2008 Chevrolet HHR: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Visibility · 56,000 miles · CO

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 not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 8, 2022 · Fuel system · FL

2008 HHR Chevy LS 4D. Within 10 months of purchasing this car (October, 2017) the smell of gasoline became so strong I took it to the local mechanic. The fuel line had completely rusted out. I was told it could have caught fire! Cost of replacement was $420.00. A huge financial burden for a senior citizen. I have original bill for this amount and receipt of payment.

Filed Apr 6, 2022 · Fuel system · AZ

Fuel tank assembly developed a fuel leak at or around its integrated tank vents creating a strong fuel smell inside and outside the vehicle. THIS IS NOT A RUSTED FUEL LINE PROBLEM. This poses a fire hazard if the vehicle were to come into contact with any spark or flames. This also poses a health hazard from exposure to toxic fumes inside and outside the vehicle. This condition did not trigger any warning messages from the onboard vehicle computer. The seal between the tank vents and fuel tank is made by the manufacturer and is unserviceable. I attempted to seal the leaks with adhesive but was unsuccessful. I then purchased a used replacement fuel tank from an auto recycler and discovered it also has this issue. I believe this to be a design defect that will lead to an unsafe condition in these vehicles. I can make these components available for inspection. I have not had the issue inspected by any other parties as that would involve further costs.

Filed Sep 25, 2021 · Fuel system · FL

Around 6 months ago I started to notice a fuel smell and upon inspection at the local shop it was diagnosed that my fuel line had rusted through and they informed me there are other cases of this exact issue on the Chevrolet hhr and cobalt vehicles with this engine and fuel setup it has started to leak into the exhaust but has not caught fire.

Filed Jul 31, 2020 · Fuel system · 141,458 miles · MD

I recently heard on the news that there was a fuel line leak problem reported by the federal safety agency, on chevy cobalts and hhrs. I printed a copy of the news report, provided it to my mechanic and asked the shop to check it. They found the fuel lines ready to crumble, which they did when the lines were removed. I was lucky they had not crumbled--the car could've caught fire. The repair was costly and labor intensive. The back part of the exhaust system had to be removed and replace due to the age of the car and thinness of the exhaust pipe at the converter.. The mechanics stated that the cause of the corroded fuel lines was poor design, using steel pipes and the pipes situated such that water (and road de-icer) gets trapped above a shield promoting corrosion. I looked up this problem on the internet and found many entries for hhrs with corroded fuel lines. I'm fortunate that I heard the news item or my car could've gone up in flames. I'm surprised there has not been a recall--there should be.

Filed Mar 23, 2017 · Fuel system · 108,000 miles · OH

I noticed strong gas smell while car is running, exhaust making funny sound. Fuel line leaking on drivers side rear, right next to exhaust pipe. This could have been very serious injury if car had exploded or caught fire!

Filed Jul 6, 2016 · Body, Engine · 80,000 miles · WI · fire

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. While driving it to get repaired, there was a loud popping noise and the engine burst into flames. The flames consumed a large portion of the car.

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Electrical · 66,500 miles · WV · fire

Was driving home from the store and there was smoke coming from underneath the dash. I pulled over and myself and the passenger got out. The next second or two, fire started erupting from the dash. The fire department was called immediately. About 15 minutes passed and the car was totally engulfed. The insurance company claimed it was an electrical fire, and the car was totaled. We were told that there was a problem with the hhr's that had remote start and automatic. The wiring harness was the blame.

Filed Feb 27, 2008 · Electrical · 3,000 miles · OK · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact's vehicle caught fire while parked at his residence. The fire department stated that the fire originated from the battery compartment, located directly above the fuel system. A fire report was filed. The manufacturer was notified and the contact is waiting for an investigator to inspect the vehicle. He has pictures of the vehicle in its current condition. The current and failure mileages were 3,000.