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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.

About this comparison →

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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170,000 miles · Jun 27, 2017
Steering

WHEN DRIVING A CLICK CAN BE HEARD IN THE FOOTWELL OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. A CHIME AND DIC ALERT OCCURS. THE DIC DISPLAYS POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING SYSTEM STOPS WORKING. THIS MAKES THE CAR VERY HARD TO DRIVE AT ANY SPEED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WORKS AS NORMAL FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEF…

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WHEN DRIVING A CLICK CAN BE HEARD IN THE FOOTWELL OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. A CHIME AND DIC ALERT OCCURS. THE DIC DISPLAYS POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING SYSTEM STOPS WORKING. THIS MAKES THE CAR VERY HARD TO DRIVE AT ANY SPEED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WORKS AS NORMAL FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE IT FAILS AGAIN. THIS ISSUE WAS RECALLED ON LATER MODEL YEAR VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE BUT THE 2006 MODEL WAS EXCLUDED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION DETAILS THAT THE 2006 MODEL AND NEWER CARS SHARE THE SAME POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE OR DANGEROUS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR.

NHTSA ODI #11001579

850,000 miles · May 21, 2017
Steering

MY POWER STEERING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I SHUT CAR OFF AND CARS POWER STEERING WORKS FINE. I DRIVE IT FOR A BIT AND THE LIGHT COME BACK MAKING IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10990823

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2017
Steering

AFTER START UP THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT AND CAN MAKE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT.

NHTSA ODI #10984834

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2017
Steering

THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IT,AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SWITCH THE CAR OFF,AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10971790

79,900 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. SUDDEN CHANGE IN ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE. START VEHICLE AND HAS POWER STEERING FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10967938

200,000 miles · Mar 3, 2017
Steering

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE LIGHT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE DASH STATING POWER STEERING FAILURE. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM IN A CURVE THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN A CURVE BECAUSE IT'S NOT EXPECTED. I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT W…

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THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE LIGHT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE DASH STATING POWER STEERING FAILURE. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM IN A CURVE THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR IN A CURVE BECAUSE IT'S NOT EXPECTED. I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT WILL JUST GO OUT. I WILL HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND IT WILL BE FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN, AND WILL HAVE TO REPEAT THE CYCLE OF STOPPING AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF OR CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A POWER STEERING UNIT, WHICH I HAVE TO DO MOST OF THE TIME SINCE I DRIVE A LOT ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE READ THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME CAR HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GENERAL MOTORS HAVE NOT RECALLED THESE CARS AND REPLACED THESE DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING UNITS.

NHTSA ODI #10958339

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2017
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #10954909

147,000 miles · Nov 17, 2016
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILS SUDDENLY, MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHER SPEED. OTHER HHR'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE 2006 MODELS. I'VE READ OTHER 2006 OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE CHECKED THE FUSES AND CANNOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THI…

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POWER STEERING FAILS SUDDENLY, MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHER SPEED. OTHER HHR'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE 2006 MODELS. I'VE READ OTHER 2006 OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. I'VE CHECKED THE FUSES AND CANNOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF I TURN THE IGNITION OFF, THEN RESTART THE CAR THE STEERING WORKS FINE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE STEERING GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO, ABOUT MAY 2016. AT FIRST IT OCCURRED RANDOMLY, BUT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. SPEED HAS NO BEARING ON THE PROBLEM AS I CAN BE DRIVING 20 MPH OR 70 MPH. I CURRENTLY HAVE 149,580 MILES ON THIS CAR. I'VE HAD THE RECALLED IGNITION REPLACED TWICE AND I'M WONDERING IF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED AS THE POWER STEERING IS ELECTRIC. I'VE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS AND FEEL THE CAR IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10926793

23,400 miles · Nov 6, 2016
Steering

POWER STEERING LOSS.HAPPEN ABOUT 6 DIFFERENT TIMES.THIS CAR IS DRIVEN BY A SENIOR 76.AND CAR ONLY HAS 23400 MILES.DOESN"T SEEM RIGHT THAT THAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY LAST TIME AND COULDNT GET IT TO STEER WAS VERY HARD.HAPPENED LAST TIME ON OCT.21,2016

NHTSA ODI #10924531

193,000 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Air BagsPower TrainSteering

MY AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND MY POWER STEERING DONT WORK WHILE THIS AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON. MY HEAT DONT WORK EITHER WHILE MY AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON. I CAN DRIVE IT FOR AWHILE AND WHEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF MY POWER STEERING STARTS TO WORK AND MY HEAT DOES TOO.

NHTSA ODI #10919832

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.