VehicleVerdict

2008 Chevrolet HHR problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR sits mid-pack among HHR years: 781 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 737, with 5 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 37 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 307 reports (39% of the total).

781

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

37

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

37

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other HHR years?

HHR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted1,367 complaints2006: 1,367 complaints2007: 943 complaints2008: 781 complaints2009: 689 complaints2010: 682 complaints2011: 288 complaints
HHR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all HHR years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet HHR problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering30739%
Electrical System12416%
Fuel System8611%
Brakes567%
Airbags385%
Engine273%
Latches & Locks253%
Transmission223%
Other192%
Suspension152%
Tires & Wheels152%
Lighting132%
Body & Structure132%
Speed Control122%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Seats20%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14E021000Electrical SystemApril 30, 2014 · 14,529 units

Defect

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Consequence

If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

Remedy

UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).

14V171000Electrical SystemApril 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 units

Defect

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

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.

14V047000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 units

Defect

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. GM’s 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.

08V444000Latches & LocksSeptember 3, 2008 · 296,422 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 296,422 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE DOOR ON THE STORAGE BIN IN THE TOP CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AS REQUIRED.

Consequence

THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

A REDESIGNED LATCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 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> .

08V046000AirbagsJanuary 30, 2008 · 181,516 units

Defect

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. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' IN TESTS, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.

Consequence

THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

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> .

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR DIED AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND HIT THE DITCH AND APPARENTLY HIT SOMETHING IN THE DITCH AND BUSTED MY OIL PAN. NOW I CANNOT TELL IF MY MOTOR LOCKED UP OR WHAT. IT WILL NOT START. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME MY CAR HAS DIED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 7, 2014 · crash

I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR DIED AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND HIT THE DITCH AND APPARENTLY HIT SOMETHING IN THE DITCH AND BUSTED MY OIL PAN. NOW I CANNOT TELL IF MY MOTOR LOCKED UP OR WHAT. IT WILL NOT START. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME MY CAR HAS DIED WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 7, 2014 · crash

SEVERE FUEL LEAK WHICH CAUSED A SMALL FIRE. LUCKILY WE HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY. THIS IS APPARENTLY VERY COMMON WITH HHRS AND THANK GOD I WASN'T AT A GAS STATION WHEN THE FIRE STARTED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 23, 2020 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND STALLED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 17, 2008 · crash

I WAS DRIVING A 2008 CHEVY HHR AND WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL BY GM OF CERTAIN 2008 GM HHR MODELS FOR ISSUES WITH ROOF RAIL AIRBAGS. I AM WONDERING WHY NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 22, 2008 · crash

2008 Chevrolet HHR — common questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet HHR reliable?

It is close to typical for the HHR: 781 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2008 HHR problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (307 complaints), electrical system (124 complaints), fuel system (86 complaints).

Does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Chevrolet HHR. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Chevrolet HHR under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet HHR years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the HHR years to avoid are 2006. The cleanest record among HHR years belongs to 2011.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.