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2009 Hummer H3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Hummer H3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 91.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

50 reports with mileage · 19 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports5 fire reports3 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Was doing a frame inspection on my hummer h3. Turns out the rear left frame rail is completely rusted through. And there are parts hanging on by a thread. I have found many complaints online about rust in this exact spot( rear left frame). I believe this issue should be dealt with immediately. Someone could be killed. The car i…

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Was doing a frame inspection on my hummer h3. Turns out the rear left frame rail is completely rusted through. And there are parts hanging on by a thread. I have found many complaints online about rust in this exact spot( rear left frame). I believe this issue should be dealt with immediately. Someone could be killed. The car is not that old and no other car of this age and mileage has this amount of rust penetration through the frame. GM needs to be held accountable. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11700189

147,000 miles · Sep 1, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

AIR BAG MODULE NOT RESPONDING AND IS DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT IT COULD DEPLOY AT A RANDOM TIME WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INCIDENT. ALSO HAIRLINE CRACKING IN THE RADIATOR DUE TO THE PLASTIC TOP OF THE RADIATOR TANK RUBBING ON THE VEHICLES FRAME. …

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AIR BAG MODULE NOT RESPONDING AND IS DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT IT COULD DEPLOY AT A RANDOM TIME WHILE DRIVING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INCIDENT. ALSO HAIRLINE CRACKING IN THE RADIATOR DUE TO THE PLASTIC TOP OF THE RADIATOR TANK RUBBING ON THE VEHICLES FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #11352672

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2019
StructureUnknown Or Other

HOOD LEAKS WHEN IT'S RAINING. WATER DRIPS FROM THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI #11171005

83,651 miles · Mar 9, 2018
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE WILL LOCK YOU FROM IMMEDATLY STARTING. OUR CONCERN IS WHAT IS WE GOT LOST AND HAPPENED TO BE IN AN UNSAFE AREA? WHAT IF A FEMALE (OR ANYONE] NEEDS TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF AN AREA BUT CANNOT AS VEHICLE WON'T START? WHAT IF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY? ETC, ETC. WAITING 10 MINUTES THEN WILL START. THIS ISSUE IS OFF NO FAULT OF V…

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VEHICLE WILL LOCK YOU FROM IMMEDATLY STARTING. OUR CONCERN IS WHAT IS WE GOT LOST AND HAPPENED TO BE IN AN UNSAFE AREA? WHAT IF A FEMALE (OR ANYONE] NEEDS TO QUICKLY GET OUT OF AN AREA BUT CANNOT AS VEHICLE WON'T START? WHAT IF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY? ETC, ETC. WAITING 10 MINUTES THEN WILL START. THIS ISSUE IS OFF NO FAULT OF VEHICLE OTHER AND IS COMMON WITH MULTIOLE HUIMMER OWNERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ODI #11078407

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2016
Unknown Or Other

GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM VERY RANDOMLY ENGAGES OR IS TRIGGER WITHOUT WARNING WHEN SIMPLY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE IS NOT SUCCESSFULY WHICH CAUSES THE INABILITY TO POWER THE VEHILCE FOR 10 MINUTES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS HUMMER H3 OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE GM DEALERS …

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GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM VERY RANDOMLY ENGAGES OR IS TRIGGER WITHOUT WARNING WHEN SIMPLY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE IS NOT SUCCESSFULY WHICH CAUSES THE INABILITY TO POWER THE VEHILCE FOR 10 MINUTES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS HUMMER H3 OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE GM DEALERS ARE NO HELP IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. IN FACT I FEEL AS IF I'M MAKING IT UP. I'VE TRIED 3 GM DEALERS NOW BETWEEN LOUISIANA AND TEXAS. THE ONLY THING ARE EXPENSIVE GUESS AT THE PROBLEMS THE DEALERS STATE THEY CAN "TRY" TO RESOLVE THEIR VERY OWN MADE GM SYSTEM. I BELIEVE IT'S AN OBVIOUS AND KNOWN ISSUE, BECAUSE IT SEEMS GM MADE CHANGES TO THE GM PASSLOCK SYSTEM IN THE MORE RECENT YEARS. I JUST HOPE IF A DANGEROUS SITUATION EVER OCCURS THAT MY VEHICLE WILL START IF I NEED TO DEPEND ON IT. PLEASE CHECK THE OTHER LIST OF UNHAPPY H3 CUSTOMERS AT THE WEB ADDRESS(ES): HTTP://WWW.HUMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/HUMMER-H3-17/HOW-TURN-OFF-GM-PASSLOCK-ANTI-THEFT-SYSTEM-HUMMER-H3-28665/ HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/HUMMER/H3/2006/ELECTRICAL/PASSLOCK_LIGHT_ON_PREVENTING_ENGINE_TO_START.SHTML JUST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN CIRCULATION, IT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T EXPECT KNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICE OR PURCHASING A NEW VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP US. THIS IS THE MOST INCONVENIENT ISSUE AND MOST ANNOYING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. THANK YOU WHEN: AND THE VEHICLE IS JUST PARKED AT MY HOME. I WALK IN MY GARAGE, TURN THE IGNITION, AND NOTHING HAPPENS... UGH!!! SECURITY LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT FLASH. BUT THAT'S MY CUE TO GO BACK INTO THE HOUSE AND SIT FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE I CAN LEAVE MY HOME. AND THIS HAPPENS EVERYWHERE I GO: GROCERY STORE, PARKING IN THE COLD, TO THE MALL, TO THE MOVIES, AND THE LIST GOES ON. IT OFTEN OCCURS ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER DEPENDING ON HOW MANY DIFFERENT LOCATIONS I NEED TO TRAVEL. THEREFORE I HAVE TO TACK ON EXTRA 10MINS TO EACH LOCATION.

NHTSA ODI #10826026

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I REC'D A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 8/15 FOR 2009 H3 RECALL# 15042 OR 15V421 (2 DIFFERENT # IN LETTER) FROM HUMMER . THE CONNECTOR MODULE THAT CONTROLS BLOWER MOTOR SPEED MAY OVERHEAT." IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THERE IS THE RISK THAT THE HEAT GENERATED COULD MELT THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE CONNECTOR MODULE, WHICH INCREASES THE RIS…

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I REC'D A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 8/15 FOR 2009 H3 RECALL# 15042 OR 15V421 (2 DIFFERENT # IN LETTER) FROM HUMMER . THE CONNECTOR MODULE THAT CONTROLS BLOWER MOTOR SPEED MAY OVERHEAT." IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THERE IS THE RISK THAT THE HEAT GENERATED COULD MELT THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE CONNECTOR MODULE, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE" I CALLED DEALER-AND TOLD GM HAS NO "FIX" FOR THIS ISSUES (I CALL EVERY FEW WEEKS) I CALLED GM DIRECT THAT SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS YET TO FIX IT. I WAS ADVISED TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN VEHICLE AND NOT USE THE FAN AND LEAVE THE CAR IF I SMELL SMOKE . NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET AND I AM NOT USING FAN BUT I WOULD LIKE THIS CONDITION FIXED BEFORE A FIRE OCCURS. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING TO DRIVE THIS WAY. HUMMER/GM

NHTSA ODI #10810920

57,923 miles · May 29, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire

AS IN THE OTHER REPORTS, MY VEHICLE HAD SAME ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FIRE UNDER PASSENGER GLOVE BOX AREA. HERE IS THE TECHNICIAN REPAIR NOTES WHICH COMPLETELY VERIFY THERE IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH A/C AND HEATER BLOWER MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONFIGURATION: VERIFIED CUSTOMER CONCERN, OPENED AND REMOVED GLOVE BOX, REMOVED BLOWER M…

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AS IN THE OTHER REPORTS, MY VEHICLE HAD SAME ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FIRE UNDER PASSENGER GLOVE BOX AREA. HERE IS THE TECHNICIAN REPAIR NOTES WHICH COMPLETELY VERIFY THERE IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH A/C AND HEATER BLOWER MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONFIGURATION: VERIFIED CUSTOMER CONCERN, OPENED AND REMOVED GLOVE BOX, REMOVED BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER (2FASTNERS) FROM HVAC BOX,INSPECTED RESISTOR, ATTEMPTED TO UNPLUG RESISTOR, CONNECTORS STUCK TOGETHER, FORCED CONNECTORS APART, FOUND THEY WERE MELTED TOGETHER DUE TO SHORT IN HVAC SYSTEM. INSTALLED NEW HARNESS: 25949869 INSTALLED NEW RESISTOR: 10397098 BLOWER MOTOR HVAC SYSTEM NOW OPERABLE; UNKNOWN REASON FOR SHORT.

NHTSA ODI #10722242

Official recalls

2

15V421000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor

Jul 1, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Hummer H3 vehicles manufactured February 5, 2005, to May 24, 2010, and 2009-2010 Hummer H3T vehicles manufactured May 21, 2008, to May 24, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the blower motor connector module overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace part of the blower motor connector and harness, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Hummer customer service at 1-800-732-5493. GM's number for this recall is 15042.

10V179000 · Structure:body:hood

Apr 30, 2010

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HUMMER H3 VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTEGRAL CLIP-TABS ON THE LOUVER ON THE HOOD MAY FRACTURE, CAUSING THE HOOD LOUVER RATTLE AGAINST THE HOOD AND BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS INDICATOR IS UNNOTICED, ADDITIONAL CLIPS COULD FRACTURE AND THE HOOD LOUVER COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY AN ADHESIVE TO THE HOOD LOUVER TO SECURE IT TO THE HOOD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HUMMER AT 800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.