DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WARNING SOUND COMES ON AND POWER STEERING GOES ACROSS THE DIGITAL DASH SAYING POWER STEERING THEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT. SOME ONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED UNLESS IT'S RECALLED. HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IF THE SAME THING. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR 3 WEEKS AGO. I CARRY 3 KIDS WITH ME
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 reportsLEAKING FUEL LINE. MANY MANY HHR HAVE THIS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S KILL SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO LEO MARTIN CHEVROLET (217 TX-332, LAKE JACKSON, TX 77566, (979) 230-2500). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE KILL SWITCH SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOW…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S KILL SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO LEO MARTIN CHEVROLET (217 TX-332, LAKE JACKSON, TX 77566, (979) 230-2500). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE KILL SWITCH SYSTEM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM WAS REBOOTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
FUEL LINE RUSTING!!
EVERY COUPLE WEEKS WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, THERE WILL BE A DING SOUND WITH A MESSAGE INDICATING POWER STEERING FAILURE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND KEEP TURNING IT ON AND OFF. EVENTUALLY IT SEEMS TO RESET ITSELF AND WORK AGAIN. I CANNOT STEER IT AT ALL WHEN IT FAILS AND IS AT TIMES HARD TO GET OFF THE ROAD IN TIME BEFORE IT LOCKS UP. …
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EVERY COUPLE WEEKS WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, THERE WILL BE A DING SOUND WITH A MESSAGE INDICATING POWER STEERING FAILURE. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND KEEP TURNING IT ON AND OFF. EVENTUALLY IT SEEMS TO RESET ITSELF AND WORK AGAIN. I CANNOT STEER IT AT ALL WHEN IT FAILS AND IS AT TIMES HARD TO GET OFF THE ROAD IN TIME BEFORE IT LOCKS UP. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I HAVE TO DRIVE ON A HIGHWAY TO GET TO WORK.
MY 2006 HHR LOST POWER STEERING. THE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO STEER IT. EVERYTIME I CUT IT ALL OFF AND CRANK IT BACK UP THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND I CAN DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE TO 5 MINUTES USUALLY IN THE LIGHT SAYING POWER STEERING WILL COME ON AND THE STEERING ISSUE WILL OCCUR AGAIN. I LOVE MY HHR AND THIS IS …
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MY 2006 HHR LOST POWER STEERING. THE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO STEER IT. EVERYTIME I CUT IT ALL OFF AND CRANK IT BACK UP THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND I CAN DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE TO 5 MINUTES USUALLY IN THE LIGHT SAYING POWER STEERING WILL COME ON AND THE STEERING ISSUE WILL OCCUR AGAIN. I LOVE MY HHR AND THIS IS MY FIRST CHEVROLET PRODUCT BUT I REALLY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT AFTER MUCH MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THE HHR AS WELL AS OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES HAVE HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXACT COMPLAINT. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEY WOULD LOSE ALL POWER STEERING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A COST THAT US WHO HAVE PURCHASED AND PUT OUR TRUST OF SAFETY INTO CHEVROLET TO HAVE TO BARE. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CAN ACTUALLY LEAD TO VEHICLE FATALITIES DUE TO THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE POWER STEERING DUE TO IT BEING A KNOWN FACT BASED ON VERY MUCH RESEARCH AND COMPLAINTS FROM SO MANY OWNERS. THIS FACT SHOWS AND PROVES THAT IT IS THE FAULT OF THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED OR BUILT OR FAULTY PARTS USED BY CHEVROLET/GM. PLEASE CONSIDER THE DANGER THAT THIS FAULT CAN CAUSE TO OWNERS AND DO A RECALL TO HAVE THESE ISSUES REPAIRED SO THAT IT DOESN'T END UP CAUSING MORE DAMAGE OR TAKING A LIFE BECAUSE SOMEONE LOSES CONTROL OF THERE CHEVROLET DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. THANK YOU, [XXX] FROM HALIFAX VIRGINIA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. RESETS WHEN IGNITION TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, HOWEVER REPEATEDLY HAPPENS EVERY FEW BLOCKS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR LATER 2009-2010...WHY NOT FOR ALL YEARS?
THE CHEVY HHR WAS BUILT WITH STEEL FUEL LINES RUNNING FROM THE FUEL PUMP OUTSIDE THE FUEL TANK ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE TANK TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THEY TURN AND RUN JUST ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE. TO PREVENT HEAT BUILDUP THE FUEL LINES ARE WRAPPED WITH AN INSULATING TAPE OF SOME SORT. THIS TAPE LOOSENS OVER TIME…
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THE CHEVY HHR WAS BUILT WITH STEEL FUEL LINES RUNNING FROM THE FUEL PUMP OUTSIDE THE FUEL TANK ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE TANK TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THEY TURN AND RUN JUST ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE. TO PREVENT HEAT BUILDUP THE FUEL LINES ARE WRAPPED WITH AN INSULATING TAPE OF SOME SORT. THIS TAPE LOOSENS OVER TIME AND ALLOWS WATER TO ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE WRAPPING OF THE FUEL LINES. THIS CAUSES THE FUEL LINES TO RUST TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHEREIN THE FUEL THEN LEAKS OUT VERY NEAR OR ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND COULD RESULT IN THE INJURY OR DEATH OF ANY OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR EXPLOSION OF THE FUEL TANK. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE HHR, CHEVROLET HAS YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE SYSTEM FROM THE TANK TO THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1000. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN I PARKED MY HHR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND SMELLED FUEL. MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I OWN 2 HHRS, A 2006 LS, AND A 2009 SS, AND AM NOW LOOKING AT A $2000 EXPENSE JUST TO MAKE THEM SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHEVROLET, NOT EVERY OWNER OF A HHR.
ONCE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT THE CAR STILL RUNNING, ONCE YOU START IT THE ALARM STAYS ON FOR 3MIN
A CHIP HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK.ALSO THE DRIVER VISOR KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND BLOCKING MY VIEW WHEN DRIVING.
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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