The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
About average · most complaints: brakes
Better years to buy
105 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Honda Civic 1082008 Toyota Corolla 382008 Hyundai Elantra 124
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Chevrolet HHR
- Steering rack / power steering131 complaintsmostly at 56,000–96,000 miles (90,000–155,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion51 complaintsmostly at 90,000–141,000 miles (145,000–228,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power22 complaintsmostly at 62,000–98,000 miles (100,000–158,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 616 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 40,000 miles (8,000–65,000 km) (the middle half of the 97 complaints, of all 105 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14E021000 (electrical), 14V171000 (electrical) and 14V047000 (airbags) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 939 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent no start/long crank, start then stall, check engine light on, intermittently…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 105 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 40K miles (8K to 65K km) on the car (97 of all 105 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
When you start our new Chevrolet HHR ss cold and drive off to quickly the brake pedal is rock hard and won't stop the car very well. Issue goes away once the engine is warmed up. Dealer says normal for this car and I say no way.
2008 Chevrolet HHR owner · NHTSA complaint 10239738
More owner reports
Chevy 2008 HHR ss inadequate brake power assist. Extremely hard pedal during first 3-5 minutes fails to stop car during this period.
NHTSA complaint 10247873
My power steering on my 2008 chevy HHR the same as the cobalt stops working while driving, and it cause me to run off the road. Luckily there were no injury, but what if ???????
NHTSA complaint 10420873
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 6.6M views · 2006–2011 Chevrolet HHR
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical532K views
Chevrolet HHR Car Stereo radio Removal replace 2006 - 2008 = Car Stereo HELPFactory Car Stereo Repair · 370K views · 7 videos - Death wobble & steering347K views
2009 Chevy HHR Power Steering (EZ FIX)James LaVerdi · 246K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door222K views
How to rechare AC on 2006 Chevy HHRDom B · 57K views · 7 videos - Steering & suspension214K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearing 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHRTRQ · 55K views · 10 videos
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring194K views
2006 Chevy HHR Dash Gauges and Dash Lights Intermittent IssuesCan They Drive Garage · 78K views · 4 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors151K views
2006 Chevy HHR Oxygen Sensor ReplacementKlelious Davis · 43K views · 8 videos - Brakes & ABS104K views
How to Replace Rear Brakes 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHRTRQ · 37K views · 6 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition98K views
No Start No Crank Code 1682 2007 HHR by Scared Shiftless Rides and WrecksMark Boice · 85K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Chevy HHR SUV 1st Generation 2006-111A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 347K views
Chevy HHR 2006 to 2011 common problems, issues, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 46K views
2006 Chevy HHR Gearshift/ Transmission problemsJ M · 37K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 939 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no start/long crank, start then stall, check engine light on, intermittently…
- Intermittent check engine light on, engine power reduced message displayed in dic, dtc p2135…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicle.
Show all 5 recalls
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2008
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 …
- Airbags · recall issued 2008
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet HHR recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel line leak2020–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,400–$3,250 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet HHR year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Chevrolet HHR years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-hhr/?y=2008" title="Chevrolet HHR reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-hhr/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Chevrolet HHR reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 110; 100 is average, lower is better). 2008 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.7× the average car's complaints. The Chevrolet HHR year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2011.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet HHR problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (36%), steering (27%) and electrical (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet HHR problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 40,000 miles (8,000–65,000 km) (the middle half of the 97 complaints, of all 105 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 to $3,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Chevrolet HHR have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet HHR year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works