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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

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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

What owners actually said

69 reports
53,500 miles · May 11, 2016
Engine

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED @ 36954 MILES. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR LATER (JUST 2 DAYS AGO) @ ONLY 53500 MILES I NOTICED AN ANTIFREEZE SMELL. NO VISIBLE PUDDLE UNDERNEATH. AFTER MONITORING FOR 1 DAY MORE POPPED THE HOOD THIS MORNING AND A BIT OF ANTIFREEZE SEEMS TO BE SPRAYING FROM THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR. AFTER JUST GOOGLING ONC…

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THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED @ 36954 MILES. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR LATER (JUST 2 DAYS AGO) @ ONLY 53500 MILES I NOTICED AN ANTIFREEZE SMELL. NO VISIBLE PUDDLE UNDERNEATH. AFTER MONITORING FOR 1 DAY MORE POPPED THE HOOD THIS MORNING AND A BIT OF ANTIFREEZE SEEMS TO BE SPRAYING FROM THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR. AFTER JUST GOOGLING ONCE FOR "HUMMER H3 RADIATOR LEAK" THE TOP LINK LEADS TO HUMMERFORUMS.COM IN WHICH IS LOGGED MANY MANY MANY OWNERS GOING BACK SEVERAL YEARS UP THE THE PRESENT HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. PER WHAT IS DESCRIBED ON THE 52 PAGES DEDICATED TO THIS ONE THREAD AND FROM WHAT I SEE ON MY OWN VEHICLE THIS CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW. IT SEEMS A RARE FEW DEALERSHIPS ARE OWNING UP TO THIS "FLAW" AND CHARGING A SMALL AMOUNT IF ANY TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE WHILE OTHERS ARE PLEADING IGNORANCE/INNOCENCE AND MAKING THE PLETHORA OF CUSTOMERS EAT THE NEARLY $800 DEALERSHIP REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE FLAW APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO METAL CHASSIS PARTS RUBBING ON THE PLASTIC RADIATOR TOP CREATING A HOLE AND A VIBRATORY EFFECT WEAKENING THAT PLASTIC CAUSING A CRACK.

NHTSA ODI #10864364

105,000 miles · Apr 21, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC HOOD COVER LOCATED ABOVE THE LOCK AREA RELEASED DUE TO DEFECTIVE SEALANT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE HOOD OPENED AND STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10860649

2,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START INITIALLY. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD A DELAYED START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START INITIALLY. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT HAD A DELAYED START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS REPEATEDLY DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY WAS THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES IN FOUR YEARS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER MENTIONED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE WIRING FOR THE CONTACT'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL, BUT INSISTED THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #10849766

55,000 miles · Mar 1, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

EVERY SO OFTEN THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND MY HUMMER WON'T START. I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE I CAN START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. IT FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. ITS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN. THERE WAS ONLY 55,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED IT STARTING TO ACT UP. I SLICED MY FINGERS OPEN ON A JO…

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EVERY SO OFTEN THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND MY HUMMER WON'T START. I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE I CAN START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. IT FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. ITS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN. THERE WAS ONLY 55,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED IT STARTING TO ACT UP. I SLICED MY FINGERS OPEN ON A JOB AND HAD TO DRIVE MYSELF TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BUT MY HUMMER WOULDN'T START BECAUSE OF THE IGNITION SECURITY FAILURE. I LOST A LOT OF BLOOD IN MY HAND SITTING WAITING THE 10 MINUTES. THE DOCTOR SAID I MIGHT LOSE THE TIPS OF MY FINGERS BECAUSE IT TOOK SO LONG TO GET THERE. I'M SURE OTHER PEOPLE HAD WORSE SITUATIONS, BUT I SEEN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT A DANGEROUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST IF IT HASN'T ALREADY.

NHTSA ODI #10839148

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

60,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015
Electrical System

AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK. I HAVE TO WAIT EXACTLY 10 MINUTES, THEN IT WILL START AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAPPENS HOT OR COLD. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW AND STARTING TO HAPPEN MORE AND MORE OFTEN. DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS TO INTERMITTENT. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SECURITY SYSTEM, B…

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AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK. I HAVE TO WAIT EXACTLY 10 MINUTES, THEN IT WILL START AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT HAPPENS HOT OR COLD. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW AND STARTING TO HAPPEN MORE AND MORE OFTEN. DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS TO INTERMITTENT. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SECURITY SYSTEM, BUT THAT IS JUST MY THOUGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10811826

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

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2015
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10810743

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2015
Visibility

2009 HUMMER H3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL REPAIRS AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD RECALL # 15V421000. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED, PRIOR TO THE RECALL. UPDATED 12/31/15. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10807023

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2015
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. WHEN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED, AN ABNORMAL ODOR EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VENTILATION SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. WHEN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED, AN ABNORMAL ODOR EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VENTILATION SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10788797

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.