vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2006 Chevrolet HHR: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,006 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

70,822 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 843 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 448 of 1,006 complaints (44.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior50750.4%
Electrical and battery issues12112.0%
Braking behavior949.3%
Engine operation636.3%
Transmission and shifting474.7%
Fuel system concerns151.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering
448
Electrical System
185
Air Bags
58
Power Train
47
Structure:Body:Door
47
Fuel/Propulsion System
44
Latches/Locks/Linkages
41
Structure:Body
41
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering448
Electrical System185
Air Bags58
Power Train47
Structure:Body:Door47
Fuel/Propulsion System44
Latches/Locks/Linkages41
Structure:Body41

Steering: 448; Electrical System: 185; Air Bags: 58; Power Train: 47; Structure:Body:Door: 47; Fuel/Propulsion System: 44; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 41; Structure:Body: 41

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
105
25,000 to 49,999
147
50,000 to 74,999
196
75,000 to 99,999
150
100,000 to 149,999
171
150,000 and above
74
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000105
25,000 to 49,999147
50,000 to 74,999196
75,000 to 99,999150
100,000 to 149,999171
150,000 and above74

Under 25,000: 105; 25,000 to 49,999: 147; 50,000 to 74,999: 196; 75,000 to 99,999: 150; 100,000 to 149,999: 171; 150,000 and above: 74

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (196). 163 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2005
6
2006
16
2007
34
2008
51
2009
51
2010
105
2011
96
2012
93
2013
82
2014
265
2015
55
2016
52
2017
34
2018
17
2019
16
2020
16
2021
4
2022
2
2023
4
2024
5
2025
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20056
200616
200734
200851
200951
2010105
201196
201293
201382
2014265
201555
201652
201734
201817
201916
202016
20214
20222
20234
20245
20252

2005: 6; 2006: 16; 2007: 34; 2008: 51; 2009: 51; 2010: 105; 2011: 96; 2012: 93; 2013: 82; 2014: 265; 2015: 55; 2016: 52; 2017: 34; 2018: 17; 2019: 16; 2020: 16; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 2

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 507 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 121 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 94 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10137833 · 2005-09-27 (September 27, 2005)

ROOF MOUNTED ANTENNA HITS SUNROOF GLASS HARD AT SPEEDS OVER 75 MPH. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT, THE VEHICLE I AM TRYING TO REPORT IS NOT ON YOUR LIST OF CARS FROM THE MENU. I AM NOT DRIVING A COBALT, I AM DRIVING A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR, WHICH IS ON THE SAME CHASSIS AS A COBALT. PLEASE ADD TO HHR TO YOUR LIST OF VEHICLE TO SELECT FROM. THANKS.

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137833 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10141234 · 2005-10-30 (October 30, 2005)

DOOR AJAR WARNING INADEQUATE, WHEN DOOR IS A COUPLE OF INCHES OPEN WARNING INSTITUTES, RATHER THAN WHEN DOOR IS ON FIRST SAFETY LATCH AS IT SHOULD BE WHEN AJAR, WHEN DOOR IS OPEN PRIOR TO LATCH DOOR IS OPEN NOT AJAR!SAFETY CONCERN! *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10141234 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10141398 · 2005-11-01 (November 1, 2005)

DT:THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE TAIL LIGHTS. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ONE COULD NOT SEE THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WORKED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 26 DAYS, AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM CHEVROLET HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HIM, AND THEY STILL COULD NOT TELL HIM WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND IT STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE INTERIOR LIGHTS HAD STOPPED W…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,166 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141398 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10141858 · 2005-11-06 (November 6, 2005)

DOOR AJAR WARNING DOES NOT SHOW UNTIL DOOR IS MORE THAN 3 INCHES OPEN. THIS IS ON ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE BACK HATCH. THE DOOR AJAR WARNING SHOULD COME ON ANYTIME THE DOOR IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED. SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141858 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10143027 · 2005-11-17 (November 17, 2005)

BODY MODULE FAILED DURING IGNITION OFF CONDITION. AIR BAGS REMAINED POWERED, DRAINING THE BATTERY. AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY DURING IGNITION OFF POSITION CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS LOADING OR UNLOADING. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 3,045 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143027 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10144850 · 2005-12-09 (December 9, 2005)

DT: THE CONTACT STATED TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144850 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10148021 · 2006-01-18 (January 18, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MESSAGE BOARD FLASHED POWER STEERING, WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM UPDATED 02/28/06

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148021 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10151405 · 2006-02-28 (February 28, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR ALARM WILL NOT SOUND UNTIL THE BACK DOOR IS AJAR SIX INCHES. THE DEALER DETERMINED THIS WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

Owner-reported narrative. 860 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151405 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

06V417000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2006-10-31 (October 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
08V046000 · Air Bags

Reported: 2008-01-30 (January 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: 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> .

NHTSA campaign record ↗
08V444000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Reported: 2008-09-03 (September 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: 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> .

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V047000 · Air Bags | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 2014-02-10 (February 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: 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. GM’s 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V171000 · Electrical System:Ignition

Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗