2006 Chevrolet Hhr Problems: Steering (1,004 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr is Steering (40% of 1,004 owner reports). There are 6 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Steering — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 1,004 complaints · 6 recalls

What problems show up on the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr?

401 of 1,004 filings named Steering (40% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Electrical (145 reports).

There are 6 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Airbags and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.

What to check before you buy a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 6 campaigns on file below.
  2. Steering. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight.
  3. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  4. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Steering. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Steering 401 complaints · 39.9% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 47
  • Fires 8
  • Injuries 29
  • Deaths 4
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Steering (STEERING) appears in 401 of 1,004 owner complaints (39.9%) in this vehicle snapshot. Steering (STEERING): 401 complaints, 39.9% of reports Steering (STEERING) 14 crash reports 1 fire reports 401 · 39.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 145 complaints, 14.4% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 crash reports 1 fire reports 145 · 14.4% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 91 complaints, 9.1% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 crash reports 91 · 9.1% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 56 complaints, 5.6% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 2 crash reports 56 · 5.6% Engine (ENGINE): 46 complaints, 4.6% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 2 fire reports 46 · 4.6% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 43 complaints, 4.3% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 2 fire reports 43 · 4.3% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 42 complaints, 4.2% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 14 crash reports 1 fire reports 42 · 4.2% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 41 complaints, 4.1% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 6 crash reports 41 · 4.1% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 14 complaints, 1.4% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1 fire reports 14 · 1.4% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 297 complaints, 29.6% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 10 crash reports 2 fire reports 297 · 29.6% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Steering (STEERING) 401 39.9% 14 crashes · 1 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 145 14.4% 5 crashes · 1 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 91 9.1% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 56 5.6% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 46 4.6% 1 crashes · 2 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 43 4.3% 0 crashes · 2 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 42 4.2% 14 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 41 4.1% 6 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 14 1.4% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 297 29.6% 10 crashes · 2 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2005; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 2006. 2005-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2006-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2006-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2007-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2007-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2007-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2007-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2008-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2008-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2008-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2008-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2009-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2009-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2009-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2009-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2010-Q1: 33 owner reports 33 2010-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 2010-Q3: 32 owner reports 32 2010-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2011-Q1: 26 owner reports 26 2011-Q2: 29 owner reports 29 2011-Q3: 21 owner reports 21 2011-Q4: 20 owner reports 20 2012-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2012-Q2: 24 owner reports 24 2012-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2012-Q4: 31 owner reports 31 2013-Q1: 23 owner reports 23 2013-Q2: 24 owner reports 24 2013-Q3: 21 owner reports 21 2013-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2014-Q1: 57 owner reports 57 2014-Q2: 115 owner reports 115 2014-Q3: 70 owner reports 70 2014-Q4: 23 owner reports 23 2015-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 2015-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2015-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2015-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2016-Q1: 17 owner reports 17 2016-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2016-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 2016-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2017-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2017-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2017-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2018-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2018-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2018-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2018-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2019-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2019-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2019-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2019-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2020-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2020-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2021-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2024-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2024-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 2005 Jul 2025 Recall campaign 06V417000 ◆ Recall campaign 06V417000 Recall campaign 08V046000 ◆ Recall campaign 08V046000 Recall campaign 08V444000 ◆ Recall campaign 08V444000 Recall campaign 14V047000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V047000 Recall campaign 14V171000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V171000 Recall campaign 14E021000 ◆ Recall campaign 14E021000
  • Campaign 06V417000 was reported 348 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 08V444000 was reported 1,072 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 14V171000 was reported 2,963 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 14E021000 was reported 2,983 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2005-Q3 Owner reports 1
2005-Q4 Owner reports 5
2006-Q1 Owner reports 2
2006-Q2 Owner reports 2
2006-Q3 Owner reports 8
2006-Q4 Owner reports 4
2007-Q1 Owner reports 8
2007-Q2 Owner reports 6
2007-Q3 Owner reports 7
2007-Q4 Owner reports 13
2008-Q1 Owner reports 11
2008-Q2 Owner reports 16
2008-Q3 Owner reports 14
2008-Q4 Owner reports 9
2009-Q1 Owner reports 14
2009-Q2 Owner reports 8
2009-Q3 Owner reports 16
2009-Q4 Owner reports 13
2010-Q1 Owner reports 33
2010-Q2 Owner reports 22
2010-Q3 Owner reports 32
2010-Q4 Owner reports 18
2011-Q1 Owner reports 26
2011-Q2 Owner reports 29
2011-Q3 Owner reports 21
2011-Q4 Owner reports 20
2012-Q1 Owner reports 15
2012-Q2 Owner reports 24
2012-Q3 Owner reports 23
2012-Q4 Owner reports 31
2013-Q1 Owner reports 23
2013-Q2 Owner reports 24
2013-Q3 Owner reports 21
2013-Q4 Owner reports 14
2014-Q1 Owner reports 57
2014-Q2 Owner reports 115
2014-Q3 Owner reports 70
2014-Q4 Owner reports 23
2015-Q1 Owner reports 21
2015-Q2 Owner reports 11
2015-Q3 Owner reports 9
2015-Q4 Owner reports 14
2016-Q1 Owner reports 17
2016-Q2 Owner reports 10
2016-Q3 Owner reports 18
2016-Q4 Owner reports 7
2017-Q1 Owner reports 12
2017-Q2 Owner reports 7
2017-Q3 Owner reports 3
2017-Q4 Owner reports 11
2018-Q1 Owner reports 4
2018-Q2 Owner reports 5
2018-Q3 Owner reports 5
2018-Q4 Owner reports 3
2019-Q1 Owner reports 4
2019-Q2 Owner reports 6
2019-Q3 Owner reports 4
2019-Q4 Owner reports 2
2020-Q1 Owner reports 4
2020-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q3 Owner reports 5
2020-Q4 Owner reports 6
2021-Q3 Owner reports 4
2022-Q1 Owner reports 1
2022-Q4 Owner reports 1
2023-Q3 Owner reports 2
2023-Q4 Owner reports 2
2024-Q1 Owner reports 2
2024-Q2 Owner reports 1
2024-Q3 Owner reports 1
2024-Q4 Owner reports 1
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 06V417000
Recall campaign 1 08V046000
Recall campaign 1 08V444000
Recall campaign 1 14V047000
Recall campaign 1 14V171000
Recall campaign 1 14E021000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (6)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Airbags and Electrical.

  1. Recall campaign 06V417000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
    Remedy:
    BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  2. Recall campaign 08V046000

    Safety recall 08V046000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENERGY-ABSORBING PLASTIC PIECE TO THE HEADLINER TRIM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  3. Recall campaign 08V444000

    Safety recall 08V444000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.
    Remedy:
    A REDESIGNED LATCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  4. Recall campaign 14E021000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
    Remedy:
    UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  5. Recall campaign 14V047000

    Safety recall 14V047000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  6. Recall campaign 14V171000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
    Remedy:
    General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 1,004 complaints · page 1 of 41
2025-08-02Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11678011
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The door few open because the door latch broke off
2025-05-29Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11663581
CrashFireInjuryDeath
While replacing 3 motor mounts, engine oil pan,transmission oil pan, also CV axles, wheel bearings needed replaced. When i got my car back the power steering wasn't working. My mechanic said there was a recall for my year, make and model for the power steering assist. I haven't gotten this fixed yet due to lack of funds . I am filling this out to see if is recalled.
2024-12-06Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11629295
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.
2024-09-12Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11614139
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The (EPS) system in my 2006 Chevy HHR has experienced multiple malfunctions. The power steering suddenly cuts out without warning while driving at both low and high speeds, making it extremely difficult to steer, especially when attempting to turn or change lanes. This failure happens intermittently, and the EPS motor is suspected to be the root cause. I have replaced fuses and relays, but the issue persists. This system is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction poses a severe risk to my safety and the safety of others. When the power steering fails, it becomes nearly impossible to turn the vehicle, which is especially hazardous during routine maneuvers such as lane changes or turns at intersections. The sudden loss of steering capability, especially at higher speeds, has left me vulnerable to potential collisions. Given the unpredictability of the issue, it could easily lead to a fatal accident if it occurs while navigating tight curves or avoiding road hazards. The problem has been confirmed by a certified mechanic, who validated that the power steering system is malfunctioning and recognized the danger it poses. The mechanic advised that this issue is prevalent in vehicles of this make and model & suggested filing a formal complaint to prompt further investigation by the manufacturer. To date, the veh has been thoroughly examined by an independent service center. They confirmed the malfunction of the EPS system but were unable to fully resolve the issue through standard repairs like fuse or relay replacements. A "Power Steering" message illuminates on the dashboard. A few seconds later, the power steering system fails completely, leaving the vehicle almost impossible to control. These warnings have been intermittent, but their frequency has increased over time. The first occurrence was about a year ago, Given the ongoing danger and prevalence of this issue among other 2006 Chevy HHR owners, I am requesting that GM initiate a formal recall.
2024-06-23Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11595986
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Power steering cuts off and very hard to steer until you turn off vehicle and turn back on but then will go out again while driving .This is very un safe when my wife is driving Kids to school.I have read that 2009-2011 has same issue and have been recalled why isn’t this one if it’s same problem .
2024-03-25Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11579304
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the key locked inside. The locksmith assisted the contact with entering the vehicle. The contact stated that it was difficult to pull out of the parking space due to a loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was driven to a local mechanic but was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.
2024-03-22Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11578872
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Fuel line is leaking under the car. I could smell gas when I would get out of my car.
2023-12-28Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11562300
CrashFireInjuryDeath
while driving the car after a few miles, the door locks start going up and down, the power steering light comes on and is hard to steer, the check engine light comes on, the speedometer stops working and the tach malfunctions. the car surges while moving foward. if you shut the car off it will reset itself. once you start the car again it starts to malfunction again. one gararge owner did some tests but didn't fix the problem
2023-12-05Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11558570
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The power steering went out. Very hard and unsafe to drive.
2023-09-05Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11542647
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Gas line leaking under left rear tire

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr?

Owners named Steering most often — 401 of 1,004 reports (40%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Airbags and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2006 Chevrolet Hhr?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources