2009 Chevrolet HHR: common problems and reliability
An average HHR year.
508 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 HHR?The 2009 Chevrolet HHR has 508 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and steering. Owners most often flag electric power steering (eps) failure: sudden loss of power steering assist, dashboard warning message, intermittent operation. a recall is referenced for 2009-2010 non-turbo models among other gm vehicles.
Safety record for the 2009 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Chevrolet HHR vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other HHR years only. How we score it
Is 2009 a good year for the HHR?
Across the 6 HHR model years we track, complaint volume runs from 406 (2011) to 1,006 (2006). With 508 complaints, the 2009 HHR sits below the model's median of 616.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2009 HHR
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 14V171000General 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.
steering:electric power assist system
Campaign 14V153000General 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.
air bags
Campaign 14V047000This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
electrical system:ignition:switch
Campaign 14E021000UCI-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.
Show 1 more recall
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Campaign 09V073000GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on maintenance history and powertrain configuration.
- RecurrentElectric Power Steering (EPS) failure
Sudden loss of power steering assist, dashboard warning message, intermittent operation. A recall is referenced for 2009-2010 non-turbo models among other GM vehicles.
Owner insights cover all generations of the HHR. See the full HHR owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used HHR listings typically run $4,650–$8,165 across 2006 to 2011 model years.
Other HHR model years
Compare every HHR year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.
Compare the HHR against its rivals
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