YearToAvoid

2006 Chevrolet HHR Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#2 most-complained of 6 HHR years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2006 Chevrolet HHR has 1,006 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 80 out of 100 — #2 highest of 6 HHR model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is steering (458 complaints, 46% of the total). Complaints report 47 crashes, 8 fires, 29 injuries, and 4 deaths.

Complaints
1,006
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
47 / 8
Injuries / deaths
29 / 4
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23
20 city / 28 hwy

Top 2006 Chevy HHR problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering458 (46%)
  2. Electrical System234 (23%)
  3. Structure & Body167 (17%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain82 (8%)
  5. Engine78 (8%)
  6. Brakes74 (7%)
  7. Airbags63 (6%)
  8. Fuel System51 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires45 (4%)
  10. Other31 (3%)
2006 Chevrolet HHR complaints: complaints filed per quarter1712005 Q32008 Q12010 Q32013 Q12015 Q32018 Q12020 Q32024 Q4
1300 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q3 to 2025 Q3; peak 2014 Q2 (171).

2006 Chevrolet HHR recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V171000Apr 10, 2014Electrical System2,191,014 vehicles

    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.

    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 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.

  2. NHTSA 14V047000Feb 10, 2014Airbags2,190,934 vehicles

    Air bags

    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.

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 08V444000Sep 3, 2008Structure & Body296,422 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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> .

See all 5 recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR →

2006 Chevrolet HHR fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
23 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2006 compared with other HHR years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200620072008200920102011
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Avoid801,006523
2007Good40726423
2008Caution60616424

All Chevrolet HHR years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Chevrolet HHR a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Chevrolet HHR ranks #2 of 6 among HHR model years (Complaint Index 80/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 1,006 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
The most reported problem areas are steering (458 complaints), electrical system (234 complaints), and structure & body (167 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 70,822 miles.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR, most recently reported 2014, covering electrical system, airbags, and structure & body.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet HHR at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.