KnownCarProblems2008 Chevrolet Hhr Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 616 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Hhr, most often about the steering (48% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Hhr model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Chevrolet Hhr problems
Steering
297 complaints · 48%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, hydraulic power assist system.
Electric power steering goes out at random times. Is not related to speed, or even being used at the time. Can be at a full stop and the power steering will stop working and the power steering message comes on the dash. Turning off car and restarting will get it working again, but may go right back out within minutes…
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. While driving at various speeds, the contact heard a chime inside of the vehicle and the power steering warning indicator illuminated with a sudden loss of power steering. The contact was able to maneuver to the side of the road with difficulty turning the steering wheel. The…
Electrical
108 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring.
Opened car door. Sat in seat. Put key in ignition started car. Turned ignition to off to stop motor.turned key to on (not starting motor) all electrical systems died. Had no access to rear hatch to check battery (electric latch release). Could not remove key from ignition in off position. From what I have been reading…
While driving at speeds upwards of 45 MPH, the power steering light came on and I lost power steering. I almost got into a crash and was unable to safely steer the vehicle. Once the vehicle was turned off the steering was returned. And then it would go out again until the vehicle was turned off again. Upon searching…
Fuel system
85 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 123,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Fuel lines in front of drivers side rear wheel completely corroded thru. Partially due to heat shroud, rubber covered with foil, installed due to lose proximity to exhaust pipe. Return line started leaking,pressure line broke in half during removal. Chevy disavows all responsibility although the rest of the lines are…
My chevy Hhr developed a leak in the fuel line - just behind the rear driver's side tire. When looking this up on line, I was shocked at how many others had reported the same complaint. The leak was only visible to me when the car was parked on an incline (spotted 3-25-15). However, it had trouble starting for about 2…
Brakes
53 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 7,500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that whenever she starts the vehicle and drives forward or backwards, there is no braking power. When the brake pedal is depressed, the vehicle continues to move. She must pump the brake pedal with much force in order for the vehicle to stop. On one occasion…
Brake rotors warped and the car would shake with such a severe force controlling the car was very hard. After the dealer replaced four sets, before the car had 50,000 miles on it, the dealer told me that the brake pads were worn out and that would cause this to happen again. Just before the last rotors were, replaced…
Air bags
38 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
My wife was driving the car getting off the interstate when she hydroplaned she hit the cement wall at about 35-40mph head on pushed the bumper back about 6-8 in no air bag deployment is this right?
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. After numerous attempts, the key released from the ignition switch. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
Engine
28 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning and caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle, crashing into an embankment. A police report was not filed and the driver sustained a shoulder injury. The vehicle was not taken…
I took the car into the shop on 11/15/14 because of a loud exhaust sound. The mechanic advised the flex pipe was leaking and the flex pipe and catalytic converters (2) would need to be replaced. The cost is estimated at about $900. If the car is in idol, the exhaust seeps into the car and could cause carbon monoxide…
Doors and locks
25 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
Both key fobs began working intermittently, finally failing completely. Problem began around 38,000 mileage. Complete failure around 40,000 mileage. Now key in door no longer works (only one key entry on entire car) so taking to dealer tomorrow. Mileage around 45,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr. While in park, the driver side door failed to open. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the door lock and the key remote needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions the manufacturer was notified of the failure.…
Transmission
22 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission, driveline, clutch assembly.
- the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Hhr.the contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, she struck a small piece of debris from the road, which subsequently punctured the transfer case. As a consequence the risk of vehicle crash was increased. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and the technician concluded that…
While driving my Hhr ss a service ESC message appeared in the dic along with a chime like the dinging of no seat belt. Then a power steering message came after that. When this happens my steering wheel locks up and is hard to turn. I have heard that some of these steering columns have been recalled! Why not the Hhr…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Chevrolet Hhr recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
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 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
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: 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.
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 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. Gmâs recall nu
Full defect summary
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 be
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
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 href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
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 href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel line leak
Summary
On july 5, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened pe20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (my) 2008 through 2010 chevrolet cobalt and 2008 through 2009 chevrolet hhr passenger cars manufactured by general motors (gm). The metal fuel lines are corroding and leaking fuel in the area between the front and rear wheels on the driver's side of the vehicle before the muffler. Most consumers allege a fuel odor and/or an observable fuel leak that alerts them to the condition.the subject metal fuel lines have a protective age coating and, in the vicinity of the left rear wheel, are further wrapped in a foil heat
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Hhr
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Hhr?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (297 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); electrical (108 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); fuel system (85 complaints, typically around 123,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Hhr have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 10, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Chevrolet Hhr?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Hhr model year since 2000, with 616 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.