2008 Chevrolet HHR Problems, Recalls & Reliability
784 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 59/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 80,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2008 sits among all HHR years
What owners report
“Power steering unexpectedly goes out while driving. When i first turn in car, it is fine and can drive but after about 5 minutes power steering goes out.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 HHR
“Whial driving the power steering assistance turns off/fails and the power steering light showes on dash. When you stop and cut the car off and back on it works again for a wial then fails again.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 HHR
“My fuel line has become corroded and is leaking gas from around the rear driver's side wheel.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 HHR
“The anti lock brake system isn't properly functioning every time i hit the brakes hard it locks the tires up and the car slides.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 HHR
“Power steering went out while driving, service esc code came on. Car has done this numerous times over the past year, i have replaced the steering column, the power steering motor, the car ran fine for weeks and today while driving down the road the service esc code came on and i lost power steering”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 HHR
“Was stopped due to traffic and was rear ended resulting in $8000.00 physical damage to the vehicle. Airbag did not deploy. Dealer wants to charge me to have it tested.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 HHR
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 600 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 75,402 miles. Half of those reports fall between 44,000 and 108,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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.…
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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
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…
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
938 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2008 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
The 2008 Chevrolet HHR drew 784 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 59/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet HHR problems?
The top reported problems for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR are steering (307 complaints), electrical (121), and fuel system (85).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet HHR problems show up?
Owners most often report 2008 Chevrolet HHR problems around 75,402 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 44,000 and 108,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2008 Chevrolet HHR. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.