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2006 Hummer H3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most H3 years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Hummer H3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 91.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

286 reports with mileage · 75 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports27 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

361 reports
1,200 miles · Feb 10, 2015
Electrical System

SINCE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED NEW, WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE OFF POSITION IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE KEY WILL 'TURN ITSELF ON' WITH ONLY THE SLIGHTEST 'BUMP' OF THE KEY OR THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH ALL SAME VEHICLE OWNERS. WHAT WITH ALL THE ISSUES WITH OTHER VEHICLE IGNITION MATTERS THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE B…

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SINCE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED NEW, WHEN THE KEY IS IN THE OFF POSITION IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE KEY WILL 'TURN ITSELF ON' WITH ONLY THE SLIGHTEST 'BUMP' OF THE KEY OR THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH ALL SAME VEHICLE OWNERS. WHAT WITH ALL THE ISSUES WITH OTHER VEHICLE IGNITION MATTERS THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTED AND CORRECTED YEARS BEFORE NOW. I STILL OWN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682504

57,000 miles · Dec 21, 2014
Engine

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE HAS LOSS POWER IN TRAFFIC AND SLOWS DOWN TO 15 MILES AN HOUR. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING OTHER CARS TO SWERVE TO AVOID REAR ENDING US. ANOTHER IN RURAL TRAFFIC CAUSING OTHER CARS TO GO AROUND. WE ARE ALWAYS LEARY WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. OUR MECHANIC HAS LOOKED IT OVER ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND CAN…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ENGINE HAS LOSS POWER IN TRAFFIC AND SLOWS DOWN TO 15 MILES AN HOUR. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING OTHER CARS TO SWERVE TO AVOID REAR ENDING US. ANOTHER IN RURAL TRAFFIC CAUSING OTHER CARS TO GO AROUND. WE ARE ALWAYS LEARY WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. OUR MECHANIC HAS LOOKED IT OVER ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND WE HAVE THE BEST MECHANIC IN TOWN. GM SHOULD PAY A LITTLE NOW AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND FIX WHAT'S WRONG INSTEAD OF A LOT LATER WHEN SOMEONE'S FAMILY IS KILLED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY WIFE TO TRANSPORT OUR GRANDCHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS EVERY TIME SHE GETS IN THAT THING I WORRY BUT BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT FOR HER SHE IS RELUCTANT TO SELL. GM PLEASE FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667476

74,188 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Engine

ROUGH IDLE, ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. IN PAST HAVE BEEN TOLD HAVE BEEN TOLD GAS CAP RELATED OR POSS THERMOSTAT OR INTERMIT MISFIRE. TODAY DEALERSHIP SAYS CYLINDER #2 NOT WORKING. NEED TO REPLACE. AT A COST OF $3000+. RELATED TO L52 ENGINE CONCERNS & INTAKE VALVE SEATS. INCLUDING COLORADO & CANYONS. WHY ARE SOME RECALLED, AND/OR…

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ROUGH IDLE, ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. IN PAST HAVE BEEN TOLD HAVE BEEN TOLD GAS CAP RELATED OR POSS THERMOSTAT OR INTERMIT MISFIRE. TODAY DEALERSHIP SAYS CYLINDER #2 NOT WORKING. NEED TO REPLACE. AT A COST OF $3000+. RELATED TO L52 ENGINE CONCERNS & INTAKE VALVE SEATS. INCLUDING COLORADO & CANYONS. WHY ARE SOME RECALLED, AND/OR FIXED ON MANUFACTURER'S DIME, BUT NOT OTHERS? GM KNEW OF CONCERN, (THUS CHANGED TO LLR ENGINE). MINE FITS THE YEAR AND WELL BELOW THE VIN #. WHY SHOULD 287591 H3 OWNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR GM'S MISTAKE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659380

85,000 miles · Oct 2, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10640837

90,000 miles · Sep 6, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED BUT I WILL DRIVE IT 10 TO 15 MILES AND STOP. THE OIL LIGHT AND THE DINGER COME ON. I RESET THE BUTTON AND THEN COME TO THE NEXT STOP AND THE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DINGER GOES OFF. THE ONLY WAY IT STOPS IS SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND LET IT SET OVERNIGHT. I CHECK THE OIL WHEN IT DOES THIS AND THE DIP STICK …

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THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED BUT I WILL DRIVE IT 10 TO 15 MILES AND STOP. THE OIL LIGHT AND THE DINGER COME ON. I RESET THE BUTTON AND THEN COME TO THE NEXT STOP AND THE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DINGER GOES OFF. THE ONLY WAY IT STOPS IS SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE AND LET IT SET OVERNIGHT. I CHECK THE OIL WHEN IT DOES THIS AND THE DIP STICK IS FINE. IS THIS AN OIL SENSOR PROBLEM AND IS THIS UNDER WARRANTY OR A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631240

84,641 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARM BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,641. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARM BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,641. UPDATED 3/11/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10621621

86,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
SteeringSuspensionWheels

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 BOUGHT THE VEHI…

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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 BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AS IS,BUT I CALLED THE CAR LOT AND ASKED FOR A LITTLE HELP ,SINCE MY 09 MUSTANG WAS IN PERFECT SHAPE RUNNING AND MECHANICAL WISE.AND THEY WONT HELP ME,MY WHEEL COULD HAVE FELL OFF AND CAUSED ME TO WRECK,OR GET KILLED..I DON'T THINK THE CAR FAX IS CORRECT,THERE WAS NO PAPER IN THE VEHICLE SAYING BUY AS IS.I HAVE ONLY HAD IT A FEW WKS.THE OWNER SAID ALL HE HAD TO DO TO THE MUSTANG WAS PUT FRONT BRAKES WELL THAT ONLY COST 20,DOLLARS,IAM WILL BE OUT 500.I WAS TOLD DO NOT DRIVE UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED..I WAS SOLD A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE,AND DONE VERY DIRTY.PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621546

34,800 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Suspension

WAS DRIVING 40 MPH ON A 2-LANE NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND SUNNY. A CAR PULLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND INSTEAD OF PULLING INTO THE RIGHT LANE, IT PULLED INTO MY LEFT LANE. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES A HARDER THAN NORMAL. AT THAT POINT BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS FAILED AND BLEW APART, DAMAGING THE DRIVE SHAF…

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WAS DRIVING 40 MPH ON A 2-LANE NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND SUNNY. A CAR PULLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND INSTEAD OF PULLING INTO THE RIGHT LANE, IT PULLED INTO MY LEFT LANE. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES A HARDER THAN NORMAL. AT THAT POINT BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS FAILED AND BLEW APART, DAMAGING THE DRIVE SHAFT AND PULLING THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THE REAR AXLE WAS PUSHED TO THE VERY BACK OF THE VEHICLE, MAKING IT UN-DRIVABLE. THERE WAS ALSO SOME OTHER UNDERSIDE DAMAGE, SUCH AS THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE LINE, SEALS, GASKETS, ETC. I FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM, HOWEVER THEY DETERMINED THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO A "MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE." I HAVE FULL COVERAGE AND NONE OF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER EITHER COLLISION (I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING) OR COMPREHENSIVE. REPAIRS FOR ALL THIS ARE $4200 WHICH ARE BEING REPAIRED BY A GM-CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT A GM DEALERSHIP. I AM NOW OUT $4200 AND HAVE NO RECOURSE WITH GM. I AM THE SOLE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE OWNED IT SINCE JULY 2005. I HAVE MAINTAINED IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GM RECOMMENDATIONS OVER THE YEARS AND IT WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. ...UPDATED 08/14/14 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10619082

19,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

DROVE CAR THRU CAR WASH .PULLED ONTO HIGHWAY LIGHT CAME ON ,LOSS OF POWER, POWER FAILURE .CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 2 MILES A HOUR .PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR STILL NO POWER.IM CONCERNED THAT IF THIS HAPPENED WITH MY GRANDCHILD IN CAR ON HWY THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM .PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM [XXX] INFORMA…

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DROVE CAR THRU CAR WASH .PULLED ONTO HIGHWAY LIGHT CAME ON ,LOSS OF POWER, POWER FAILURE .CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 2 MILES A HOUR .PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR STILL NO POWER.IM CONCERNED THAT IF THIS HAPPENED WITH MY GRANDCHILD IN CAR ON HWY THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM .PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618246

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2014
Suspension

(6-03-14) THE RIGHT REAR MAIN LEAF SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO LOCK UP AND BE AT THE MOST REARWARD POSITION THAT IT CAN BE, ALMOST RUBBING THE BODY. THEN TODAY, (7-27-14) THE LEFT REAR SPRING DONE THE SAME THING EXCEPT THE AXLE MOVED SO FAR BACK THAT THE DRIVESHAFT CAME OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND I HAD TO HAVE A ROLL…

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(6-03-14) THE RIGHT REAR MAIN LEAF SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO LOCK UP AND BE AT THE MOST REARWARD POSITION THAT IT CAN BE, ALMOST RUBBING THE BODY. THEN TODAY, (7-27-14) THE LEFT REAR SPRING DONE THE SAME THING EXCEPT THE AXLE MOVED SO FAR BACK THAT THE DRIVESHAFT CAME OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND I HAD TO HAVE A ROLLBACK HAUL IT TO A REPAIR FACILLITY. UPDATED 3/27/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616694

Official recalls

4

15V421000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:fan/motor

Jul 1, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the blower motor connector module overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

10V179000 · Structure:body:hood

Apr 30, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: 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.

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.

05V552000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 7, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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.