Problems · by component

2009 Chevrolet HHR air bags problems

104 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet HHR cite air bags, 20% of all 508 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
104
20% of all complaints
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
18
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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 NHTSA 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11673723
“The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Service Air Bag message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2023Air bagsODI 11509856
“My air bag service light continues to turn on and off at various intervals. I think it has to do with a faulty passenger underneath sensor but I'm not sure. I know there's been several recalls involving the airbag wiring and electronics so I think it may be related to that work. It hasn't been fixed yet or replaced. I believe it maybe related to the other airbag recalls or a faulty sensor from the start. This is a common issue I've come to findout.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2021Air bagsODI 11444260
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO STALL. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WADE CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 1670 HILTON DR, ST. GEORGE, UT 84770 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2021Steering, Air bagsODI 11387680
“II PURCHASED A BEUTIFUL 2009 HHR FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP, IN MAY OF 2020, AN IN JULY F 2020, IT WOULD BARELY SPEED UP, THE GEARS, WOULDN'T SHIFT ON ME AND I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT I HAD NOT ONLY BEEN OPERATING A "DEFECTED" VEHICE BUT THE CAR DEALER FAIED TO MENTION HE WAS SELLING ME A "RECALLED" CAR, (A NEIGHBOR INFORMED ME) I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY SON'S HOUSE,BECAUSE I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THE CAR KEPT ROLLING BACKWARDSI AND IT ONLY GOES IN REVERSE NOW. LONGER GO”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2020Suspension, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11341644
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, LOWER BACK, AND MIGRAINE HEADACHES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,255. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11184317

Showing 6 of 104 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2014NHTSA 14V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.