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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Structure complaints

119 reports
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13,011 miles · May 23, 2015
Structure

I PARKED MY VEHICLE AY HOME, AND WHEN I WENT TO GET OUT, THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE RIGHT OFF. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT WAS TO ROLL DOWN THE ELECTRIC WINDOW AND REACH OUT TO THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. FROM SOME RESEARCH I DID THIS BREAKING OFF IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IF FOR SOME REASON LIKE AN ACCIDENT I C…

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I PARKED MY VEHICLE AY HOME, AND WHEN I WENT TO GET OUT, THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE RIGHT OFF. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT WAS TO ROLL DOWN THE ELECTRIC WINDOW AND REACH OUT TO THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. FROM SOME RESEARCH I DID THIS BREAKING OFF IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT IF FOR SOME REASON LIKE AN ACCIDENT I COULDN'T GET THE WINDOW DOWN, I WOULD BE STUCK IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10721134

10,000 miles · Apr 28, 2015
StructureVisibility

THE CAR HAS HAD THE A/C FAN MOTOR REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES, EACH TIME IT WAS DAMAGED BY A WATER LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MOTOR ONCE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND/FIX THE LEAK. THIS WAS A LIE BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BUTYL PATCH, EASILY FOUND IN THE MOST BASIC INTERNET SEARCH. THE DOO…

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THE CAR HAS HAD THE A/C FAN MOTOR REPLACED AT LEAST 4 TIMES, EACH TIME IT WAS DAMAGED BY A WATER LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED MOTOR ONCE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND/FIX THE LEAK. THIS WAS A LIE BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BUTYL PATCH, EASILY FOUND IN THE MOST BASIC INTERNET SEARCH. THE DOOR HANDLES ARE MADE OF THE CHEAPEST PLASTIC, DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THERE IS WATER LEAKING INTO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD WITH NO CAUSE YET FOUND. THE WORST PART OF THIS IS THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NOT COMPLETELY FIXING THE LEAK PROBLEM DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THEN CHARGING ME TO FIX IT AGAIN AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NOW I CAN'T EVEN GET THEM TO RETURN MY PHONE CALLS REGARDING THE RECALL REPAIRS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713478

71,000 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED AND PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #10713167

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2015
Structure

FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE PEELING BAD. NO OTHER PART OF CAR IS DOING SO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692078

38,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Air BagsSeatsStructureCrashInjury

A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT ON SPRINGRIDGE RD JUST SOUTH OF JACKSON MS. WIFE WAS DRIVING ACROSS SPRINGRIDGE RD. THE LADY FAILED TO YIELD AND STRUCK WIFE IN DRIVERS SIDE TOTALING THREE CARS IN THE PROCESS WIFE WAS SEVERELY INJURED (11 DAYS IN HOSPITAL) NO AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED DURING ACCIDENT. STILL WORKING ON FULL RECOVERY. *TR …

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A LADY RAN A RED LIGHT ON SPRINGRIDGE RD JUST SOUTH OF JACKSON MS. WIFE WAS DRIVING ACROSS SPRINGRIDGE RD. THE LADY FAILED TO YIELD AND STRUCK WIFE IN DRIVERS SIDE TOTALING THREE CARS IN THE PROCESS WIFE WAS SEVERELY INJURED (11 DAYS IN HOSPITAL) NO AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED DURING ACCIDENT. STILL WORKING ON FULL RECOVERY. *TR UPDATED 10/16/2017*JS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A STATUS UPDATE AND RECALL INFORMATION. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10679551

120,800 miles · Jan 12, 2015
Structure

THE INSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF (PLASTIC OR OTHER NONMETAL MATERIAL ATTACHED TO A METAL HINGE)AT THE METAL HINGE. (CHEAP MATERIALS THAT FATIGUE EASILY) WITH NO EXCESS FORCE OR ABNORMAL PRESSURE BEING APPLIED. I WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPERATE …

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THE INSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF (PLASTIC OR OTHER NONMETAL MATERIAL ATTACHED TO A METAL HINGE)AT THE METAL HINGE. (CHEAP MATERIALS THAT FATIGUE EASILY) WITH NO EXCESS FORCE OR ABNORMAL PRESSURE BEING APPLIED. I WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPERATE THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. IN AN ACCIDENT, THIS WOULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THE DRIVER NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671753

56,000 miles · Dec 27, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure

CONTACT REPORTED THAT DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE WITH KEY FOB NOR WHEN ACTIVATING THE DOOR LOCK SWITCHES ON THE DOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TRYING TO GET THE IGNITION RECALL FIXED WHICH TOOK A TOTAL OF FOUR VISITS. WHILE CAR WAS IN FOR RECALL, ADDRESSED AN UNRELATED ELECTRICAL SOLENOID PROBLEM AND ASKED THE D…

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CONTACT REPORTED THAT DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE WITH KEY FOB NOR WHEN ACTIVATING THE DOOR LOCK SWITCHES ON THE DOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TRYING TO GET THE IGNITION RECALL FIXED WHICH TOOK A TOTAL OF FOUR VISITS. WHILE CAR WAS IN FOR RECALL, ADDRESSED AN UNRELATED ELECTRICAL SOLENOID PROBLEM AND ASKED THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE DOOR LOCK ISSUE. DEALER NOTIFIED OWNER THAT PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR SEAT LEFT AND RIGHT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAD FAILED (3 OF 4 TOTAL). ASKED DEALER IF THEY HAD SEEN THIS UNUSUAL CONDITION ON ANY OTHER HHR'S AND THEY SAID NO. SHOWED THEM THE 30+ ISSUES LOGGED ON THIS SITE AND THEY ONLY COMMENTED THAT THE HHR WAS NOT THE BEST GM PRODUCT EVER BUILT BUT THERE WAS NO DEALER FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD BE $340 PER DOOR TO FIX AND SERVICE WAS DECLINED (AFTER $80 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE TO VERIFY THAT DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668480

164,615 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Structure

THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630123

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2014
Structure

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620780

138,765 miles · Jul 19, 2014
EngineStructureSuspensionCrashInjury

AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSE ME TO IT THE REAR END OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614683

Official recalls

5

14V171000 · 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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.