This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
- Albertville, MN, USA
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 updated 09/16/11
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Reston, NJ, USA