Known Recalls

Model year record

2008 Chevrolet HHR

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 795 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V171000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,191,014
Reported to NHTSA
2014-04-10
Owners notified
2014-04-18

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Safety risk

If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Manufacturer remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V047000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,190,934
Reported to NHTSA
2014-02-10
Owners notified
2014-04-18

Defect description

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Safety risk

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V444000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
296,422
Reported to NHTSA
2008-09-03
Owners notified
2008-12-23

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING 296,422 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE DOOR ON THE STORAGE BIN IN THE TOP CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AS REQUIRED.

Safety risk

THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

A REDESIGNED LATCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V046000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
181,516
Reported to NHTSA
2008-01-30
Owners notified
2008-04-02

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING 181,516 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF RAIL AIR BAGS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' IN TESTS, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.

Safety risk

THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENERGY-ABSORBING PLASTIC PIECE TO THE HEADLINER TRIM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering29480,000 mi
Electrical system9764,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system71124,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic375,200 mi
Air bags3564,000 mi
Engine21130,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1940,000 mi
Unknown or other1770,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1578,000 mi
Power train1588,000 mi
Service brakes1345,240 mi
Suspension1347,600 mi
Vehicle speed control12101,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system1165,000 mi
Exterior lighting1062,000 mi
Structure: body1040,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline9101,214 mi
Wheels965,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition740,218 mi
Engine and engine cooling68,700 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch648,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings5105,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission418,425 mi
Tires441,134 mi
Air bags: side/window315,077 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch377,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems3200,000 mi
Air bags: frontal29,200 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility265,400 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Exterior lighting: headlights262,000 mi
Seats22,024 mi
Service brakes, electric22,024 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system232,000 mi
Structure: body: door215,663 mi
Visibility/wiper270,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear256,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1206 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery13,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1126,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers182,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine152,000 mi
Equipment141,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical140,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights17,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1125,000 mi
Fuel system, other1113,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission127,031 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1118,000 mi
Power train: driveline163 mi
Seat belts169,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip12,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor141,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist18 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic11,330 mi
Structure1—
Suspension: front197,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub117,016 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1160,000 mi
Visibility170,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window160,000 mi
Visibility: windshield188,961 mi

The 2007 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2009 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.