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2006 Chevrolet HHR: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 1,006 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 HHR, more than for any later HHR year, and steering is the biggest group[1][2][3]. It also has five recalls, so check that all of them were done before you buy[3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 1,006 owner complaints for the 2006 HHR[1]. Of these, 47 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 29 injuries and 4 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports. One complaint can name several parts, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
- Steering: 458 complaints, with 19 crashes and 6 injuries[2]. The median mileage at failure was 79,900[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a steering column, power steering or front-end part that failed or had to be replaced. Some describe losing steering while driving[2].
- Electrical system: 222 complaints, with 10 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries and 4 deaths[5]. Median mileage at failure was 67,000[5]. In the sample we read, some owners describe a key stuck in the ignition and some describe an outside temperature display that stopped working or stuck[5].
- Structure: 119 complaints, median mileage 63,000[6]. In the sample we read, owners describe a broken interior door handle, so they had to open the door from outside[6].
- Power train: 82 complaints, 2 crashes, median mileage 60,000[7]. In the sample we read, owners describe shifter or park problems, some with a key that would not come out[7].
- Engine: 73 complaints, with 2 fires[8].
- Latches, locks and linkages: 70 complaints, none with a crash or injury[9].
- Air bags: 63 complaints, but 20 crashes and 18 injuries[10].
- Brakes: 60 complaints, 8 crashes[11]. The median mileage at failure was 22,000, the lowest of these groups[11].
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls for the 2006 HHR[3]. Newest first:
- Key removal (14V171). The key can come out of the ignition when the ignition is not in Off. The car could then roll away if it is not in Park, which raises the risk of a crash and injury. Dealers replace the ignition cylinder if it is the old design, and cut and re-learn two keys. Until then, GM tells owners to make sure the car is in Park when they get out[12].
- Ignition switch (14V047). Weight on the key ring or a jolt can move the switch out of the run position and turn the engine off. The air bags may then not deploy in a crash. Dealers replace the ignition switch free of charge. Owners were told they would get another letter once parts were available. Until it is done, owners are told to carry only the ignition key on the ring[13].
- Storage bin door (08V444). The door on the storage bin at the top center of the instrument panel did not stay closed, which fails a head impact standard. A redesigned latch is made available[14].
- Roof area padding (08V046). HHRs without the optional roof rail air bags had a test point above the head impact limit. Dealers add an energy-absorbing plastic piece to the headliner trim[15].
- Leather seat covers (06V417). In a small group of cars, aftermarket leather seat covers could confuse the passenger sensing system. The front passenger air bag could be off when it should be on, or the reverse. No compatible cover was available, so GM offered to repurchase these cars[16].
Fuel economy
EPA lists four versions of the front-wheel-drive HHR, all on regular fuel.
| Engine and transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L, Automatic 4-spd[4] | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 2.2L, Manual 5-spd[17] | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 2.4L, Automatic 4-spd[18] | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 2.4L, Manual 5-spd[19] | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
EPA bases annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists its 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 4 DR FWD version of the 2006 HHR as not rated[20].
Engine and size
The EPA entries list a 2.2L and a 2.4L four-cylinder[4][18]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the HHR LS/LT 4DR wagon and can differ slightly from US models[21].
How 2006 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 726 | 4 |
| 2008 | 616 | 4 |
| 2009 | 508 | 4 |
| 2010 | 515 | 3 |
| 2011 | 203 | 2 |
NHTSA counts for each HHR model year[3]:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 726 | 4 |
| 2008 | 616 | 4 |
| 2009 | 508 | 4 |
| 2010 | 515 | 3 |
| 2011 | 203 | 2 |
2006 has the most complaints and the most recalls of the six years. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read the gap as a rough guide only.
Should you buy a used 2006 HHR?
The 2006 HHR has the heaviest complaint record of any HHR year on file, and steering leads it[2][3]. Ask for proof that the ignition recalls 14V171 and 14V047 were done, Ask for proof that the ignition recalls 14V171 and 14V047 were done[12][13].[12][13]. Test the steering, the ignition key and the shifter on a drive. Look at the interior door handles too, since owners in our sample describe broken ones[6]. Fuel economy is 22 to 23 MPG combined in every version[4][17][18][19]. The data cannot tell you repair costs or reliability scores, so a pre-purchase inspection is still worth the money.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevy HHR?
- Steering has the most complaints at 458 of 1,006, followed by the electrical system at 222 and structure at 119[1][2][5][6].
- Does the 2006 HHR have recalls?
- Yes, five, including ignition key removal (14V171) and the ignition switch recall (14V047)[12][13][14][15][16].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2006 HHR?
- EPA rates it at 22 to 23 MPG combined and 28 MPG on the highway, depending on engine and transmission[4][17][18][19].
- Is the 2006 the worst HHR year?
- By NHTSA counts it has the most complaints (1,006) and recalls (5) of the six model years, though the counts are not adjusted for sales[3].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,006 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR (47 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 29 injuries, 4 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 458 complaints name the steering component group (19 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,900). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet HHR model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 222 complaints name the electrical system component group (10 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 119 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 82 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 73 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 70 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,663). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the air bags component group (20 crashes, 1 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 60 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V444, filed September 3, 2008: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V046, filed January 30, 2008: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 06V417, filed October 31, 2006: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for HHR FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HHR LS/LT 4DR WAGON: length 176 in, width 69 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,175 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov