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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
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

11/02/11 SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING LOOKED UNDER DASH BLOWER RESISTOR AND PLUG MELTED TOGETHER HAD REPLACED ON 12/11/11 SMELT BURNING PLASTIC AGAIN HAD SAME PROBLEM BLOWER RESISTOR AND PLUG MELTED AGAIN FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT IS A ON GOING PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IN FIXING IT BEFORE THERE ARE MAJOR F…

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11/02/11 SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING LOOKED UNDER DASH BLOWER RESISTOR AND PLUG MELTED TOGETHER HAD REPLACED ON 12/11/11 SMELT BURNING PLASTIC AGAIN HAD SAME PROBLEM BLOWER RESISTOR AND PLUG MELTED AGAIN FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT IS A ON GOING PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IN FIXING IT BEFORE THERE ARE MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE OR A DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439327

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2011
Structure

AFTER HEAVY RAIN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER POOL INSIDE VEHICLE. DRAIN PLUGS HAVE BEEN CLEANED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. ALTHOUGH WATER CONTINUES TO LAY INSIDE THE TRACK OF THE MOON ROOF AS WELL AS DRAIN ONTO THE FLOOR AND SOMETIMES ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT (DEPENDING ON HOW THE VEHICLE IS PARKED). BASED ON THE FORUMS REGARDING H3'…

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AFTER HEAVY RAIN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF WATER POOL INSIDE VEHICLE. DRAIN PLUGS HAVE BEEN CLEANED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. ALTHOUGH WATER CONTINUES TO LAY INSIDE THE TRACK OF THE MOON ROOF AS WELL AS DRAIN ONTO THE FLOOR AND SOMETIMES ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT (DEPENDING ON HOW THE VEHICLE IS PARKED). BASED ON THE FORUMS REGARDING H3'S THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T GM DONE ANYTHING TO RESOLVE IT??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436925

65,000 miles · Nov 19, 2011
Electrical SystemVisibilityFire

THE BLOWER ON MY 2006 HUMMER H3 STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE SMELLED A BURNT PLASTIC SMELL WHEN THE BLOWER STOPPED. THE SMELL EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY, BUT THE BLOWER NEVER WORKED AGAIN. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR NOT JUST HUMMER OWNERS, BUT OTHER GM VEHICLE OWNERS. THE RESISTOR AND PLASTIC CLI…

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THE BLOWER ON MY 2006 HUMMER H3 STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE SMELLED A BURNT PLASTIC SMELL WHEN THE BLOWER STOPPED. THE SMELL EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY, BUT THE BLOWER NEVER WORKED AGAIN. I FOUND THAT THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR NOT JUST HUMMER OWNERS, BUT OTHER GM VEHICLE OWNERS. THE RESISTOR AND PLASTIC CLIP WERE MELTED TOGETHER AND WHEN DISCONNECTED, FIRE DAMAGE WAS EVIDENT. THIS RESISTOR FOR THE AC BLOWER IS LOCATED RIGHT UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND LUCKILY NOTHING FLAMMABLE WAS CLOSE TO THIS WHEN IS BLEW WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE AND SUBSEQUENT DANGER THIS ISSUE POSES. OTHER POSTS OF PEOPLE SEEING THIS ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.HUMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/HUMMER-H3-17/AIR-CONDITIONING-PROBLEM-GRRR-16020/PAGE2/#POST264883. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436461

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2011
Electrical System

ON OCTOBER 30TH I SMELLED A FAINT SCENT OF SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE MY VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. NOVEMBER 1ST WAS OUR FIRST COLD MORNING SO I STARTED MY CAR, AND HAD NO HEAT. THE SYSTEM WASN'T BLOWING, BUT THE HEATER A/C CONTROLS WERE LIT UP. SINCE I AM A MECHANIC, AND HAVE KNOWLEDGE I WENT RIGHT TO THE FUSE BOX IN T…

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ON OCTOBER 30TH I SMELLED A FAINT SCENT OF SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE MY VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. NOVEMBER 1ST WAS OUR FIRST COLD MORNING SO I STARTED MY CAR, AND HAD NO HEAT. THE SYSTEM WASN'T BLOWING, BUT THE HEATER A/C CONTROLS WERE LIT UP. SINCE I AM A MECHANIC, AND HAVE KNOWLEDGE I WENT RIGHT TO THE FUSE BOX IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUSES WERE OK. I THEN WENT TO THE BLOWER RESISTOR PACK WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE GLOVE BOX. THE ORANGE POWER WIRE IN THE HARNESS WAS BURNT UP PRETTY GOOD, AND THE TERMINAL MOLDED INTO THE HARNESS PACK WAS ALSO BURNED UP PRETTY GOOD. I THEN WENT ONLINE TO GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM TO SEE HOW COMMON IT WAS, AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, NOT JUST REGARDING THE HUMMER LINE, BUT WITHIN GM VEHICLES ITSELF. I CALLED THE SERVICE TECH WHERE I HAVE MY WORK DONE, AND HE WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434313

104,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITANT WHILE ACCELERATING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10422551

51,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID HITTING A DEER BUT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND FLIPPED OVER SIX TIMES, LANDING HEAD FIRST INTO THE PAVEMENT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID HITTING A DEER BUT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE AND FLIPPED OVER SIX TIMES, LANDING HEAD FIRST INTO THE PAVEMENT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S HEAD BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE RAIL AND THROWN IN VARIOUS DIRECTIONS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE SNAPPING. THE DRIVER'S HEAD AND FACE WERE CRUSHED AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED. THE MEDICAL INVESTIGATORS STATED THAT THEY BELIEVED THAT THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AT FIRST IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED (SOUTH CAROLINA STATE TROOPER REPORT E-111833). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #10418146

73,911 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Electrical System

AS I WAS DRIVING TO MY OFFICE FROM A LUNCH BREAK, MY A/C AND VENTILATION STOPPED WORKING, I TURNED THE ON AND OFF DIAL AND AIR NEVER CAME BACK ON, SHORTLY AFTER THAT A STRONG "BURNED" SMELL CAME FROM THE GLOVE BOX OF MY VEHICLE, I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A LITTLE BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE GLOVE BOX. I DID SOME RES…

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AS I WAS DRIVING TO MY OFFICE FROM A LUNCH BREAK, MY A/C AND VENTILATION STOPPED WORKING, I TURNED THE ON AND OFF DIAL AND AIR NEVER CAME BACK ON, SHORTLY AFTER THAT A STRONG "BURNED" SMELL CAME FROM THE GLOVE BOX OF MY VEHICLE, I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A LITTLE BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE GLOVE BOX. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNED AND DISCOVERED IT WAS A BURNED OUT "VENT BLOWER RESISTOR" (AC DELCO PART# 15-80647) I HAVE SINCE REPLACED IT BUT IT STILL NOT WORKING. I HAVE THE BURNED PART IF EVER NEEDED, I MUST SAY I DON'T FEEL AT ALL SAFE WITH A SITUATION LIKE THIS AS IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME. I DECIDED TO INCLUDE MY COMPLAINT AS I HAVE SEEN MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THIS VEHICLE, A FIRE IS EMINENT AND SHOULD BE PREVENTED.

NHTSA ODI #10417420

103,000 miles · Jul 31, 2011
Electrical System

A/C HEATER MOTOR RESISTOR OVERHEATED CAUSING SMOKE THROUGHOUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ON THE HIGHWAY THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART, THE WIRING OVERHEATS AND MELTS THE CONNECTORS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON HUMMERS OF ALL TYPES. MY SISTER OWNS AN H3 AS WELL AND HAS HAD TO REPLACE THIS TWICE ON HER 2007 MODE…

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A/C HEATER MOTOR RESISTOR OVERHEATED CAUSING SMOKE THROUGHOUT THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ON THE HIGHWAY THIS IS THE THIRD REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART, THE WIRING OVERHEATS AND MELTS THE CONNECTORS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON HUMMERS OF ALL TYPES. MY SISTER OWNS AN H3 AS WELL AND HAS HAD TO REPLACE THIS TWICE ON HER 2007 MODEL H3 DUE TO OVERHEATING AN MELTING THE CONNECTOR. IS GENERAL MOTORS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE NUMEROUS FATALITIES OR VEHICLE FIRES TO RECTIFY THIS ? A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS DANGEROUS TO SAY THE LEAST

NHTSA ODI #10417316

60,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE ROOF LIGHT BROKE OFF ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE . THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE SCREWS OF THE ROOF LIGHT FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE PART WAS UNAV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE ROOF LIGHT BROKE OFF ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE . THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE PLASTIC AROUND THE SCREWS OF THE ROOF LIGHT FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT MODEL VEHICLE WAS DISCONTINUED AND THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10413778

93,356 miles · Jul 17, 2011
EquipmentStructure

H3 |DRAINAGE PROBLEM I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED A YEAR AGO AND IT IS BLOCKED UP AGAIN. MY WIFE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER H3. I HAVE HAD CARS AND TRUCKS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WITH THERE SUN ROOFS. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE OUT HERE THAT'S HAD THE SAME PROBLEM . WHEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ONE OF THE SHOP MECHANICS…

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H3 |DRAINAGE PROBLEM I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED A YEAR AGO AND IT IS BLOCKED UP AGAIN. MY WIFE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER H3. I HAVE HAD CARS AND TRUCKS AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WITH THERE SUN ROOFS. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE OUT HERE THAT'S HAD THE SAME PROBLEM . WHEN AT THE DEALERSHIP ONE OF THE SHOP MECHANICS SAID THE DESIGN WAS A POOR CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN.THE COMPANY SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THERE DESIGN AND FIX IT OR HAVE A PROGRAM TO KEEP THEM FROM FLOODING . IT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS . DO TO THE WATER RUNNING DOWN OVER THE LOWER PANELS. I'M NOT HAPPY PAYING TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN. THIS IS JUST A BAD DESIGN ON GM PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10413220

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.