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ProblemsByVin File / 2006-CHEVROLET-HHR
2006 · chevrolet

chevrolet HHR problems

0 safety recalls. 1,006 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
0
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
458 reports · avg $700
severe
electrical
142 reports · avg $850
critical
body
93 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
powertrain
65 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
39 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
brakes
38 reports · avg $450
severe
airbags
25 reports · avg $1,100
severe
suspension
22 reports · avg $900
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2006 HHR · steering
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…
12/31/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11057786.0
2006 HHR · steering
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
12/31/2012 · NHTSA ODI #10490551.0
2006 HHR · steering
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…
12/30/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10817082.0
2006 HHR · engine
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…
12/30/2011 · NHTSA ODI #10441751.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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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.

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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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