Problems · by component

2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical system problems

151 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet HHR cite electrical system, 30% of all 508 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
151
30% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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. I took my car to Mark Chevrolet & reported it on 08/02/2021. The car's mileage was 133344. The car is not an everyday vehicle that is driven often. I received the car on 08/17/2021 after the steering column & shaft were replaced along with resurfacing front brake rotors & rear brake job. On August 18, 2021 while driving on the freeway I went to blow my horn at a hazardous situation & discovered none of the steering wheels controls were working, horn & etc. I immediately returned my car to Mark Chevrolet & reported their negligence & how they had risk my life to release the car without these functions working. They supposedly corrected the problem. On 07/05/2022 I had to return my car to Mark Chevrolet because I was experiencing the identical problem with my steering wheel vibrating & make noise. My cars mileage was only 137641 less than a year later with just 4,297…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2022Steering, Suspension, Electrical systemODI 11474383
“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 was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,853.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2021Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11429903
“The contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that a loud popping sound was heard after exiting the vehicle. The contact turned around and saw fire coming from inside the roof of the vehicle. The fire was coming from the rear interior roof light. The contact was able to put out the fire with water. No police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 145,385. The VIN was unavailable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2021Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11426855
“I was driving about 30 miles an hour in town when the check engine light started to Flash then immediately following all the dashlight started to Flash and then not a second later the car shut off the steering will locked the brakes locked up And all the doors were locked So at 30 miles an hour the brakes locked up the steering wheel locked so I couldn't turn the wheel and the car shut off There were no injuries thank God”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2021Electrical systemODI 11423118
“MY STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE, ONSET ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO DRIVING, SPEEDING UP OR BRAKING HAS NO EFFECT ON THE FREQUENCY OR LEVEL OF SHAKE. MY STEERING WHEEL WILL BE NORMAL, ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE, GOING THE SAME SPEED WILL BEGIN TO SHAKE. I CAN STOP AND PARK THE CAR, RESTART IT, WILL NOT SHAKE UNTIL I AM DRIVING AGAIN ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE. WHILE SHAKING, IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN TO GET INTO THE NEXT LANE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE CITY DRIVING, I AM TOO AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON THE HIGHWAY OR GO OVER 40 MPH AS I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2021Steering, Electrical systemODI 11407079

Showing 6 of 151 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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