2008 Chevrolet Hhr Electrical Problems

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch and failed to release. Additionally, the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the key was stuck and needed to be broken, and any damages would be at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11720216

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

Mileage

200,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); but the vehicle experienced a failure. The contact stated that the key could not be removed from the ignition switch while the key was in the "OFF" position. In addition, the battery was being drained. The contact stated that the battery was previously replaced several months ago. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition switch. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

NHTSA ID

11706785

Incident

Dec 23, 2025

Mileage

64,000 mi

Needless to say, General Motors has dealt with their share of recalls lately and while much of the GM recall news has been devoted to the ignition failures which have forced new CEO Mary Barra to stand before the US Government, this new recall has nothing to do with the ignition cylinder failures. Although the ignition problems can cause a steering issue and some of the vehicles included in the ignition recall are also included in this new recall, this recall pertains specifically to the power steering system. It seems that in the 1.3 million affected vehicles, one or more components of the electric power steering assist system could fail and when that happens, the car will not have the same level of power assist. The General Motors statement announcing this recall is a bit on the vague side in terms of explaining exactly what is causing this loss of power assist, but the automaker has explained that it could be due to a problem with the power steering motor, the steering column assembly, the power steering control unit or a combination of the power steering column and the power steering control unit. Regardless of which of those components fail, it will become much more difficult to steer the car at low speeds, although when driving at higher speeds it may almost be unnoticeable. However, with the increased possibility of accidents, GM isn’t taking any chances so they have made the decision to add these 1.3 million cars to their already lengthy list of recalled models. My 2008 HHR is not listed in any recalls by it's VIN

NHTSA ID

11474408

Incident

Jul 15, 2022

THE POER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE KEEPS COMEING ON

NHTSA ID

11421362

Incident

Jun 3, 2021

TWO ISSUES: KEY WON'T REMOVE FROM IGNITION, SEARCHED GOOGLE AND GOT KEYS OUT. SECOND ; POWER LOCKS ,CAR WON'T UNLOCK, NOT EVEN WITH KEYS. SO FAR, THIS HAS COST ME $150.00

NHTSA ID

11413244

Incident

Apr 17, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

HELLO, HOW ARE YOU? THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE BUTTON CANNOT TURN IT OFF. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND THERE IS A SERVICE PROMPT ON THE INFORMATION SCROLL LCD SCREEN. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LIGHTS UP BUT THE CRUISE DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SET BUTTON IS PRESSED AT ANY SPEED, IE, 30MPH, 50MPH, 55MPH ETC. THE RESEARCH I READ RECOMMENDS TO CONTACT YOU TO HELP GET THIS VEHICLE INCLUDED IN AN EXISTING RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUES IN OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME EQUIPMENT. IN OTHER WORDS, THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT AS OTHER GM VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR REPAIR. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT WAS RECALLED IN OTHER GM VEHICLES I REQUEST THIS VEHICLE BE COVERED UNDER THE SAME RECALL AND ABLE TO BE REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ID

11355488

Incident

Sep 16, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS WE WERE DEALING WITH A STARTER ISSUE. IT INDICATED ONLY ONCE ON THE DASH THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING. NOW IT'S COMPLETELY GONE. THE DASH DOESN'T SHOW ANY INFORMATION THAT THERE COULD BE AN ISSUE. IT'S VERY HARD TO TAKE TURNS. BOTH WIDE OR TIGHT. IT TAKES A LOT OF STRENGTH TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE. IF I DRIVE IT, MOVING FROM LANE TO LANE IS DIFFICULT. I NOW HAVE IT BACK IN THE SHOP FOR THE MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT AND RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID

11288625

Incident

Dec 12, 2019

Mileage

183,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11281119

Incident

Sep 17, 2018

Mileage

165,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND PRESTON HOOD CHEVROLET (212 HOLLYWOOD BLVD NW, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548, (850) 610-7278) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PERIODICALLY ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED EACH TIME, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11232045

Incident

May 31, 2019

Mileage

126,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING IS SUDDENLY INOPERATIVE. NO POWER STEERING. IT JUST CAME ON THE WARNING LIGHTS ONE TIME, POWER STEERING, AND I CAN'T FIND A FIX. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID

11222011

Incident

Jun 20, 2019

Mileage

123,300 mi

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE MOVING DOWN ROAD

NHTSA ID

11155513

Incident

Dec 1, 2018

Mileage

78,000 mi

FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS I NOTICED MY POWER STEERING, CRUISE CONTROL BEING CUT OFF AND JERKING WITH MY CAR. BUT UP TIL THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST MY CAR WOULDN'T START, IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. COME AUGUST 18TH MY CAR COMPLLIFE ROY WON'T START. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK IN THE CAR FOR THE RECALL BUT NOW IT'S ACTING UP AGAIN. MULTIPLE TIME WHERE I LOOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR AND OR THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN TO THE POINT IT FELT LIKE I WAS STOPPING THEN IT WOULD JERK. I THOUGHT THE DEALERSHIP COULD FIX THIS BUT THEY CAN NOT, GM, RIGTH WAY AND ETC ARE NOT HELPING. I'M TERRIFIED MY CAR WON'T WORK AND ALSO IT'LL BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11121132

Incident

Aug 18, 2018

MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME. I REPLACED THE BRAKE POSITIONING SENSOR. IT IS UNDER MY IMPRESSION THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I THINK THE FIX IS RUNNING A GROUND CABLE TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. I ALSO CANNOT USE MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND CRUISE CONTROL. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT YOUR CONVENIENCE AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11119408

Incident

Aug 20, 2016

Mileage

85,000 mi

WHIAL DRIVING THE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE TURNS OFF/FAILS AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT SHOWES ON DASH. WHEN YOU STOP AND CUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKS AGAIN FOR A WIAL THEN FAILS AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11076593

Incident

Mar 7, 2018

Mileage

75,402 mi

I BOUGHT A USED 2008 CHEVY HHR FROM LITHIA IN EUREKA, CA 11/3/2017 AND 11/24/2017 THE CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE DRIVE FUNCTION. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND NO LUCK. TRANSMISSION SEEMS BLOWN, AND THE ELECTRICAL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. NO FLASHEERS, RADIO WITH WEIRD NOISES, STRANGE SOUNDS FROM ENGINE AFTER ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE. WE ARE NOW STUCK 200 MILES FROM HOME AND LITHIA MANAGER HAS NOT RETURNED MY PHONE CALL. I AM A MIDDLE AGED STUDENT, WORKING MINIMUM WAHE. I GAVE THE DEALERSHIP ALL MY MOMEY FOR A BROKEN CAR. I SHOULS HAVE RESEARCHED MORE THAT IS APPARENT. I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY MISHAPS. YET, THIS IS 3 WEEKS AFTER GIVING AWAY $5000 FOR A WORKING VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN.

NHTSA ID

11048472

Incident

Nov 24, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

MY REPAIRS TO MY RECALL WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY BACK WHEN I HAD LIVED IN NEW YORK AT AN ALBANY, NEW YORK NAMED DEPAULA CHEVROLET AND TWO OF THE RECALLS I HAD CALLED DEPAULA CHEVROLET ABOUT AND I HAD TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS DOING THAT PROBLEM AND THEY HAD REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ABOUT I NOW PRESENTLY RESIDE IN ATHENS, GA AS OF TODAY AND SO FORWARD

NHTSA ID

10978494

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING TURNS OFF ON A CONSTANT BASIS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST !

NHTSA ID

10954044

Incident

Jan 30, 2017

Mileage

30 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE CITY STREETS THE DOORS SUDDENLY UNLOCK THE LIGHTS FLICKER OFF AND BACK ON AND THE CAR JERKS AND THEN THE CAR DOES THE SAME THING AND LOCKS THE DOORS AGAIN AND THEN UNLOCKS THE DOORS AGAIN WITH THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AGAIN AND BACK ON AGAIN JUST AS QUICKLY. IT DOES THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHILE DRIVING TO WORK OR TO RUN TO THE STORE OR WHERE EVER. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. NO CODES ARE SHOWING WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE HAD IT TO THREE DIFFERENT GARAGES AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE LAST DEALER TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE AND EVERY TIME THEY GOT INTO THE CAR TO DRIVE IT TO SEE IF IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN FOR THEM IT WOULD COST ME RIGHT AROUND $130.00 EACH TIME. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. I ASKED THEM IF IT COULD BE THE IGNITION AND THEY SAID NO. I DID HAVE THE RECALL DONE ON THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT AFTER READING MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS IT MAKES ME THINK THAT MAYBE IT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. HELP *TR

NHTSA ID

10939701

Incident

Dec 27, 2016

Mileage

118,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, DON'T KNOW IS THE AIRBAGS ARE IN MY VEHICLES. GOT A AIRBAG RECALL LETTER. HAVE CALLED DEALER TWO TIMES WROTE DOWN DATES. DEALER SAID PARTS WEREN'T IN THEY WOULD CALL US WHEN PARTS ARE IN THEY ALSO TOLD US VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE . IF ITS A SAFETY RECALL AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING HURT AND KILLED HOW IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE? I HAVE A NUMBER OF RECALL LETTER ON MY HHR. HOW MANY ARE TO MANY ? IF YOU READ ALL RECALLS THE VEHICLE IS A ROLLING DEATH TRAP. YOU NEED TO KNOW I WROTE CHEVROLET A LETTER 05-31-2015 TO ASK THEM IF MY VEHICLES WERE IN THE AIRBAG RECALL CHEVROLET DID NOT WRITE BACK THEY CALLED I RECORDED THE CONVERSATION. THE CHEVROLET PERSON I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLES .I DIDN'T BUILD THE VEHICLE SO WHY AM I GETTING PUNISHED FOR THERE MISTAKES.SOME OF THE RECALL LETTER FROM GM RECALLS THEY WANT FIX UNLESS YOUR HAVING TROUBLE. IF THEY SEND YOU A RECALL LETTER WHY WANT THEY FIX IT RIGHT THEN. ON ONE RECALL I HAD FIXED IT TOOK THEN 2 YEARS TO FIGURER OUT THEY HAD NOT FINISHED THE REPAIR. DO YOU CALL THAT SAFE? CHEVROLET HAS MADE A VEHICLE THAT'S LOADED WITH PROBLEMS. I FEEL THAT I AM DUE A FULL REFUND. CHEVROLET (GM) MISLEAD PEOPLE ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE A NUMBER OF RECALL LETTERS I'M SENDING YOU. I ALSO HAVE A RECORDED AIRBAG RECALL PHONE CALL. THE AIRBAG RECALL IS ON MY 2009 CHEVROLET TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10934981

Incident

Feb 25, 2009

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

10861460

Incident

Apr 23, 2016

WHENEVER I AM DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SUDDENLY LOCK UP FOR SEEMINGLY NO REASON. I CAN BE GO ANYWHERE FROM 35 MPH TO 70 MPH. IT'S CAUSED ME TO NEARLY GET INTO MULTIPLE WRECKS. I'M FORCED TO PULL OVER, TURN OFF THE CAR, AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THEN THE WHEEL IS PERFECTLY FINE AFTER. IT HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. I'M SCARED TO KEEP DRIVING THIS CAR BUT IT'S MY ONLY WAY TO WORK EVERY DAY. I HAVE NO CHOICE. MY CAR DEALERSHIP HAS SAID MANY HHR'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN THE PAST DUE TO POWER STEERING ISSUES. PLEASE HELP ME KNOW IF MY CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND WHAT I NEED TO DO TO KEEP SAFE. THIS HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY DAY I DRIVE IT, I'VE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW.

NHTSA ID

10852934

Incident

Mar 25, 2016

EVER SINGLE TIME I TURN MY CAR ON MY POWER STEERING CUST OFF.

NHTSA ID

10790111

Incident

Nov 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED AND ALL OF THE SYSTEMS RESET. THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK TO THE ON POSITION IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10732623

Incident

Jun 7, 2015

Mileage

86,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED AT DIFFERENT TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN UPDATED 10/16/2017*CN

NHTSA ID

10715168

Incident

Aug 21, 2014

Mileage

100,000 mi

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. I PULLED OVER AND MYSELF AND THE PASSENGER GOT OUT. THE NEXT SECOND OR TWO, FIRE STARTED ERUPTING FROM THE DASH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED IMMEDIATELY. ABOUT 15 MINUTES PASSED AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIMED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HHR'S THAT HAD REMOTE START AND AUTOMATIC. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS THE BLAME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10713168

Incident

Mar 27, 2015

Mileage

66,500 mi