2009 CHEVROLET HHR Complaints and Recall Information
The 2009 Chevrolet HHR has 2 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report an abnormal clicking noise when starting the vehicle as well as an illumination and occasional flashing of the passenger’s side air bag warning light. Attempts to diagnose or repair have sometimes been declined due to cost, and previous recall repairs have not fully resolved the air bag warning issue.
Common Issues- Ignition clicking sound. Owners report an abnormal clicking noise when turning the key to start the vehicle.
- Air bag warning light. The passenger’s side air bag warning light is reported to illuminate and flash intermittently, indicating possible air bag system malfunction.
- Repeated air bag system failure. Issues with the air bag warning light persisted even after recall repairs under NHTSA Campaign Number 14V047000.
There are five recalls related to this vehicle that affect multiple systems including the ignition switch, electrical system, air bag system, and electric power steering. These recalls address safety hazards that may cause the engine to stall, disable air bag deployment, or result in loss of power steering assist.
Recalls- Ignition switch defect. (NHTSA recall 14E021000) Affected 14,529 vehicles where certain aftermarket ignition switches may move out of the run position due to key ring weight or road conditions, causing engine shutdown and disabling air bags. Replacement of faulty switches is required to eliminate risk of air bag failure and stalling.
- Electric power steering failure. (NHTSA recall 14V153000) About 1,373,177 vehicles have potential sudden loss of electric power steering assist while driving. This increases steering effort at low speeds and raises crash risk. GM issued bulletins for motor and sensor replacements when parts become available.
- Faulty ignition key removal. (NHTSA recall 14V171000) Over 2.1 million vehicles including the 2009 HHR allow the key to be removed from the ignition when not in the "Off" position, increasing risk of vehicle rollaway crashes. Dealers will replace ignition cylinders and keys as needed.
- Air bag system defect. (NHTSA recall 14V047000) Approximately 2.19 million vehicles were recalled due to an ignition switch defect that may cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly and prevent the air bags from deploying. GM instructs owners to remove all items from key rings until the ignition switch is replaced free of charge.
- Ignition switch service part defect. (NHTSA recall 14V047000 expansion) The recall was expanded to cover additional vehicles with defective ignition switches used as replacement parts. The defect carries the same risks and repair requirements as the original recall.
Owners of 2009 Chevrolet HHR vehicles facing repeated repairs related to ignition and air bag system defects or those with outstanding recall repairs may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting a qualified attorney can provide guidance on potential legal options available for unresolved safety issues.
2009 CHEVROLET HHR Summary
2009
Model Year
2
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
5769654
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2009 CHEVROLET HHR
2190934 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. 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 vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2009 CHEVROLET HHR
2191014 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Risk: 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.
2009 CHEVROLET HHR
1373177 vehicles affected
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Risk: 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.
2009 CHEVROLET HHR
14529 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. 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.
Risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Complaints
2009 CHEVROLET HHR
ID: 2109836ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated and occasionally flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact had previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
2009 CHEVROLET HHR
ID: 2109835AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated and occasionally flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The contact had previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.