CarBrief

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR has 616 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and steering is the group named most often[1][2]. Four recalls are on file, two of them about the ignition[3][4][5].

616owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
22–25MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 616 owner complaints on file for the 2008 HHR[1]. Of those, 30 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 31 injuries and 4 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component[1]. The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries Median miles at failure Fact
Steering[2] 297 9 0 7 80,000
Electrical system[7] 108 2 2 2 64,000
Fuel/propulsion system[8] 71 0 1 0 123,713
Brakes[9] 53 2 0 0 7,425
Air bags[10] 38 14 0 21 40,000
Engine[11] 28 4 1 3 95,607
Latches/locks/linkages[12] 25 1 0 0 45,000
Power train[13] 22 0 0 0 35,015

We also read a sample of 12 complaint texts for four of these groups. Here is what owners describe.

The air bag group is small, but it lists 14 crashes and 21 injuries[10]. We did not read those complaint texts, so we cannot say what happened in them. Engine, latch and power train complaints are smaller groups, with 28, 25 and 22 complaints[11][12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2008 HHR[3]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists three engines for the HHR FWD: a 2.2L, a 2.4L and a 2.0L turbo, all 4-cylinder[6][16][17]. The 2.4L uses premium fuel and the other two use regular[6][18][16][19][17][20]. EPA's annual fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

HHR FWD engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost Fact
2.2L, Automatic 4-spd[6] 22 / 30 / 25 $2,700
2.2L, Manual 5-spd[18] 21 / 30 / 24 $2,800
2.4L, Automatic 4-spd[16] 22 / 28 / 24 $3,400
2.4L, Manual 5-spd[19] 20 / 28 / 23 $3,550
2.0L turbo, Automatic 4-spd[17] 19 / 28 / 22 $3,050
2.0L turbo, Manual 5-spd[20] 21 / 29 / 24 $2,800

The HHR Panel FWD has the same ratings for the 2.2L and 2.4L automatics[21][22]. With a manual, the 2.2L Panel is 20 city instead of 21[23], and the 2.4L Panel is 29 highway instead of 28[24]. We have no EPA rows for a turbo Panel.

Safety ratings

NHTSA has not rated this model year in its 5-Star program[25]. All four body styles listed are marked not rated[25][26][27][28]. That is a lack of ratings, not a poor rating.

Engine and size

The EPA data lists 2.2L, 2.4L and 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engines[6][16][17]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight Fact
HHR LS/LT 4DR wagon[29] 176 in 69 in 65 in 104 in 3,155 lb
HHR SS 4DR wagon[30] 176 in 69 in 65 in 104 in 3,280 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

2006: 1,006 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 726 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 616 complaints, 4 recalls61620082009: 508 complaints, 4 recalls20092010: 515 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 203 complaints, 2 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each HHR model year. The 2008 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20061,0065
20077264
20086164
20095084
20105153
20112032

NHTSA's counts for each HHR model year[3]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2006 1,006 5
2007 726 4
2008 616 4
2009 508 4
2010 515 3
2011 203 2

The 2008 model year has the third most complaints of the six years, behind 2006 and 2007[3]. For recalls, it ties with 2007 and 2009 for the second most, behind 2006[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2008 HHR?

Steering has the most reports[2], and the sampled texts describe power steering loss[2]. Sampled texts also describe fuel line leaks[8], and cold-start brake trouble on the SS[9]. These are small samples of unverified reports, so they are reasons to check, not proof. Before buying, ask whether the ignition recalls were done[4][5], look under the car for fuel leaks, and test the steering and the first brake press on a cold start. EPA combined fuel economy runs 22 to 25 MPG, and the 2.4L needs premium[6][16][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on a 2008 Chevy HHR?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints, at 297 of 616 total[1][2]. In a sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe power steering loss, fuel line leaks, stalling and cold-start brake trouble[2][7][8][9].
Does the 2008 Chevy HHR have any recalls?
NHTSA lists four: 14V171 and 14V047 for the ignition, 08V444 for a storage bin door and 08V046 for head impact protection[4][5][14][15].
How many miles per gallon does a 2008 HHR get?
EPA combined ratings run from 22 to 25 MPG depending on engine and transmission[6][18][16][19][17][20]. The 2.2L automatic is rated 22 city and 30 highway[6].
Is the 2008 HHR better than 2006 or 2007?
It has fewer complaints than 2006 (1,006) and 2007 (726), with 616[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so this is only a rough guide[3].
What is the safety rating of a 2008 HHR?
NHTSA lists all four body styles as not rated[25][26][27][28].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 616 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR (30 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 31 injuries, 4 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 297 complaints name the steering component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet HHR model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 108 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 71 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 123,713). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 53 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,425). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 38 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 21 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 28 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,607). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 25 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 22 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,015). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 08V444, filed September 3, 2008: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 08V046, filed January 30, 2008: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for HHR Panel FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR PANEL TRUCK W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  28. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR PANEL TRUCK FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HHR LS/LT 4DR WAGON: length 176 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,155 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HHR SS 4DR WAGON: length 176 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,280 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.