2006 CHEVY HHR.. POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED SUDDENLY. MY CAR HAD ONLY 17,000 MILES ACCRUED. DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. *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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF SO THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD BE PERFORMED AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $500 ALTHO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF SO THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD BE PERFORMED AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST $500 ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A 75,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE CHEVROLET MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND SOMETIMES WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS TO PULL OVER BEFORE IT SHUTS DOWN. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE WHOLE CAR STARTS SHAKING AS IF YOU POPPED THE CLUTCH TOO FAST, EXCEPT THIS CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC. I HAVE FOUND T…
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I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND SOMETIMES WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS TO PULL OVER BEFORE IT SHUTS DOWN. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE WHOLE CAR STARTS SHAKING AS IF YOU POPPED THE CLUTCH TOO FAST, EXCEPT THIS CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH TRAIL AND ERROR IF I START MESSING WITH THE COMPUTER BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CHANGES THE INFORMATION THAT IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH BOARD IT WILL SOMETIMES RESET ITSELF AND ACT OKAY. OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO LET IT SIT FOR OVER 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL START UP AGAIN. THERE IS NO SET TIME THIS OCCURS, SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS A FEW TIMES A DAY AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL GO A MONTH WITHOUT HAPPENING. IT SHUTS DOWN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. SOMETIMES I'M GOING 65 MILES AND HOUR AND OTHER TIMES I'M GOING 20 MPH. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIX IT UNTIL THEY REENACT THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR THEY COULD NOT REENACT THE PROBLEM, YET THEY SAID THEY CAN SEE THERE IS A PROBLEM WHEN THEY READ THE COMPUTER. I PAID $20,000 FOR THIS CAR AND AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I CAN'T DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR IT WILL SHUT DOWN AGAIN. I HAVE TO TAKE THE BACK ROADS TO GET AROUND. *TR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED ON A CHEVY HHR . NEARLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT WENT OUT AT 60MPH . TOOK TO DEALER AND PAID AROUND 1000. TO HAVE IT REPLACED. VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 30 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. *TR
POWERING STEERING WENT OUT DURING RIGHT HAND TURN AT SLOW SPEED. MY WIFE DID NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE CAR INTO THE TURN. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND I CHECKED MY MANUAL FOR TROUBLE SHOOTING,FINDING NONE. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND POWER STEERING WORKED. TEST DRIVING FOR TWO MINUTES THE POWER STEERING WENT AGAIN. PROBLEM…
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POWERING STEERING WENT OUT DURING RIGHT HAND TURN AT SLOW SPEED. MY WIFE DID NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE CAR INTO THE TURN. SHE STOPPED THE CAR AND I CHECKED MY MANUAL FOR TROUBLE SHOOTING,FINDING NONE. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND POWER STEERING WORKED. TEST DRIVING FOR TWO MINUTES THE POWER STEERING WENT AGAIN. PROBLEM SEEMED TOO BE AFTER CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR AWHILE AND SYSTEM WAS USED LONGER. CAR WAS REPAIRED BY HAVING THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED BY CHEVY DEALER SHIP. I STILL HAVE OLD PARTS. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILURE DURING OPERATION. VEHICLE CHIMES THEN "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON DASHBOARD LCD. ALL POWER STEERING FAILS AT THIS POINT THOUGH IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT RE-ENGAGES FOR A SHORT TIME - THOUGH NO WARNING BEFORE IT CUTS OUT AGAIN. DEALER SAYS THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE EPS MOTOR (ELECTRIC POWER S…
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POWER STEERING FAILURE DURING OPERATION. VEHICLE CHIMES THEN "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON DASHBOARD LCD. ALL POWER STEERING FAILS AT THIS POINT THOUGH IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT RE-ENGAGES FOR A SHORT TIME - THOUGH NO WARNING BEFORE IT CUTS OUT AGAIN. DEALER SAYS THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE EPS MOTOR (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) $450. *TR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE IN 2006 CHEVY HHR WITH 2.4L ENGINE. CAR HAS APPROX 45000 MILES AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD COME LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES, BUT IT WOULD ALWAYS FAIL AGAIN. …
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ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE IN 2006 CHEVY HHR WITH 2.4L ENGINE. CAR HAS APPROX 45000 MILES AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD COME LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM SOMETIMES, BUT IT WOULD ALWAYS FAIL AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. EVERY 6700 MILES AND 5 MONTHS THE VIOLENT SHAKING WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. EVERY 6700 MILES AND 5 MONTHS THE VIOLENT SHAKING WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ROTORS AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 50,000.
2006 NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE SERVICED 8 TIMES FOR MULTIPLE FAILURES RELATED TO EITHER ELECTRICAL/BRAKING/ABS/ WHEELS/EMISSIONS/ TRACTION CONTROL/COMPUTER/POWER STEERING AND OR COMPUTER ISSUES/ALL REPAIRED/AND RESOLVED AT GM DEALER/VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY WHEN ISSUE OCCURS THE FAILED SYSTEM IN QUESTION OVERRIDES DRIVER LAS…
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2006 NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE SERVICED 8 TIMES FOR MULTIPLE FAILURES RELATED TO EITHER ELECTRICAL/BRAKING/ABS/ WHEELS/EMISSIONS/ TRACTION CONTROL/COMPUTER/POWER STEERING AND OR COMPUTER ISSUES/ALL REPAIRED/AND RESOLVED AT GM DEALER/VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY WHEN ISSUE OCCURS THE FAILED SYSTEM IN QUESTION OVERRIDES DRIVER LAST INCIDENT FAILURE OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC RESULTING IN REMOVAL FROM SERVICE WHICH TOOK 3 WEEKS TO REPAIR/HAD THE CONDITIONS BEEN DIFFERENT THIS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18000.
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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