2009 Hummer H3 Owner Complaints

Category: Recall Reimbursement Problem NHTSA Complaint Description I am filing a complaint regarding General Motors’ refusal to reimburse an out-of-pocket repair related to Safety Recall N150042 on my 2009 Hummer H3 (VIN: [XXX] ). On December 31, 2025, I paid $946.06 out-of-pocket to correct the defect covered by Recall N150042 (blower motor connector module). The repair was performed at Coleman Buick GMC Cadillac in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. A complete reimbursement package was submitted to GM. GM has denied reimbursement, claiming that this recall was previously repaired in 2016. However: • No documentation has been provided to support that claim.
• No repair order number has been provided.
• No servicing dealer or repair location has been identified.
• No proof of recall closure documentation has been produced.
• No warranty claim record has been provided. Despite repeated requests, GM has refused to provide any evidence that Recall N150042 was completed in 2016. The defect was present in 2025 and was corrected by a GM-authorized dealership. If the recall had truly been completed in 2016, documentation should exist and be readily producible. GM is refusing reimbursement of $946.06 without providing supporting documentation of prior recall completion. This appears to involve either improper recall recordkeeping, improper VIN recall closure, or failure to comply with federal recall reimbursement requirements under 49 U.S.C. § 30120. I respectfully request NHTSA review of GM’s recall documentation and reimbursement practices related to Recall N150042. After submission, download or screenshot your confirmation number for your escalation packet. If you would like, I can now prepare: * A shortened version (if the online form has character limits) * A legally intensified version * Or a version framed specifically to trigger recordkeeping review rather than just reimbursement review INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11720259

Incident

Feb 24, 2026

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 ID

11700189

Incident

Nov 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately start, and the security warning light illuminated. After several attempts, the vehicle was started. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become more frequent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11683099

Incident

Aug 26, 2024

Mileage

97,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Hummer H3. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact waited for a while before the vehicle started. The contact stated that the vehicle was slow to start. The contact stated that while her husband was at the store, he waited for 15 minutes before the vehicle started. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery and starter, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11634368

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

I was having the truck inspected per state yearly requirements and when the shop lifted the truck, the bed bent backward. The frame was rusted out on both sides.

NHTSA ID

11527382

Incident

Jun 16, 2023

Traveling at approximately 35mph on inner city road in my 2009 Hummer H3T, both driver and passenger side curtain airbags deployed without any warning, no collision or accident, system went into crash mode and fired seat belt tensioners. Pictures taken of the exterior conditions and terrain/road conditions. Luckily just driver was in vehicle no other passengers. Vehicle taken to GMC dealer and inspected by service tech and insurance company. Multiple other Hummer H3(T) owners have experienced similar incidents. Lack of parts OEM or after market make repairs unlikely will be contacting GM.

NHTSA ID

11496178

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

Mileage

121,706 mi

RECENTLY MY 2009 HUMMER H3, HAS BEEN ACTING STRANGE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WARNING LIGHTS WILL FLASH, WILL BEEP, (TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, SERVICE 4WD, CHANGE OIL, SERVICE TPM), ALL THE WHILE ALL THINGS ELECTRICAL STOPS WORKING SUCH AS HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, BLOWER FAN, HEATED SEAT, TURN SIGNALS, AND ALL THIS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NORMAL SPEED. IT STARTED DOING THIS AS THE WEATHER GOT COLDER BUT THIS H3 IS WELL MAINTAINED AND IS GARAGE KEPT AND I ONLY USE IT TO DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK. IT IS NOW A SAFETY HAZARD AND WITH THESE ISSUES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRADE IT IN. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START IN ORDER TO FIX IT. AFTER FINALLY DRIVING FOR 30 MIN OR SO SOMETIMES IT WILL FINALLY QUIT MESSING UP AND ACT NORMAL.

NHTSA ID

11387490

Incident

Jan 11, 2021

Mileage

198,666 mi

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 ID

11352672

Incident

Aug 24, 2020

Mileage

147,000 mi

PERIODICALLY 2-3 TIMES A YEAR FOR PAST 6 YEARS WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGH CAR WILL DIE, WHEN PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CAR WILL NOT RESTART, MAY RESTART AFTER 10 MINUTES OR AFTER TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP,TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND SEVERAL TIMES TO HIGH END INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOPS, NO ERROR CODE EVER FOUND. READ ON HUMMER FORUMS ISSUE WITH IGNITION SWITCH, REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND FAULT HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324231

Incident

Mar 10, 2020

Mileage

91,350 mi

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ALMOST CAUSING ME CRASH. THEY DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AND NO AIRBAG LIGHT OR WARNING WAS GIVEN. NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW THEY WOULD DEPLOY WITHOUT A CRASH OR SOME TYPE OF VEHICLE DAMAGE HAD OCCURRED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. NOW WHAT TO DO? NO RECALL? IVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN THE 2009 HUMMER H3.

NHTSA ID

11316736

Incident

Mar 7, 2020

Mileage

141,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS FILLED WITH WATER AND THE ELECTRICAL SENSORS WERE ALL AFFECTED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (FLOW BUICK GMC - GREENSBORO1205 BRIDFORD PKWY, GREENSBORO, NC 27407) FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS .THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE VEHICLES INTERNAL DRAINING HOSE WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11298953

Incident

Oct 24, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V179000 (STRUCTURE) BY RALPH SELLERS CHEVROLET (15015 FLORIDA BLVD, BATON ROUGE, LA 70819, (225) 238-1264), BUT THE REPAIR WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE DEALER APPLIED AN ADHESIVE TO THE HOOD LOUVER TO SECURE IT TO THE HOOD, WHICH FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND A PLASTIC PIECE FRACTURED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD LOUVER PLASTIC CLIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11197197

Incident

Sep 1, 2016

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER FOR TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT VISITED HILEY BUICK GMC (3535 W LOOP 820 S, FORT WORTH, TX 76116, (817) 349-6235), BUT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE OR HOW TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11184440

Incident

Feb 22, 2019

THE TRUCK WILL LOCK THE IGNITION OUT FOR 10 MINUTES. YOU ARE UNABLE TO START THE TRUCK. NOW HAVING THAT HAPPEN IN AN UNDESIRABLE PARKING AREA OR OUT IN THE WINTER OLD, IS NOT SAFE. HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT RANDOM TIMES FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS OR SO.

NHTSA ID

11175199

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

Mileage

72,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11171005

Incident

Oct 23, 2018

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER @ CITY CADILLAC MORE THAN A 12 TIMES & THEY STILL HAVE NOT FIXED THE 1ST (#15042) OR 2ND RECALL (#14582). THE TRUCK HAS VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL, STEERING, LEAKING & MOTOR MOUNT ISSUES JUST TO SAY THE LEAST PLUS I AM A DISABLED US MARINE VETERAN WHO WAS SHOT IN DESERT STORM AND I REALLY NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET AROUND ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE HANDICAP LICENSE PLATES FOR MY SPECIAL NEEDS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP???????

NHTSA ID

11144605

Incident

Mar 21, 2013

Mileage

18,168 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER DID NOT BLOW COLD AIR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. CITY CADILLAC (90-10, 43RD ST, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V421000 (VISIBILITY), BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 33,500. *TT *DT UPDATED 10/9/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11128050

Incident

Sep 7, 2016

Mileage

33,500 mi

VEHICLE GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODES AT ANY HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CODES INVOLVE A THROTTLE BODY, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND PEDAL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DAMGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SINCE VEHICLE IS IMMOBILE.

NHTSA ID

11118823

Incident

Jul 9, 2018

Mileage

113,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE HOOD LOUVER DETACHED FROM THE HOOD AND LANDED ON THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER (SUBURBAN CADILLAC OF TROY, 1810 MAPLELAWN DR, TROY, MI 48084, (248) 643-0070) PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V179000 (STRUCTURE) IN 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED AGAIN, BUT AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,984.

NHTSA ID

11102767

Incident

Jun 17, 2018

Mileage

14,984 mi

2009 HUMMER H3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND OTHER VEHICLE ISSUES. CONSUMER HAS PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE LISTED IN ARTEMIS. *SMD *CN

NHTSA ID

10682300

Incident

Oct 8, 2014

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 ID

11078407

Incident

Mar 7, 2018

Mileage

83,651 mi

IN 2010 HUMMER HAD A HOOD VENT RECALL , AND THE FIX WAS APPLYING GLUE STRIPS TO IT, THIS FIX WAS NOT ADEQUATE , AS THE PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTING . THIS POSES YET ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED GM/ HUMMER, WHO REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER, CASE NUMBER 8-3873446239. ON HUMMER FORUM.COM. THEIR ARE MANY OF US WHO ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE, THAT THE RECALL FIX WAS NO GOOD. THE HOOD LOUVER VENT SITS ON TOP OF THE HOOD, AND WHEN IT COMES LOOSE, IT CAN FLY OFF, HITTING ANOTHER MOTOR VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11072243

Incident

Feb 9, 2018

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3. EVERY TIME IT RAINED, THE SUN ROOF WOULD LEAK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PETERS CHEVROLET (4181 US-259, LONGVIEW, TX 75605) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF DRAIN TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,020.

NHTSA ID

11015042

Incident

Aug 15, 2015

Mileage

100,020 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HUMMER H3T. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE LEAF SPRING FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11012314

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

75,000 mi

NEEDED RECALL FOR HUMMER H3. "REDUCED POWER/SERVICE STAB SYSTEM/TRACTION" NOTIFICATION THAT APPEARS WITHOUT WARNING, AND IMMEDIATELY DROPS THE ENGINE TO ALMOST NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING IN LOCAL TRAFFIC, THEN ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED. GM HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE, EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THIS VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION WITHOUT SUCCESS, THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ADDRESS IT WITH A RECALL. THE MOST DANGEROUS OF THE NUMEROUS TIMES THIS HAPPENED WAS ON 4/27/17. I HAD JUST LEFT MOSES GM OF CHARLESTON, WV AFTER THEY HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE. I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES ON INTERSTATE 64 BEFORE LOSING POWER, AND ALMOST BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE ON THE SOUTH CHARLESTON BRIDGE. THE DEALERSHIP TOWED ME BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE AGAIN UNSUCCESSFULLY REPAIRED. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH GM VEHICLES AROUND THE SAME TIME PERIOD, AND NOT JUST THE HUMMER LINE. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID

11000540

Incident

Apr 27, 2017

Mileage

155,000 mi