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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering458
- Electrical system222
- Structure119
- Power train82
- Latches/locks/linkages70
- Air bags63
- Service brakes, hydraulic45
- Fuel/propulsion system44
- Engine39
- Suspension34
- Engine and engine cooling34
- Exterior lighting16
- Service brakes14
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
16
34
51
51
105
96
93
82
265
55
52
34
17
16
16
4
2
4
5
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
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.”
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”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.