NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
30 reportsClear category filter51,000 miles · May 12, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE BRAKES, ESC, SBC, AND THE LOW TRACTION WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
NHTSA ODI #10587857
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10585727
32,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THERE WERE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THERE WERE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568850
50,000 miles · Mar 1, 2014
Air BagsCrash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT WHERE A DRIVER HIT MYSELF AND SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS IN ICY CONDITIONS. THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY, LEAVING ME WITH MULTIPLE BRUISES AND SORENESS EVEN WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I ALSO SUSTAINED A NECK STRAIN DURING THE ACCIDENT, AND INJURED MY KNEE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566602
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT OCTOBER 30TH 2013 IN MY CHEVY HHR. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HAD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. FIVE SECONDS THERE AFTER STOPPING I FELT THIS HUGE PUSH BEHIND ME THAT CAUSE ME TO SLIDE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN THIS ACCIDENT I HAVE SUBSTAIN…
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I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT OCTOBER 30TH 2013 IN MY CHEVY HHR. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND I HAD CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. FIVE SECONDS THERE AFTER STOPPING I FELT THIS HUGE PUSH BEHIND ME THAT CAUSE ME TO SLIDE INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN THIS ACCIDENT I HAVE SUBSTAINED INJURIES OF A BRUISE STERNUM, STRAIN BACK AND NECK (WHIP LASH) AND A SPRAINED KNEE (RESULTED IN A TORN MANISCUS) THAT WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DASH BOARD IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED!! I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ER BY AMBULANCE WHILE MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOW COMPANIES LOT, TO LATER BE TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I CURRENTLY TREAT WITH A PHYSICAL THERAPIST FOR MY INJURIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565885
20 miles · Feb 6, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesSuspensionCrashInjury
MERGING INTO TRAFFIC CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE RENTAL JUST CONTINUE TO SLIDE INTO THE CAR CAUSING REAR END ACCIDENT WARNING LIGHTS IN DASH CONTROL TRACTION SERVICE AND ENGINE SERVICE SOON LOW OILS LIGHTS LOUD NOISE FROM BRAKES LOINS NOISE FROM UNDERPARTS
NHTSA ODI #10563196
19,000 miles · Mar 29, 2012
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
LAST JUNE, MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2011 HHR IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SAFER, MORE DEPENDABLE VEHICLE FOR OUR TEENAGE DAUGHTERS TO LEARN TO DRIVE AND TO HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO TAKE OUR DOGS WITH US WHEN WE WANTED TO GO SOMEWHERE AS A FAMILY. IN JANUARY, ON ONE OF THE DAYS WE ACTUALLY HAD SNOW ON THE GROUND, I CAME TO AN I…
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LAST JUNE, MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2011 HHR IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SAFER, MORE DEPENDABLE VEHICLE FOR OUR TEENAGE DAUGHTERS TO LEARN TO DRIVE AND TO HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO TAKE OUR DOGS WITH US WHEN WE WANTED TO GO SOMEWHERE AS A FAMILY. IN JANUARY, ON ONE OF THE DAYS WE ACTUALLY HAD SNOW ON THE GROUND, I CAME TO AN INTERSECTION, TRIED TO STOP, COULDN'T, AND SLID THROUGH. A CAR IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION MADE A LEFT TURN, NOT REALIZING I COULDN'T STOP, HIT ME ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE HHR, TURNING ME 90 DEGREES FROM THE DIRECTION I WAS GOING AND CAUSING OVER $8,000 OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT NO ONE WAS HURT. WHEN I GOT HOME, THE FIRST THING MY WIFE ASKED WAS, DID I GET TO SEE WHAT MY AIRBAG LOOKED LIKE? I REALIZED MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WHY? ALSO, WHY DIDN'T THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES STOP THE CAR, OR AT LEAST SLOW IT DOWN? AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS, THE DEALER DID FINALLY GET A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM TO LOOK INTO IT, PULL THE BLACK BOX AND SEE IF WE HAD A REAL ISSUE. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 18, AND ON MARCH 9TH, I FINALLY GOT A FORM LETTER FROM ESIS/GM BASICALLY CLAIMING THE CAR PERFORMED AS IT SHOULD. THE LETTER ALSO STATED I SHOULD KEEP THE CAR IN AN UN-REPAIRED CONDITION UNTIL THE DISPUTE IS RESOLVED. A DAY BEFORE I GOT THE LETTER, THE DEALER CALLED TO TELL ME THE REPAIRS ON THE CAR WERE ALMOST DONE. THEY KNEW WE WERE DISPUTING IT AND FIXED THE CAR ANYWAY. GM STATED I WOULD HAVE HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKES SEVEN SECONDS FROM THE LIGHT IN ORDER TO STOP IN TIME. AT 30 MPH, WHICH IS THE SPEED I WAS TRAVELING AT, I WOULD TRAVEL 616 FEET IN 7 SECONDS, THAT'S TWO FOOTBALL FIELDS. AT THAT DISTANCE THE LIGHT WAS STILL GREEN. I HAVE WRITTEN LOCAL LAWMAKERS, MY CONGRESSMAN, AND THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THIS MATTER. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKES AND AIRBAGS. THE CONTACT BANGED HIS SHOULDER INTO THE CORNER POST OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED IVOQ 04/17/12. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10453475
17,000 miles · Nov 10, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE OR WHY THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE OR WHY THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1801UPDATED 12/06/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FINALLY FIXED UPDATED 03/13/12
NHTSA ODI #10435192
6,835 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE CELLULAR PHONE WAS CHARGING. THE DEALER RESET THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 71962548301 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE CELLULAR PHONE WAS CHARGING. THE DEALER RESET THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 71962548301 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANY DEVICE CONNECTED IN THE VEHICLE WOULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,835 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED GM WILL NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/03/11 *JB
NHTSA ODI #10420712
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011
Air BagsCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH, SHE STEERED THE VEHICVLE TO THE LEFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID CRASHING. THE CONTACT MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, VEERED TO THE RIGHT ACROSS THE ROADWAY, AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, WHICH CAUSED THE SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH, SHE STEERED THE VEHICVLE TO THE LEFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID CRASHING. THE CONTACT MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, VEERED TO THE RIGHT ACROSS THE ROADWAY, AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL, WHICH CAUSED THE SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME BY THE POLICE, WHERE IT WAS AWAITING AN INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10413287
Official recalls
2Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Feb 10, 2014
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 & remedy
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. GMs 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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. 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. GMs 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.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
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. GMs 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗