IllustrationVEHICLE LOSSES POWER STEERING SHORTLY AFTER STARTING TO DRIVE. CAR IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. MUCH HARDER TO CONTROL CAUSING A SERIOUS HAZARD TO OPERATION.
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
1050–25K
14725–50K
19650–75K
15075–100K
171100–150K
74150K+
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 reportsWHEN 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.
MY 2006 CHEVROLET HHR'S DISPLAY KEPT FLASHING "CHECK CHARGE SYS" AND "BATTERY SAVER ON." A MECHANIC SAID TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. I DID BEFORE EMBARKING ON A 200-MILE WEEKEND TRIP. ABOUT 30 MILES INTO THE TRIP, BOTH DISPLAYS RETURNED. BUT THE HHR PERFORMED NORMALLY. ABOUT 170 MILES INTO MY TRIP, I STOPPED TO EAT. MY HHR WOULD NOT…
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MY 2006 CHEVROLET HHR'S DISPLAY KEPT FLASHING "CHECK CHARGE SYS" AND "BATTERY SAVER ON." A MECHANIC SAID TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. I DID BEFORE EMBARKING ON A 200-MILE WEEKEND TRIP. ABOUT 30 MILES INTO THE TRIP, BOTH DISPLAYS RETURNED. BUT THE HHR PERFORMED NORMALLY. ABOUT 170 MILES INTO MY TRIP, I STOPPED TO EAT. MY HHR WOULD NOT CRANK. A TEEN OFFERED A JUMP. CAR STARTED, BUT THE GEAR LOCK KEPT IT IN PARK. WITH MODEST PRESSURE, I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT. ABOUT 3 MILES LATER ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED DIFFICULT STEERING, DOOR LOCKS WENT UP AND DOWN, THEN SILENCE. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. LUCKILY, TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND FROM THE RIGHT LANE, I WAS ABLE TO STEER MY HHR OFF THE HIGHWAY. HAD THIS BEEN AT NIGHT, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, RAIN OR AT A HIGHER SPEED, I BELIEVE MY LIFE OR OTHERS WOULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. MY CAR WAS TOWED, AND THIS MECHANIC REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. CHEVROLET'S DISPLAY SHOULD HAVE WARNED "ALTERNATOR FAILURE." AND MY GEAR LOCK WAS SO FLIMSY, IT FAILED IN PREVENTING ME FROM DRIVING. NOW, I HAVE A GEAR SHIFT WITH NO PROTECTION FROM ACCIDENTAL SHIFTING, AND MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I DO NOT WISH TO BE A STATISTIC. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF FURTHER DETAILS ARE NEEDED.
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.
FUEL LINES ON DRIVERS SIDE NEXT TO REAR WHEEL ARE RUSTING AND LEAKING FUEL OVER A EXHAUST PIPE,WHEN HOT WOULD SURELY CAUSE A FIRE. FROM WHAT I'VE READ A FEW HAVE CAUGHT FIRE.
AFTER START UP THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MOTOR INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT AND CAN MAKE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BULBS WERE OUT AND THE EXTERIOR LENS WAS BURNED WITH A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,131.
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.
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.
WATER LEAKING IN PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ONLY WHEN RAIN
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.