This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Chevrolet HHR powertrain problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handling of assembly returns for Canadian Dealers only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Chevrolet HHR powertrain exhibits several distinct failure patterns across 13 complaints. Most serious: a complete stall with simultaneous steering wheel seizure at 45 mph that caused a tree crash and serious injury (54,285 miles). Multiple owners report inability to turn off the ignition key—it becomes stuck in the On position after shifting to Park, forcing them to pull electrical fuses to shut down the engine. Dealer refusal to acknowledge this issue and billing owners for repairs is documented.
Transmission defects include failure to engage Reverse, refusal to shift out of first gear despite pedal input, and hard violent shifts that owners describe as neck-breaking (complaints at 47,942 and 95,300 miles). One transmission failed entirely at 95,300 miles. Separately, one vehicle spontaneously shifted into Reverse while in Neutral at a car wash—occurring three times over nine visits.
Engine power delivery problems appear frequently: hesitation from stops, continuous sputtering at low speeds (unresolved by dealer diagnosis), and limp-mode activation with check engine and ESC warnings that limit speed to 5 mph. One owner reported brake pedal failure with violent shaking at 40 mph (62,000 miles). A steering column defect and timing-chain noise round out documented failures. Recall 08016 was applied to at least one vehicle without resolving repeated symptoms.
Same Chevrolet HHR powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling and complete power loss
Engine stalls suddenly while driving without warning, sometimes accompanied by steering wheel lockup. In one case resulted in a crash.
When: Ranges from 50,000 to 54,285 miles; one complaint at 191,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: sudden stalling at highway speeds (40–60 mph); steering wheel seizure; vehicle failed to start on several occasions
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle was destroyed; dealer service under recall 08016 did not resolve identical symptoms on another vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 08016 applied to at least one affected vehicle
Transmission stuck in gear and won't respond
Transmission fails to shift properly or remain in selected gear. Vehicle stuck in first gear despite driver input, or vehicle will not respond in Drive despite working in Reverse.
When: 47,942 to 95,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: failure to accelerate from traffic stop; vehicle remains locked in first gear despite accelerator input; reverse gear fails to engage when shift selector placed in reverse; hard shifting that is violent and neck-breaking
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed transmission failure requiring full replacement; owner chose not to repair. Another owner reports dangerous hard shifts on a nearly new vehicle.
Key stuck in ignition, unable to turn off vehicle
Ignition key becomes stuck and will not turn to the Off position, leaving vehicle running. Owner must pull fuse to shut down engine. Occurs after placing vehicle in Park.
When: No mileage reported; affects multiple owners
Symptoms owners cite: key stuck in ignition after putting vehicle in Park; unable to turn key Off; vehicle remains running; unable to verify shift selector is actually in Park
Repairs/costs cited: Owners had to disconnect battery or pull fuel fuse to shut down vehicle. Dealer refused to acknowledge problem and charged owner hundreds of dollars.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner expressed hope for recall coverage; no manufacturer response documented. One complaint noted steering column replacement was a recalled item.
Transmission engages reverse on its own
Transmission spontaneously engages Reverse while vehicle is in Neutral with engine running and no driver input. Backup lights illuminate when this occurs.
When: No mileage reported
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle goes into Reverse by itself while in Neutral; backup lights activate; occurs randomly at automated car wash; happened three times over nine car wash visits
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in complaint
Hesitation and sputtering under load
Engine hesitates to accelerate from stop and sputters continuously while driving at low speeds. Dealer unable to duplicate the failure.
When: 50,000 miles for sputtering complaint; timing not specified for other hesitation
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle hesitant to accelerate from traffic stop; engine sputters continuously at 40 mph without warning; sputtering occurs over two-year period
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not reproduce the failure; no repairs completed
Reduced power limp mode and check engine light
Vehicle enters low-power limp mode on startup and during driving, triggered by check engine light, ESC Off warning, and reduced engine power indicator. Vehicle speed limited to 5 mph or less.
When: No mileage reported
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light illumination; reduced engine power indicator; ESC Off warning light; vehicle enters low-power mode; cannot exceed 5 mph
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented
Brake system failure with ESC warning
Brake pedal fails to operate while vehicle shakes violently and ESC warning light illuminates. Occurs during normal driving on a curve.
When: 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: violent shaking around curve at 40 mph; ESC warning light illumination; brake pedal depressed but fails to operate
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Timing chain noise and steering column defect
Front-end ticking noise consistent with timing chain noise. Steering column replaced at owner expense despite being a recalled item.
When: Complaint submitted after powertrain warranty expired July 27, 2014
Symptoms owners cite: front-end ticking noise suggesting timing chain issue
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer charged $135/hour diagnostic fee (warranty expired); steering column replacement cost $200 and was refused as warranty refund because it is a recalled item
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Steering column is a recalled item per owner account
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 54,285 and 97,500 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,285; a quarter make it past 97,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/HHR.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.