MYRModel Year Report

2008 Chevrolet HHR

● Typical for this model
2008 Chevrolet HHR
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
616
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

50% of complaints

Complaints per year

2006: 1,006 complaints 2006 2007: 726 complaints 2007 2008: 616 complaints 2008 616 2009: 508 complaints 2009 2010: 515 complaints 2010 2011: 203 complaints 2011
2006: 1,006 complaints 2006 2007: 726 complaints 2007 2008: 616 complaints 2008 616 2009: 508 complaints 2009 2010: 515 complaints 2010 2011: 203 complaints 2011
2006: 1,006 complaints 2006 2007: 726 complaints 2007 2008: 616 complaints 2008 616 2009: 508 complaints 2009 2010: 515 complaints 2010 2011: 203 complaints 2011

2008: 616 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20061,006
2007726
2008616
2009508
2010515
2011203

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

50% · 307 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Power steering goes out, it will be fine then all of the sudden while driving the steering tightens up and I cannot turn like I am suppose to, this happens quite often and I am worried about the safety of my children and myself.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-11-25

While driving steering motor just stops working causing hard steering and not steer properly. You try to pull off busy highway. stop put in park shut off car then restart steering works fine just out nowhere you loose steering. its…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-14

Electrical system

18% · 108 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Chevy HHR 2008 - complete electrical failure while attempting to enter traffic from home depot parking lot. Couldn't unlock doors or window to escape vehicle. Called 911 fairfield ct, fire dept responded to open vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-11-11

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-02-27

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-14

Also filed under Engine

Fuel/propulsion system

12% · 71 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Fuel line leaking in two places, in the rear and in the front. Completely rusted out. My car only has 60,800 miles on it. Type of car is a 2008 chevy HHR lt 2.4. Gas is leaking on the ground and a strong smell of gas is emitted from the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-30

Service brakes

9% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH

Air bags

6% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Single car accident/hit an animal / car spun out of control/hit several trees(Car was a total loss) wife & daughter severely injured//not one air bag deployed(Highway patrolman verified in his…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-20

Also filed under Engine and structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into her rear and pushed the vehicle forward, causing the contact to crash into the rear of a third vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-18

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-11

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2008-04-02Air bags08V046000 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.…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2008-12-23Latches/locks/linkages08V444000 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."…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2014-04-04Electrical system14E021000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2014-04-18Electrical system14V171000 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.

    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...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-04-18Air bags, electrical system14V047000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2020-07-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-17 Fuel Line Leak

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Chevrolet HHR — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 307 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 108 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 71 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08V046000 · Air bags
  • Recall 08V444000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2008 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Chevrolet HHR is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet HHR?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.