I am at the dealer today looking at my SS that I will be getting tomorrow. One 'option' that I really want is the side airbags. According to the Chevy.com, the side airbags on the HHR SS are a $395 option. However, the dealer says that they are standard, however they don't show on the window sticker (or on the side of the headliner, just above the B-pillar).
So I will ask the people who own the SS. Is it an option, or is it standard? If someone who has an SS with the airbags, is there a small sign on the inside of the headliner/ A-pillar / B-pillar that says that it has the side airbags? Could you tell me where it is, or better yet, snap a quick pic with your camera and send it to me?

Next question: how difficult would it be to retrofit the airbags into a non-airbag vehicle? I am thinking that the brain box (that signals whether to blow the bags or not) is probably the same between all vehicles. The only difference is whether the side curtains are installed or not. I will have to check with the dealer to just verify. Forum's thoughts?

Thanks for all the help so far! Looking forward to my SS, with or without airbags!

 

They were Optional on the the 08's, so if the car is an 08 and it is not on the window sticker the car does not have them and the dealer is feeding you a line of BS.
They will be standard on the 09.

 

Big Rad, man, I thought I was the only one that tried to buy an 08 SS from a dealer in Detroit that didnt know what he was talking about. I was working with a sales guy at Joe Panian Chevy in Southfield who tried to tell me that the limited slip option was only available on an automatic. He just wanted to sell me the car on his lot and trade for the one I wanted.

Side air bags are an option as my car has every option except those. I chose the LSD over side air bags. There is an oval plastic button near the top of the A, B, & C pillar trim that says "side air bags" if the car is equipped. On my car the caps are plain with no lettering on them. I think it would be very expensive to retro fit a car and add the side air bags if you could find someone to do it. My guess is because of liability no dealer would take this on. G.B.

 

You can not add side air bags,

 

correct - I tried doing that with my GP to no avail

 

If the plug at the top of both A pillar moldings does not say AIR BAG, then the vehicle does not have them. You can also look at the RPO label in the glove box. The RPO code is AFS.

 

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I will certainly look for the RPO code in the glove box.
I talked to the dealer and they also appear to be stumped that the car doesn't have side airbags!
I will still go ahead and get the car even though it doesn't have the AFS. In the end, it will still be safer than my motorcycle!

Thanks again!