2006 Chevrolet HHR Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,006 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,290miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR, 3% of the 1,006 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,290 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The exhaust cone inside the front flange of the converter assembly broke off causing the stainless steel bellows/vibration damper to crack and leak. The leak and crack continued to grow until I had cause for concern that the whole assembly would fail and fall down to the road below and cause considerable damage or loss of control. I replaced the unit myself at 82k miles after first noticing the problem at the 78k mile mark.”
NHTSA complaint #10281510, filed 2009-08, 82,000 miles“I purchased a new 2006 HHR and it has been a very dependable car until now. I have purchased many new cars and in two years and less than 50,000 miles I have never had any exhaust problems. Why have the metal spiral tubing exhaust pipe that come from the manifold to the exhaust system have cracked. The metal spiral tubing appears to be in mint condition, but for some ironic reason it has a break in one of the spirals causing it to have an exhaust leak. …”
NHTSA complaint #10254692, filed 2009-01, 46,290 miles“We have several defects. After normal braking a couple of times the car and steering wheel begins to shake and shimmy. The more you use the brakes after this starts the more violent the shimmy becomes until we have to stop and let the brakes cool down. The dealership replaced the rotors once but could offer no explanation. We continue to be plagued by this problem but now my extended warranty does not cover brakes and no one knows or owns up to what the problem is. …”
NHTSA complaint #10276809, filed 2009-07, 20,000 miles“My coolant gauge on the instrument panel would not work occasionally but would start working again within miles and before I could get it to the dealer. They looked at it the first time and said there was nothing they could do unless it stopped working completely, that they had no way of finding out why it would stop working and then just start working again. It happened the first time at about 15,00 miles and then again about every 5,000 miles further. …”
NHTSA complaint #10244169, filed 2008-10, 43,800 miles“This is an ongoing safety problem that chevy/GM doesn't care to worry about. My cars steering wheel shakes when I am driving. Sometimes to the point of the car to be uncontrollable in addition to this the traction control light goes on along with the engine light. I have brought this in to the dealer every two months and have been told a combination of what the dealers mechanics feel the problem is. I have had steering columns replaced, cam shaft solenoids, bushings, rotors. The list goes on. Nothing has fixed the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10480042, filed 2012-10, 54,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10244273Oct 6, 2023This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10239101Jun 30, 2023This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 10236164Apr 24, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR
458 complaintsElectrical system
222 complaintsBody and structure
119 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
82 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
70 complaintsAir bags
63 complaintsBrakes
60 complaintsFuel system
51 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsSuspension
34 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology