The 2008 Chevrolet HHR has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,859,886 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 781 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
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…
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…
AIR BAGS14V0470002014-02-102,190,934 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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…
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.
Consequence
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> .
AIR BAGS08V0460002008-01-30181,516 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.
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=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Complaints by component
STEERING
294
9crashes7injuries1deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
93
2crashes1fires2injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
71
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
37
2crashes
AIR BAGS
33
11crashes17injuries1deaths
ENGINE
19
3crashes1fires3injuries
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
19
1crashes
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
15
1crashes1injuries1deaths
POWER TRAIN
15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
15
1crashes1fires1deaths
Total complaints781
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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, and the contact was informed that fuel was leaking from the driver’s side rear wheel well area,…”
“The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release. Additionally, the tpms warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the key was stuck and needed to be broken, and any…”
“The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release. Additionally, the tpms warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the key was stuck and needed to be broken, and any…”
“The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release. Additionally, the tpms warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the key was stuck and needed to be broken, and any…”
“The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system); but the vehicle experienced a failure. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition switch while the key was in…”
“The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system); but the vehicle experienced a failure. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition switch while the key was in…”
“The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated while warming up the vehicle, the rear window exploded without warning or impact. There was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. There was an abnormal burning odor detected. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was…”
“Vehicle ecm keeps reporting an error code p2138 that refers to a correlation issue between sensors on the throttle/pedal system, causing the vehicle to enter into reduced power and eventually disables engine. Problem persists even after replacing pedal component. Apparently water enters the…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE20011 Opened 2020-07-05 · closed 2023-08-17
Fuel Line Leak
On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal…
InvestigationPE20011 Opened 2020-07-05 · closed 2023-08-17
Fuel Line Leak
On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal…
InvestigationPE20011 Opened 2020-07-05 · closed 2023-08-17
Fuel Line Leak
On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.