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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.

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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

What owners actually said

1,006 reports
99,900 miles · Dec 21, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BUT THE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DOOR PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BUT THE DOOR HANDLE DETACHED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DOOR PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,900. UPDATED 01/20/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, JUST FOR AN EXPENSIVE HANDLE. UPDATED 01/27/12

NHTSA ODI #10440901

54,000 miles · Dec 16, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #10440189

102,000 miles · Dec 12, 2011
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #10439436

106,000 miles · Dec 7, 2011
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WAS DEPRESSED AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WAS DEPRESSED AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE POLICE STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY PLANNED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #10438863

82,000 miles · Nov 29, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY: AT THE UPPER BRAKE PEDAL, AT THE CROSS TUBE THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE WELD, ONLY WELDED ON ONE SIDE AND THE WELD DID NOT ADHERE TO CROSS BAR. THE WELD DID NOT PENETRATE METAL, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO SLIDE TO THE LEFT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10437658

129,100 miles · Nov 26, 2011
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #10437313

77,351 miles · Nov 22, 2011
Steering

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.

NHTSA ODI #10436764

100,000 miles · Nov 19, 2011
Power Train

MY GEAR SHIFTER IS MALFUNCTIONING. IT IS STUCK IN PARK. I DO NOT HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND WOULD LIKE THIS REPAIR TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST WITH CHEVY BEING THAT THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE GEAR SHIFTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436459

27,000 miles · Nov 15, 2011
SteeringVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED AFTER RAINY WEATHER THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD OF WATER WAS AT LEAST FOUR INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WATER LEAK COULD POSSIBLY HAVE COME FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED AFTER RAINY WEATHER THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD OF WATER WAS AT LEAST FOUR INCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WATER LEAK COULD POSSIBLY HAVE COME FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OR SUN ROOF. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE DEFECTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10435685

32,900 miles · Nov 14, 2011
Structure

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS AND 7 MONTHS THAT THE DOOR HANDLE (INSIDE DRIVERSIDE FRONT) HAS BROKEN. THE DOOR HANDLE IS MADE OF SOME TYPE PLASTIC. THIS IS NOT ONLY A EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AT THE DEALER, IT IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD IN GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435538

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.