VehicleVerdict

2008 Chevrolet HHR airbags problems

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR has 38 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 5% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

38

Airbags complaints

5%

Share of year

14

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

HHR airbags complaints by model year104 complaints2006: 63 complaints2007: 48 complaints2008: 38 complaints2009: 104 complaints2010: 49 complaints2011: 30 complaints
HHR airbags complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14V047000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

08V046000AirbagsJanuary 30, 2008 · 181,516 units

Defect

GM 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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' IN TESTS, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.

Consequence

THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENERGY-ABSORBING PLASTIC PIECE TO THE HEADLINER TRIM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

What owners report

I WAS DRIVING A 2008 CHEVY HHR AND WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL BY GM OF CERTAIN 2008 GM HHR MODELS FOR ISSUES WITH ROOF RAIL AIRBAGS. I AM WONDERING WHY NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 22, 2008 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have?

NHTSA has 38 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet HHR airbags — 5% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR airbags?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 08V046000, 14V047000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.