Is the 2008 Chevrolet HHR a bad year?
615 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other HHR years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR are in line with other HHR years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 HHR owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 297 (48%) | 56k–100k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 108 (18%) | 41k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 38 (6%) | 35k–83k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 27 (4%) | 44k–134k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 22 (4%) | 41k–98k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Stability control | 15 (2%) | 50k–118k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (2%) | 24k–87k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 13 (2%) | 36k–97k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 12 (2%) | 26k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 11 (2%) | 48k–142k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 85 (14%) | 93k–142k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 55 (9%) | 1k–32k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Latches and locks | 25 (4%) | 16k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 615 complaints: 30 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 21 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Our car had engine troubles where it kept shifting back into neutral while we were trying to drive on the highway and then on side streets on the way home.
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.
I bought a used 2008 chevy HHR from lithia in eureka, ca 11/3/2017 and 11/24/2017 the car would not engage the drive function.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR: 5
The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags. If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position. 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…
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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. 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.
The door on the storage bin in the top center of the instrument panel failed to remain closed as required. This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
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… This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 301
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Chevrolet HHR. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Fuel Line Leak
Neighbouring years
2007 HHR: 726 complaints, keep it · 2009 HHR: 508 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet HHR year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All HHR years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet HHR a bad year?
615 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other HHR years. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet HHR?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (297), electrical system (108), air bags (38), engine (27), transmission and drivetrain (22).
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14E021000), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-171), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-047), Latches and locks (NHTSA 08V-444) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.