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 the federal safety agency 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.
2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems
151 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 151
- of this car's complaints
- 30%
- typical mileage
- 55,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition13
- Ignition: switch5
- Instrument cluster/panel1
- 12v/24v/48v battery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet HHR electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
- 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 ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Pontiac owners at 1‑800‑762‑2737, and Saturn owners at 1‑800‑553‑6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Recall number 14V171000 · Recall details
What 2009 Chevrolet HHR owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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. I immediately returned my car to Mark Chevrolet & reported their negligence & how they had risk my life to release the car without these functions working. They supposedly corrected the problem. On 07/05/2022 I had to return my car to Mark Chevrolet because I was experiencing the identical problem with my steering wheel vibrating & make noise. My cars mileage was only 137641 less than a year later with just 4,297 miles driven. They claimed to have tightened something up in the column & returned my car on 07/12/2022. As I was driving on 07/16/2022 again the steering wheel started vibrating & making strange loud noises. I felt so unsafe & tried to make it home safely driving at a reduced speed. I plan to return the car this week back to Mark Chevrolet and am asking for support to rectify this situation. I understand there was a recall on Chevrolet HHR 2009 Steering Electric Power Assist System. I don't know if this issue is related to that. I never received communication from General Motors stating that my vehicle was affected but apparently there is a problem. Please Help!
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 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.
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
My steering wheel begins to violently shake, onset about 10 minutes into driving, speeding up or braking has no effect on the frequency or level of shake. My steering wheel will be normal, about 10 minutes into the drive, going the same speed will begin to shake. I can stop and park the car, restart it, will not shake until I am driving again about 10 minutes into the drive. While shaking, it becomes very difficult to move the steering wheel even to get into the next lane. This has happened while city driving, I am too afraid to take it on the highway or go over 40 MPH as I feel like I have no control of the vehicle when the steering wheel shakes.
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
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!
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
The service ecs does not go off. Theirfor the car will not go unless the roads are completely free of snow and ice. The car just sits and spins. Traction control light on constantly .can not drive car in winter months
Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical
Does the 2009 Chevrolet HHR have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 151 complaints about the electrical of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, 30% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V171000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet HHR have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet HHR model years with the most electrical complaints are 2006 (222 complaints), 2009 (151 complaints) and 2010 (120 complaints).
Other 2009 Chevrolet HHR problems
Steering 127Airbags 104Fuel system 84Brakes 30Driver assistance 25Engine 25Body 21Lights 16Transmission 16Seat belts 11Visibility 11Acceleration 10Suspension 8Locks 6Seats 5Tires 4Wheels 3
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