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2008 Chevrolet HHR Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel line corrosion and leaks near rear wheel.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Chevrolet HHR.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel line corrosion and leaks near rear wheel

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

81 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2026-08

“Fuel lines leaking in front of drivers side rear tire. Lines run inside of a channel that has a protective wrap over them, but is very close to part of the exhaust pipe. Fuel line had corroded inside of protective wrap. Only leaks when the engine is running and fuel system under”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11429153
“GASOLINE LEAKING FROM DRIVERS REAR TIRE AREA. CAUSED BY RUSTED FUEL LINES. THE FUEL LINES ARE LOCATED NEXT TO THE MUFFLER. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I TOOK IT TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD OVER $1000 TO REPAIR THIS FUEL LINE. SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND HE SAID”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11032933
“I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW...IT IS NOW 8 YEARS OLD...170,000 MILES ...IT IS DRIVEN IN THE NORTHERN IL AREA MCHENRY COUNTY ...I PUT ABOUT 80 MILES PER DAY ON THE UNIT...FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS MY FUEL MILEAGE HAS DROPPED FROM 26 MPG TO 22MPG...SO I TUNED UP THE UNIT AND THE MPG”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10929813

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of electric power steering assist while driving

STEERING

65 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2026-08

“Power steering went out completely causing me to swerve on the highway to side of road. The steering locked up and it was raining and I would of crashed had anyone else been on the highway. I was going about 55 mph at the time. I then proceeded to CAREFULLY at about 30 mph force”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11426065
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10881512
“A WOMAN LOST CONTROL OF HER HHR, CRASHED AND DIED, VERY LIKELY PROVOKED BY THE ELECTRICAL ASSITED STEERING CONTROLLER FAILURE, FOLLOW LINK BELOW: HTTP://WWW.LATARDE.COM.MX/PIERDEELCONTROLYSEMATAMUJERENCARRETERA-227237.HTML”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10875034

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning indicator and non-deployment in crashes

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2026-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OVER BLACK ICE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE OFF THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO THREE TREES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11282432
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10925254
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The service air bag soon message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that two unknown modules were”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11551839

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch key binding after recall campaign 14V047000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2026-08

“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. Vehicle would not restart, but ignition switch stuck in start position while”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11757032
“TWO ISSUES: KEY WON'T REMOVE FROM IGNITION, SEARCHED GOOGLE AND GOT KEYS OUT. SECOND ; POWER LOCKS ,CAR WON'T UNLOCK, NOT EVEN WITH KEYS. SO FAR, THIS HAS COST ME $150.00”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11413244

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and internal timing or transmission failure

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2026-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10994550
“WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH THE OIL PUMP WENT WHICH THROUGH THE WHOLE ENGINE OFF BENT THE VALES WHICH CAUSED THE CHAIN TO SKIP OVER THE CAMS ALWAYS KEPT THE OIL CHANGED UP KEEP WAS ALWAYS GOOD ONLY 138.000 MILES NEVER BUY CHEVY AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10808000

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

175 crashes 1990–2024

How the 175 occupant deaths break down

131

driver deaths

44

passenger deaths

175

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

30

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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