Chevrolet HHR fuel pump problems

Filed Oct 21, 2021 · Fuel system · MI

Near 110,000 miles on my 2010 HHR SS I began noticing a gasoline smell and leaks under the car, and the engine was sputtering and nearly conking out under acceleration. The repair shop diagnosed it as a rusted and leaking fuel line under left rear seat, and a failed high pressure fuel pump probably due to the fuel leak. Fuel lines were replaced. Cost was too high to replace the HP fuel pump at this time.

Filed Sep 7, 2021 · Fuel system · MA

I would like to report of a fuel line leak in the fuel lines from the fuel tank to the engine. The lines are leaking due to corrosion caused by the manufacturer encasing the lines in , I think heat resistant tape to protect from the nearby exhaust , and a plastic type clamp that holds and separates the fuel and brake lines . The vehicle does not have to be running for fuel to leak as it will leak if just the key is on due to the electric fuel pump. I have read many complaints of this online and understand that there is an investigation into this safety problem ( fire hazard due to proximity of exhaust) . This is a manufacture design / engineering problem and should be recalled by them . This is a very expensive repair ( $ 1,200.00 if only fuel , more if brake lines need replacing ) , that not all people will be able to afford and will therefore ( like myself ) continue to drive their vehicles until they can have it repaired or worst try to attempt to repair it themselves ( not something I would suggest ). I think everybody is at risk if vehicles are driving around leaking fuel ( and maybe losing brakes next ) because people can not afford to fix them . I hope tragedy doesn't strike first ( as seems to be the case nowadays ) before people are motivated to take action . Attached are pictures showing the lines dry and wet . The tape and clamp are visible in picture , showing where corrosion and leaking occurred .

Filed Jul 9, 2020 · Fuel system · 96,661 miles · IL

I had drove vehicle about 6 blocks to grocery store. Upon exiting car had a strong smell of gasoline. Didn't notice any thing leaking. Went into store. When returning still smelled gasoline and noticed a small amount of fuel on driver side under rear seat area. Started vehicle and fuel poured on ground as it idled. When running, electric fuel pump puts line under pressure and fuel camp out leak. Took vehicle to mechanic and was told both fuel and vapor lines were rusted through. He said that they have had to fix a lot of hhrs and cobalts. He said the design retains water in the area under rear seat making the lines rust out and creating an unsafe situation. Repairs totaled $565.39 this failure was designed into the vehicle by the engineers. Fortunately there was not a fire as this is close to the exhaust system.

Filed Jul 8, 2020 · Fuel system · 125,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in the garage, the contact became aware fuel on the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel leaked from the fuel pump. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. Vin was not available. ## VIN failed ## 2008 chevrolet hhr ##

Filed Sep 10, 2019 · Fuel system · 96,000 miles · HI

Fuel lines leading between the fuel pump and engine have rusted severely and have caused a puncture fuel line which leaks fuel.

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Fuel system · 200,750 miles · MI

The fuel line in my 2008 hhr chevy wagon, coming from the rear fuel tank is pressurized by a fuel pump. Just in front of the rear driver's side tire, it undergoes a 90-degree bend. This past weekend, it failed, most likely due to corrosion, and gasoline was being pumped out of the tank at a very high volume. This is the third gm product that I have had this happen to in exactly the same spot, the other two were saturn ion sedans. My mechanic told me yesterday that this is a recurring issue for gm fuel lines. I am very fortunate that the leak did not cause a fire- it was a large pool of fuel under the car! (whenever the ignition is turned on, it appears that the fuel pump is supplying pressurized fuel to the line. The tow truck driver yelled at me to turn the key off after I got it out of the driveway! It was gushing gas! The federal safety agency should consider this a serious safety issue. ($100 to fix, not bad for an old car.) thanks.

Filed May 22, 2018 · Fuel system · 178,000 miles · MO

The chevy hhr was built with steel fuel lines running from the fuel pump outside the fuel tank across the front of the tank to the drivers side of the vehicle where they turn and run just above the exhaust pipe. To prevent heat buildup the fuel lines are wrapped with an insulating tape of some sort. This tape loosens over time and allows water to accumulate within the wrapping of the fuel lines. This causes the fuel lines to rust to the point of failure wherein the fuel then leaks out very near or onto the exhaust pipe. This is a fire hazard and could result in the injury or death of any occupants of the vehicle in the event of a fire or explosion of the fuel tank. Although this is a problem with the design of the hhr, chevrolet has yet to do anything about it. I was told by my local dealer that the entire fuel line system from the tank to the engine would need to be replaced at an estimated cost of $1000. I discovered this when I parked my hhr in the driveway and smelled fuel. My vehicle is leaking fuel and is not safe to drive. I own 2 hhrs, a 2006 ls, and a 2009 ss, and am now looking at a $2000 expense just to make them safe to drive. This should be the responsibility of chevrolet, not every owner of a hhr.

Filed Oct 27, 2017 · Fuel system · 152,800 miles · OH

Both the fuel line (tank to engine compartment) and the return line (part of the egr system) have rusted and are leaking fuel. The rust on both lines extends from just in front of the rear wheel (on the driver's side) to within about 6 inches of the fuel tank. The lines leak when pressurized, I.e., when fuel is pushed through them by the vehicle's electric fuel pump, and they seep gasoline after the vehicle is shut off. The smell of gasoline permeates the passenger compartment when stopped, and the engine is running, as at a traffic signal. The vehicle leaves a thin puddle of fuel, about 6" in diameter, beneath the car when parked. The leak is quite near the exhaust system, as well. The vehicle has approximately 152,800 miles. I am the original owner, having purchased it from robinson chevrolet, in wheeling, wv on july 1, 2007. I am very reluctant to drive the car, because of the fire hazard that it presents. Fortunately, my wife and I have another vehicle that we can share, at least until the fuel leakage situation is resolved on the hhr. I did not have an opportunity to photograph the rusted lines while the car was on a lift, but I did shoot a photo of the lines with my mobile phone. The photo is of the area just forward of the driver's side rear wheel. (see uploaded photo.) it's not the best image of the problem, but it is the best that I could do with the car in my driveway.

Filed Jul 31, 2016 · IN

Fuel line is leaking when fuel pump is running. Not the only car have cobalt that was having the same problem.

Filed Aug 1, 2014 · Electrical · 52,197 miles · IN

On sunday, march 31st, 2013, my vehicle was locked in the running position and it was impossible to get my key out of the ignition. The vehicle continued to run until I was able to contact a local car expert who was able to pull the fuel pump fuse to get the engine to stop running. The next day, this same person took the vehicle in to his shop and replaced the "ignition lock cylinder" per a "silent" gm recall. Soon after this incident, I began hearing about a gm recall on the "ignition switch". I was then sent a letter from gm to that effect. The letter also stated that I could be reimbursed for work done if I had repairs made on my own. When I applied for a refund for the labor cost that I incurred, I was notified by the team chevy of valparaiso, in dealership and told that I would not be compensated for by expenses because the current recall was for the "ignition switch" and not the "lock cylinder". I tried to explain that the other part was also a part of a previous recall; however, the rep refused to acknowledge the issue with the "lock cylinder". After doing some online research, I have found that many people have also experienced this same "locking in the run position issue". For this reason, and the fact that gm is once again slow to acknowledge a dangerous defect in a vehicle with a history of dangerous defects, I am writing to file an official complaint. At this point, I do not feel safe in my vehicle. I currently have two recalls out on my car and have already replaced by power steering assist motor after it failed on a busy highway in the middle of a left hand turn. There are a series of major flaws with this vehicle and gm needs to take responsibility for the safety of its customers and make this right. I would also hope that the federal safety agency can influence gm to expand their recall to cover all ignition related problems.