What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 Chevrolet HHR

Typical pattern

6.1% of complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet HHR came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (307 complaints), typically at 6.6 yr or about 80,000 miles.

Complaints
784
Median age at failure
6.6 yr
Median mileage
74,000 n=619
Crash / fire / tow
6.8% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
307 reports · 80,000 mi
6.6 yr
3.6%
Electrical system
108 reports · 64,000 mi
6.6 yr
5.6%
Fuel / propulsion
71 reports · 124,400 mi
12.1 yr
1.4%
Service brakes, hydraulic
41 reports · 5,200 mi
1.0 yr
4.9%
Air bags
38 reports · 40,000 mi
6.5 yr
42.1%
Latches / locks
25 reports · 45,000 mi
2.3 yr
4%
Power train
22 reports · 43,000 mi
4.8 yr
0%
Engine
20 reports · 133,000 mi
7.6 yr
25%
Other
16 reports · 70,000 mi
9.3 yr
6.2%
Suspension
15 reports · 49,500 mi
3.8 yr
0%
Electronic stability control (esc)
15 reports · 112,000 mi
8.5 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14E021000 2014-04-30
Electrical system:ignition:switch

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.

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.

14V171000 2014-04-10
Electrical system:ignition

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.

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 occup

14V047000 2014-02-10
Air bags

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 vehicle

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.

08V444000 2008-09-03
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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.

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

08V046000 2008-01-30
Air bags

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.

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

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 206 mi 3 mo in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT INDICATE WHEN THE DOORS ARE AJAR. THE DOORS LOCK; HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT WARN THAT THE DOORS ARE NOT CLOSED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 3,100. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF
Electrical system 3,000 mi 5 mo in service crash / fire / tow
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT, LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE FUEL SYSTEM. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT IS WAITING FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HE HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,000.
Electrical system mileage not reported 11 mo in service
2008 CHEVY HHR WITH A BURNING HAIR ODOR INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO STOPPED RUNNING. SHE STATES THAT WHEN IT SHUT OFF HE HAD NO BRAKES OR STEERING. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEAKERS. *JB
Latches / locks 2,800 mi 1.2 yr in service
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2008 CHEVY HHR THAT I PURCHASED IN AUGUST. MY COMPLAINT IS ON THE BACK PASSENGER DOORS. IN SEVERAL OCCASSIONS MY KIDS HAVE NOT CLOSED THE DOORS HARD ENOUGH, AND THE DOORS HAVE STAYED OPEN. THE CAR HAS FAILED TO INFORM ME. WE ONLY NOTICED BECAUSE WE CAN HEAR THE WIND AS I AM DRIVING FASTER. ALSO IN TESTING THE CAR, THE DOOR WASN'T EVEN ON THE HATCH AND THE CAR STILL DID NOT WARN OF THE DOOR BEING OPEN AND THE CAR WAS IN MOVEMENT. WHILE NO ACCIDENT OR DEATH HAS OCCURRED YET, THIS A IS PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN SOMEONE'S DEATH. *TR

Other HHR model years

201120102009200820072006

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