2008 Chevrolet HHR Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 6%of 616 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Chevrolet HHR, 6% of the 616 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was in my 2008 HHR chevy and crashed into a concrete wall the car was totaled. Air bags did not deploy causing a hip fracture and major surgery and ongoing therapy resulting in a hip replacement later on.”
NHTSA complaint #10605794, filed 2014-06, 38,000 miles“After a side collision my car rolled and landed on the passenger side of the vehicle. My 2008 HHR ls has no side airbags, however it has driver and passenger airbags and these did no deploy even though my car also has substantial frontal damage from the roll.”
NHTSA complaint #10268680, filed 2009-05, 32,000 miles“2008 HHR ss faulty brakes from cold start. Excessive frontal brake dust. Serviced at 2000 miles. Serviced again at 17,000 miles needing new brakes.dealership says this is normal condition. My ss model has 2 different front seats which dealership says this is normal .speed control floats,slow to respond..originally froze at 70mph. I did receive a citation for speeding cuz of malfunctioned. L/f /f and r/f tire pressure readings are reversed according to the ip. Very irate 30 year GM employee who paid cash for this mess.”
NHTSA complaint #10279010, filed 2009-07, 2,024 miles“Single car accident/hit an animal / car spun out of control/hit several trees(car was a total loss) wife & daughter severely injured//not one air bag deployed(highway patrolman verified in his report”
NHTSA complaint #11096942, filed 2018-05, 40,000 miles“Was stopped due to traffic and was rear ended resulting in $8000.00 physical damage to the vehicle. Airbag did not deploy. Dealer wants to charge me to have it tested.”
NHTSA complaint #10663257, filed 2014-12, 32,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V047000Feb 10, 2014This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings…Covers: Chevrolet HHR 2006–2011, Cobalt 2005–2010, Saturn Ion 2003–2007 +3 more
- 08V046000Jan 30, 2008Gm 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…Covers: Chevrolet HHR 2006–2008
Related service bulletins
- 10201252Jul 21, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Chevrolet HHR
297 complaintsElectrical system
108 complaintsFuel system
85 complaintsBrakes
55 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsElectronic stability control
15 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology