CarBrief

Owners of the 2009 HHR filed 508 complaints with NHTSA, led by electrical, steering and air bag issues[1][2][3][4]. Four recalls apply, and two of them are recorded with the remedy not yet available[5][6][7].

508owner complaints[1]
4recalls[5]
23–26MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 508 owner complaints on file for the 2009 HHR[1]. Of these, 20 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 25 injuries, and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports. One complaint can name several components, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

The biggest groups by complaint count:

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries Median miles at failure
Electrical system[2] 151 3 5 6 55,000
Steering[3] 127 3 0 2 59,140
Air bags[4] 104 14 0 18 56,000
Fuel/propulsion system[9] 69 0 0 0 105,802

We also read a small sample of complaint texts in each group. Here is what owners describe.

Recalls

Four recalls apply to the 2009 HHR[5]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists ratings for three engines, each with manual and automatic versions. Combined ratings run from 23 to 26 MPG, and EPA's estimated annual fuel cost runs from $2,600 to $2,900[12][13][8]. The fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L turbo, Manual 5-spd[12] 21 / 29 / 24 $2,800
2.0L turbo, Automatic 4-spd[13] 19 / 29 / 23 $2,900
2.2L, Manual 5-spd[8] 22 / 32 / 26 $2,600
2.2L, Automatic 4-spd[14] 22 / 30 / 25 $2,700
2.4L, Manual 5-spd[15] 21 / 30 / 24 $2,800
2.4L, Automatic 4-spd[16] 22 / 29 / 24 $2,800

The 2.0L turbo engine uses regular gasoline. The 2.2L and 2.4L are listed for gasoline or E85[12][14][15]. The panel version has the same numbers for each engine and transmission[17][18][19][20][21][22].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists its 5-star ratings for the 2009 HHR as not rated[23]. That applies to the 4-door, the 4-door W/SAB and both 2-door panel truck versions[23][24][25][26]. So there is no crash-test star rating to compare.

Engine and size

The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
LS/LT 4-door wagon[27] 176 in 69 in 65 in 104 in 3,155 lb
SS 4-door wagon[28] 176 in 69 in 65 in 104 in 3,280 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

2006: 1,006 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 726 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 616 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 508 complaints, 4 recalls50820092010: 515 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 203 complaints, 2 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each HHR model year. The 2009 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20061,0065
20077264
20086164
20095084
20105153
20112032

NHTSA's counts by HHR model year are: 2006 has 1,006 complaints and 5 recalls, 2007 has 726 and 4, 2008 has 616 and 4, 2009 has 508 and 4, 2010 has 515 and 3, and 2011 has 203 and 2[5].

So 2009 has the second-lowest complaint count of the six years, and only 2011 has fewer[5]. 2010 is close at 515[5]. For recalls, 2009 ties 2007 and 2008 at 4, below 2006 at 5 and above 2010 and 2011[5]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show how much was reported, not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2009 HHR?

The record shows a car with real, specific issues. Complaints about the ignition, power steering and air bag warning light show up in the samples we read, and four recalls apply[2][3][4][5]. Two of those recalls are recorded with the remedy not yet available, so confirm with a Chevrolet dealer which recall work has been done on the exact car[6][7]. On the plus side, complaints are lower than in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and EPA ratings are 23 to 26 MPG combined[5][13][8]. Our data does not say how reliable the car is overall or what repairs cost, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most reported problems on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
By NHTSA complaint count, electrical system leads with 151, then steering with 127, air bags with 104 and fuel/propulsion with 69[2][3][4][9]. In the samples we read, owners describe ignition keys that would not come out, sudden loss of power steering assist, air bag warning lights and leaking fuel lines.
Does the 2009 HHR have any recalls?
Yes. Four recalls apply: 14V171 (ignition key removal), 14V153 (electric power steering), 14V047 (ignition switch and air bags) and 09V073 (shift cable clip)[10][6][7][11][5]. Remedy for 14V153 and 14V047 is recorded as not yet available[6][7].
What gas mileage does the 2009 HHR get?
EPA combined ratings run from 23 to 26 MPG[12][13][8]. The 2.2L manual is the best at 22 city and 32 highway, and the 2.0L turbo automatic is the lowest at 19 city and 29 highway[8][13].
Is 2009 a better HHR year than 2008?
By complaints on file, yes. 2009 has 508 complaints and 2008 has 616, and both have 4 recalls[5]. The counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide only.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2009 HHR?
NHTSA lists the 2009 HHR body styles as not rated[23][24][25][26].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 508 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR (20 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 25 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 151 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 5 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 127 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,140). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 104 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet HHR model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 14V153, filed March 31, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 69 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,802). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  11. Recall 09V073, filed March 6, 2009: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift. NHTSA recall database
  12. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR PANEL TRUCK W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR PANEL TRUCK FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HHR LS/LT 4DR WAGON: length 176 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,155 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HHR SS 4DR WAGON: length 176 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,280 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.