This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chevrolet HHR suspension problems
severe 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
3crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Chevrolet HHR we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 22.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Information Regarding the Differences Between Fluid Leakage and Seepage This bulletin is intended to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak and what is considered seepage. Improper diagnosis may lead to unnecessary component replacement. Use the following information to determine if the condition is normal acceptable seepage or a defective component
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure, when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin was created to aid the technician in diagnosing the difference between a shock or strut that has a fluid residule from a possible external source from a leaking shaft seal.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Front-end vibration and shimmy under braking appears across multiple narratives, typically starting within 2,000 miles of delivery. Dealers respond with rotor machining, pad and caliper replacement, and tire rebalancing, but the problem recurs within 30 days or persists long-term—one owner experienced shimmy at 36,000 miles under warranty and continuing at 48,000 miles despite multiple brake services. Some owners blame design flaws rather than driving habits.
Clunking and noise from the front suspension is reported at low speed (3–4 mph turns, dips, railroad tracks) and intermittently, making diagnosis difficult. Torn lower control arm bushings and worn lower control arms are cited; despite replacement of bushings, sway bar links, and struts, noise continues.
Struts wear prematurely. One owner reports a front passenger strut replaced at least four times; another had struts replaced at 33,000 miles and again at 55,000 miles. Ball joints fail; one ball joint fracture during highway deceleration caused a crash into a guard rail, repair bill exceeded $2,000.
Uneven tire wear—especially inside-edge wear—is reported repeatedly, with one owner replacing all four tires twice in one year. Mechanics attribute wear to worn lower control arms and short sway bars causing alignment drift.
One owner reports the vehicle pulling right continuously despite alignment and new suspension parts. Another reports the front passenger wheel hub assembly failing at 118,000 miles and failing again six months after repair.
Same Chevrolet HHR suspension reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Front-end shimmy and vibration under braking
Steering wheel and front-end shake/shimmy that worsens when braking or decelerating. Occurs within the first 2,000 miles on some vehicles. Dealer responses include rotor machining, pad replacement, caliper replacement, and tire rebalancing, but the problem recurs within 30 days or persists long-term.
When: 2,000 to 48,000 miles; recurrent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shimmy when braking; Front-end vibration when decelerating or coasting; Vibration that progressively worsens with brake application; Minor residual shimmy after brake service
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors machined or replaced multiple times, brake pads replaced, calipers replaced, tires rebalanced repeatedly. High-end drilled/slotted rotors installed by independent shop at owner cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers blamed driving habits for early rotor wear at 2,000 and 6,000 miles. Multiple brake services covered under warranty initially, then charged as wear items after warranty expiration.
Front suspension clunking and noise
Clunking, knocking, or grinding noises from the front suspension when turning at low speed, driving over dips, bumps, or railroad tracks. Persists after component replacement and remains intermittent, making diagnosis difficult.
When: 12,000 to 48,000 miles; ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise when turning into driveway or low-speed maneuvers; Noise over bumps, potholes, or railroad tracks; Intermittent front-end noise that comes and goes; Grinding or clicking from front suspension
Repairs/costs cited: Lower control arm bushings found torn; lower control arms, strut stabilizers, sway bar links, and bushings replaced. Despite repairs, noises continue at 48,000+ miles.
Worn or failed struts
Struts wear prematurely and require replacement well before typical service life. Some owners report replacement at 33,000 miles; one owner had front passenger-side strut replaced at least 4 times. Excessive shaking at highway speeds reported after strut replacement as well.
When: 33,000 to 55,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive shaking at highway speeds; Rattling over bumps; Vibration during normal operation
Repairs/costs cited: Both front struts replaced at 55,000 miles. Repeated replacements of front passenger-side strut (4+ times). Independent mechanic performed full front-end rebuild.
Ball joint failure
Lower and left-side ball joints fail, creating safety hazards. In one case, a left-side ball joint broke during highway deceleration on an exit ramp, causing loss of steering control and crash into guard rail.
When: During ownership; crash reported at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of steering control; Sudden ball joint failure while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Ball joints replaced after diagnosis; repair costs cited as $2,000+. One right lower ball joint replaced under warranty.
Front-end pulling and alignment issues
Vehicle continuously pulls to the right even after alignment, new struts, new shocks, and good tires installed. Suggests underlying suspension geometry or structural defect.
When: Throughout ownership; present at 68,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous pull to the right; Pulling persists despite alignment and suspension repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment performed; new struts and shocks installed. Problem persists.
Premature and uneven tire wear
Tires wear prematurely and unevenly on the inside edges, causing multiple tire replacements in short timeframes. In one case, four tires were replaced twice in one year. Independent tire shop reported never seeing such inside-edge wear pattern.
When: Early in ownership; recurring throughout
Symptoms owners cite: Inside-edge tire wear; Premature tire wear; Excessive wear requiring tire replacement twice in one year
Repairs/costs cited: Lower control arms found worn out; sway bar found shorter, causing wear. Tires replaced twice in one year.
Wheel hub bearing failure
Hub bearing fails and causes shaking when driving at moderate speeds. In one case, the front passenger wheel hub assembly failed and recurred six months after repair.
When: 118,000+ miles; recurrence within 6 months of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive shaking at 40 mph; Recurrent failure
Repairs/costs cited: Front passenger wheel hub assembly repaired; failure recurred six months later.
Lower control arm failure causing loss of vehicle control
Front lower control arm broke during normal highway driving, causing sudden loss of steering control and vehicle veering off road. Tire found lying on its side after incident.
When: At 55 mph exit from freeway
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of vehicle control; Tire failure or separation; Veering off road
Repairs/costs cited: Front lower control arm required replacement.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 32,000 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,000; a quarter make it past 58,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/HHR.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.