2006 Chevrolet Hhr problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (416) · Electrical System (88) · Structure:body:door (46)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Hhr model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
840 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2014-04-30 · campaign 14E021000 · 14,529 vehicles
Defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move
Risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
Electrical System:ignition 2014-04-10 · campaign 14V171000 · 2,191,014 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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 occup
Fix: 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
Air Bags 2014-02-10 · campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles
Defect: 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 748,0
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Service bulletins (759)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Unknown Or Other 2024-12-07 · PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. the j-35616-64b is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. the test probe
Showing the 6 most recent of 759 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-02 · Suspension“the door few open because the door latch broke off …”
2025-05-29 · Unknown Or Other“while replacing 3 motor mounts, engine oil pan,transmission oil pan, also cv axles, wheel bearings needed replaced. when i got my car back the power steering wasn't working. my mechanic said there was a recall for my year, make and model for the power steering assist. i haven't gotten this fixed yet due to lack of funds . i am filling this out …”
2024-12-06 · Steering · 240,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not …”
2024-09-12 · Steering“the (eps) system in my 2006 chevy hhr has experienced multiple malfunctions. the power steering suddenly cuts out without warning while driving at both low and high speeds, making it extremely difficult to steer, especially when attempting to turn or change lanes. this failure happens intermittently, and the eps motor is suspected to be the root ca…”
2024-06-23 · Steering“power steering cuts off and very hard to steer until you turn off vehicle and turn back on but then will go out again while driving .this is very un safe when my wife is driving kids to school.i have read that 2009-2011 has same issue and have been recalled why isn’t this one if it’s same problem .…”
2024-03-25 · Steering · 146,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet hhr. the contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the key locked inside. the locksmith assisted the contact with entering the vehicle. the contact stated that it was difficult to pull out of the parking space due to a loss of power steering functionality. the vehicle was driven to a local mechanic but was no…”
2024-03-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel line is leaking under the car. i could smell gas when i would get out of my car.…”
2023-12-28 · Steering“while driving the car after a few miles, the door locks start going up and down, the power steering light comes on and is hard to steer, the check engine light comes on, the speedometer stops working and the tach malfunctions. the car surges while moving foward. if you shut the car off it will reset itself. once you start the car again it sta…”
2023-12-05 · Steering“the power steering went out. very hard and unsafe to drive. …”
2023-09-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“gas line leaking under left rear tire…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.