2008 Chevrolet HHR: engine stalls while driving

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 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 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 Apr 26, 2016 · Electrical · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

Filed Nov 5, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled and the windshield wiper activated independently. The contact mentioned that whenever any of the electrical components were turned on the vehicle would automatically turn off. The vehicle was not taken to dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 3, 2014 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warnings. The problem recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the electrical fuse box was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · OK · crash

I was driving and the car died and I lost my power steering and hit the ditch and apparently hit something in the ditch and busted my oil pan. Now I cannot tell if my motor locked up or what. It will not start. This is not the first time my car has died while driving.

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Engine · 133,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle decelerated on its own and the engine stalled intermittently. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and able to be restarted. The engine warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000. Updated 10/22/14*cn updated 08/28/2017

Filed Jun 5, 2014 · Engine · 90,000 miles · WV · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning and caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle, crashing into an embankment. A police report was not filed and the driver sustained a shoulder injury. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 90,000.

Filed May 19, 2014 · Engine · 111,098 miles · IL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. While driving 20 MPH, the contact drove over a pothole and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 111,098.

Filed Jun 27, 2011 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shut off due to the key being stuck in the ignition. In order to shut the vehicle off, the contact had to engage the clutch and manual shifter until it stalled. The key still would not remove from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The battery died as a result. The failure mileage was 57,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Electrical · 11,000 miles · FL

I took car into dealership because it's stalling in traffic repeatedly when I am trying to come to a stop and even once when just driving. I took it in and they said they didn't know what it was and diagnostics weren't reporting any problems. They released vehicle that next day and it stalled on me in lot. They stated they could not get the vehicle to stall yet it happened within five min of me picking it up. I then took it back they kept it for the weekend. Released it back to me after I was told it had stalled once but they didn't know what it was. I contacted g.m customer service and then the dealership when I got the report stated it hesitated and when I asked why they put that down and not that it had stalled like the kathy had told me on 3 different occasions it had done, they refused to answer me. The car still stalls in traffic and they refuse to fix it. I will no longer take it here. I just want my car to be safe where I won't get hit doing uturns into traffic like I almost have been with my baby the day I picked up vehicle. I have to put it in park to start it over again. I can't do that on this busy hwy I live on with traffic coming at me as fast as it does in this city.