I WAS DRIVING TO MY FAMILY'S HOME ON CHRISTMAS, WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE BURNT RUBBER INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT WAS RAINING ON THAT DAY. SUDDENLY THE CARS AC, OR H VAC DID NOT WORK ANYMORE. UPON GOOGLING THINGS OF WHAT IT COULD BE, I FOUND OUT THAT THE RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR HAD BEEN BURNT DO TO BE ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE BLOWER MOTOR PANEL FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. UP…
2006 chevrolet HHR electrical problems
critical 142 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
142
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
CONTACT REPORTED THAT DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE WITH KEY FOB NOR WHEN ACTIVATING THE DOOR LOCK SWITCHES ON THE DOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TRYING TO GET THE IGNITION RECALL FIXED WHICH TOOK A TOTAL OF FOUR VISITS. WHILE CAR WAS IN FOR RECALL, ADDRESSED AN UNRELATED ELECTRICAL SOLENOID PROBLEM AND ASKED THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE DOOR LOCK ISSUE. DEALER NOTIFIED OWNER THAT PASS…
KEY LOCKS IN THE IGNITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE, IT TOOK REPEATED ATTEMPS AT FIRST OF CYCLING THE KEY OFF AND ON TO GET IT TO RELEASE AFTER A WEEK OR TWO THE PROPLEM BECAME WORSE TO THE POINT OF THE THE SHIFTER HAD TO BE CYCLED FROM PARK TO LOW AND BACK SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE KEY WOULD LOCK AND RELEASE FROM THE STEERING COLLUM, AFTER A FEW DAYS THIS DIDN'T WORK,THE PROBLEM THEN WAS MENTIONED TO T…
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2006 chevrolet HHR?
It's a serious issue. 142 complaints have been filed, including 5 reports involving a crash and 4 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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