Problems with 2009 Chevrolet HHR AIR BAGS

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the air bag light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the air bag module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted about the failure. the failure mileage was 56,000. the vin was not available. *tr

My air bag service indicator light turns on intermittently. at least 5 times in the past year, no accidents, no problem seen with air bags by service dept at dealer. ???? .the safety lock on the drivers side controls for all passenger windows does not lock the window operation. braking system problem in the past 6 months. ive returned to the mechanic 4 times had my brake pads changed, rotors turned, rotors resurfaced , only to have the same problem.....steering wheel shuddering bad when applying the brake. the rotors overheat and warp, but i will drive only 2 blocks and it happens. don't think that is enough to overheat the rotors. *js

I also have a 2009 hhr with 47000 miles and the service airbag light is coming on frequently. i plan to take it in to the dealer. this looks like a common problem and should be recalled. *tr

Driving and airbags just blew up and caused me to run into pole. could not stop, and could not see because of airbags. car was damaged beyond repaired. i was rushed to the hospital via ambulance. injury was caused to legs, chest, stomach, back. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the brakes malfunctioned, causing the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy. the contact suffered injuries to the chest and both legs. the vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed at the scene. the manufacturer was not notified. the cause of the failure was not diagnosed. the failure mileage was 51,300. updated 12/30/14*cn updated 9/25/2015 *js

My airbag light came on and my passenger seatbelt keeps locking. there are numerous other hhr owners with the same problem. *tr

I was sitting with the car idle at home and the air bag light came on. i looked it up and it said that the air bag is more than likely defected due to an electrical issue. my concern is that the air bag could go off while i am driving or not go off in an accident. *tr

In april 2013 our service air bag light on the passenger side started coming on and off at varied times. there was no rhyme or reason for when it went on or off. our dealer stated that if the service air bag light was off at the time of an accident, the air bags would not deploy (scared us into the repair).the car was just out of our extended warranty period of 4 yr 48000 miles. so we would need to pay for the repair. the repair was a connector module and total cost was 264.59 for the repair. after it was repaired i started finding all kinds of similar issues with chevy cars and trucks, including various years of the hhr. i contacted gm but they refused to cover this repair stating they knew of no issues regarding a service air bag light coming on and off. this was obvious a lie since it's all over the internet and chevy has recalled some cars and trucks for the same exact problem. i feel that we can't be sure if the air bag would work during a crash it is a safety issue and should be repaired at no cost. the cost of the repair for the actual work done is highway robbery - parts were 17.28 the rest of labor! gm needs to take care of this issue and recall the cars - or at the least, repair for free when the issue arises. *tr

I was in a car accident on 3/6/13. before the accident i passed out due to a later found heart condition. i failed to negotiate a left turn due to passing out. i sheared off a street sign, went through a chain link fence, was airborne over a hill and dropped approximately 25 feet. my car was a total loss as determined by my insurance company. my driver side airbag did not deploy. i spoke with gm to file a claim and an investigator went to investigate my car and determined that the airbag should have not deployed. i asked for a copy of the report for my personal records. gm is telling me that they will not release it due to it being gm property. i would like to know how to proceed from here. if more detail and specific dates are needed please feel to request it. i have all of the names and dates as needed. *tr

Air bag needs service warning light came on intermittently over several months! scan diagnosed a problem with a connector (part# 013580234) was defective. cost to repair $231.01 06/14/2013 *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that he applied the brakes and as the vehicle stopped, the roof-mounted air bag deployed inadvertently. the vehicle was not involved in any type of crash. as a result, the contact sustained injuries to her head and neck and was transported to the hospital for treatment. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who notified the manufacturer, and advised that a representative would be sent to inspect the failure. the failure mileage was 88,000. updated 2/13/13 *cn the consumer stated gm offered to buy the vehicle back, but by the time she pays off the loan, there would not be enough money to buy another vehicle. updated 02/14/13

The service air bag light comes on and goes off intermittently . dealer ran diagnostic checks and stated "passenger side dash airbag connector needs to be replaced" . this vehicle has never had an accident , has never had any work done under the dash or to the air bag restraint system . *tr

Service air bag light keeps coming on. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, another vehicle crashed into the front passengers side of the vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy. the contact sustained back injuries. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed to a private mechanic but the failure was unable to be determined. the vehicle was repaired. the contact received a notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system) but did not confirm if the vin was included. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 53,135. updated 09/05/14*lj updated 12/3/2014 *js

The service airbag keeps coming on. the dealer said that i need a new airbag and they want me to pay for it. i feel that this is a manufacture default. *tr

I was driving on 30 mph zone at 30 mph, when the service air bags came on my dashboard. *tr

When vehicle is exposed to direct sun and hot and/humid conditions, the service airbag light comes on. the light remains lit until removed from being exposed to direct sunlight and cools down sufficiently. although, this is not always resolved immediately. occasionally, the service air bag light remains lit for up to two or three days regardless of sun and heat/humidity exposure. this is a safety issue in that there is no way of knowing whether or not the airbags will function properly. *tr

Without incident, the service airbag alert illuminated and has continued to stay on the majority of the time for the last 5 days. momentarily, the alert light will turn off but re-illuminate again without incident. this is similar to the other posts and complaints i have read. *tt

I have two issues going on with my hhr. last evening i pull into my driveway and my key would not turn off engine and release. i have read hundreds of complaints with the same issues while i was trying to research how to turn off my car. my car ran in my driveway for 2 hours wasting gas until we figured out how to turn off car. the manual states that you can push a tumbler and turn the key to release it. the manual is not clear on what the tumbler is but the only movable piece inside steering wheel base did not help to release the key. we finally figured out how to pull the fuse to shut down the entire car. the dealership was closing around the time i started calling and their option to come leave the car without other transportation was not a good option for me with kids. once fuse was out the car is sitting in my driveway with the key in it which is causing a whole other level of stress for me. i have to put fuse back in this morning and take to dealership to get my car fixed. from other complaints the fix should be the same. i don't understand if this is such a big issue why there is no recall on this. i also would like to know will we as loyal customers get a refund when they actually do decide to recall this apparent defective car. my other issue is the air bag light pops on for unspecified periods of time and says it needs serviced. it can go off for days and weeks at a time and then decide to pop back on. i have also been reading about this issue in the complaints and wondering why there is no recall on this issue as well. *tr

Service airbag light stays on. *tr

2009 chevy hhr - key stuck in ignition with engine running. had to pull negative battery cable and ignition fuse to shut car off. called dealer and they told me to bring it in. reconnected battery cable and replaced fuse and car started up so i could drive to dealer. chevy dealer stated ignition lock syl binding, removed and replaced cyl. i had to pay $300+ to have this fixed and since this is a known issue with hhr's, i feel gm should definitely do a recall as this is a serious safety issue. also the service air bag light comes on randomly and can stay on the entire trip or go back out in a few minutes,only to come back on a few minutes later. *js

Shortly after we purchased our 2009 hhr we received a air bag warning light. it was resolved however we have had three additional problems with air bag lights coming on including one that we were charged for repair. then we learned that our car was on a national air bag recall and took it to a chevy dealer for repair. dealer has been unable to get the light to turn off and have been told it is a sensor but they can't find which one is the problem. the dealer is priority chevrolet in chesapeake. we are very worried about this problem especially since our history of problems with this issue. as of today 5/31/2015 we are still in same position with air bag warning light stuck on. we want to sell this lemon but no one will buy it with that light on.

The airbag light keeps coming on and it says "service airbag". is there a recall on the airbags for the 2009 hhr? *tr

With a chime the repair air bag safety light comes on. this has continued even though repaired twice by chevy dealerships. first they repaired the roof rail connector. next incident they replaced the passenger seatbelt. two years later the light continues to come on and off (with preceding chime) on a daily basis. *tr

Air bag light turned on in the vehicle, but after a while it would turn off and then come back on again. the dealer repaired the problem and the light went away. less than one year later when the car had 50000 mi the problem re-occurred. there appears to be a wiring issue with the airbags in this vehicle as there are many similar complaints from other owners. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact was driving 50 mph when the air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where they confirmed there was a loose connection with the air bags. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 57,665 and current mileage was 62,138. the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. updated 11/21/11

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that his vehicle did not have side curtain air bags. the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was standard and did not come with side curtain air bags. the manufacturer had been notified. no repairs were performed. the current and failure mileages were 43,000.

Tl* the contact owns 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on three separate occasions. the front passenger's seat inflater harness connectors were cleaned, taped and lubricated each time. the technician informed the contact that the air bags were inoperable whenever the warning light illuminated. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 21,297.

The airbag service light came on in the dashboard for no apparent reason. i haven't gotten into an accident or a fender bender, or not even a slight bump to any part of my vehicle. now the light shows to service the airbag and sometimes it goes out like it is fine, but then comes back on within minutes. *tr

This is my 2nd hhr first was great this is horrible. first problem was my locking mechanism on drivers side would not work. after the third time in the dealership they changed out the lock mechanism. then i started having problems with my window not rolling down and my dash light going out for a period of 2-3 seconds. they fixed the window but could never find out what was going on with the dash. then my airbag service light started coming on i had to take in twice for this incident. my steering problem started when i took my son in to do his driving test and all of a sudden it became very difficult to turn. we parked the car gave it a few minutes and started driving again, did the test and on the way home it happened again. we have just had to many problems with this vehicle. *tr

Since then the air bag trouble light goes on and off sometimes off for months (as it is now off) i asked about a possible recall on this and the local chevy dealer said that there was not it > where this is a safety issue i think that a 3 year old vehicle should be considered for a safety recall. i bought the car used and have a car fax report that there was no problem reported. *tr

2009 hhr serive airbag has been on and off for years. the car has never been wrecked and now since the light is on all the time, no one will take the car on trarde in for safty reasons..i have contacted gm and they refuse to check the car for free and i dont feel i should have to pay for them to fix another known defect..the car sits unused as we feel its unsafe to drive..there was a recalled issued for many other gm models on 3/18/13 for the same airbag issue but they have done nothing for the people who bought the hhr..there are endless lists of airbag problems in the chatrooms and gm does not care..i guess its cheaper to pay off the victims of their defective cars then recall them and replace the parts..their cost on the parts is pennies on the dollar that they charge the customers..they are killing the tax payers that bailed them out of bankrupcy.. ill be buying a toyota next time. *tr

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. *tr

Service air bag light continuously goes on an off. issue can not be replicated on purpose and there is no common denominator for making the light come one. speed of vehicle has ranged from 0 (in park) to 60 m.p.h. conditions of road has ranged sunny and dry to cold and wet. many on-line forums have also indicated that this is a common error with 2008 - 2009 chevrolet hhr's.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. while driving approximately 10 mph, the service air bag soon warning indicator illuminated. the failure occurred on numerous occasions. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the vin was unavailable. the approximate failure mileage was 8,000. ..updated 10/15/14 *bf updated 03/30/2015 *js

Hit by a mazda miata at about 30 mph hhr was totaled and air bags did not deploy. *tr

August of 2010 1st indication of a problem with the airbag occurred. chevrolet dealer repaired under warranty. 2nd incident occurred in earlier 2013 when service airbag light came on. this service airbag would stay on for a day or two, then go out. several months later it would come on again, then go out. in may of this year the service airbag light came and stayed on. on june 2nd of the year, 2014, i took it to the chevrolet dealer. they advised the airbag "shorted" and would have to be replaced @ $1200.00+. i purchased this vehicle new, and have had at least 3 electrical problems under warranty. due to the electrical problems, ignition switch, battery failure i feel this lead to the failure of the airbag. *tr

7/10 - center console lights inop. dealer replaced internally shorted relay. warranty 11/10 - engine would not crank/service airbag & power steering msg on dic. dealer towed in, replaced starter and found loss of comm w/ bcm due to internal short. dealer replaced bcm. warranty 12/10 - engine turns over wont start. dealer towed in, found power train relay open. replaced relay. warranty 4/11 - service airbag light. dealer found open circuit at passenger front airbag. reconnector connector added dielectrical grease. stabilitrack light does not come on (ever). was told system is okay, some models don't have warning lights. (go figure, will not return to that dealer) warranty 2/12 - service airbag light. comes on and goes out 3 - 4 times during first 15 minutes of driving first trip of the day. happens 90% of the time. if i can find a dealer i can trust i will have them check this and the stabilitrack problem. mileage is now 63,000. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the turn signal lights were inoperable and would not illuminate when engaged. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as normal. the contact also stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and he was told by the dealer that the air bags would not function in the event of a crash until they were repaired. the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred one year later. the vehicle was not further repaired. the failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 48,000. updated 8/6/12 *cn the consumer stated the air bag issue was resolved. however, the turn signals did not cancel in a timely manner after completing a turn. updated 08/14/12

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the air bag warning lamp illuminated. the failure was experienced at least five times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who only offered to file a report. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 2,000 and current mileage was 21, 069.

Airbag light went on in dash took to dealer repaired under bumper to bumper around 16,000 miles more light went on again will intermittently go on and off. occupant seat sensor is also turning on airbag at 10 pounds instead of over 35. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the air bag and tire pressure warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who was not able to diagnose the problem. the manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 16,500. updated 05/03/11*lj updated 09/16/11

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. the contact stated that the air bag warning lamp illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the air bag system was malfunctioning. as a result, the air bag assembly needed to be replaced. the contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 700 and the current mileage was 72,000.

Received a notice of pending of class action, proposed settlement and hearing for 2009 hhr. stating that the selling vehicles were manufactured without side curtain airbags. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that when any electrical devices such as a cellular phone, charger, i-pad or computer were placed in the front passenger seat, the air bag off warning light would illuminate. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed him that there could be no electrical devices placed in the front passenger seat, as it would interfere with the air bag sensor. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 20,000.

Failure: "service air bag" light came on. 1st incident: "service air bag" light came on with passenger sitting in front passenger seat, dealership repaired faulty component. 2nd incident: "service air bag" light came on with passenger sitting in front passenger seat, dealership repaired different faulty component. 3rd incident: use of 12v accessory, no passenger present, as well as passenger present, "service air bag" light intermittently on/off. corrective action: dealership told me not to use 12v accessories as they may cause some rf interference. 4th incident: "service air bag" light came on with passenger sitting in front passenger seat, dealership replaced components, found faulty wiring 5th incident: "service air bag" light came on without a passenger in passenger seat on the way upto the dealership for service. contacted gm about possibility for lemon law remedy, was refused buy-back option with statement that the vehicle is fixed and in proper working order. representative pushed towards keeping vehicle. i personally do not have confidence, at this point, in the safety devices of this 2009 chevy hhr, nor do my passengers. the dealerships service technicians have repaired several components, and yet the problem persists. this last time in for service, the technician could not reproduce the issue, therefore no service was conducted other than testing. this means that the problem has not been resolved since the last occurrence of the "service air bag" message being displayed. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet hhr. two weeks after the vehicle was purchased, the dealer installed heated seats. afterwards, the passenger side air bags stopped working. the heated seats are draining the battery in the vehicle. each time the vehicle is driven, it fails to start due to the drained battery. the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer in order to be restarted. he took the vehicle to another dealer and they stated that a switch underneath the seats needed to be replaced. the contact was advised to take the vehicle back to the original dealer for them to redo the installation. the failure mileage was 620. oil leak onto the coolant reservoir. the dealer found the brake fluid cap was not sealed properly. the heated seats that were i installed were connected to the battery which was causing the battery to die. updated 03/19/09. *jb