2008 Chevrolet Hhr problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (271) · Fuel/Propulsion System (66) · Electrical System (48)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Hhr model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
495 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2014-04-30 · campaign 14E021000 · 14,529 vehicles
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
Risk: 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.
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 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).
Electrical System:ignition 2014-04-10 · campaign 14V171000 · 2,191,014 vehicles
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.
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 occup
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
Air Bags 2014-02-10 · campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles
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 748,0
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
Service bulletins (938)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-09 · 13598 · Other
new vehicle monitoring programs section in ivh
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-07 · PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. technician may find diagnostic trouble codes b3055, b3060, b3935, c0750, c0755, c0760, c0765, and/o
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Showing the 6 most recent of 938 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-14 · Unknown Or Other“remedy for campaign 14v047000 was executed defectively, creating an unsafe mechanical failure that destroyed the powertrain. failure occurred while or shortly before vehicle stalled in heavy traffic. vehicle would not restart, but ignition switch stuck in start position while attempting restart, causing starter motor to crank continuously until th…”
2026-03-26 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 68,900 mi“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the contact was informed that the vehicle was leaking gasoline. the vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that fuel was leaking from the driver’s side rear wheel well area, near the muffler. while at the residence, the contact o…”
2026-02-24 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release. additionally, the tpms warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the key was stuck and needed to be broken, and any damages would be at the owner's expense. the vehicle was…”
2025-12-23 · Electrical System · 64,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system); but the vehicle experienced a failure. the contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition switch while the key was in the "off" position. in addition, the battery was being…”
2025-04-03 · Visibility:glass, Side/Rear · 56,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated while warming up the vehicle, the rear window exploded without warning or impact. there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. there was an abnormal burning odor detected. the contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not ma…”
2025-02-06 · Vehicle Speed Control“vehicle ecm keeps reporting an error code p2138 that refers to a correlation issue between sensors on the throttle/pedal system, causing the vehicle to enter into reduced power and eventually disables engine. problem persists even after replacing pedal component. apparently water enters the compartment where the part is located and corrodes wirin…”
2024-08-07 · Fuel System, Gasoline“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that on one occasion after her friend parked the vehicle, the contact observed condensation underneath the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was inspected by the friend's nephew, and it was determined that the fuel line had a hole and was leaking fuel. the vehicle was then taken to a dealer …”
2024-06-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“gas line leaking, leaves puddles and can visibly be seen dripping…”
2024-04-29 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 184,025 mi“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the contact detected an abnormally strong fuel odor. upon inspection, the contact noticed a leak coming from underneath the rear driver's side door. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the manufacturer was not made a…”
2023-12-28 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 199,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a fuel leak nearby the rear driver’s side wheel. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel line had completely rusted due to being wrapped in heat…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.