge if there would of been a car or person walking it would of hit them and caused a major accident its going to cosy over$2000.00 to get it replaced whicj I cant afford to do I feel like the manufacturer should replace the part it wasnt my fault”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2024StructureODI 11608559
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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