Should I buy a 2007 Chevrolet HHR with documented airbags problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented airbags issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2007 Chevrolet HHR airbags problems

severe Owners of the 2007 Chevrolet HHR have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 70,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$1,100

airbags complaints on the Chevrolet HHR, by model year
Model year	airbags complaints
2006 HHR	25
2007 HHR (this page)	19
2008 HHR	22
2009 HHR	75
2010 HHR	27
2011 HHR	17

13crashes

13injuries

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 14V047000 February 10, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system

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.

Fix: 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.

moderate NHTSA 08V046000 January 30, 2008

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

This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.

Fix: 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> .

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin PIC5650J Jul 2021

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 08-09-41-002H Nov 2016

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 06-08-50-009I Jan 2016

This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin SB-08-09-41-002C Dec 2011

GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin TB-080941006B Apr 2009

GENERAL MOTORS: THE SIR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. DTC B0081 PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) CODE STORED (INSPECT PPS SYSTEM CONNECTORS).

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

Owners of 2007 HHRs report airbags failing to deploy during frontal collisions and rollovers—ranging from low-speed rear-end hits to highway crashes at 45–70 mph. Injuries sustained include broken backs, jaw impact from steering wheel contact, crushed diaphragms, and head trauma from window impact, all without airbag cushioning. One owner hit a wall head-on at 35+ mph; the airbags never fired. Another's vehicle flipped multiple times after skidding on ice at 25 mph with the same result.

A separate and widespread issue is the Service Airbag warning light staying on continuously, sometimes as early as 30,000 miles, with no crash involved. One owner references GM service bulletin and NHTSA #10020881 as documentation that this is a known problem affecting multiple late-model GM vehicles. Dealers have reportedly turned the light on post-collision but cannot properly repair the underlying fault.

Seatbelt problems also surface: one owner's rear passenger seatbelt locked and had to be cut to free a child; another's passenger seatbelt cover deployed as a projectile during airbag deployment, causing permanent scarring. Electrical system recall campaigns 14V047000 and 14V171000 have been issued, but owners question why non-deployment keeps occurring after repairs and why the warning light persists.

Same Chevrolet HHR airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010

Failure modes owners describe

Airbag non-deployment in crashes

Front airbags fail to deploy during crashes of varying severity, from minor rear-end impacts to high-speed collisions and rollovers. Owners report deployed and did not deploy in identical-severity accidents, suggesting inconsistent sensor or electrical function.

When: Mileage range 42,990 to 100,000; timing of incidents span 2013–2021

Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy despite frontal impact or rollover; Head, chest, and limb injuries from undeployed airbags; Vehicle destruction or major damage with no airbag protection; Owner questioning why airbags failed to deploy after collision

Codes mentioned: NHTSA 14V047000 (Electrical System), NHTSA 14V171000 (Electrical System)

Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealership unable to repair airbags after collision, only illuminated warning light. Vehicle destroyed in multiple cases.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign numbers 14V047000 and 14V171000 issued for electrical system defects related to airbag function

Service airbag warning light illumination

Service airbag warning light remains on persistently without crash involvement, indicating a sensor or electrical system fault. Owners report this occurs on multiple late-model GM vehicles. One owner notes GM service bulletin and NHTSA #10020881 address this issue, suggesting it is a known defect.

When: As early as 30,000 miles; no crash required to trigger the condition

Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light stays on continuously; No previous crash or impact; Light remains on after recall repair attempt; Dealer claims illuminated light is not an issue requiring repair

Codes mentioned: NHTSA 10020881

Repairs/costs cited: Owners may be sold unnecessary airbag replacement at high cost. One owner reports parts unavailable for recall repair. Another reports dealership turned light on after collision but vehicle cannot be properly repaired.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin and NHTSA #10020881 document this issue. Recall issued (number not specified in narratives); however, one owner reports repair deemed insufficient by mechanic, light still illuminates

Seatbelt malfunction during or after airbag deployment

Seatbelts lock or jam during airbag deployment, preventing exit from the vehicle or causing injury. In one case, a passenger seatbelt cover became a projectile after deployment.

When: During frontal collision and rollover events

Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt will not release after crash; Passenger seatbelt locked despite no one in the seat; Seatbelt cover becomes projectile and causes abrasions and burn marks to occupant; Occupant had to be cut out of seatbelt; Seatbelt failed to restrain contact securely during acceleration crash

Repairs/costs cited: Seatbelt had to be cut to free occupant; permanent scarring from seatbelt cover projectile reported

Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had airbags trouble with your 2007 Chevrolet HHR? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2007 Chevrolet HHR?

It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 38,500 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,500; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Chevrolet/HHR. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.