YearToAvoid

2008 Chevrolet HHR Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2008 Chevrolet HHR has 616 complaints, a complaint index of 60, and ranks 3rd worst of 6 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering problems dominate at 48% of complaints, with 4 recalls covering electrical, airbags, and body structure issues.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#3 of 6 HHR years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
616
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
30
reported in complaints
Fires
6
Injuries
31
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 29 hwy
Injuries / deaths
31 / 4

Top 2008 Chevy HHR problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering297 (48%)
  2. Electrical System117 (19%)
  3. Fuel System85 (14%)
  4. Brakes69 (11%)
  5. Airbags38 (6%)
  6. Structure & Body38 (6%)
  7. Engine36 (6%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires27 (4%)
  9. Other22 (4%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain22 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Power steering suddenly cuts out during turns, then abruptly returns and causes oversteer, sometimes leading drivers to hit curbs.
  • Battery compartment fires have started while the vehicle was parked, located near the fuel system.
  • Side airbags failed to deploy during rollover and broadside collisions, even with substantial vehicle damage.
  • Brakes lost stopping power intermittently, requiring drivers to pump the pedal hard to slow down, in some cases leading to rear-end crashes.
  • Rear tail light units have melted near the gas tank, raising owner concern about fire risk.
2008 Chevrolet HHR complaints: complaints filed per quarter692008 Q12010 Q22012 Q32014 Q42017 Q12019 Q22021 Q42025 Q1
616 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2008 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2014 Q2 (69).

2008 Chevrolet HHR recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V171000Apr 10, 2014Electrical System2,191,014 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    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 occupant or pedestrian injuries.

    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 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 Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

  2. NHTSA 14V047000Feb 10, 2014Airbags2,190,934 vehicles

    Air bags

    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 been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

    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.

    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. 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. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

  3. NHTSA 08V444000Sep 3, 2008Structure & Body296,422 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

    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.

    Risk: This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.

    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>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR →

2008 Chevrolet HHR fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,825
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other HHR years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200620072008200920102011
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Avoid801,006523
2007Good40726423
2008Caution60616424
2009Avoid100508424
2010Best20515325

All Chevrolet HHR years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 HHR carries a complaint index of 60 and ranks 3rd worst among 6 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other HHR years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Chevrolet HHR?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 297 complaints, or 48% of all complaints filed for this year, with a median failure mileage of 80,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 HHR, covering the electrical system, airbags (two separate campaigns), and structure/body issues like a storage compartment door latch.
How does the 2008 HHR compare to other model years?
The 2008 HHR's complaint index of 60 is better than 2006 (80) and 2009 (100), both rated Avoid, but worse than 2007 (40, Good), 2010 (20, Best), and 2011 (0, Best).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.