Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
Less then 24 hours off the lot I was driving home off hwy26 exiting to my town of watertown,wi. I was slowing down on the ramp and my side air bag deployed. I was hit in the head by the driver visor causing my to flinch and release the break for a slit second. I tried to reapply the break and had no breaks I was still at 40mph. It was snowing this caused me to not be able to turn so I hit a meaden snapping my a arm. I also snipped my ABS cable, blew out driver ball joints, bent the tie rod, dislocated my axel bent my rim and ruined my new tire on the driver side. On the passenger side I broke my knuck and blew out my ball joints. It locked up my driver seat belt and even with no one wearing the passenger one it locked that up too. After it happened going online I have found a few more cases like mine one caused a woman to spend a month and a half in hospital from hitting a pole.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, a fractured arm, and a fractured femur that required medical attention. The contact also stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the reverse gear failed to engage when the shift selector was placed into the reverse position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,285.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the contact crashed into a telephone pole, but the air bags did not deploy. The contact was injured, but no medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,900.
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.
After buying the HHR the day before I went to work. On my way back home. I got off on my exit about half way down the ramp my side airbags went off. Then I pushed the brakes and they did not respond sending me into a meaden causing my wheel to snap almost all the way off.
I have a 2009 HHR and I have been having a number of problems the ESC and the ABS warning lights come at low speeds around 5 to 15 MPH and the brakes make a growling noise I drive 80 miles a day back and forth to work in stop and go traffic on the interstate and the turnpike I am afraid I will rear end somebody or worse I don't want to let my wife drive the car because when it occurs she might not know on to react. When I turn the car off and it goes away for a while but comes back. And the service air bag light comes on from time to time when it is raining or heavy dew I had the recall performed on the air bags and it still is happening the passenger air bag display on the dash will come on when there is no one sitting in the passenger seat. …
Related recalls
Air bags
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.
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 104 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Chevrolet HHR, 20% of the model year's 508 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet HHR airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-047 (air bags, Feb 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet HHR airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 18 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.