KnownCarProblems2006 Hummer H3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 361 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Hummer H3, most often about the electrical (27% of complaints, typically around 89,000 miles). It is the most complained-about H3 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2006 Hummer H3 problems
Electrical
96 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring.
Vehicle had heater blower harness and resistor fail and catch fire for the second time. Repaired replaced once before. This particular problem occurs due to a design defect and replacement parts do not correct the underlying problem and it will fail again. It is just a matter of time. The circuits should be fuse…
Car has been spontaneously stalling while driving at high speeds. Engine cuts out, power brakes and steering fail, no radio, etc. Vehicle loses all power. It is terrifying. Has happened at least 3 dozen times now. Several visits to dealer could not pinpoint problem. Dealers unable to duplicate stalling, although it…
Engine
87 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the instrument panel displayed a warning message that read 'reduced power service stabilizer system tracking failed' and the vehicle failed to accelerate beyond 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired. The failure continued. Both the…
2006 H3 Hummer cutting off when idling,was diagnosed with same head valve seat problem as recalled colorado atlas engine,same engine the H3 engine should be covered.
Visibility and wipers
59 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the blower motor failed to function. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v421000 (visibility) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of…
Driving down the interstate when the heat stopped working. It was particularly cold, but that was not the issue. The blower stopped working and the windows started fogging up. The blower does not work on any speed, useless for defrost, heat, or A/C. I was out of the country for work for a few months, confirmed the…
Body and structure
36 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that rain water began to flood the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The contact was informed that due to the drain lines being too small, they would need to be retro-fitted at the consumer's expense. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the trailer hitch receiver fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the defective part and they informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
Suspension
29 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Was driving with 50 MPH and traffic stopped so I had to press the brakes a little harder. At that point both rear leaf springs failed, damaging drive shaft and pulling driveshaft from the transfer case. Repairs for all this were $2700. ......updated 09-03-14 updated 09/8/2014
There was no,accident,I trade my 09 mustang in to walters mazda,mitsubishi,in pikeville ky,I did notice a strange noise in the tires,so I took it to have the tires rotated,and the noise got louder,so I took it to a garage to be checked,the mechanic told me my ball joints on the driver side was ready to fall out,I…
Other or unspecified
28 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles.
Onstar emergency request button, and all other onstar buttons do not transmit or receive. A verizon message announces "no phone service available." happen at all times, in all conditions. Verizon, gm and onstar each deny its their problem.
The anti-theft engages randomly and prevents me from starting my car. This is not only inconvenient but could endanger my safety. There are numerous complaints listed about this defect by other H3 owners. This should be recalled. I just purchased the car less than 1 month ago.
Transmission
20 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, automatic transmission, manual transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
The contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. While parked with the brake pedal depressed, the contact placed the gear shifter into drive but the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the plastic fork in the power train transfer case would have to be…
While driving at 45mph all systems shut off. No power steering nothing. The car would not restart. This happened multiple times with out warning.
Air bags
20 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic stop, the vehicle was rear-ended and crashed into a pole. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, back and hips. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 63,864.
I was leaving a friends house and had to drive through a small ditch and my side curtain airbags deployed for no reason. This is a Hummer H3 an off road vehicle which is supposed to be able to drive on a 60 degree angle and this ditch was maybe 2 feet deep and the truck was barely even at any type of angle at all.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Hummer H3 recalls
Visibility and wipers: fan/motor
Risk: If the blower motor connector module overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace part of the blower motor connector and harness, free of charge. The recall began february 26, 2016. Owners may contact hummer customer service at 1-800-732-5493. Gm's number for this recall is 15042.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 hummer h3 vehicles manufactured february 5, 2005, to may 24, 2010, and 2009-2010 hummer h3t vehicles manufactured may 21, 2008, to may 24, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.
Body and structure: hood
Risk: If the vehicle is being driving when this occurs, it could strike a following vehicle and cause injury and/or property damage.
Fix: Dealers will apply an adhesive to the hood louver to secure it to the hood. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on april 12, 2010. Owners may contact hummer at 800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 hummer h3 vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the integral clip-tabs on the louver on the hood may fracture, causing the hood louver rattle against the hood and become loose. If this indicator is unnoticed, additional clips could fracture and the hood louver could detach from the vehicle.
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on march 31, 2006. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, hummer at 1-800-732-5493, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or isuzu at 1-800-255-6727.
Full defect summary
Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle capacity weight.
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 Hummer H3
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Hummer H3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (96 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); engine (87 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); visibility and wipers (59 complaints, typically around 85,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Hummer H3 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 1, 2015 (visibility and wipers). 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 Hummer H3?
- It is the most complained-about H3 model year since 2000, with 361 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.