2008 Chevrolet HHR Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2008 Chevrolet HHR, and owners have filed 616 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Ignition (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. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
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…
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Air bags and switch (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. 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…
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.…
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Latch (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 door on the storage bin in the top center of the instrument panel failed to remain closed as required.
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.gmo…
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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, 'occupant protection in interior impact.' in tests, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard's…
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…
616 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have filed 616 complaints with NHTSA; 30 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 31 injuries and 4 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 76,715 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 179 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 14, 2026 · Electrical system
“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, a”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 26, 2026 · Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR (HHR FWD, HHR Panel FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 22–25 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 19–22 / 28–30 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2/2.2/2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Chevrolet HHR model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet HHR model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Chevrolet HHR | 5 | 1,006 |
| 2007 Chevrolet HHR | 4 | 726 |
| 2008 Chevrolet HHR | 4 | 616 |
| 2009 Chevrolet HHR | 4 | 508 |
| 2010 Chevrolet HHR | 3 | 515 |
| 2011 Chevrolet HHR | 2 | 203 |
Checking a specific 2008 Chevrolet HHR
How do I know if my 2008 Chevrolet HHR has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2008 Chevrolet HHR; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 08V046000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.