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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2006 Chevrolet HHR Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
82about this part
Share
8%of 1,006 total for the year
Median mileage
60,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 82 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR, 8% of the 1,006 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“My air bag service light comes on and my power steering dont work while this air bag service light is on. My heat dont work either while my air bag service light is on. I can drive it for awhile and when my air bag light goes off my power steering starts to work and my heat does too.”

NHTSA complaint #10919832, filed 2016-10, 193,000 miles

“The button on the shift lever on the automatic transmission of my 2006 chevy HHR sticks in the in position allowing the transmission to be shifted into any gear including park and reverse as I am driving. This problem is intermittent but recurs from time to time, very unpredictable. At this time I have not fixed it because I was debating trading the car in.”

NHTSA complaint #10347275, filed 2010-08, 79,000 miles

“My 2006 HHR has had to have the front and rear end struts replaced and now, the power steering motor and drive shaft. The vehicle only has 80k miles on it. I don't drive it that much so it shouldn't be having all of these issues. Why hasn't GM issued a recall on this vehicle for all the problems it has? I've read countless similar stories on the internet. This vehicle needs to be recalled to address these issues.”

NHTSA complaint #10548400, filed 2013-10, 75,000 miles

“Few issues that several people also have discussed on the web: **transmission hard shifting. Still an issue, garages and dealer have not been able to resolve **key not coming out of ignition. Recent issue not fixed yet. May be transmission interlock issue based on internet discussions **leak and water gets in car. Gets my heat blower wet and blows out a part and I only have off and high fan settings. Ongoing issue as well.”

NHTSA complaint #10381398, filed 2011-02, 60,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011105%
2010214%
2009163%
2008224%
2007406%
2006828%

Other parts of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR

Steering
458 complaintsElectrical system
222 complaintsBody and structure
119 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
70 complaintsAir bags
63 complaintsBrakes
60 complaintsFuel system
51 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsEngine cooling
34 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 31, 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