Purchased vehicle in Sep 2021. After 4 months of purchase, muffler became loose from exhaust after hitting a pothole on highway and, having a mechanical background, I repaired the exhaust by placing a solid stainless steel exhaust sleeve around the weak area and tac welding it. Within a month, I began to smell a rich fuel odor after every trip. I jacked up vehicle and found a fuel leak within insulated area just left of exhaust. I also located another small exhaust leak and repaired it as best as possible with an exhaust wrap, then took it to an exhaust repair shop. I was told fuel leak had to be repaired before exhaust repairs could be done. Mechanic said HHRs we're well known for fuel line corrosion due to poor design and eventually leaking. He said he has turned away many HHRs and Cobalts for this problem over the last 2-3 years.
2008 Chevrolet HHR fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 85, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that her father noticed that the vehicle was leaking fuel. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the fuel lines had rusted and had started leaking. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,802. Consumer stated mechanic had to take off the fiberglass mat heat barrier because it was soaked in fuel, and was rubbing the exhaust, so we could see the damage.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, she noticed there was a puddle on the ground located on the rear driver's side. Upon inspection, the contact detected a fuel odor and noticed there was a fuel leak coming from the fuel lines. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment for diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: PE20011 (Fuel System, Other). The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
My Fuel line is pouring gas out . The gas fumes are filling the cabin of the car waiting for a repair.
Fuel line leak.
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.
I noticed a strong odor of gasoline and took the HHR to my local mechanic. He diagnosed it as a rusted fuel line caused by the proximity of a heat shield that traps water.. He was able to repir it by splicing in a section of the line. A bout a yer later the line was leaking again and this time there is not enough line left to splice that isn;t rusted. Obviously this is a danger ranging from leaking gasoline hitting a hot exhaust to a passerby discarding a lit cigarette near the leak and blowing themselves and my car to Kingdome Come. A Check engine light comes on periodically, but is only partially indicative of the gas leak as a possibility. This is a safety issue for both the owner and anyone who might happen by with a lit object
Fuel lines leaking in front of drivers side rear tire. Lines run inside of a channel that has a protective wrap over them, but is very close to part of the exhaust pipe. Fuel line had corroded inside of protective wrap. Only leaks when the engine is running and fuel system under pressure. Fuel could have hit hot exhaust pipe and caused a fire or explosion. Apparently this is a common problem with the Chevy HHR with multiple cases having already been reported. Had the car repair at our local Chevy dealer. Cost of removing and replacing the fuel lines was $1,307.00. The only indications of the problem was the smell of fuel near the rear tire and a puddle of fuel under the car when engine was shut off. Frame cross member was also wet from fuel shooting out of end of protective wrap.
Fuel lines leaking under left rear of 2008 HHR. According to Google internet investigations this seems to be a problem in the design and placement of insulation material over the fuel line. I almost had a explosive concern, not knowing where the smell of fuel was coming from, a alert gentleman smoking a cigarette counseled me on a dripping fuel on the parking lot. He said smokers will throw their cigarette down and unintentionally possibly causing a fire/explosion.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, he started to smell gasoline fumes inside the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated after parking his vehicle, a bystander informed him that the vehicle had a fuel leak. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,240.
My power steering unexpectedly has gone out. When it first happened I was on the freeway in the rain and it locked up. Thankfully there were no others cars near me or I would of had an accident. I called the dealership and they said there WAS a recall but too much time has passed! This makes no sense. If it's bad it's bad, what the heck! So now I have taken the fuse out and it at least keeps it from locking up it it is VERY difficult to steer and I fear not being able to respond quickly in an emergency. Then I was noticing that when I add gas it had trouble turning over. Only when I added gas. Gas mileage began getting worse and then I felt the motor having difficulty while again on the freeway. I could smell gas and pulled over. There was smoke under the hood and I could see gas puddling up under my car. Now I am scared of my car. I called GMC and they said they couldn't help me with either of these issues to contact my dealership. I haven't done this because I already know they are gonna say they can not help me. This is absurd. I have had this car a year and NOTHING but problems for me.
Engine cuts out , loses power ar random times. Especially when the air is humid. Constant smell of leaking gasoline.
gas leaking..over left rear wheel well where the silver insulation is ..line has rusted thru the insulation is because the exhaust runs close to that side of the vehicle but unfortunately there in no way or takes too long for moisture to evaporate poor design ....
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the fuel lines located at the rear driver’s side wheel were leaking and that the wheel was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,368.
My gas lines are leaking. It appears that several other owners of HHR's are having the same issue.
Metal fuel lines rusted thru under the left rear door area where they are wrapped in insulation with no ability tor drain or dry out. The car is unsafe to drive I need to have it fixed now. I will try to safe defective parts. Fuel leak under the car near exhaust and almost undrivable, safety factor is obvious and currently under investigation. Will be calling dealer today. Noticed delayed start and heavy gas smell and then saw puddle under car. Removed insulation wrap and found heavy deposit of road dirt and rust.
Fuel line suddenly sprung a leak. I noticed it after driving on the highway. There was gasoline dripping after I parked and looked.
I just bought this car less than a week ago. When the car is sitting still or in park, and idling, there's a strong gas smell. Looks to be the return line leaking.
This vehicle recently developed a visible fuel leak toward the rear of the car. When the vehicle is running or the fuel system is pressurized fuel leaks underneath car due to defective fuel lines. The location of the leak is near the exhaust pipe which can be a fire hazard and can cause performance issues with the vehicle. Never had this issue on any other vehicles of this age or newer. Further investigation shows that this enough of a problem that there is a lot of information and videos showing that is a design/material flaw on general motor's part.
Stored car in garage from october 2020 to march 1 2021. When parked there was a fuel leak of 3-5 drips per second at lh rear wheel. When started and moved out of garage on march 1 there was a steady stream of fuel. The enclosed picture shows puddle of fuel under car after keying-off after the 40 foot move. Prior to garaging the car I contacted chevrolet about the "very common" leak and was told to call my local dealer, all to no avail. I've been waiting to hear if the july 2020 the federal safety agency investigation will turn into a recall. When will a ruling be available? I'm at the point where I will be doing a shade-tree-mechanic repair in lieu of waiting on the federal safety agency. Gm (chevrolet) have been building cars for 100 years. The company knows many vehicles are driven in rust belt states. There is no excuse for fitting cheap un-coated mild steel fuel and purge lines to vehicles that operate in this environment. Note that this vehicle currently has a check engine light on. The code is for a purge system leak. I have found that the purge line running parallel to the fuel line is just as corroded as the fuel line. This is likely where the purge system leak resided. So this vehicle fails to keep liquid fuel in it's fuel line and fails to keep evaporative fuel in the purge system. Please let me know when the recall will be enacted so I can stop needlessly polluting the earth with hydrocarbons. I'd rather have chevrolet foot the bill for the repair rather than me. Thank you!
I took my hhr in on 10/04/2019 for basic work, and was informed on the leak in my fuel line. I didn't have it fixed at that time due to high price. I saw the new report from the detroit free press on 7/7/2020 about the federal safety agency investigating complaints of fuel leaks in older chevrolet hhr. I believe my hhr falls under this. I was quoted roughly $800-$1000 to have the line replaced. I feel this is something chevy should recall and pay to have fixed as a leaking fuel line is very dangerous. I also think this leak has affected my left rear tire sensor since it is near the root of the leak and would stop after 15-30 minutes.
Fuel line leak above exhaust drivers side rear tire. Was parked in garage could smell gas in home. Move to out side left large puddle in garage. Brought to dealer next day was told fuel lines needed to be replaced. They replaced purge and fuel feed lines. At a discounted price of $1517.36
Vehicle leaks gas, the fuel line leakes, below the driver side rear door. I've owned two hhr's and both have had this problem, same exact spot. The line rotted out and is leaking fuel on the ground. I can see and smell it.
Severe fuel leak which caused a small fire. Luckily we had a fire extinguisher handy. This is apparently very common with hhrs and thank god I wasn't at a gas station when the fire started.
Upon return home I detected the smell of gasoline from driver's side rear wheel area. Jacked vehicle up for visual inspection, which revealed rusted fuel line and evap line from midpoint of vehicle to rear connection terminals. Both fuel lines behind silver protective wrap were rusted through in both wrap locations although the brake lines in same wrap were not affected.
I went to start the car in my driveway, smelled gas from the rear driver's side tire. I then shut off my car and looked. I have a leak in the fuel line, after researching seems that this has happened before in this make and model. I do not want to move the car or pay for a repair that is a design flaw.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who discovered that the fuel line connected to the fuel tank was rusted and needed to be replaced. The fuel line was replaced with a temporary replacement part until the permanent part for the repair was available. Ig burton chevrolet located at 793 bay road, milford, de 19963 was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
The gas line in leaking on the drivers side near the rear wheel well. The area is wrapped in a heat sheilding wrap which holds moisture. Im assuming this is why it caused the gas line to rust through.
Fuel line rusted out and fuel leaks onto exhaust pipe and surrounding areas including the ground.
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