NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
49 reportsClear category filter29,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE APPROXIMATE SPEED AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 40 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE NOT AT FAULT, AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA ODI #10596020
37,500 miles · May 22, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System
AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND SAY SERVICE AIR BAGS. IT COMES AND GOES AND CAN BE RESET MANUALLY. HAD IT SERVICED AND IT HAD A BAD CONNECTOR. THE DEALERSHIP RE PINED THE CONNECTOR FOR $155.00 LABOR I FELT RIPPED OFF. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FALLS UNDER DIFFERENT CATEGORY THE RADIO NOT WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593378
72,000 miles · May 12, 2014
Air BagsSteering
INTERMITTENT "SERVICE AIR BAGS". SERVICE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF SOMETIMES IT WILL CHANGE MULTIPLE TIMES IN JUST A 20 MILE COMMUTE. SOMETIMES THE SERVICE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN ON/OFF FOR A MONTH. NO COMMON FACTOR FOUND. MY VIN IS NOT YET COVERED ON THE HHR RECALL LIST. INTERMITTENT "POWER STEERING" LOSS - SERVICE LIGHT TURNS ON…
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INTERMITTENT "SERVICE AIR BAGS". SERVICE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF SOMETIMES IT WILL CHANGE MULTIPLE TIMES IN JUST A 20 MILE COMMUTE. SOMETIMES THE SERVICE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN ON/OFF FOR A MONTH. NO COMMON FACTOR FOUND. MY VIN IS NOT YET COVERED ON THE HHR RECALL LIST. INTERMITTENT "POWER STEERING" LOSS - SERVICE LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF. IT CAN BE HOT, COLD, DRY, RAINING, DRIVING 30 MILES PER HOUR OR DRIVING 50 MILES PER HOUR. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE. MY VIN IS NOT YET COVERED ON THE HHR RECALL LIST. A COUPLE OF TIMES MY CAR KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. ONCE IT TOOK FIVE MINUTES TO TURN THE HHR OFF. THIS IS COVERED ON THE CURRENT HHR RECALL LIST. THERE CURRENTLY IS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. IT COULD BE TWO MONTHS BEFORE IT CAN BE REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587920
115,000 miles · May 7, 2014
Air Bags
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING COMES ON THEN GOES OFF AND COMES BACK ON RANDOMLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587135
135,000 miles · Apr 26, 2014
Air Bags
I WAS DRIVING MY HHR ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR. THE DASH DISPLAY SAID CHECK AIRBAG AND THE RED AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES. THE NEXT MORNING AFTER I STARTED THE HHR , THE AIRBAG DISPLAY AND THE RED INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10585049
68,000 miles · Mar 27, 2014
Air BagsSteering
I OWN A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE FAST LANE ON I-75N. THE POWER STEERING SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL STIFF AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO SAFELY ACROSS 3 LANES TO OFF RAMP, LUCKILY IMMEDIATELY TO THE…
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I OWN A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE FAST LANE ON I-75N. THE POWER STEERING SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL STIFF AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO SAFELY ACROSS 3 LANES TO OFF RAMP, LUCKILY IMMEDIATELY TO THE RIGHT WAS ABLE TO GLIDE INTO A PARKING LOT. PARKED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED IGNITION OFF, CHECKED ALL FLUIDS UNDER HOOD, READ MANUAL AND ADVISED TO TAKE KEYS OUT AND RESTART. SO I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL, THE WARNING SIGNAL WAS GONE AND WHEEL WAS MOVING. I REPORTED THIS TO GM IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE ACTING AS IF THIS IS URGENT. THEY HAVE STALLED 2 DAYS NOW WITHOUT DIAGNOSING, THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER VEHICLE AND THEREFORE I HAVE NO CHOICE THEN TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, KNOWING THE SEVERE THREAT IT HAS TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. I TAKE IT IN FOR AN ISSUE ATLEAST EVERY OTHER MONTH. ALSO SINCE STEERING ISSUE HAVE HAD THE "AIR BAG SERVICE" LIGHT HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES. WILL HAVE DEALERSHIP CHECK THIS MALFUNCTION OUT TOO. I THINK THIS MEANS IF MY STEERING GOES OUT AND I CRASH, THEN I WILL NOT HAVE AN AIRBAG TO SAVE ME.. I CALL THIS CAR "CHRISTINE"!! I AM VERY UPSET THAT GM AND THE DEALERSHIP DO NOT HANDLE THIS MALFUNCTION MORE SERIOUSLY. DEATH TRAP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575234
65,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts
THE SRS LIGHT WAS RED AND STOOD LIT FOR ONE MONTH AND THEN IT WENT AWAY, I HAVE 3 CHILDREN UNDER 17 YEARS OF AGE AND THIS PROBLEM JUST WORRIES ME AND HAS ME WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHILE IN THIS CAR. WE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACE BY THE DEALER ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BECAUSE MY WIFE COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CAR. NO OTHER PRO…
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THE SRS LIGHT WAS RED AND STOOD LIT FOR ONE MONTH AND THEN IT WENT AWAY, I HAVE 3 CHILDREN UNDER 17 YEARS OF AGE AND THIS PROBLEM JUST WORRIES ME AND HAS ME WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHILE IN THIS CAR. WE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACE BY THE DEALER ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BECAUSE MY WIFE COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CAR. NO OTHER PROBLEMS REPORTED BY MY WIFE. WE LOVE OUR HHR. GREAT FAMILY CAR. WE MIGHT NEED TO GO BIGGER SINCE OUR GROWING FAMILY. HOPE THIS PROBLEM OF SRS GETS FIXED OR DOES NOT BECOME A FUTURE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573428
38,000 miles · Sep 21, 2013
Air Bags
FOR NO REASON THE CHIME STARTED TO CHIME AND THE AIRBAG LITE COME ON,,,THE CAUSE OF THIS LITE COMING ON WAS A HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT NOT MAKING A CONNECTION ,,,BUT INTILL I FOUND OUT WHAT IT WAS I DROVE IN FEAR THAT THE AIRBAG WAS GOING TO DEPLOY FOR NO REASON AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT,, IAM NOT THE ONLY ONE THI…
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FOR NO REASON THE CHIME STARTED TO CHIME AND THE AIRBAG LITE COME ON,,,THE CAUSE OF THIS LITE COMING ON WAS A HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT NOT MAKING A CONNECTION ,,,BUT INTILL I FOUND OUT WHAT IT WAS I DROVE IN FEAR THAT THE AIRBAG WAS GOING TO DEPLOY FOR NO REASON AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT,, IAM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAPPENED TO ,,,I FOUND OUT ON THE HHR NETWORK ITS A COMMON DEFECT WITH CHEVY HHRS
NHTSA ODI #10544796
29,000 miles · Jun 17, 2013
Air Bags
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE (3 TIMES) AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON. NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE LIGHT IS ON STEADY. I TRIED DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY BUT THAT DID NOT CLEAR THE LIGHT. SINCE I…
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I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE (3 TIMES) AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON. NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE LIGHT IS ON STEADY. I TRIED DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY BUT THAT DID NOT CLEAR THE LIGHT. SINCE I HAVE THE HISTORY ESTABLISHED WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520266
36,900 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,900 AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,159.
NHTSA ODI #10504820
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
Mar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
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 ↗