2008 Chevrolet HHR engine problems

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

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 attempting restart, causing starter motor to crank continuously until the switch was turned to the off position. It is believed that starter motor was running while engine was running since last successful start about 3 minutes prior to stall, interfering with normal operation of the engine and eventually causing engine to jump timing and sustain catastrophic internal damage. Subsequent GM dealer service visit found that a burr on the new key provided with campaign 14V047000 repair caused ignition switch to bind in start position. Service staff buffed out burr on key which resolved switch binding, but vehicle refused to start. Borehole inspection of engine found damaged valves and pistons, leading to diagnosis of jumped timing. No other work other that diagnosis has been attempted at this point. Estimate to replace engine is $8600

Filed Jul 1, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · IA

Engine cuts out , loses power ar random times. Especially when the air is humid. Constant smell of leaking gasoline.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 165,000 miles · IN

The car completely shut down while driving, no noise no warning, could not steer, brake, roll windows down. This happened last year. Took to dealership. Said it was my alternator and charge me an extreme high charge to replace. Very scaredy when happened, for auto to cut off like that. Luckily I was driving about 30mpr an not on an interstate. Bought 2nd hand. Have not been happy with since. When bought did not receive key fan of, an the drivers door, will lock on its own, which left me baffled how to get into it with no other key holes on any other doors or especially the backend. I feel this is very troublesome for anyone, and a bad design feature. The airbag is questionable, and now the water pump has went out, and they say the manifold has to come off to get to and want to charge 750.00 at a car repair to fix, but will check first to see if that's for sure where leaking. Then one tire has the thing that tells if my airs okay in the tire on my dashboard. It stays on cause it fell off in the tire. The whole darn thing is a nightmare to me, that I'm stuck with. From the motor an expense it is to have worked on to the poor expensive design that got on the market. It's a nightmare.

Filed May 20, 2018 · Airbags, Body · 40,000 miles · MS · crash · 2 injuries

Single car accident/hit an animal / car spun out of control/hit several trees(car was a total loss) wife & daughter severely injured//not one air bag deployed(highway patrolman verified in his report

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 135,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate. The check engine indicator illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle position sensor failed. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the warranty was expired and the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Nov 26, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

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. Tried several times and no luck. Transmission seems blown, and the electrical was malfunctioning. No flasheers, radio with weird noises, strange sounds from engine after attempting to drive. We are now stuck 200 miles from home and lithia manager has not returned my phone call. I am a middle aged student, working minimum wahe. I gave the dealership all my momey for a broken car. I shouls have researched more that is apparent. I take responsibility for my mishaps. Yet, this is 3 weeks after giving away $5000 for a working vehicle. Please help if you can.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Engine · 140,000 miles · SC

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 recurred three more times. The vehicle was towed to the same mechanic each time, given the same diagnosis, and given the same repairs. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the contact should take the vehicle to a chevrolet dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · AK

I am unable to get gm or my local chevy dealership to complete the two outstanding safety recalls in a timely manor. I've been extremely patient but they refuse to accommodate my simple needs. I've been working with chevy of south anchorage (dealership) since 4/8/2015 attempting to schedule the work for the weekend or get a loaner car. They were unable to accommodate my needs (a car while mine is being repaired or a loaner car). I contacted chevrolet customer assistance center on 12/1/2016 after repeatedly being ignored or lied to by the dealership. For the past three month I've been getting absolutely no help from chevrolet in getting a appointment for the weekend or a loaner car. I feel very unsafe driving the car but have no alternative. This has continued to cause me serious emotional distress. I have 57 emails between myself and chevrolet customer assistance center or the dealership attempting to get this resolved on top of the countless phone calls, voicemails, and numerous visits to the dealership.

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 Jan 11, 2016 · Engine · 133,000 miles · NY

I could easily complain about the cooling system as this cost me about $1400 this month due to first the water pump going and then a chrome pipe/hose that goes across the engine also rusting through...but because I guess that wouldn't be considered a "dangerous" issue other than possibly being stranded, this engine related complaint is in regards to the exhaust. The car is a 2008 and twice the exhaust "flex" hose which is just beyond the exhaust manifold and in front of the catalytic converters has rusted and developed leaks. Because of the proximity of the part close to the engine, not only do the exhaust fumes rise up into the passenger cabin but it sounds like large diesel truck. The dealer will not replace only the flex hose and will only replace the entire pipe back from the manifold which includes 2 catalytic converters for around $2000. Not only is this dangerous for the driver/passenger inhaling the fumes but it's robbery to the consumer as the car isn't even worth that much.