Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2009 Chevrolet HHR Electrical system Problems

Complaints
151about this part
Share
30%of 508 total for the year
Median mileage
55,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 151 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, 30% of the 508 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Brake lights remain to be on as pedal is not pressed and ESC, traction control do not work also this is a hazard to the point where I have had road rage against me because of the brake lights not turning off issue needs to be resolved through GM as a recall on these vehicles this is not the only 2009 chevy HHR that has had this problem”

NHTSA complaint #11354570, filed 2020-09, 162,000 miles

“Chevrolet HHR 2009, doors mechanism. Door latches stop working and can open at a turn or while driving. Or latch can lock you in unable to get out of vehicle in an accident and or emergency. I was driving home and back door flew wide open I had not opened it at all but when doors lock and open they all do so the back latch opened never closing unaware of this the door flew open almost causing an accident at an intersection.”

NHTSA complaint #11229155, filed 2019-07, 100,000 miles

“My car's power steering has dangerously disappeared while I was driving on the highway. The power steering came on on the dashboard and I had to stir the car with so much force to get off the highway. I had my 10-year-old son with me on his way to school. No one knows why this happened and I can't drive it with a 10-year-old boy who I have to get to school and myself and my wife to work. Mechanic after mechanic no one can tell why the power steering wont work. Please help!”

NHTSA complaint #11403627, filed 2021-03, 189,000 miles

“Went to back HHR out of my garage and the brake pedal was rock hard with no give. Power steering has no power and the exc light is on. Not safe to drive at all. I have had numerous problems with this car. The ignition, air bags, brakes, door lock actuators...the list goes on. This one takes the cake due to safety concerns.”

NHTSA complaint #10689846, filed 2015-02, 140,000 miles

“Drove HHR today, and when I went to turn off ignition, I could not turn the car off. Had to disconnect the battery, and pull a fuse. Taking car in tomorrow for repair. There was a mechanic in the lot I was in, who stated this is not the first time he has seen this problem on HHR ignition problem. Stated it is a tumbler issue, and chevy is aware of this.”

NHTSA complaint #10547791, filed 2013-10, 60,200 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20113919%
201012023%
200915130%
200810818%
200711115%
200622222%

Other parts of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR

Steering
127 complaints
Air bags
104 complaints
Fuel system
84 complaints
Brakes
30 complaints
Electronic stability control
25 complaints
Body and structure
21 complaints
Engine
18 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
16 complaints
Exterior lighting
15 complaints
Seat belts
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology