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2008 Chevrolet HHR

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 HHR.

Body SUV

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR is an SUV in the model's 2006–2011 lineup, specified for 5 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil, and it sits roughly mid-cycle with 615 owner complaints, five recalls, and steering reported as the top problem area. That complaint count falls between the 2006 peak of 1,006 complaints and the 2011 low of 203, so the 2008 model is neither the most troubled year in the run nor the most settled. For researchers, this makes it a useful reference point for tracking how reported issues trended across the HHR's production life.

Model year201120102009200820072006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 90 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12580255. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 90 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeHHR P215/55R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5JJ, 7.0JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12580255 alt 12605566
Engine air filter22731072 alt 20774655
Spark plug12681663 alt 12681658
Front wiper blades84574892
Serpentine belt12634319 alt 12634320
Thermostat12622410 alt 03522676
Cabin air filter52493319

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.4 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3155 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the HHR of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2008 SS Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008SS Wagon 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.80 sec260 hpFWD
20062LT Wagon 2.4L I-47.90 sec16.20 sec172 hpFWD
20062LT Wagon 2.4L I-48.00 sec16.10 sec172 hpFWD
20062LT Wagon 2.4L I-48.90 sec16.90 sec172 hpFWD
20062LT Wagon 2.4L I-49.00 sec16.60 sec172 hpFWD
20062LT Wagon 2.4L I-49.40 sec16.90 sec172 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Front Wheel Hub155 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.035-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number90
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number90

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11-14 @ 50-90 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J41, JM4 / WITH RPO JL9
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs / 96 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.020
Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J41, JM4 / WITH RPO JL9
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 12574 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 12574 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 12574 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2155 degrees155 degrees
3Outer bolts 26.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2155 degrees155 degrees
3Front bolts 26.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Complaints dropped from 1,006 in 2006 to 615 in 2008, continuing a downward trend through 2009 before a slight rise in 2010 and a sharp decline in 2011. Recalls followed a similar pattern, falling from six in 2006 to five in 2007‑2009, then to four in 2010 and three in 2011. Investigations were absent in 2006‑2007, appeared once each in 2008 and 2009, and none thereafter. In 2008 the leading complaint categories were steering (244 reports), fuel/propulsion (64), electrical (46), and hydraulic service brakes (30), with 30 crash‑related and six fire‑related complaints recorded. Given the overall reduction in complaints and recalls through 2008 and the absence of widespread safety investigations after 2009, the 2008 HHR represents a comparatively improved model year, though prospective buyers should pay particular attention to steering‑related issues.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
939
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
615
Owner complaints
30 involved a crash · 6 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’06’07’08’09’10’11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 615 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering244
Fuel/Propulsion System64
Electrical System46
Service Brakes, Hydraulic30
Air Bags18
Steering,Electrical System15
Latches/Locks/Linkages14
Electrical System,Air Bags13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V171000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 10/04/2014

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… 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…

14V047000Air BagsReported 10/02/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 939 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
135982025-09-09Unknown Or OtherNew Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
PIC5650M2025-08-06Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific HHR. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 90 batteryVehicles taking 5 qtEngine oil filter 12580255Engine air filter 22731072Spark plug 12681663Front wiper blades 84574892

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 HHR take?

5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 HHR have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.