2009 Chevrolet HHR Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 4%of 508 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the body and structure of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, 4% of the 508 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 2009 chevy HHR repeatedly has water in the front driver and passenger side floor. I am not sure where this is coming from, however, after I researched on line, this is an ongoing problem with this vehicle. Besides the floor being wet this causes a horrible smell, most likely mold in the vehicle. This needs to be investigated as from my findings, it is a flaw in design or manufacturing.”
NHTSA complaint #10595511, filed 2014-06, 47,000 miles“Chevy HHR all models, all years: when exiting my vehicle the drivers door handle snapped. It is made of plastic!! After research I discovered this is an extremely common problem with all models and all years of the chevy HHR since all interior handles are made from plastic. This is a very expensive part because it requires the replacement of the entire interior door panel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10557038, filed 2013-12, 60,000 miles“Pulled in to driveway and went to exit vehicle. The plastic driver's door handle broke off in my hand. This basically left me stuck in the vehicle unless I crawled over the center console or unless I was able to roll down the electric window, pivot in the seat, and reach the outside door handle. Obviously in an accident, or vehicle fire, the extra time needed to exit, if the door handle broke off, is unacceptable. A very basic internet search shows that this is a very common problem with this vehicle model. …”
NHTSA complaint #10609867, filed 2014-07, 40,103 miles“I went to open driver side door to get out of my parked car. Door handle would not release the door to open. I have to role done my window (power window) and open door from outside to be able to get out of my car trough the driver side door. Dealer said that whole new door panel is required at a cost of $450.00 because the handle and trigger is part of the panel. The dealer went on to say that 100s of these panels have had to be replaced because of and engineered defect and GM does not want to cover the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10507007, filed 2013-04, 101,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10250244Jan 18, 2024This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 10235561Apr 4, 2023This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10213768Jan 27, 2022This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on Damaged, Disassembled or Improperly Packaged Turbochargers Returned to Warranty Part Center.
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10175855Apr 14, 2020This preliminary informational bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR
151 complaintsSteering
127 complaintsAir bags
104 complaintsFuel system
84 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsElectronic stability control
25 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsVisibility (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