KnownCarProblems2006 Chevrolet Hhr Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,006 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr, most often about the steering (46% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Hhr model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2006 Chevrolet Hhr problems
Steering
458 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, column, hydraulic power assist system, linkages.
2006 Chevrolet Hhr - under normal operating conditions, while driving at low speeds (15 - 25 MPH) and turning to the right, car will "chime", "power steering" appears on the control panel and the power steering will go out making vehicle very hard to drive. Once car is shut off and restarted, power steering begins…
I have a 2006 chevy Hhr. Everytime I put the car in drive, I less than a minute the power steering goes out. The light comes on. This makes it very difficult to drive and considering it is my wife's primary vehicle I worry about her because my son in with her often.
Electrical
222 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, instrument cluster/panel, starter assembly.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated when the vehicle was placed in park, the key would not release from the ignition. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could possibly roll away when the vehicle was parked because the computer would not register that the vehicle was in the park position.…
First the gear shift would not come out of park without having to basically yank the handle with all of my strength. Then about two days later the keys would not come out of the ignition. In looking into this issue on other sites it has been stated that this is a common issue when any moisture (ex from a spill of…
Body and structure
119 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
My interior door handle on my 2006 chevy Hhr broke off in my hand when I tried to open the door. I looked up online to see if anyone else has had the same issue and sure enough..pages and pages of the same story. I called to get a replacement handle and was told it would cost me $300 for the entire door kit. I don't…
I need your help, 1st,computer broke,then 2nd gear shift, then 3rd sunroof, then 4th back door won't open-son can't get out, then 5th power steering, tried to replace power steering with a used one that we could afford,, now car is locked and won't crank, did what mechanic said to reprogram and it still doesn't work…
Transmission
82 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle hubs, driveline.
I need your help, 1st,computer broke,then 2nd gear shift, then 3rd sunroof, then 4th back door won't open-son can't get out, then 5th power steering, tried to replace power steering with a used one that we could afford,, now car is locked and won't crank, did what mechanic said to reprogram and it still doesn't work…
Auto dimmer does not work on rearview mirror. Unable to remove key from chevy Hhr 2006 model. It is a shift lever issue. The car is out of warranty so neither of these items are still covered. These are items that should last longer than three years. Chevy is ignoring the issue.
Engine
73 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
Whenever it rains the passenger side leaks from the counsel the carpet always gets soaked... A lot of people have this problem... Another known issue is the cam position sensor a lot of people have this problem now having issues with the bearings in my front wheels which seems to be another known issue others are…
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. While driving approximately 30 MPH the power steering locked up and the brake pedal became stiff. The contact stated the vehicle began to shake vigorously and the engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated the engine…
Doors and locks
70 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: doors, trunk lid, hatchback/liftgate.
The interior door handles on the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr fell off. The only way to fix it is to replace the entire door panel just for the cheap plastic handle for approximately $500.00. If I was in an accident and the car would not start again, I could not get out of the car through the driver's side because I would not…
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. While attempting to open the drivers door, the handle would not work and the door would not open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for further inspection. The failure and current mileages were 56,000.
Air bags
63 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH in the snow, he lost traction and crashed into the median. The contact stated that after he crashed, the engine stopped and the air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to…
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr. The contact stated that the air bag light was constantly lit on the instrument panel. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 54,000.
Brakes
60 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, fluid, brake fluid low warning.
Steering wheel and front end shaking violently when braking. Brought into dealership @ approx 27,000mi and told rotors needed to be resurfaced because they were warped. Manager said they were warped due to "driving habits", brakes getting wet-then used, and/or hard stops. This has never been the case with any other…
When coming to a stop doing 40 or higher the steering wheel vibrates. Had to have the rotor turn again just had them turned at 17,511 miles and now at 25,124 miles that is on 7613 since the first time. It is not my driving either!
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Chevrolet Hhr recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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. Gmâs recall nu
Full defect summary
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 be
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
Fix: 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> .
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
Fix: 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> .
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (458 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); electrical (222 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); body and structure (119 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 10, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Chevrolet Hhr?
- It is the most complained-about Hhr model year since 2000, with 1,006 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.