Chevrolet HHR problems
0 safety recalls. 508 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
WHILE TURNING I'VE HAD THE ELECTRIC STEERING GO OUT MY VEHICLE. DURING ONE OCCASION I WAS AVOIDING SOMEONE THAT HAD PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY EVERYTHING IS NORMAL BUT YET THE VEHICLES ELECTRIC STEERING COMES AND GOES WHILE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS OPENED, A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED INSIDE THE CABIN APPROXIMATELY FOUR DAYS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS WHEN I START MY 2009 CHEVY HHR PANEL, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. IT DOES NOT GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS COME ON AS IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. IT ONLY COMES ON AT STARTING NEVER WHILE DRIVING. I AM VERY CONCERN…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 508 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Chevrolet HHR is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 127 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet HHR has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 508 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.