I was involved in a side impact collision in my HHR Panel today. I was nailed right on the Drivers side door (see Pic) My side airbags didnt deploy, looking at the pic you'd think they would. The impact was at about 35-40 mph. I bashed my head againt the upper door sill and I guess I smashed out the window with my head too, side of my face still smarting. Fortunatly my little 10 yr old only got a small scrath on his leg and I just a small cut behind my ear. What I would like to know is what will cause the side airbag system to deploy?

 

I would of thought the side bags would of deployed after seeing that.

 

wait we have side airbags? i didnt know that

oh btw you should resize that pictues. its way to giant

hope your okay and hope you get that fixed

 

Please hit the report button for huge images and one of will get to it as soon as we can if the member does not get to it first.
~~~~~~

I am surprised the air bag did not deploy as well.

 

I know side airbags were optional on 07's (I have them on mine).
I *think* they are standard as of 08--but I may be mistaken?

Glad to see you and your son walked away from this! I hope someone can address the non-deployment issue--but the car did hold up pretty well it seems.

@ngelita

 

There will be an SRS symbol made into the plastic front pillar cover if it has side impact protection.

 

Side bags aren't standard until '09.

My '08 LS option package included the Enhanced Safety Package ($795): Head Curtain Side Airbags, front/rear + Antilock Brake System

I'm surprised the side bags didn't deploy if you had them. That's rather disconcerting. At least you know your panel will take a pretty good shot like that without much internal damage.

 

my 08 SS came with optional side airbags. so it wasn't standard til 09

 

Sorry for the giant pic. I bought the side airbags option. This is a 08, one of the first panels off the line. The HHR did take the hit pretty good, other than the 2 doors nothing inside seems to be broken, it did push the interior portion of the door in about 5 inches tho....I just hope they dont scrap it because of some frame bent or the like.

 

Glad u 2 are ok. The side curtains are suposed to protect a head from hiting the side of the door, or poping threw the window with your head. Both of which you say happen, The bags should have definetly popped in that hit.