THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AT TIMES. I TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF DRIVE AND PUT IT IN PARK SEVERAL TIMES AND DO THE SAME WITH THE BRAKES BEFORE THE KEY WILL COME OUT. MY MECHANIC HAS SAID THAT IT IS A BRAKE ISSUE AND NOT THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Hhr years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Steering complaints
458 reportsI HAVE A 2006 CHEVY HHR WITH 44,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR IN A CURVE. I AM A 65 YEAR OLD FEMALE, I DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH IN MY ARMS TO MANEUVER A VEHICLE THAT LOOSES POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY. I MADE IT …
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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY HHR WITH 44,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR IN A CURVE. I AM A 65 YEAR OLD FEMALE, I DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH IN MY ARMS TO MANEUVER A VEHICLE THAT LOOSES POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY. I MADE IT HOME AND DID A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR A RECALL, I FOUND WHERE GM RECALLED 1.3 MILLION COBALTS WITH THE SAME ELECTRIC MOTOR AS THE HHR, HOWEVER, THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE HHR. GM IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. HHR OWNERS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I AM TOLD THAT IT COULD COST OVER $2000.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN WITH A LIMITED INCOME, I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED OR TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BEEN HURT DUE TO THIS DEFECT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSES BY GM AND FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING FLASHED ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD I FOUND I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. …
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WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING FLASHED ON MY DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD I FOUND I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE SAME PROBLEM STEERING OCCURRED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I RESEARCHED ONLINE HOW TO RESOLVE AND THIS BECAME A RECURRING ISSUE IN FORUMS THAT PEOPLE HAD WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM CONSTANTLY TURNING OFF AND NEEDING TO BE RESET. THIS PROBLEM HAS SINCE SPED UP IN OCCURRENCE SINCE THEN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED UPON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER STEERING. SHUTTING OFF THE CAR ALLOWS THE POWER STEERING TO RESET AND WORK AGAIN BUT IT LOSES THE POWER STEERING AGAIN AT RANDOM TIMES. MOST OF THE TIME IT ONLY WORKS FOR 30 SECONDS, SOMETIMES THE ENTIRE TRIP IN THE CAR, AND OTHER TIMES IT CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRIP. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN IT…
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CAR SUDDENLY LOSES POWER STEERING. SHUTTING OFF THE CAR ALLOWS THE POWER STEERING TO RESET AND WORK AGAIN BUT IT LOSES THE POWER STEERING AGAIN AT RANDOM TIMES. MOST OF THE TIME IT ONLY WORKS FOR 30 SECONDS, SOMETIMES THE ENTIRE TRIP IN THE CAR, AND OTHER TIMES IT CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TRIP. ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN IT SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. COBALTS AND PONTIAC G5 HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS RESULTING IN A RECALL. SAME STEERING COMPONENTS? *TR
DRIVING VEHICLE CITY STREET MAKING TURN POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON POWER STEERING FAILED .PULLED OVER TO SAFE AREA SHUT OFF VEHICLE RESTARTED POWER STEERING FUNCTIONAL FOR A FEW MILES FAILED AGAIN WITH MESSAGE THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. *TR
THE ELECTRIC STEERING WILL SHUT DOWN AND THE MESSAGE CENTER ON THE DASH WILL SHOW "POWER STEERING" AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER. *TR
AS I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY I HEARD A CHIME AND POWER STEERING CAME ON THE INFO PANEL AS I MADE A TURN TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG I FOUND TURNING THE WHEEL TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND AS THE POWER ASSIST MOTOR IS THE SAME AS A RECALLED MOTOR (CHEVY COBALT) I FEEL CHEVY SHOULD RECALL HHR AS WELL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,351.
Official recalls
514V171000 · 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. GMs 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. GMs 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. GMs 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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