Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest May 13, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 615 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Chevrolet Hhr submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming body or structure
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Body & structureSteering
Filed May 13, 2019
MY STEERING FEELS THREATENING WITH LOUD SOUND UNDER DASH WHEN TURNING, AND CAR STEERING IS TOO LOOSE AT TIMES AND ALSO JUMPS ALITTLE WHILE TURNING.. IM LOOKING INTO WHAT AND HOW I CAN GET IT FIXED, IM TOLD IT IS PROBABLY INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND I UNDERSTAND MANY GM VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. ALSO, MY 2 PASSENGER DOORS WONT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN, BUT DOOR HANDLES ALSO DON'T ENGAGE ALL WAY UP WHEN TRY TO PULL THEM, MECHANIC TOLD ME , ITS THE ACTUATORS IN HANDLES BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE ALSO HAVE COMPLAINED ON THIS ISSUE AS WELL. SO I HAVE NO ACCESS TO BACK DOORS, I CANT AFFORD A NEW CAR. I AM A SENIOR ON FIXED INCOME. IS THERE ANY HELP FOR ME TO FIX MY CAR?
NHTSA ID
11207390
Incident
Feb 3, 2019
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed May 20, 2018
Crash reported2 injuries reported
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
NHTSA ID
11096942
Incident
Jan 21, 2012
Mileage
40,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Jul 6, 2016
Fire reported
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.
NHTSA ID
10883083
Incident
Jul 5, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 14, 2015
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR CAME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THIS INCIDENT BEGAN WITH PASSENGER CHECKING BACK SEAT FOR AN ITEM. DOOR DIDN'T SOUND LIKE IT CLOSED ALL THE WHEN WHEN IT WAS SHUT. PASSENGER OPENED AND RECLOSED THE DOOR. AS I LEFT THAT LOCATION, I HEARD AIR BLOWING (OPEN WINDOW SOUND). CHECKING FOR AN OPEN WINDOW, I FOUND BACK SEAT PASSENGER DOOR OPEN. I PULLED OVER TO THE CURB AND TRIED TO SHUT THAT DOOR. IT WOULD NOT STAY SHUT. EVEN THE AAA AUTO CLUB ROADSIDE SERVICE WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO STAY CLOSED. THAT LATCH WAS MOVABLE WITH FINGERS, NOT LIKE THE OTHERS, WHICH COULD NOT BE MOVED WITHOUT ACTUALLY USING SOMETHING TO ASSIST, I.E., SCREWDRIVER, DOOR HANDLE, ETC. TO GET HOME, AUTO CLUB USED A HEAVY RUBBER BUNGEE CORD FROM REAR SEAT PASSENGER HEADREST BEHIND THE DRIVER, THROUGH THE WINDOW ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR AND HOOKED ONTO THE LUGGAGE RACK ON THE TOP OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ID
10810065
Incident
Dec 12, 2015
Mileage
84,000 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Apr 27, 2015
Crash reported
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WE HAD PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ON ROUTE 207 IN THE TOWN OF HAMPTONBURGH,NY.NO MORE THEN 20 FEET FROM EXITING THE PARKING LOT THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING US TO HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND TOTALING THE CAR. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT POWER ASSIST STEERING FAILED THUS CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. WE WHERE NOTIFIED OF THE IGNITION RECALL HAD THAT TAKEN CARE OF IN AUGUST OF 2012. HOWEVER CHEVY/GM CONTENTION IS THE IGNITION DID NOT FAIL. THE BODY SHOP MECHANIC AND GM/CHEVY'S OWN SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THAT A CATSOPHIC MALFUNCTION TOOK PLACE CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10713159
Incident
Aug 21, 2014
Mileage
82,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 15, 2015
REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED AND HANDLE WOULD NOT LET PASSENGER OUT. I LOCKED AND UNLOCKED DOOR AND PASSENGER COULD MOVE HANDLE BUT NOT OPEN THE DOOR. I WENT TO THE DOOR AND TRIED TO OPEN AND THE EXTERIOR HANDLE WOULD NOT OPEN DOOR. TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WITH REMOTE, BUTTONS IN CAR AND MANUALLY TO NO AVAIL. HAVE SEEN MANY REFERENCES TO SAME PROBLEM BUT NO SOLUTIONS. DEALER WANTS $120.00 TO TELL ME HOW MUCH TO FIX THE DOOR. THIS IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE AND NOT A WORKAROUND BY CHEVROLET. OTHER MODELS IN THIS YEAR HAVE HAD A RECALL BUT HHR'S I GUESS DID NOT MAKE IT. GLAD THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT WITH A FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10705973
Incident
Apr 9, 2015
Mileage
34,009 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Aug 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS INSIDE THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE OPENED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE AUTOMATIC LOCK BUTTON HAD TO BE PRESSED NUMEROUS TIMES IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,663. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BODY AND TRIM WERE DEFECTIVE, DUE TO THE DOOR LOCKS GETTING STUCK HALF WAY AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE, AS THE RADIO AND CD PLAYER WERE INOPERATIVE, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES. UPDATED 09/17/14
NHTSA ID
10621756
Incident
May 12, 2009
Mileage
15,663 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 17, 2014
THE LEFT REAR POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IS INOPERATIVE. THE REAR DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED ( FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE) EITHER WITH POWER ASSIST OR MANUALLY PULLING THE LOCK PLUNGER. I HAVE TO USE PLIERS GRABBING THE DOOR LOCK PLUNGERS ( PULLING UPWARD) TO FORCE THE LOCK OPEN ALLOWING ME TO OPEN REAR DOOR (EXCESSIVE FORCE REQUIRED ALONG WITH SOMEONE PUSHING THE POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH SIMULTANEOUSLY). ONCE IN THE LOCKED CONDITION YOU CAN NOT OPERATE THE DOOR FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS WOULD BE TRAPPED IN BACK SEAT WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I CHECKED THE CHILD SAFETY SWITCH AND IT IS NOT ENGAGED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. THE RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED SIMILARLY ( SAME CONDITION) ON THIS SAME VEHICLE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS REPLACED. NOW GM DEALER SAID IT WAS MY ISSUE AND GM WOULD NOT COVER REPLACEMENT OR COST TO INSTALL REPLACEMENT PART. I WANT THIS SAFTEY ISSUE DOCUMENTED IN AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY FILE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *JS
NHTSA ID
10592099
Incident
Mar 3, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureInterior & seats
Filed Dec 18, 2012
DOOR LOCKS STICK. HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN VEHICLE. REPORTED TO GM THEY DO NOT FEEL DOOR LOCKS STICKING DANGEROUS. BEEN IN DEALER WERE PURCHASED 7 TIMES FOR DOOR LOCKS TO BE FIXED. DOOR LOCKS STILL STICKING. WAS FORCED TO SIGN A COMPLAINT LETTER WITH GM WITH LEMON LAW ATTORNEY. WE FEEL THAT VEHICLE CAN NEVER BE FIXED. STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH DOOR LOCKS. VIDEO OF BEING LOCKED IN .WAS PURCHASED NEW. WE FEEL WE HAVE DONE OUR PART TAKING BACK TO DEALER TO BE FIXED. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX DEFECTS. *TR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, REGARDING DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/09/17.*JB
NHTSA ID
10489085
Incident
Feb 28, 2009
Mileage
15,663 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 18, 2012
WATER LEAKS IN DRIVER AND PASSANGER FLOORS. MOLD IN CAR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10448416
Incident
Apr 1, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Dec 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO POWER THE VEHICLE ON. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,000.
NHTSA ID
10439658
Incident
Nov 15, 2011
Mileage
15,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 13, 2010
CARRO HHR 2008 CUANDO LAS PUERTAS DEL VEHICULO ESTAN ENTRE ABIRTAS ME INDICA EL TABLERO QUE ESTAN CERRADAS. EL SENSOR DEL TABLERO SE APAGA CUANDO LAS PUERTAS TIENEN UNO 2 A 5 CM ABIERTAS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10330350
Incident
May 13, 2010
Mileage
34,158 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 24, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUMPER PAINT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT IN ORDER TO PREVENT CORROSION, RUNNING BOARDS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21000.
NHTSA ID
10285116
Incident
Dec 21, 2008
Mileage
21,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own