Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Chevrolet HHRRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 1,006 owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR. Most complaints involve steering (458) and electrical system (222). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
1,006
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Air bags

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2014NHTSA 14V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,006 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2005 – Aug 2025
  1. Steering458
  2. Electrical system222
  3. Structure119
  4. Power train82
  5. Latches/locks/linkages70
  6. Air bags63
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic45
  8. Fuel/propulsion system44
  9. Engine39

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each HHR model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20061,006
2007726
2008616
2009508
2010516
2011203
Crashes reported
47
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
4
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

458 reports19 crashes1 fire
“While replacing 3 motor mounts, engine oil pan,transmission oil pan, also CV axles, wheel bearings needed replaced. When i got my car back the power steering wasn't working. My mechanic said there was a recall for my year, make and model for the power steering assist. I haven't gotten this fixed yet due to lack of funds . I am filling this out to see if is recalled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2025Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11663581

Electrical system

222 reports10 crashes3 fires
“while driving the car after a few miles, the door locks start going up and down, the power steering light comes on and is hard to steer, the check engine light comes on, the speedometer stops working and the tach malfunctions. the car surges while moving foward. if you shut the car off it will reset itself. once you start the car again it starts to malfunction again. one gararge owner did some tests but didn't fix the problem”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11562300

Structure

119 reports4 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SUPERGLUED TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2020Visibility, StructureODI 11327743
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212823$2,700386
HHR FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
HHR FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850404
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • HHR FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1865
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 HHR questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet HHR problems?

Owners filed 1,006 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (458), electrical system (222), structure (119). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Chevrolet HHR get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet HHR at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026