IllustrationTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR KEEPS WARPING AND THE VEHICLE PULLS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 18,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
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 reportsMY SHIFTING LEVER WENT OUT IN MY CAR, THE REASON WHY I THINK ITS A DEFECT.IS BECAUSE ONE OF MY NEIHBORS BOUGHT THE SAME EXACT CAR I HAVE AND HERS WENT OUT 2 WEEKS AGO. THEN I WENT ONLINE AND THERE ARE BULITENS PEOPLE HAVE WROTE ABOUT THERES GOING OUT. 2006 CHEVY HHR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE TURNING CORNERS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND MAKE A NOISE. THE TRAVEL SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT IS NO LONGER EXPERIENCING FAILURES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 31,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE TURNING CORNERS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND MAKE A NOISE. THE TRAVEL SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT IS NO LONGER EXPERIENCING FAILURES. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 31,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
2006 , CHEVROLET, HHR STEERING STARTED TO FAIL, DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL WAS DISCONNECTED FROM HOUSING, RESULTING IN HITTING INTO CURB. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (495 BELTWAY NEAR WASHINGTON, DC) DURING RUSH HOUR MY DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATING A COOLANT PROBLEM CAME ON. I MANAGED TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL OF THE COOLANT HAD RUN OUT OF MY CAR AND IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE WITHOUT RISKING DAMAGE. I DID DRIVE IT WITH THE TEMPERATURE READING OVER 300 D…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (495 BELTWAY NEAR WASHINGTON, DC) DURING RUSH HOUR MY DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATING A COOLANT PROBLEM CAME ON. I MANAGED TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL OF THE COOLANT HAD RUN OUT OF MY CAR AND IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE WITHOUT RISKING DAMAGE. I DID DRIVE IT WITH THE TEMPERATURE READING OVER 300 DEGREES UNTIL THE GAUGE FAILED SO THAT I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUAL STATED THAT THERE WAS A RISK OF FIRE IF YOU DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE RED INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ON, BUT I HAD NO CHOICE TO GET MY CAR AWAY FROM HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TO THE DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE CAR'S RADIATOR AND CONDENSER ARE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND MUST BE REPLACED. I DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANYTHING OR FEEL ANYTHING COLLIDE WITH MY CAR. I WAS SIMPLY DRIVING WHEN THE WARNING SIGNAL SOUNDED AND THE RED INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. NOW THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER SAY THAT THERE IS NO DEFECT IN THE CAR THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WHO INDICATE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR. THERE IS NO PROTECTIVE PLATE UNDER THE RADIATOR TO PREVENT ROCKS OR ROAD DEBRIS FROM COMING UP AS A PROJECTILE AND DAMAGING IT. I HAVE ASKED THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX THE CAR AND INSTALL SOME KIND OF PROTECTIVE PLATE, BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CAR THAT IS AT SUCH RISK FOR RADIATOR DAMAGE DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *JB
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SPEED WAS REDUCED TO 20. MY SIX MONTH OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR. THE DASH READ, ENGINE POWER REDUCED.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A MISTY DAY THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN MOTION. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED AUTOMATICALLY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A MISTY DAY THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN MOTION. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED AUTOMATICALLY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON ONE OCCASION, THE DEALER FILED THE ROTORS DOWN AND TURNED THEM. THE CONTACT HAS POSSESSION OF ALL REPAIR ORDERS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.*AK THE ROTORS WERE SURFACED. UPDATED 05/04/07. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT AT 5MPH. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 24,000. *AK
LAST NIGHT, IT WAS A BIT WINDY HERE IN NEW YORK CITY. THE WEATHER REPORT SAID THAT THE WIND WAS ABOUT 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH. WELL, I HAD MADE A FEW STOPS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, BUT WHEN I GOT HOME, I OPENED THE DOOR, AND AS IS STARTED TO OPEN, THE WIND PULLED THE DOOR OUT OF MY HAND, AND THINGS HAPPENED SO FAST ... I HE…
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LAST NIGHT, IT WAS A BIT WINDY HERE IN NEW YORK CITY. THE WEATHER REPORT SAID THAT THE WIND WAS ABOUT 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH. WELL, I HAD MADE A FEW STOPS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, BUT WHEN I GOT HOME, I OPENED THE DOOR, AND AS IS STARTED TO OPEN, THE WIND PULLED THE DOOR OUT OF MY HAND, AND THINGS HAPPENED SO FAST ... I HEARD A BANG, AND THE DOOR FLEW OPEN ... I'D SAY ... ALMOST 180 DEGREES, WHICH SOUNDS IMPOSSIBLE. THE DOOR THEN CAME BACK AND STAYED OPEN ABOUT 16 TO 18 INCHES. I COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR. I PULLED AND PULLED, AND IT CLOSED. NOW, IT ONLY OPENS 16 TO 18 INCHES, AND I HAVE TO SQUEEZE OUT. THE CAR HAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL AND THE DOOR. AND, I DON'T KNOW HOW BADLY THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE DOOR ARE. THE QUARTER PANEL IS STICKING OUT ABOUT 4 INCHES, AND THE DOOR IS RUBBING AGAINST IT VERY HARD, WHICH IS WHY I CAN ONLY OPEN THE DOOR A LITTLE BIT. I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON ASSESSING DAMAGE, BUT I DID CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY THIS EVENING TO FILE A CLAIM. (MY GUESS IS THAT I'M LOOKING AT ALMOST $2,000 IN DAMAGE ... BUT I'LL POST AN UPDATE WHEN I GET THE 'ESTIMATE'). I TOLD THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE DOOR HINGES MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE, OR LOOSE, OR SOMETHING. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CAR, ITS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO SEE IT, TO BELIEVE IT. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING, AND NOTHING HIT ME. WHEN YOU SEE IT, ALL YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SAY IS "HOW COULD THAT HAVE HAPPENED"? HAS ANYBODY HAD ANYTHING REMOTELY SIMILAR TO THIS? I WANT TO KNOW IF THE VEHICLE IS POORLY CONSTRUCTED, OR IF THE DOOR HINGES ARE INFERIOR, WEAK, BAD, LOOSE, OR WHATEVER! *JB
2006 CHEV. HHR WITH A PROBLEM WITH IGNITION KEY THAT GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION**CC *JB
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.