MYRModel Year Report

2008 Chevrolet HHR

● Typical for this model
2008 Chevrolet HHR
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet HHR Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2006: 1006 complaints 2006 2007: 726 complaints 2007 2008: 615 complaints 2008 2009: 508 complaints 2009 2010: 515 complaints 2010 2011: 203 complaints 2011
2008: 615 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20061006
2007726
2008615
2009508
2010515
2011203

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 48%

48% of complaints: steering — 294 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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, 20131125

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 intermitten.,

NHTSA ODI report, 20231014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 93 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20081111

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 71 distinct reports on file.

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, 20231030

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 37 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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 REPORT

NHTSA ODI report, 20180520

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, 20140318

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, 20121011

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20080402 — 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,

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 HREF=HTT

Campaign 08V046000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081223 — latches/locks/linkages

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

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 HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTT

Campaign 08V444000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140404 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 14E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140418 — electrical system

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...

Campaign 14V171000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140418 — air bags, electrical system

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.

Campaign 14V047000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20200705 — PE (closed 20230817)

Fuel Line Leak

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Chevrolet HHR — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (294 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (93 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (71 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V046000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V444000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E021000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2011 ● 2009 ● 2010

WORST YEARS

◆ 2006 ◆ 2007 ● 2010

See all years ranked →

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 48% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.