HAD POWER STEERING ISSUE DID SOME RESEARCH TURNS OUT TO BE OVER HEAT.. CHECK COOLANT LEVELS. MY COOLANT TEMP. OVER 200 ADDED COOLANT NOW AROUND 190 STEERING WORKS FINE. *JB
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.
What owners actually said
1,006 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED FOR ANOTHER MILE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED FOR ANOTHER MILE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 10/17/13*CN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE ON AUGUST 20, 2013. UPDATED 10/24/13
I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING UNTIL I DRIVE A FEW MILES. AFTER I DRIVE MY 2006 CHEVY HHR A FEW MILES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON & MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING COMPLETELY STOPS..THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK..WHEN I NEED TO PARK I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF & THEN START IT BACK UP. I HA…
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I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING UNTIL I DRIVE A FEW MILES. AFTER I DRIVE MY 2006 CHEVY HHR A FEW MILES THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON & MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING COMPLETELY STOPS..THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PARK..WHEN I NEED TO PARK I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF & THEN START IT BACK UP. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT MY HHR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING AND THERE WERE ALSO OTHER CHEVY MAKES & MODELS.WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM..WILL YOU PLEASE HAVE A RECALL ON THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON THE 2006 CHEVY HHR SO WE CAN BE SAFE ON THE ROAD...[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND ITS VERY HARD TO DRIVE! I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON TO GET IT GOING! WHEN IT FIRST HAPPEN I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE,AND IT TOTALLY SCARED ME! *TR
POWER STEERING MOTOR SHORTED OUT, WHEN WE TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALER WE WERE TOLD THAT GM WOULD NOT SELL THE MOTOR SEPARATELY AS THE STEERING COLUMN WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE POWER STEERING MOTOR, AND WERE ALSO TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON SOME HHR'S. THE PRICE TO REPAIR IS $1500. I AM 71 YEARS OLD, MY DISABLED HUSBAND IS 72 YE…
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POWER STEERING MOTOR SHORTED OUT, WHEN WE TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALER WE WERE TOLD THAT GM WOULD NOT SELL THE MOTOR SEPARATELY AS THE STEERING COLUMN WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE POWER STEERING MOTOR, AND WERE ALSO TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON SOME HHR'S. THE PRICE TO REPAIR IS $1500. I AM 71 YEARS OLD, MY DISABLED HUSBAND IS 72 YEARS OLD AND WE ONLY HAVE SOCIAL SECURITY AS INCOME. TRIED TO GET SOME COMPENSATION FROM GM AND AFTER ALMOST 3 WEEKS THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM A DEALER OTHER THAN A CHEVY DEALER, THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OVER MILEAGE. IF THE STEERING GOES OUT THERE MOST LIKELY BE AN ACCIDENT OF SOME KIND. WE HAVE NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION, I DO FEEL THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE TO HAVE GM HONOR THE RECALL WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *TR
I DROVE MY HHR TO WORK. PARKED. WENT TO GET OUT AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELT SOFT AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. TO GET IT OPEN I HAD TO USE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER HHR OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE OF THE DOOR LATCH. WHILE THE HANDLE REMAINED INTACT, THE LATCH IS NOT WORKING TO OP…
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I DROVE MY HHR TO WORK. PARKED. WENT TO GET OUT AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELT SOFT AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. TO GET IT OPEN I HAD TO USE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER HHR OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE OF THE DOOR LATCH. WHILE THE HANDLE REMAINED INTACT, THE LATCH IS NOT WORKING TO OPEN THE DOOR. COUPLE THIS WITH THE NOW TWICE FAILURE OF THE POWERSTEERING MODULE AT A WHOPPING 875.00 EACH TIME I HAVE BEGUN TO REGRET MY DECISION TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE AND THIS IS THE CAR THAT I REALLY WANTED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAD BECOME FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DETACHED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPRO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DETACHED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
FOR THE LAST YEAR, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT HAS STAYED ON AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT. SHIFTING IS DIFFICULT AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL EFFECT THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY BE DESTROYED. THERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES WHERE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE GM HAS NOT REC…
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FOR THE LAST YEAR, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT HAS STAYED ON AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT. SHIFTING IS DIFFICULT AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL EFFECT THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALLY BE DESTROYED. THERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES WHERE OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE GM HAS NOT RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
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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