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2006 Chevrolet Hhr

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 565.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

843 reports with mileage · 163 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 458 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

47 crash reports8 fire reports24 injury reports

Steering complaints

458 reports
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119,000 miles · Jul 18, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOURS LATER HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT TAKE THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOURS LATER HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BECAUSE SHE DID NOT TRUST THE PARTS THAT WERE BEING USED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #10525585

133,552 miles · Jul 12, 2013
Steering

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING, CAUSING ME TO NEARLY HIT MY MAILBOX. THE INFORMATION SCREEN ON THE SPEEDOMETER SAID POWER STEERING AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524525

108,000 miles · Jul 9, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523910

52,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND CAUSED RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10522955

85,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10522273

167,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
SteeringCrash

I WAS GOING ABOUT 35MPH WHEN I CAME UPON A CURVE AND MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED ME TOO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO AN OPEN FIELD. IVE SPENT MOST OF MY DAY RESEARCHING AND MAKING PHONE CALLS. MY LOCAL DEALER TELLS ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THIS BUT THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS ON THE 2006…

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I WAS GOING ABOUT 35MPH WHEN I CAME UPON A CURVE AND MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED ME TOO LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO AN OPEN FIELD. IVE SPENT MOST OF MY DAY RESEARCHING AND MAKING PHONE CALLS. MY LOCAL DEALER TELLS ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN MANY ISSUES WITH THIS BUT THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS ON THE 2006 HHR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522093

140,000 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Steering

I WAS DRIVING WITH ATLEAST 42 MPH COMING DOWN FROM A BRIDGE WITH A CURVE ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. NO SIGN, WHEN I TRIED TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL FOR THE CURVE, IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I PANICKED AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S DRIVING THE SAME SPEED AS ME. I HAD TO TURN ON MY HAZARD SIGN TO NOTIFY OTHERS…

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I WAS DRIVING WITH ATLEAST 42 MPH COMING DOWN FROM A BRIDGE WITH A CURVE ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. NO SIGN, WHEN I TRIED TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL FOR THE CURVE, IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I PANICKED AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S DRIVING THE SAME SPEED AS ME. I HAD TO TURN ON MY HAZARD SIGN TO NOTIFY OTHERS I+M HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN..AS SOON AS I REACHED HOME, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND AFTER 10 MINS TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND IT WAS WORKING FINE. IM TOO SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. MY WORK IS 12 MILES FROM ME AND THIS STEERING PROBLEM HAPPENED WITHOUT A WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520983

56,451 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Steering

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED AND CONTINUES TO FAIL AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING FOR ABOUT 100 METERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520643

64,000 miles · Jun 4, 2013
Steering

THE CAR SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE STEERED, HOWEVER, WITH GREATER EFFORT (MANUAL STEERING). THE SLOWER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, THE HIGHER THE STEERING EFFORT. UNLESS A DRIVER COMPENSATES FOR THIS ADDITIONAL STEERING EFFORT, LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRAS…

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THE CAR SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE STEERED, HOWEVER, WITH GREATER EFFORT (MANUAL STEERING). THE SLOWER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, THE HIGHER THE STEERING EFFORT. UNLESS A DRIVER COMPENSATES FOR THIS ADDITIONAL STEERING EFFORT, LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, A CHIME WILL BE HEARD AND THE MESSAGE CENTRE WILL DISPLAY A POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE. TYPICALLY THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WILL RETURN AND THE MESSAGE WOULD NO LONGER BE DISPLAYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515030

39,500 miles · May 21, 2013
Steering

POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR FAILED. RESET AFTER SHUTOFF AND RESTART OF CAR. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT, OCCURRING SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL, OTHER TIMES REPEATEDLY (IE 5 TIMES IN A THREE MILE DRIVE). PROBLEM ALWAYS OCCURRED WHILE MOVING DURING A VARIETY OF SPEEDS (25-75MPH) AND WHILE DECELERATING AND ACCELERATING. THE ONLY CIRCUMSTANCE IN …

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POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR FAILED. RESET AFTER SHUTOFF AND RESTART OF CAR. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT, OCCURRING SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL, OTHER TIMES REPEATEDLY (IE 5 TIMES IN A THREE MILE DRIVE). PROBLEM ALWAYS OCCURRED WHILE MOVING DURING A VARIETY OF SPEEDS (25-75MPH) AND WHILE DECELERATING AND ACCELERATING. THE ONLY CIRCUMSTANCE IN WHICH IT DID NOT OCCUR WAS STANDING STILL OR TURNING. DEALER SAID SHORT CIRCUIT IN POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR WAS THE PROBLEM AND REPAIRED IT QUICKLY. THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF MILES ON MY VEHICLE, FOR A PART LIKE THIS TO BREAK AND NOT BE RELATED TO A DEFECT SEEMS LESS THAN REALISTIC. I'VE READ ABOUT THE SAME PART ON CHEVY COBALTS (THE HHR PLATFORM) BEING RECALLED AND MANY COMPLAINTS BY HHR OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. NOTE: WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICE DEPT I WAS USING MY MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN INSURANCE (VIA GEICO), THEY ASKED WHAT MY DEDUCTIBLE WAS ($250); INTERESTINGLY, WHEN I CALLED TO ASK ABOUT REPLACING STATED PART, WAS TOLD REPAIR WAS "ABOUT $400" BUT ACTUAL REPAIR BILLING ENDED UP BEING $218. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513024

Official recalls

5

14V171000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 10, 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 the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

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 redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Feb 10, 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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Electrical System:ignition:switch

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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

08V444000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Sep 3, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 296,422 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE DOOR ON THE STORAGE BIN IN THE TOP CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AS REQUIRED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: A REDESIGNED LATCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

08V046000 · Air Bags

Jan 30, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 181,516 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF RAIL AIR BAGS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' IN TESTS, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENERGY-ABSORBING PLASTIC PIECE TO THE HEADLINER TRIM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.