2009 Chevrolet HHR - Ratings, Complaints and Recalls

The 2009 Chevrolet HHR 4-DR. w/SAB has received impressive safety ratings in both front and side crash tests, with a perfect score of 5 for both the driver and passenger sides in these categories. Although the overall rating is not specified, the high scores in specific crash scenarios indicate a strong level of safety for occupants. Additionally, this car comes equipped with standard electronic stability control, which is a crucial feature for maintaining control and preventing accidents on the road. However, it does not have forward collision warning or lane departure warning systems.

In terms of complaints and recalls, there have been 502 complaints reported for this vehicle, which may be a cause for concern. Additionally, there have been 5 recalls issued for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, indicating potential safety or performance issues that need to be addressed. It is important for owners of this car to stay informed about any recalls and make sure necessary repairs are made to ensure continued safety on the road.

auto generated summary, may be inaccurate.

Top stats at a glance

Complaint Count

502

Recall Count

5

Investigation Count

1

Safety Rating

Not Rated

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Safety Features

2009 Chevrolet HHR 4-DR. w/SAB Safety Features

Here are the safety features that come as standard on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR 4-DR. w/SAB

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ESC is an advanced safety feature in vehicles designed to help drivers maintain control during challenging driving conditions. By continuously monitoring various factors such as steering angle, vehicle speed, and individual wheel speeds, ESC can detect and reduce the risk of skidding or loss of control. It achieves this by automatically applying brakes to specific wheels to stabilize the vehicle.

Standard
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is a safety feature in vehicles that helps prevent frontal collisions by alerting the driver of an imminent collision with a vehicle or obstacle ahead. Using sensors such as radar or cameras, FCW monitors the distance and speed of vehicles in front, and if it detects a potential collision, it provides visual and/or auditory warnings to prompt the driver to take evasive action.

No
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is a safety feature in vehicles that alerts drivers when their vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane without signaling. Utilizing cameras or sensors to monitor lane markings on the road, LDW detects when the vehicle crosses these lines and triggers visual, auditory, or haptic alerts to notify the driver of potential lane departure.

No

2009 Chevrolet HHR 4-DR. w/SAB Safety Ratings

Here we have the crash and rollover ratings for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR 4-DR. w/SAB Where possible we've included the ratings for the oldest and latest models of this car so you can compare how the safety ratings have changed over time.

Frontal Crash Ratings

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Test 2006 Score 2009 Score 2011 Score
Overall Front Crash Rating Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
Front Crash Driver Side Rating 5 5 Not Rated
Front Crash Passenger Side Rating 5 5 Not Rated

Side Crash Ratings

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Test 2006 Score 2009 Score 2011 Score
Overall Side Crash Rating Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
Side Crash Drivers Side Rating 5 5 Not Rated
Side Crash Passenger Side Rating 5 5 Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier Pole Rating - Front Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier Pole Rating - Rear Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated
Overall Side Barrier Rating Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated

Rollover Ratings

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Test 2006 Score 2009 Score 2011 Score
Rollover Rating Not Rated Not Rated 4
Rollover Possibility % 0% 0% 0%
Dynamic Tip Result No Tip
Side Pole Crash Rating Not Rated Not Rated Not Rated

Complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR

This chart show the number of complaints for each car component. A Higher number of complaints could indicate that this car might have a common fault. Something to look out for when purchasing one.

Component Complaints

Choose a component to see what complaints people have made about them.

Complaint:
"the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light, the esc service, the esc off, and the traction control warning lights illuminated, followed by the loss of power steering functionality. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the power steering assist motor and the power steering assist module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in a recall or tsb. the failure mileage was 185,000."
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2023-12-04
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was loose. the contact stated that after making a turn, the steering wheel failed to return to the center. the contact manually returned the wheel back to center. the vehicle was previously repaired at south haven chevrolet buick gmc (10159 m-140 south haven mi 49090, (269)906-9558), and repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). the contact was informed that the recall repair was a one time free repair. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 130,000."
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2020-01-05
Complaint:
"the vehicle has started losing power steering at low speeds intermittently. in researching the problem, a recall on the electronic power steering for this 2009 hhr was found. in addition, i found that gm issued a bulletin (14119) under recall n140115, stating that for model year 2006-2008 and early production 2009 hhrs, to provide eps motor replacement for the life of the vehicle. since i have not had this vehicle since 2009, i contacted the dealership to look up the recall history and found the eps motor was replaced once already. however, this late 2008 production/mid-2009 delivery hhr is losing power steering at low speeds again. while myself and teenage daughter have driven it on the road. the dealership could get no diagnostic code of this and has told me there is no open recall on this vehicle and we are responsible for paying for the motor replacement. i am very disturbed that this problem 1. generates no code, 2. is being unacknowledged by gm, and 3. seems to be an on-going threat to safety for many hhr drivers. gm has made a mistake in not including my make/model (or so it seems) in the bulletin pertaining to replacing the eps motor for life and is failing to acknowledge that they may have additional vehicles on the road needing to be serviced, especially when the driver states there is a problem posing a serious safety concern. note, the production of my hhr being in 2008, delivered in 2009 and failure by gm to acknowledge under bulletin 14119."
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2020-09-02
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. while driving 35 mph, the power steering assist failed to operate. the contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated; but not the eps indicator. the vehicle was taken to jennings beardstown chevrolet, buick, gmc (61 plaza dr., beardstown, il 62618, (217) 323-2322), but was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 12,278."
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2018-05-04
Complaint:
"the steering wheel turns to right by itself while driving slow. i have to hold the steering while real tight and firm to stop it from turning right. on aug 26 2017 at 5pm, i was ready to make a slight right turn, but the steering wheel took control over me, the car turned right by itself before i turned the steering wheel. this morning while driving in slow traffic, the steering wheel turned towards right, i had put strength and hold firm and strong with my hands on steering wheel to stop it from turning right by itself. while driving fast, i felt the steering wheel vibrate towards right and heard vibrating sound...it could be life threatening if the steer wheel is out of control."
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2019-04-08
Complaint:
"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 the failure. the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (power steering). the failure mileage was 91,000."
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2016-10-12
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. when the contact started to drive the vehicle, the power steering seized. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was no power going to the steering. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 75,000."
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2017-11-10
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was included in four recalls. the contact was advised to have the vehicle receive the recall repairs despite no failures occurring. once the vehicle received the recall repair for the power steering and had the power steering assist motor replaced, the power steering failed. the following day, while driving approximately 5 mph, the power steering failed without warning. the contact parked the vehicle and restarted the vehicle; however, the power steering was still inoperable. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they were able to repair the vehicle; however, the diagnostic results were not provided. the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was unsure of what was replaced. the failure recurred. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 126,000."
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2016-04-05
Complaint:
"2009 chevrolet hhr. consumer states paid for power steering repair. request reimbursement. *ta the consumer stated the power steering failed. *jb"
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2013-09-10
Complaint:
"tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. while driving approximately 10 mph and making a turn, the contact heard a loud scraping noise coming from the steering column. the failure occurred immediately after the vehicle was repaired according to nhtsa campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). the vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer and repaired. the failure recurred and the dealer stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. the manufacturer was not notified. the approximate failure mileage was 38,888. updated 11/20/14*cn updated 08/30/2017*ct"
Components Involved: STEERING
Date of incident: 2014-09-09

Recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR

Component Recalls

Choose a component to see what recalls people have made about them.

Recall:
"general 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."
Consequence:
If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy:

General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

Component(s) Involved: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM > IGNITION
Date of incident: 2014-04-10

CHEVROLET Overall Complaint Ranking

This table shows the ranking of car manufacturers when it comes to most complaints and recalls. The manufacturer with the most complaints is at the top. However this doesn't necassarily mean they should be avoided. Some manufacturers might just have more popular or affordable cars which a lot of people have bought. Which means there's more scope for a complaint to be made. Use the ranking table below as a part your wider research into buying a car.

CHEVROLET ranks 2 out of 44 in the complaints ranking table.

Manufacturer Complaint Count Recall Count Ranking
FORD 208,358 3,259 1
CHEVROLET 111,306 2,082 2
TOYOTA 81,019 1,852 3
HONDA 61,937 1,268 4
NISSAN 56,226 930 5
DODGE 45,756 827 6
HYUNDAI 44,150 649 7
GMC 34,441 1,410 8
KIA 29,832 501 9
CHRYSLER 27,698 254 10
TESLA 26,230 730 11
BMW 24,890 1,877 12
VOLKSWAGEN 23,125 829 13
MERCEDES-BENZ 19,066 2,925 14
SUBARU 18,513 703 15
MAZDA 10,599 364 16
PONTIAC 10,430 138 17
CADILLAC 9,434 444 18
AUDI 7,865 1,093 19
BUICK 7,851 279 20
SATURN 7,672 84 21
MERCURY 7,374 135 22
LEXUS 6,373 408 23
LINCOLN 5,897 423 24
ACURA 5,722 382 25
MINI 5,585 366 26
INFINITI 4,000 187 27
MITSUBISHI 3,912 397 28
VOLVO 3,875 727 29
PORSCHE 2,646 1,231 30
SUZUKI 2,272 123 31
FIAT 2,205 80 32
SAAB 1,536 76 33
JAGUAR 1,195 198 34
SMART 528 17 35
GENESIS 436 42 36
ISUZU 249 37 37
ALFA ROMEO 161 37 38
MASERATI 76 46 39
BENTLEY 46 159 40
POLESTAR 42 2 41
LUCID 14 6 42
CODA 4 2 43
MAYBACH 0 0 44

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