Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Chevrolet HHR
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Chevrolet HHR has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 508 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14E021000 Aftermarket Replacement Ignition Switches NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V171000 Key Can Be Removed when Ignition is not Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V153000 Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V047000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V073000 SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR/FMVSS 102 & FMVSS 114 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 151 complaints
- Steering 127 complaints
- Air Bags 104 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 69 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 25 complaints
- Structure 21 complaints
Of the 508 complaints on file, 20 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 508 complaints, owners report 25 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,500–$12,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Chevrolet HHR exhibits a below-average reliability due to a significant number of complaints, primarily in the electrical system and steering. With 508 owner complaints and five recall campaigns, the evidence suggests some persistent issues, particularly concerning the ignition and power steering. While data is somewhat limited, these concerns highlight reliability challenges in this model year.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ignition switch | 50,000–100,000 miles | $200–$500 | common |
| Power steering | 60,000–110,000 miles | No reliable estimate | common |
| Airbags | Unknown | $250–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations
- Brake inspections
- Coolant flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Spark plug replacement
- Battery check
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Electrical failures
- Steering resistance
- Airbag warning lights
- Transmission shifting issues
- Fuel system problems
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Chevrolet HHR at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.