Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Hummer H3 problems
Owners filed 80 complaints about the 2009 Hummer H3 with NHTSA between Jan 2009 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (38).
Complaints
80
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system38
- Air bags13
- Engine10
- Structure8
- Visibility7
- Visibility/wiper6
- Electronic stability control (esc)4
- Power train2
- Suspension2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Steering1
- Service brakes, electric1
- Seats1
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
4
2
2
3
5
26
10
5
7
4
4
1
1
1
0
3
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
38 reports4 fires
“Category: Recall Reimbursement Problem NHTSA Complaint Description I am filing a complaint regarding General Motors’ refusal to reimburse an out-of-pocket repair related to Safety Recall N150042 on my 2009 Hummer H3 (VIN: [XXX] ). On December 31, 2025, I paid $946.06 out-of-pocket to correct the defect covered by Recall N150042 (blower motor connector module). The repair was performed at Coleman Buick GMC Cadillac in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. A complete reimbursement package was submitted to GM. GM has denied reimbursement, claiming that this recall was previously repaired in 2016. However: • No documentation has been provided to support that claim. • No repair order number has been provided. • No servicing dealer or repair location has been identified. • No proof of recall closure documentation has been produced. • No warranty claim record has been provided. Despite repeated requests, GM has refused to provide any evidence that Recall N150042 was completed in 2016. The defect was present in 2025 and was corrected by a GM-authorized dealership. If the recall had truly been completed in 2016, documentation should exist and be readily producible. GM is refusing…”
Air bags
13 reports1 crash
“Traveling at approximately 35mph on inner city road in my 2009 Hummer H3T, both driver and passenger side curtain airbags deployed without any warning, no collision or accident, system went into crash mode and fired seat belt tensioners. Pictures taken of the exterior conditions and terrain/road conditions. Luckily just driver was in vehicle no other passengers. Vehicle taken to GMC dealer and inspected by service tech and insurance company. Multiple other Hummer H3(T) owners have experienced similar incidents. Lack of parts OEM or after market make repairs unlikely will be contacting GM.”
Engine
10 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Hummer H3. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact waited for a while before the vehicle started. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to start. The contact stated that while her husband was at the store, he waited for 15 minutes before the vehicle started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery and starter, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Structure
8 reports1 related recall
“I was having the truck inspected per state yearly requirements and when the shop lifted the truck, the bed bent backward. The frame was rusted out on both sides.”
Visibility
7 reports1 fire1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER DID NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. CITY CADILLAC (90-10, 43RD ST, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY), BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,500. *TT *DT UPDATED 10/9/18*JB”
Visibility/wiper
6 reports
“THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER @ CITY CADILLAC MORE THAN A 12 TIMES & THEY STILL HAVE NOT FIXED THE 1ST (#15042) OR 2ND RECALL (#14582). THE TRUCK HAS VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL, STEERING, LEAKING & MOTOR MOUNT ISSUES JUST TO SAY THE LEAST PLUS I AM A DISABLED US MARINE VETERAN WHO WAS SHOT IN DESERT STORM AND I REALLY NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET AROUND ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE HANDICAP LICENSE PLATES FOR MY SPECIAL NEEDS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP???????”
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.