Engine Runs Roughly

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,100
Average Mileage:
84,300 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace head gasket (2 reports)
  3. replace leaking valves in engine (2 reports)
2006 Hummer H3 engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Hummer H3 Owner Comments

problem #7

Oct 092014

H3 5 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,681 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I'm in the same boat as the other hummer H3 owners of 2006 it's a piece of junk , I purchased vehicle in 2009 with 40,000 kilometres on it, new radiator, muffler replaced four times , now the engine light stays on and the engine idols really rough , what is the best solution to fix this problem or do I need a new motor , can I replace 5 cylinder engine with the six-cylinder or eight cylinder Thank you all for your input

- Terry H., Amherst, NS, Canada

problem #6

Jun 102016

H3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,444 miles

I took my H3 in to get the blower harness/wiring recall done on a Friday. Picked it up and left it sitting in my driveway for the weekend. When I drove to run errands Monday morning it was running rough. I took it back to the dealership where they kept it for 4 days. They told me it was low on oil, had a burned out spark plug and a burned out ignition coil. But they couldn't tell me which ones. I replaced all spark plugs and ignition coils. It still ran rough. Then after a new scan they said it was the cam shaft sensors. I replaced both cam shaft sensors. It still ran rough. Another scan showed the cam shaft actuator. I replaced the cam shaft actuator. Then another scan showed a fuel pump issue. It was reading at below normal levels. I continued to drive it for 2 days while they got the parts in. I asked that they do another scan before they do the work. That scan showed a vacuum leak. They didn't replace the fuel pump because the reading levels were normal. I bought this H3 May 2015. I have always wanted one and thought I was getting my dream car. LOL The first 45 days I had it I had to have a new radiator coil put in. Now an independent mechanic is saying that basically a new motor is the only way this can be fixed. SERIOUSLY! What the heck? I spent my entire savings buying this car. I do not know what to do.

- Renee T., Nixa, MO, US

problem #5

Jan 232014

H3 Adventure 3.5L I5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

2006 Hummer H3 Adventure 3.5l i5. VIN# falls in the "problematic range" known by GM. 113,000 miles and the dreaded blown Head Gasket shows its ugly face. (Overheating, rough idle, loss of coolant due to combustion gases, multiple misfires, low compression, white smoke from tailpipe, oil/coolant contamination, engine light constantly on, etc. etc.). Has been the worse experience i've had in car ownership. What really pisses me off is that the manufacturer has known about this for years!!! Many people have and will eventually fall victim to the headgasket issue if you own a 2006. Its a ticking timebomb!!!! Unforturnately mine blew post 100k mile warranty which the manufacturer can then rob your pocket of the $2,200 fix. This is legal robbery!! But my question is How is it legal??? Is it legal if a manufacturer knows that a weakened head gasket of who knows what material was put on initially and that it's a matter of time before it blows? I also had to replace the cylinder head at the same time as the head gasket because it was torched. Oh my, the manufacturer was aware of a known bad cylinder head with weakened valve seats as well and that it will eventually kick the bucket. Well, now we are having to add another $900. With a grand total of $3,100 plus tax. ALL of this expense to customers should have been prevented with a manufacturer recall!!! The more I read about 2006 Hummer H3 owners experiencing the same issue the more it pisses me off! Warranty or not, ALL CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD TO SPEND THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY FOR THIS FIX NEEDS REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE AND AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE!!

- mcg30stjude, Southaven, MS, US

problem #4

Feb 212012

H3 3.5L 5 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,475 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am so irritated I can't even begin to form intelligible sentences. The check engine light came on, attempted to call Onstar twice for an on demand diagnostic but the system was down. Drove straight to a local dealer explained the issue and was told to try a non locking gas cap first to see if this corrected the issue with the check engine light. If not come back and they would schedule an appointment to look at my vehicle. Changed the cap. No resolution, light still on engine still running rough. Took to another dealer and dropped it off. A week later and 2981.92 in repairs and labor I now have new heads and valves. was told this was a known problem with the 2006 5 cylinder and that GM made changes in 2007. No recalls no recourse no warranty left. I have followed all scheduled maintenance on my vehicle and it only has 69,475 miles on it! This not the only problem I've experienced with this vehicle since it's purchase in 2006 (that's for another complaint). I'm gonna talk to a lemon lawyer!

- Beth D., Sacramento, CA, US

problem #3

Feb 222012

H3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

My Hummer has been in the shop 3 times, for the same problem. I am so ready to blow this car up. I drove these vehicle in the Marine Corps of coarse its a Hum V, and built differently I would hope so but if our troops have to rely on this vehicle I would rather go with the Jeep a better built vehicle by far. This thing has been nothing but trouble from the beginning. I am ready to drop it from the highest mountain I can find. All its been good for is cleaning out my bank account. Its the worst built vehicle I have ever owned. GM should step up to the bat and recall everyone of them.

- walterdc, Washington, DC, US

problem #2

Sep 122011

H3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,500 miles

The vehicle engine light remains "ON" and there is a small chattering noise coming from the engine. It's a bit more noticeable when the engine is started and then it quiet down a bit. Also I guess during certain conditions it spits out a big cloud of white smoke during start-up but not every time.

- fellis19, Redford, MI, US

problem #1

Feb 252011

H3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Car running rough due engine problems. Very inconvenient due to not being able to use my vehicle until repair work is done. Parts have been ordered. Now have to wait for them to come in. Dealership is approximately an hour away from my home, and I will have to leave my vehicle for several days.

- Edgie A., Hammond, LA, US

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