Your vehicle report
2006 Chevrolet HHR
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 1,006
- Received Sep 2005 to Aug 2025
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Power steering cuts out while driving210 complaints · 21% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly110 complaints · 11% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Rear door latch fails to open or close108 complaints · 11% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #14V171000General 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.
- Recall #14V047000This 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 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 47 crashes, 8 fires, 29 people injured, 4 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 34 |
| 2008 | 51 |
| 2009 | 51 |
| 2010 | 105 |
| 2011 | 96 |
| 2012 | 93 |
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2014 | 265 |
| 2015 | 55 |
| 2016 | 52 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 1,006 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power steering cuts out while driving | 210 | 21% | – | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 110 | 11% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 108 | 11% | – | |
| Ignition key sticks or will not turn | 80 | 8.0% | – | NHTSA recall #14V047000, #14V171000 |
| Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline | 37 | 3.7% | – | |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 28 | 2.8% | – | |
| Gear shifter fails to register Park | 20 | 2.0% | – | |
| Front brake rotors warp and wear early | 19 | 1.9% | – | |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 18 | 1.8% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 17 | 1.7% | – | |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 15 | 1.5% | – | |
| Water leaks into cabin during rain | 14 | 1.4% | – | |
| Steering wheel shakes violently at highway speed | 11 | 1.1% | – | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 11 | 1.1% | – | |
| Glass shatters or cracks without impact | 8 | 0.8% | – | |
| Airbag warning light stays on | 8 | 0.8% | – | |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 8 | 0.8% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 7 | 0.7% | – | |
| Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed | 7 | 0.7% | – | |
| Ford Escape engine overheats from coolant intrusion | 5 | 0.5% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #14V171000April 10, 20142,191,014 vehicles affected
electrical system: ignition
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.
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 occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy
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/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
NHTSA recall #14V047000February 10, 20142,190,934 vehicles affected
air bags; electrical system: ignition: switch
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 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
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.
Remedy
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 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
NHTSA recall #08V444000September 3, 2008296,422 vehicles affected
latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Gm is recalling 296,422 my 2006-2008 Chevrolet Hhr vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, 'occupant protection in interior impact." the door on the storage bin in the top center of the instrument panel failed to remain closed as required.
This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
Remedy
A redesigned latch will be made available. The recall began on december 23, 2008. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
NHTSA recall #08V046000January 30, 2008181,516 vehicles affected
air bags
Gm is recalling 181,516 my 2006-2008 Chevrolet Hhr vehicles not equipped with optional roof rail air bags for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, 'occupant protection in interior impact.' in tests, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard's requirement.
This standard specifies performance requirements to provide head impact protection for occupants.
Remedy
Dealers will install an energy-absorbing plastic piece to the headliner trim. The recall began on april 2, 2008. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
NHTSA recall #06V417000October 31, 2006794 vehicles affected
air bags: frontal
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.
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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN