2006 Chevrolet HHR
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 1,006
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2006
None on file
46% of complaints
Complaints per year
2006: 1,006 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,006 |
| 2007 | 726 |
| 2008 | 616 |
| 2009 | 508 |
| 2010 | 515 |
| 2011 | 203 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Steering
46% · 464 reportsMost commonly citing electric power assist system and column.
Show complaint excerpts
I was driving my vehicle on the 401 on ramp (Going 35KM/hr) it was a rainy day. I randomly and all of a sudden lost power, including my power steering. No lights, no warnings, just gone. I couldn't turn the wheel to continue with the curved on ramp.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-05
While driving, the dashboard signaled "Power steering" And the car immediately lost all power steering making turning very difficult. After turning the engine off and on again, power steering resumed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-09
The power steering went out. Very hard and unsafe to drive.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-05
Electrical system
23% · 229 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and switch.
Show complaint excerpts
while driving the car after a few miles, the door locks start going up and down, the power steering light comes on and is hard to steer, the check engine light comes on, the speedometer stops working and the tach malfunctions.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-28
Power steering constantly goes while driving. There will be a ding and it will just cut out... Why doesn't this have an recall on it????? Its seriously dangerous. Took it to dealer it will cost over 500 to fix.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-14
Structure
12% · 121 reportsMost commonly citing door and body.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the front passenger door failed to open without warning. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-06
Power train
8% · 82 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Latches/locks/linkages
7% · 70 reportsMost commonly citing latch and lock.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2006Complaint volume 1,006 complaints filed for this model year.
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2006-11-06Air bags06V417000 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.
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…
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2008-04-02Air bags08V046000 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.…
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…
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2008-12-23Latches/locks/linkages08V444000 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."…
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…
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2014-04-04Electrical system14E021000 UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for...
Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge.
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2014-04-18Electrical system14V171000 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.
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...
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2014-04-18Air bags, electrical system14V047000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2006 Chevrolet HHR — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 464 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 229 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 121 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06V417000 · Air bags
- Recall 08V046000 · Air bags
- Recall 08V444000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2006 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Chevrolet HHR is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
- The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.