NHTSA Complaint #11468476 — 2008 CHEVROLET HHR

Purchased vehicle in Sep 2021. After 4 months of purchase, muffler became loose from exhaust after hitting a pothole on highway and, having a mechanical background, I repaired the exhaust by placing a solid stainless steel exhaust sleeve around the weak area and tac welding it. Within a month, I began to smell a rich fuel odor after every trip. I jacked up vehicle and found a fuel leak within insulated area just left of exhaust. I also located another small exhaust leak and repaired it as best as possible with an exhaust wrap, then took it to an exhaust repair shop. I was told fuel leak had to be repaired before exhaust repairs could be done. Mechanic said HHRs we're well known for fuel line corrosion due to poor design and eventually leaking. He said he has turned away many HHRs and Cobalts for this problem over the last 2-3 years.