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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system38
  2. Air bags13
  3. Engine10
  4. Structure8
  5. Visibility7
  6. Visibility/wiper6
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  8. Power train2
  9. Suspension2
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  11. Fuel/propulsion system1
  12. Steering1
  13. Service brakes, electric1
  14. 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
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
20091
20104
20112
20122
20133
20145
201526
201610
20175
20187
20194
20204
20211
20221
20231
20240
20253
20261

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

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2026Electrical systemODI 11720259

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2022Air bagsODI 11496178

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2025EngineODI 11634368

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2023StructureODI 11527382

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2018Visibility, Visibility/wiperODI 11128050

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???????”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2018Steering, Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11144605
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.