2009 Chevrolet HHR Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 104about this part
- Share
- 20%of 508 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 104 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, 20% of the 508 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 14 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall on feb,25/2019 I was I was traveling 95 north to chesterfield to get on chippenham parkway and I was in a car accident with my 2009 HHR I hit a another car from behind and my hood on my HHR was torn back so bad it would not open ,the airbag did deploy I was going about 30 MPH when the person in front me came to a complete stop. And I slammed on brakes I have to see a I have to see a doctor now.”
NHTSA complaint #11183125, filed 2019-02, 194,255 miles“For approximately 6 months when I start my 2009 chevy HHR panel, the air bag warning light comes on. It does not go out while driving. The warning light does not always come on as it is an intermittent issue. It only comes on at starting never while driving. I am very concern that the air bag is not operating properly. I found that GM did a limited recall on a connector. My vehicle did not come up for a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11163597, filed 2018-12, 79,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11341644, filed 2020-07, 160,000 miles“Service airbag light is on. Told by mechanic that it's a common issue in hhrs and cobalts, due to poorly designed parts. Gm says I have to pay to fix it. I'm also told that the airbags will not deploy in an accident, making this car undriveable. This is absolutely ridiculous and should be listed on a recall immediately, if both GM and random mechanics know about the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10587012, filed 2014-05, 75,000 miles“Service airbag light comes on intermittently. Light began coming on about april 14th, and has lit every time I drive since then - about 5 weeks now. Sometimes it goes off, most of the time it doesn't. My concern is that the airbags are disabled if there is a service airbag , and I don't have the safety of the airbag system most of the time now.”
NHTSA complaint #10400018, filed 2011-05, 36,500 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
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 2009 Chevrolet HHR
151 complaintsSteering
127 complaintsFuel system
84 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsElectronic stability control
25 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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