Two problems related to other fuel system pump have been reported for the 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Chevrolet HHR based on all problems reported for the 2008 HHR.
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.
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 NHTSA should consider this a serious safety issue. ($100 to fix, not bad for an old car. ) thanks.