Chevrolet HHR Air Bags Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 14, 2026 · 332 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 332 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Chevrolet HHR across 6 model years. The 2009 model year has the most (104). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (36% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Air bag: mentioned in 121 of 332 complaints (36%)
  • Bags electrical: mentioned in 56 of 332 complaints (17%)
  • Ignition switch: mentioned in 25 of 332 complaints (8%)
  • Service airbag: mentioned in 18 of 332 complaints (5%)

At what mileage do air bags problems happen?

Based on 224 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles18 · 8%
10k–25k miles18 · 8%
25k–50k miles61 · 27%
50k–75k miles50 · 22%
75k–100k miles28 · 13%
100k–150k miles33 · 15%
150k+ miles16 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 332 complaints, 81 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 67 an injury.

Chevrolet HHR air bags complaints by model year

Peak: 2009, with 104 complaints
2006: 632006632007: 482007482008: 382008382009: 10420091042010: 492010492011: 30201130

n = 332 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearAir Bags complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2011 HHR3015%44,000
2010 HHR4910%66,500
2009 HHR10420%56,000
2008 HHR386%40,000
2007 HHR487%70,000
2006 HHR636%65,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 152 complaints
2005: 120052006: 22007: 120072008: 92009: 1020092010: 72011: 1620112012: 252013: 1620132014: 1521522015: 3120152016: 182017: 620172018: 172019: 620192020: 62021: 320212023: 22024: 120242025: 22026: 12026

n = 332 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Air bags; electrical system:ignition:switchFeb 10, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles

Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Air bagsJan 30, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V046000 · 181,516 vehicles

Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008

Problem: Gm is recalling 181,516 my 2006-2008 chevrolet hhr vehicles not equipped with optional roof rail air bags for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, 'occupant protection in interior impact.' in tests, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard's requirement.

Risk: This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.

Fix: Dealers will install an energy-absorbing plastic piece to the headliner trim. The recall began on april 2, 2008. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

Air bags:frontalOct 31, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V417000 · 794 vehicles

Model years: 2006

Problem: Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.

Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.

Fix: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release. Additionally, the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the key was stuck and needed to be broken, and any…

Received Feb 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11720216

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); but the vehicle experienced a failure. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition switch while the key was in the…

Received Dec 23, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11706785

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…

Received Jul 15, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11673723

There is a serious electrical glitch that's in the computer, that causes the car to perform poorly at a slow speed, which cases the steering to become very hard to turn, and maintain lanes while driving. All lights, warnings, and gauges fluctuate back and forth, while the bell inide the car when…

Received Jan 10, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11564742

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The service air bag soon message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that two unknown modules were defective and…

Received Oct 25, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11551839
Chevrolet HHR
2008 Chevrolet HHR SS photographed at the Montreal Sport Compact Performance Show.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Chevrolet HHRs have air bags problems?

No. NHTSA has 332 owner complaints about air bags for the Chevrolet HHR. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Chevrolet HHR air bags?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about air bags problems on the Chevrolet HHR?

The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 121 of 332 complaints, followed by “bags electrical” (56).

Other Chevrolet HHR problems

See all Chevrolet HHR problems.