The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 7,533 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V421000 (visibility), 10V179000 (body structure) and 09V080000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Hummer sent dealers 953 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Gm/hummer/saab: intermittent illumination of mil, service lamps, service messages, or dtc set…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hummer's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 9 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 12K to 34K miles (19K to 56K km) on the car (9 of all 9 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.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.5M views · 2006–2010 Hummer H3
Most-watched topics
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4222K views
How to Use Four-Wheel Drive 4X4 Control System on Hummer H3 Adventure Package 2009-2010Newroad · 190K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical100K views
2005 - 2010 Hummer H3 Radio InstallProvo Beast Audio Installation · 87K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service81K views
Change Engine Oil and Filter 2006-10 Hummer H3 Removing Shield Guards – Resetting Change Oil WarningJohn C RV · 45K views · 4 videos - Timing chain & engine61K views
2008 Hummer H3 Misfire Case Study (Part 4) Leak down test revisitedScannerDanner · 61K views
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition57K views
2008 Hummer H3 no crank no start fixNestor Auto Repair · 57K views - Steering & suspension44K views
Front Differential Bushing Replacement | 2007 H3 Hummer 3.7L (Chevy Colorado - GMC Canyon)John C RV · 22K views · 5 videos - Transmission & shifter37K views
2008 HUMMER H3 Transmission replacement made easy. DIY Hummer H3 Transmission. (4L60)TheGrayMechanic · 21K views · 2 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers32K views
HOW TO REPLACE a HVAC BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR | 2007 Hummer H3 - Ticking noise in DashJohn C RV · 32K views
Before you buy, watch
Hummer H3 2006 to 2010 common problems, issues, recalls, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 81K views
Top 5 Problems Hummer H3 SUV 2006-2010 1st Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 50K views
2008 hummer h3 3.7L oil pressure problemswhatz next · 19K 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 Hummer told dealers about
Hummer sent dealers 953 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Gm/hummer/saab: intermittent illumination of mil, service lamps, service messages, or dtc set…
- There are multiple concerns with the onstar system
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.
- Body structure · recall issued 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HUMMER H3 VEHICLES.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,738 MY 2009 HUMMER H3T 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
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every Hummer H3 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 4 Hummer H3 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/hummer-h3/?y=2009" title="Hummer H3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" 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/hummer-h3/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Hummer H3 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Hummer H3 reliable?
We can't score it: only 7,533 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Hummer H3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (44%), brakes (22%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Hummer H3 have?
3 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Hummer H3 get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Hummer H3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Hummer H3 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Hummer H3 have?
3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What Hummer H3 year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
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