2009 Chevrolet HHR Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 3%of 508 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, 3% of the 508 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I can't drive my car because the transmission shifts hard and is dangerous because the speed is fast the slow plus it just about breaks my neck when it shifts. It was about a day or two when I finally noticed it. I only drove it about one mile. My car only has 47,942 mi. On it and GM isn't helping.”
NHTSA complaint #11203595, filed 2019-04, 47,942 miles“I pulled in my driveway and put the car in park and could not turn off the key. I tried to everything, steering wheel, key, shifter, brakes, etc and I could not turn the car off or get the key out. I had to pull a fuse to get the car to shut down. This problem is similar, if not exactly, the same of other complaints on this type car. I will probably have to have it towed and repaired by a dealer at great expense. Not good for GM.”
NHTSA complaint #10493608, filed 2013-01, 97,500 miles“Vehicle while being taken through an automated car wash with me inside sitting behind the steering wheel, with the transmission in the neutral position, and both of my hands resting on my knee caps, with engine running the vehicle goes into reverse by itself.. The backup light are also turned on when this action occurs. This same action have happened three times at random during my last nine visits to the same automated car wash. None of the vehicles moving forward behind my vehicle have been damaged when this action occurs.”
NHTSA complaint #10870427, filed 2016-05, 79,000 miles“I have had 3 problems so far where my power steering went out. I have contacted two different chevy dealers and they said that my VIN number is not on the recall list. On the GM website it says that there is a recall on the 2009 chevy HHR electronic power steering. Because the dealer says my VIN is not included they refuse to honor the recall. I would like GM to step up and take responsibility to repair this issue. I am concerned that I could be involved in a accident because of this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10643411, filed 2014-10, 170,000 miles“Called the chevy dealer, told me that it was friday and to call first thing monday morning. As I continued on freeway I realized that the ride was rougher, something was very wrong. To steer was harder, trip odometer both were not working, cruise control would not engage,speedometer was not working,transmission not shifting easily,pulled into chevy dealer, found the service manager. Asked him to check the car, hours on sign stated that someone would available until 5:30. It was currently 4:50 pm. …”
NHTSA complaint #10521277, filed 2013-06, 22,200 milesRelated recalls
- 09V073000Mar 6, 2009General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook…Covers: Chevrolet HHR 2009, Cobalt 2009, Malibu 2009 +7 more
Related service bulletins
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10242061Aug 7, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10237846Jun 7, 2023This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on automatic transmission shift and engine driveability concerns and/or MIL ON due to aftermarket oil bath air…
Transmission and drivetrain: 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 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 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 31, 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