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Chevrolet HHRModel year report

2006 Chevrolet HHR Problems

Complaints
1,006filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,386miles, 840 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR most often describe losing power steering assist while driving, usually without warning beyond a dash message or chime, and getting it back by shutting the car off and restarting it. Complaints also describe interior door handles that break off, fuel lines that corrode near the rear wheel, and occasional electrical quirks. Reports are spread across a wide mileage range, from under 20,000 to well past 150,000 miles.

  1. Steering

    Power steering assist cuts out while driving

    • 459 complaints (46%)
    • median 75,000 mi at 7.4 yrs old (405 state mileage)
    • 21 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $661 (median of 26 quotes)
    • filed 2006–2025

    Owners describe the electric power steering shutting off at random while driving, leaving the wheel very hard to turn until the car is stopped and restarted. Some say the power steering warning light or a chime comes on first; others describe no warning at all. Complaints mention dealer diagnoses of a failed power steering motor, module, or steering column, and several say the repair was quoted or paid for out of pocket. Reported from as little as 15,000 miles up to 240,000 miles, at idle, at parking-lot speeds, and at highway speed.

    Recall 14V1710001 related service bulletin

    What to check: During a test drive, watch for a power steering warning message and confirm the wheel turns easily at low speed and at idle. Ask whether the power steering motor, module, or column has been replaced, and keep in mind a recall on the ignition switch concerns keys being removed when the ignition is not off.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I bought a 2006 chevy HHR last february I qas driving it on the interstate and it suddenly starts beeping saying power steering it doesnt say there is a recall on this year but I feel they should be because it starts out doing it ever now again to everytime u drive it. It was very dangerous I got my replaced which was 200 dollars but im glad I dont have to. Go through that again”

    NHTSA complaint #11315786, filed 2020-03, 192,000 miles

    “Something is very wrong here! Over the past few years I have had the power steering fail on three instances! The last one, just a couple of weeks ago occurred while pulling out of parallel parking space at about 10 MPH. Almost hit the car 2 spaces in front of me! Why was there a recall back in 2010 for the cobalts with the same ps motor and not the HHR? Now the current recall does not include the earlier hhrs? Gm has tried to hide these and other issues. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10586658, filed 2014-05, 45,000 miles
  2. Body and structure

    Interior door handles break off

    • 137 complaints (14%)
    • median 67,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (115 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 18 quotes)
    • filed 2007–2025

    Owners report the inside front door handles cracking or detaching, often with normal use, so the door cannot be opened from inside without lowering the window. Complaints describe dealers saying the whole door panel has to be replaced rather than just the handle, and owners note replacements break again. Reported anywhere from about 25,000 to roughly 100,000 miles, typically without warning.

    Recall 08V444000

    What to check: Open and close both front doors from the inside several times and look for cracks or looseness in the handle and trim. Ask whether either front door panel or handle has been replaced, and note that a recall covers the instrument-panel storage bin door, not these handles.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The power steering doesnt work anymore, both of the front inside door handles broke off, water leaking in passenger front coming from the moter area somewhere I called the dealership but no recalls and I have read on numorus forums of other people having the same problem but GM still hasn't issued a recall.”

    NHTSA complaint #10421660, filed 2011-08, 75,000 miles

    “Drivers side door handle broke off without warning. The part requires the complete door panel being replaced for a cost of $466. My concern is what if this happened in an accident and I could not get out of my car and it was my only option for a way out.”

    NHTSA complaint #10289930, filed 2009-10, 54,578 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Dash warning lights and electrical glitches

    • 453 complaints (45%)
    • median 76,118 mi at 7.5 yrs old (381 state mileage)
    • 24 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $527 (median of 23 quotes)
    • filed 2005–2024

    Owners describe warning lights for traction control, engine, airbag, or brakes coming on with no clear cause, sometimes along with rough running, doors locking on their own, or the car losing power. Some reports describe the key coming out with the ignition not fully off, or the car quitting after water exposure. Dealers variously replaced an ignition coil and module or could not find a cause. Reported from around 15,000 miles into the 100,000-plus range, sometimes linked to wet weather or car washes.

    Recall 14V171000Recall 14V047000Recall 06V4170002 related service bulletins

    What to check: Start the car and confirm all warning lights come on and then go out; scan for stored codes if possible. Ask about any history of battery drain, water leaks, or ignition switch work, and whether the ignition and airbag recalls were completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I don't know if its an electrical problem tc light goes on and engine light goes on, car jumps alittle this has been happening for a while, this car is only 49000 miles I bought it brand new and paid it off like a mercedes benz since my credit was screwed up and now I am having problem am retired and wife not working please help us out I need my car to get around, I didn't think I was going to have any problems for 10 yrs ...........................................”

    NHTSA complaint #10504499, filed 2013-03, 47,000 miles

    “We was going down he road it just switched off I couldn't turn the steering wheel and I had to stand on the breakes.I could have seriously hurt someone or my self if not worse and I hit a curve hard.”

    NHTSA complaint #11062661, filed 2018-01, 176,000 miles
  4. Fuel system

    Fuel odor and fuel line corrosion near the rear wheel

    • 50 complaints (5%)
    • median 120,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (43 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 6 quotes)
    • filed 2008–2024

    Complaints describe a gasoline smell inside or around the car and, in some cases, fuel leaking or spraying near the driver's side rear wheel where the fuel line bends. Owners say mechanics found the line rusted through with holes, and one report describes fuel igniting on a hot surface. Repairs described include replacing the line, sometimes with a different material. Mostly reported on higher-mileage cars, generally above 100,000 miles and often more than a decade old.

    What to check: Look underneath on the driver's side ahead of the rear wheel for a rusted or wet fuel line, and note any fuel smell after the car sits. Ask whether the fuel lines have been replaced and with what material.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My 2006 HHR fuel line broke at the rear wheel on the left side of the vehicle. The fuel line has a bend at this location and that is where the break occurred. Gas was spraying out when the car was running. This occurred in 2019. I have since replaces the fuel lines with nylon fuel lines.”

    NHTSA complaint #11338441, filed 2020-07, 115,000 miles

    “Car started smelling gas inside when driving and have to open the window to get some fresh air. A clicking noise, too much noise from the front suspension when turning or driving..l took the car for oil change and the dealer tech did not want to drive the car stating that it's safety issues. They said the lower control arms has been wear out and that the sway bar is shorter wearing my tires. In just this year l have change the 4 tires twice. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10907181, filed 2016-09, 166,054 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the power steering on a test drive and at service records, since it is the most frequently reported issue, and check the interior door handles and the fuel lines underneath. Confirm which recalls have been completed for the vehicle and have a pre-purchase inspection done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 1,006 consumer complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR. 840 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,386 miles. Of all complaints, 47 involved a crash, 8 a fire, 29 an injury, 4 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 759 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (34), Other or unknown (28), Exterior lighting (16), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (16), Electronic stability control (14), Vehicle speed control (9), Wheels (8), Equipment (6), Tires (6), Seats (5), Interior lighting (1), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “The power steering keeps clicking off seems like an electrical issue but there are no fuses blown. If I turn the car off the power steering will reset but as soon as I turn it back on the power steering will turn off again. It quit for awhile but now its back in full force. I basically have no power steering now.”

NHTSA complaint #11171021, filed 2019-01, 85,000 miles

Electrical system: “I was on the highway when I looked to check my speed, the gauges and the dic were not working. When I returned home and turned the car on and off multiple times they still did not work. So my speed and mileage are estimates. Update, it started working again, but I don't know if it will happen again or if there is a malfunction starting to happen.”

NHTSA complaint #10654563, filed 2014-11, 88,600 miles

Body and 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 couldn't get the window down, I would be stuck in the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10721134, filed 2015-05, 13,011 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The power steering light comes on frequently. I have no power steering and have to do it manually which makes is very difficult to steer. This has been happening more and more. Sometimes I can only back out of the driveway when this happens. As there are numerous complaints on this issue, I am wondering way chevy doesn't do a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10502755, filed 2013-03, 90,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

30% of the 840 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 107,000 miles.

6%0–107%10–2518%25–5023%50–7518%75–10020%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (840 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,386 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’07’10’13265’16’19’22’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
HHR · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Chevrolet HHR version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
HHR FWD2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automatic212823$2,900
HHR FWD2.2L 4-cyl5-speed manual202823$2,900
HHR FWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202823$2,900
HHR FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual192822$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 759 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 759 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet HHR

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201120359,5942—250 · FewerFalling
201051662,0003—2551 · TypicalFalling
200950860,0004—2464 · TypicalFalling
200861675,4024—2449 · TypicalFalling
200772674,0004—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20061,00670,3865—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Chevrolet HHR model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?

Owners of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR most often describe losing power steering assist while driving, usually without warning beyond a dash message or chime, and getting it back by shutting the car off and restarting it. The issues reported most often: Power steering assist cuts out while driving; Interior door handles break off; Dash warning lights and electrical glitches.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR have?

NHTSA recorded 1,006 consumer complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 458 complaints (46% of the total), followed by electrical system with 222.

Has the 2006 Chevrolet HHR been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet HHR (HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Chevrolet HHR reported?

Among the 840 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,386 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 107,000 miles; 30% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.