Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Chevrolet HHR problems

Owners filed 1,006 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet HHR with NHTSA between Sep 2005 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is steering (458).

Complaints
1,006
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
47
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
4
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Suspension34
  11. Engine and engine cooling34
  12. Exterior lighting16
  13. Service brakes14
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)14

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20056
200616
200734
200851
200951
2010105
201196
201293
201382
2014265
201555
201652
201734
201817
201916
202016
20214
20222
20234
20245
20252

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 fires2 related recalls
“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

Power train

82 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and would not properly accelerate. Additionally, the front passenger’s side door would not open while using the interior door latch. The contact stated while using the cigarette lighter, the vehicle shut off, and smoke filled the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 92,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11534867

Latches/locks/linkages

70 reports1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD ERRONEOUSLY OPENED AND WOULD NOT REMAIN SECURELY CLOSED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2020Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Service brakesODI 11349208

Air bags

63 reports20 crashes1 fire3 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2016Steering, Power train, Air bagsODI 10919832
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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