Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that a loud popping sound was heard after exiting the vehicle. The contact turned around and saw fire coming from inside the roof of the vehicle. The fire was coming from the rear interior roof light. The contact was able to put out the fire with water. No police report was filed. There was no injury sustained. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 145,385. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that after parking, a popping noise was present coming from inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact discovered flames coming from the interior roof dome lights. The contact used water to extinguish the flames. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,853.
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.
I was driving about 30 miles an hour in town when the check engine light started to Flash then immediately following all the dashlight started to Flash and then not a second later the car shut off the steering will locked the brakes locked up And all the doors were locked So at 30 miles an hour the brakes locked up the steering wheel locked so I couldn't turn the wheel and the car shut off There were no injuries thank God
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the front driver side electronic control panel failed to work and the front and rear windows failed to go up and down when used electronically. The contact indicated that the failure was worse during rainy weather. As the failure progressed, the vent controls failed to work for heating and air conditioning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was not able to remedy the failure. The parts were not available to schedule the recall repair for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V171000 (electrical system). While entering the road from a parking complex, the air conditioning control was turned on and smoke emitted into the interior of the vehicle near the dashboard. Extensive smoke was coming through the vents. …
When driving my 2009 HHR the steering wheel shakes & vibrate at different intervals. Usually while slowing down to a stop & sometimes after during high speeds. Recently the noise it made was frightening. I had to use my emergency flashers & drive 50 mi per hr. on the freeway to arrive home safely. I took my car to Mark Chevrolet & reported it on 08/02/2021. The car's mileage was 133344. The car is not an everyday vehicle that is driven often. I received the car on 08/17/2021 after the steering column & shaft were replaced along with resurfacing front brake rotors & rear brake job. On August 18, 2021 while driving on the freeway I went to blow my horn at a hazardous situation & discovered none of the steering wheels controls were working, horn & etc. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, a fractured arm, and a fractured femur that required medical attention. The contact also stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the reverse gear failed to engage when the shift selector was placed into the reverse position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,285.
Started smelling smoke and the whole vehicle shut down with the being stuck on ignition. Couldn't open the doors and smoke was billowing out and fire start coming out of lower middle console. Luckily was able to open door and exit vehicle. Fire then erupted and quickly traveled straight down the center console to the rear of the car. Within minutes the car was totally engulfed in flames and was completely burned to nothing. Suffered several burns and smoke inhalation and the car and every thing in it was destroyed
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. On several occasions, the vehicle would not start and a burning odor was present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failures. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 26,000.
While driving the car there are power/electrical surges. I have document this several times. The left rear tail lights repeatedly burns out, it doesn't just blow, it cracks and melts. To the point it literally melts the holder of the bulb. The surges are more frequent. I have to change burnt/ literally exploded bulbs ever 3-4 days. And I have called the Chevy dealer and they have told me this is electrical. The power surges can happen anytime with out notice. I called the dealership and I was informed that there was a recall on electrical system for a Chevy HHR but that my VIN number was not listed in this batch of recalls for electrical system malfunctions. I also called the Chevy headquarters and they informed me its my issue, there is no recall for my car for this and its not covered under warrenty. …
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the…
Electrical complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 151 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, 30% of the model year's 508 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-171 (ignition, Apr 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 5 fires and 6 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.