Page 5 of 13 · complaints 201–250 of 616

2008 Chevrolet HHR complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Jul 10, 2015118,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 8, 201586,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED AND ALL OF THE SYSTEMS RESET. THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK TO THE ON POSITION IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Jun 7, 201598,000 milesMO

TRAVELING ON CURVY HIGHWAY WE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, STOPPED CAR AND SHUT ENGINE OFF AND LOOKED CAR OVER AS WELL AS FUSES. WHEN WE STARTED CAR THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING. TALKED TO CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT ON ANY RECALL AND WAS GOING TO COST UP TO 350.00 TO CHANGE. SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE LIVED WITH IT DUE TO FINANCES, OVER THE LAST MONTH IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND HAPPENED 6 TIME TODAY. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2009 HHR'S (#14119) BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE 2008 THAT I AM SURE THEY ARE USING THE SAME PARTS ON THIS MODEL AND AND OTHERS SO WHY NOT INCLUDE 2008 MODELS.

Steering
Filed Jun 3, 2015120,195 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD...I HEARD A DING AND THE "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DIC...IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT....WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF....STARTED THE CAR BACK UP AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL.....BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS COMING BACK AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND AT DIFFERENT TIMES..SOMETIMES IT MAY TAKE A DAY OR TWO BEFORE IT COMES BACK...BUT IT DOES COME BACK.....I'VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I HOPE A SOLUTION IS FOUND TO PREVENT THIS FROM POSSIBLY INJURING OR KILLING SOMEBODY....OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT

Steering
Filed Jun 1, 2015MI

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY BUT NOW IS HAPPENING NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY I DRIVE. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR AS I CAN BE GOING SLOW OR THE POSTED SPEED FOR THE ROADWAY AND IT WILL OCCUR.

Steering
Filed May 28, 2015151,757 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND IT SHOOK AND VIBRATED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT AND WOULD REMAIN STRAIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, RESTART IT, AND RESET THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,757.

Steering
Filed May 12, 2015FL

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST THIS ONLY HAPPENED DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY BUT NOW IS HAPPENING NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY I DRIVE. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR AS I CAN BE GOING SLOW OR THE POSTED SPEED FOR THE ROADWAY AND IT WILL OCCUR. THE FIRST FEW TIMES ONLY HAPPENED WHEN I TURNED A CORNER NOW IT HAPPENS AS I AM DRIVING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND WAS INFORMED THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM. ?????? HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A SAFETY PROBLEM??????!!!!!!

Steering
Filed May 9, 201557,000 milesWI

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65 MPH & ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON &LOST POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT & WAS SCARY. IT WILL COST ME $500 OR MORE TO GET IT FIXED. ALSO, AT APPROX. 48,000 MILES THE BACK REAR DOOR LATCH BROKE & WOULD NOT OPEN, IT COST ME $125 TO REPLACE IT AS THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO FIX THIS. BEWARE OF YOUR POWER STEERING.

Electrical System
Filed May 7, 2015100,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED AT DIFFERENT TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN UPDATED 10/16/2017*CN

Steering
Filed Apr 29, 2015IN

2008 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FAILED. THE DEALER FOUND AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITHIN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITHIN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. *JB

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 27, 201566,500 milesWV

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. I PULLED OVER AND MYSELF AND THE PASSENGER GOT OUT. THE NEXT SECOND OR TWO, FIRE STARTED ERUPTING FROM THE DASH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED IMMEDIATELY. ABOUT 15 MINUTES PASSED AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HHR'S THAT HAD REMOTE START AND AUTOMATIC. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS THE BLAME. *TR

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Apr 27, 201582,700 milesNY

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WE HAD PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ON ROUTE 207 IN THE TOWN OF HAMPTONBURGH,NY.NO MORE THEN 20 FEET FROM EXITING THE PARKING LOT THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING US TO HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND TOTALING THE CAR. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILED THUS CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. WE WHERE NOTIFIED OF THE IGNITION RECALL HAD THAT TAKEN CARE OF IN AUGUST OF 2012. HOWEVER CHEVY/GM CONTENTION IS THE IGNITION DID NOT FAIL. THE BODY SHOP MECHANIC AND GM/CHEVY'S OWN SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THAT A CATSOPHIC MALFUNCTION TOOK PLACE CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 15, 201547,000 milesPA

TL* 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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 15, 201534,009 milesMA

REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED AND HANDLE WOULD NOT LET PASSENGER OUT. I LOCKED AND UNLOCKED DOOR AND PASSENGER COULD MOVE HANDLE BUT NOT OPEN THE DOOR. I WENT TO THE DOOR AND TRIED TO OPEN AND THE EXTERIOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN DOOR. TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH REMOTE, BUTTONS IN CAR AND MANUALLY TO NO AVAIL. HAVE SEEN MANY REFERENCES TO SAME PROBLEM BUT NO SOLUTIONS. DEALER WANTS $120.00 TO TELL ME HOW MUCH TO FIX THE DOOR. THIS IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE AND NOT A WORKAROUND BY CHEVROLET. OTHER MODELS IN THIS YEAR HAVE HAD A RECALL BUT HHR'S I GUESS DID NOT MAKE IT. GLAD THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT WITH A FIRE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 9, 2015124,400 milesFL

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 WEEKS PRIOR - THE DEALER CONFIRMED THIS WAS DUE TO GAS LEAKING OUT THE LINE. THE FUEL LINE AND THE CANISTER PURGE LINE BOTH NEEDED REPLACED. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 9, 201578,500 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET AND I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THAT IS WHEN IT FIRST STARTED ACTING UP. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE MUCH (DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS ARE MANDATORY FOR HOUSEHOLD) BECAUSE AFTER DRIVING MAYBE A MILE OR SO IT GOES OUT. IT IS VERY HARD TO STEER IN THE FACT THERE IS NO POWER FOR EASY STEERING. I DRIVE ON SOME WINDING CANYON ROADS TO GO PLACES AND IT HAS GONE OUT ON THOSE ROADS. IT BOTHERS ME WHEN I HAVE TO DRIVE DOWN THE WINDING ROADS THROUGH THE HILLS AS THERE ARE NO SHOULDERS TO PULL OVER. IS THERE A RECALL? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 5, 201593,222 milesOR

INTERMITTENT CANCELING OF TURN SIGNAL, DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. YOUTUBE SHOWS GM DID NOT USE STRONG ENOUGH SPRING IN SWITCH. I AM HARD OF HEARING, CANNOT HEAR THE CLICK CLICK CLICK OF FLASHER. DRIVERS BEHIND ME CONFUSED AS TO MY INTENTIONS. INJURY POSSIBLE BY DRIVERS EXPECTING ME TO TURN. THEY WANT A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE!!! *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 25, 201540,000 milesOH

TL* 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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 24, 2015TX

2008 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

Steering
Filed Mar 14, 2015107,000 milesAL

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, WHEN A SOUND WENT OFF AND ON THE DISPLAY IT READ "POWER STEERING." THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND DID NOT COME BACK. I WAS NOT FAR FROM HOME, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED NEARLY EVERY DAY SINCE THE FIRST TIME. IT USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, LESS THAN 45MPH OR SO. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND START THE ENGINE AGAIN IT'S USUALLY FINE FOR A SHORT TIME, SOMETIMES AS LITTLE AS 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING FAILS AGAIN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 9, 2015KS

2008 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND IGNITION ISSUES. *SMD

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Mar 6, 201588,961 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, GRAVEL FROM THE ROAD CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,961. UPDATED 5/26/15*CN UPDATED 9/27/2017*CN

Electrical System
Filed Mar 1, 201563,000 milesMI

THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS WERE DAMAGED DURING THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED AT MATTHEWS-HARGREAVES CHEVROLET IN ROYAL OAK MI. I RECENTLY HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON SATURDAY 2/28/15. ON SUNDAY 3/1/15 THE KEY FOBS (REMOTE START LOCK UNLOCK PANIC) NO LONGER WORK LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SOMETHING WENT WRONG AT THE DEALERSHIP. THREE FACTS THE RADIO DIDN'T SEEM TO BE RESET SO I BELIEVE THE BATTERY WAS LEFT CONNECTED WHILE THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE KEY FOBS NO LONGER WORK SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM. THE DEALER WASHED THE CAR AND DIDN'T RETURN THE MIRRORS TO THE CORRECT POSITION(BREAK AWAY FOLD MIRRORS) SERVICE QUALITY IS NOT BEING MANAGED AT THIS DEALERSHIP.. I THINK IS SIMPLY THE RESULT OF POOR SERVICE MANAGEMENT AT MATTHEWS-HARGREAVES CHEVROLET IN ROYAL OAK MI BUT THE RESULT IS I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH A DAMAGED ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM THAT IS NOT SAFE FOR MY WIFE TO DRIVE. I CAN'T GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO RISK MYSELF TO THE QUALITY OF REPAIR SERVICE PROVIDED. THE GM COMPLAINT LINE ISN'T HELPING BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE THE FOBS THAT WERE LOST UNTIL I FOUND THEM TODAY WHEN THEIR RECALL CAUSED ME TO LOOSE THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE WITH NOTHING HANGING ON THE KEY OF COURSE THE FOBS GOT LOST. GM COMPLAINT NUMBER 71-1444284438 BECAUSE I FOUND THE KEY FOBS TODAY 3/1/15 BUT THEY DON'T WOR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Feb 26, 2015NC

2008 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. *SMD THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Feb 24, 2015108,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING WOULD OPERATE AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING "SERVICE AIR BAGS" HAD ILLUMINATED. THE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 7, 201597,500 milesRI

WE WERE TRAVELLING DOWN OUR STREET, ALMOST HOME. THERE WAS A DINGING NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. WE PARKED OUTSIDE THE HOUSE AND TOOK A DIFFERENT CAR TO AN AUTO SUPPLY STORE, THINK THE CAR NEEDED POWER STEERING FLUID. WE DISCOVERED THE CAR DOES NOT USE POWER STEERING FLUID. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME AND STARTED THE CAR TO MOVE IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY, IT WAS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS, SOMETIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 65 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THE CAR IS THERE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. *JS

Steering
Filed Jan 28, 2015IL

MY DAUGHTER DROVE IT TO LOCAL COLLEGE THIS MORNING , NO PROBLEM. I GOT IN IT AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS THAT SHE CAME HOME AND WENT TO USE THE CAR AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL, THEN I LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE THAT SAID POWER STEERING. I WENT TO CHURCH AND NOW IT IS WORKING AGAIN. I AM VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE SHE DRIVE QUIET ALWAYS TO CLINICAL EVERY WEEK ON A VERY CURVY RODE. IF IT GOES OUT IN ONE OF THOSE CURVES THIS WILL END BAD. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 27, 201594,000 milesNC

THE POWER STEERING STOP WORKING AFTER DRIVING A FEW MINUTES. IT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THIS MAKES IT HARD FOR MY WIFE TO CONTROL AND STEER THE CAR. WHEN SHE TURNS THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTS IT WORKS ONLY TO STOP A FEW MINUTES LATER. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 26, 2015124,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER CALLING THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY POWER STEERING MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Jan 21, 2015112,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OVER TO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, WHICH RESET THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 16, 201515,633 milesTX

WAS LOCKED IN VEHICLE AND UNABLE TO GET DOOR TO OPEN FROM INSIDE. HAVE HAD DEFECT WITH DOOR LOCKS STICKING FROM PURCHASE. DOOR HAS FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH SISTER IN VEHICLE, FAILED TO UNLOCK WITH HUSBAND IN VEHICLE AND MY DAUGHTER. BEEN IN DEALER NINE TIMES FOR LOCKS STICKING. IS BEING LOCKED IN VEHICLE DANGEROUS? UPDATED 01/28/15*BF..UPDATED 10/08/15 *BF

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 201596,000 milesMO

HUSBAND DRIVING TO GAS STATION IN OUR COMMUNITY AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT....HE MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO OUR MECHANICS SHOP ABOUT 4 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE....HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN....HE EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE WAS ADVISED IT WAS A SEALED PUMP AND IT WAS NOT POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK....I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF WE HAD BEEN ON ONE OF THE 3 MAJOR HI WAYS THAT WE TRAVEL ONCE A WEEK TO GET INTO ST. LOUIS. WE ALWAYS RESEARCH THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE... THE COBALT AND HHR ARE LITERALLY THE SAME CAR WHY WAS THE COBALT RECALLED FOR THIS MAJOR AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM BUT THE HHR IS NOT.....NEVER WILL I EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHEVY.....STICKING WITH THE FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS FROM NOW ON SINCE CHEVY FAILS TO SEE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. *TR

Unknown or OtherCrashFire1 killed
Filed Jan 8, 201548,000 milesOH

HEAD ON COLLISION... ON STATE HIGHWAY... FIRE WAS RESULT, ENDING IN FATALITY. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 8, 201596,347 milesGA

POWER STEERING FAILS CONSISTENTLY EVERY TIME CAR IS DRIVEN. FIRST STARTED AROUND 96,300 MILES AND HAS CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT 9000 MILES OR SO WITH LITTLE CHANGE IN FREQUENCY. CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR MY WIFE TO DRIVE. COULD COMPLETELY FAIL IN A CURVE OR IN A STEERING SITUATION AND CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 5, 2015103,948 milesIA

ABOUT 2WKS AGO ALL THE SOUND IN MY CAR WENT OUT FOR ABOUT 5MINS THEN CAME BACK ON! TONIGHT 1/4/15 ABOUT 8:50PM I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO GET GAS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WENT TO PUT IT IN PARK AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT IT TOOK ME 5MINS TO FINALLY GET IT INTO PARK! ONCE IN PARK I TRIED TO TAKE THE KEY OUT AND IT WOULDN'T COME OUT IT WAS STUCK IN ACCESSORY MODE! I KEPT TRYING TO TAKE IT OUT FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 10/15MINS I GOT IT OUT! WENT TO LEAVE TO AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START! IT WILL TURN TO ACCESSORY MODE BUT WONT TURN OVER AND ACTUALLY START! I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW ME HOME! I HAD THE RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH FIXED BUT NOW ITS DOING THIS? I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT THIS IS CURRENTLY MY ONLY CAR! *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 5, 201594,562 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD WHERE THE ODOMETER AND OTHER WARNINGS APPEAR AND THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHICH CAN POSSIBLE LEAD TO A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING FROM ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THE HHR. I'VE SEEN IT ALL OVER DISCUSSION BOARDS PEOPLE DESCRIBING THE EXACT SAME THING, SOME HAVE EVEN RESULTED IN CRASHES. UNLESS YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF STRENGTH THEN YOUR NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TURN THIS VEHICLE ONCE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I'VE SEEN IT RECALLED ON LATER YEARS 2009 AND 2010 YET THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 MODEL AS WELL. I THINK GM NEEDS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND FIX IT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR

Tires
Filed Dec 28, 201441,134 milesAZ

CAPITOL TIRES 215/50Z RADIAL TUBELESS ALL SEASON SPORT UHP 12/27/12- PURCHASED 4 TIRES 1/10/13- BUBBLE ON SIDE OF TIRE 12/27/14- BUBBLES ON SIDES OF 2 MORE TIRES I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER TIRES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 24, 2014101,214 milesMD

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 POISONING AND DEATH, IF THE WINDOWS ARE NOT CRACKED TO ALLOW FOR VENTILATION. UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR AT THIS TIME. THE CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT BE FALLING APART PIECE BY PIECE AS IT HAS BEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED, OR SHOULD I SAY THE ENTIRE CAR, B/C IT HAS HAD SO MANY RECALLS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 15, 201456,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 10, 201479,889 milesWI

POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER STEERING. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 9, 201432,000 milesDC

WAS STOPPED DUE TO TRAFFIC AND WAS REAR ENDED RESULTING IN $8000.00 PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME TO HAVE IT TESTED.

Steering
Filed Nov 20, 201456,500 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING ON I4 POWER STEERING (PS) SUDDENLY FAILED. WARN SOUND CHIMED THEN DISPLAY STATED PS. FEARFUL OF DRIVING ON INTERSTATE PULLED OVER TO CALL AAA FOR TOW. LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW RECALL FOR 09 & NEWER BUT NOT 08. RESTARTED CAR AND POWER WAS RESTORED SO CONTINUED, CAUTIOUSLY HOME. SINCE THAT OCCURRED IT KEPT FAILING AND THE INTERVALS BECAME SHORTER UNTIL IT WOULD GO OUT AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 100'. CALLED DEALER TO GET IGN SWITCH REPAIR AND WAS TOLD PS RECALL WAS ADDED FOR MY CAR IN OCT. TOOK CAR IN & WAS TOLD PS NOT UNDER RECALL BUT THEN SAID HE FOUND IT & IT WAS COVERED. THEY CALLED NEXT DAY & SAID, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A POWER STEERING RECALL FOR MY CAR THE ISSUE I HAD WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SAID THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS.BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $189. HE WENT ON TO SAY THERE WILL BE A RECALL AND I WOULD BE REIMBURSED BUT HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD COME. PICKED UP CAR TODAY AND CHARGE FOR REPAIR WAS $230 AND TODAY SAID WILL NOT BE RECALLED AND WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED. MY 80YR OLD PARENTS DROVE THIS CAR VERY INFREQUENTLY AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE NO LONGER LET THEM DRIVE & NOW THE CAR IS ONLY USED BY MYSELF OR MY SISTER TO TAKE THEM TO DR APPTS. IF THE STEERING WENT OUT WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING THEY WOULD HAVE DEF CRASHED AS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE ARM STRENGTH TO MANUALLY STEER THE CAR. I AM VERY DISTURBED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I FOUND THIS SITE BY ACCIDENT, WHILE SEARCHING TO SEE WHAT THE RECALL

Steering
Filed Nov 16, 201474,000 milesFL

I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO A HIGHWAY AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED TEMPORARILY CAUSING ME TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 5, 2014WV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHENEVER ANY OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE TURNED ON THE VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Steering
Filed Nov 1, 201464,880 milesMD

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I CAN'T STEER THE CAR OR IT'S REAL HARD TO STEER. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 1, 201472,000 milesMD

WHEN I HAD MY ACCIDENT MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLORE. I CALLED GM 2 DAYS LATER AND ASKED THE LADY IF THEY HAVE DEPLOYED AND SHE TOLD ME NO. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 31, 2014130,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF OR TURNED ON, THE POWER LOCKS FOR ALL THE DOORS WOULD ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE LOCK AND UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK ANY OF THE OTHER DOORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 29, 201498,000 milesAR

POWER STEERING FAILS DAILY, LOSE ALL POWER ASSIST. WHY ARE 2009-12 COVERED UNDER RECALL AND 2008 IS NOT? ALSO BRAKE ROTORS WARP TOO EASY. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Oct 28, 2014IL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO TURN TO THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V0470000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Power Train
Filed Oct 27, 2014VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL OR MAKING A U-TURN, THE POWER STEERING AND THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR → · Every HHR year → · How the figures are calculated →