The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Avoid · most complaints: electrical
151 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Honda Civic 812009 Toyota Corolla 2842009 Hyundai Elantra 46
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR
- Steering rack / power steering57 complaintsmostly at 48,000–76,000 miles (77,000–122,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion45 complaintsmostly at 75,000–127,000 miles (121,000–204,000 km)
- Engine stalling20 complaintsmostly at 38,000–110,000 miles (60,000–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 508 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 27,000 and 60,000 miles (44,000–97,000 km) (the middle half of the 130 complaints, of all 151 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14E021000 (electrical), 14V171000 (electrical) and 14V153000 (steering) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Chevy sent dealers 1003 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The power steering is inoperative or the vehicle is hard to turn”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 151 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 27K to 60K miles (44K to 97K km) on the car (130 of all 151 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Key stuck in the iginition car still running. Key release doesn't work. Car was left running all night.
2009 Chevrolet HHR owner · NHTSA complaint 10478570
More owner reports
Power steering motor goes out while driving and fixes its self once you shut the car and start back up. Key gets stuck in ignition can't turn the car off.
NHTSA complaint 10454561
2009 HHR key stuck in the ignition. Unable to turn off motor. Had to disconnect the battery.
NHTSA complaint 10422297
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 6.6M views · 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical532K views
Chevrolet HHR Car Stereo radio Removal replace 2006 - 2008 = Car Stereo HELPFactory Car Stereo Repair · 370K views · 7 videos - Death wobble & steering347K views
2009 Chevy HHR Power Steering (EZ FIX)James LaVerdi · 246K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door222K views
How to rechare AC on 2006 Chevy HHRDom B · 57K views · 7 videos - Steering & suspension214K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearing 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHRTRQ · 55K views · 10 videos
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring194K views
2006 Chevy HHR Dash Gauges and Dash Lights Intermittent IssuesCan They Drive Garage · 78K views · 4 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors151K views
2006 Chevy HHR Oxygen Sensor ReplacementKlelious Davis · 43K views · 8 videos - Brakes & ABS104K views
How to Replace Rear Brakes 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHRTRQ · 37K views · 6 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition98K views
No Start No Crank Code 1682 2007 HHR by Scared Shiftless Rides and WrecksMark Boice · 85K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Chevy HHR SUV 1st Generation 2006-111A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 347K views
Chevy HHR 2006 to 2011 common problems, issues, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 46K views
2006 Chevy HHR Gearshift/ Transmission problemsJ M · 37K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1003 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The power steering is inoperative or the vehicle is hard to turn
- Gm/hummer/saab: intermittent illumination of mil, service lamps, service messages, or dtc set…
- Daewoo/saturn/opel/pontiac/chevrolet: instrument panel cluster (ipc) air bag indicator…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- Steering · recall issued 2014
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show all 5 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
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 vehicle.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2009
GENERAL 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet HHR recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel line leak2020–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,400–$2,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet HHR year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Chevrolet HHR years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-hhr/?y=2009" title="Chevrolet HHR reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-hhr/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Chevrolet HHR reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 265; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet HHR year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet HHR problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (43%), steering (30%) and airbags (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR get?
23 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet HHR problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 27,000 and 60,000 miles (44,000–97,000 km) (the middle half of the 130 complaints, of all 151 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2009 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet HHR year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works