Chevrolet HHR problems
1,006 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
- 4 fatality reports and 2 fire-related complaints on the electrical system
- Steering: 458 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 55,000–113,000 mi
- Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Power steering comes up in messsge center over 10 MPH. Steering is very hard. When you turn the motor off and restart it resets. Over 10 MPH power steering comes up again. Brought it to local dealership and diagnostic test done but test comes up with no problems. Gm recalled…
As I was driving down the interstate at about 65 MPH the power steering went out and I got a notification on my dash panel. I had to turn the vehicle off to reset it, and now its been going out at least once a day everyday since then. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet hhr. The contact stated that the battery died without warning. The battery was replaced, but the vehicle could not be started. The engine shut down warning light was also illuminated. The contact spoke with the manufacturer in regards to the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet HHR reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 1,006 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Chevrolet HHR has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Chevrolet HHR is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 4 fatality reports and 2 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Steering: 458 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 55,000–113,000 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 458 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,805 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 80,080 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet HHR has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,006 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.