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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 4
Average Mileage:
61,785 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Chevrolet HHR electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Chevrolet HHR Owner Comments (Page 6 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #83

Sep 112013

HHR 4-cyl

  • 115,798 miles

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

Was pulling out of my garage when all my electrical shut down no power. Had to have the car towed to ricks automotive and they repaired my starter $ $427. I would like to get reimbursed from GM and need to know how ge to my money back? I had trouble with my ignition switch for quite some time and not letting me remove the key twice.

- Republic, MO, USA

problem #82

Oct 232008

HHR 4-cyl

  • 25,826 miles
Unable to remove key from ignition switch. Dealer replaced solenoid in shifter. Very dangerous, please investigate.

- Fridley, MN, USA

problem #81

Sep 302008

HHR

  • 25,340 miles
Turn signals do not cancel. Dealer found broken clock spring in drivers air bag. Replaced on warranty. Hello, anyone listening?

- Fridley, MN, USA

problem #80

Mar 132013

HHR 4-cyl

  • 83,594 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact was driving 20 mph when the power steering warning light "power steering displayed on information center, chimes audible as if door is ajar, illuminated as the power steering assist failed and the steering wheel became abnormally resistant. Additionally, the contact mentioned that the keys would fail to eject from the ignition intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,594 and the current mileage was 91,000. Updated 5/13/14..!....updated 07/31/14 the consumer stated the incident occurred again, while driving 45 mph. The vehicle shuddered and vibrated and he lost power steering. The consumer pulled over, shut the vehicle off, and re-started it again, and everything went back to normal, as if nothing happened. The dealer informed the consumer, a power steering was ordered and they would install under warranty. Updated 08/05/14

- Neshkoro, WI, USA

problem #79

Aug 012007

HHR

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the ignition module failed, causing the vehicle to stall sporadically and without warning. Additionally, the key could not turnover in the ignition to start the vehicle. The vehicle was included in a manufacturer's recall for the ignition however, the parts were not available to service the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure the vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 10000.

- Middlesburg, KY, USA

problem #78

Jan 152014

HHR

  • 115,788 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving he hit a bump, which caused the security and the tracking control light to illuminate on the dashboard. The vehicle also jerked and stalled. The failure was experienced several times. The the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the camshaft cable was rerouted. However, the tracking and security lights continued to illuminate and the vehicle continued to stall whenever it hit a bump. The manufacturer was made ware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,788 and the current mileage was 119,661.

- Westwego , LA, USA

problem #77

May 052010

HHR

  • 106,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The engine failed to restart and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the rear fuse box and fuel pump were replaced. The failure persisted after the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

- Sallisaw, OK, USA

problem #76

Dec 202013

HHR

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated the key was not able to be removed from the ignition. The failure was recurring. The contact would have to wait a brief moment and apply pressure to the brakes in order to remove the key. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 24000.

- Charlestown, IN, USA

problem #75

Mar 072007

HHR

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was advised that the ignition switch and gear box needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 4,000 and the current mileage was 40,000.

- York, PA, USA

problem #74

Mar 112014

HHR

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The battery was jump-started and resumed normally. The failure only recurred once. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage and VIN was not available.

- Gates, NC, USA

problem #73

Mar 132014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 201,558 miles

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

I contacted strosnider Chevrolet (a dealer in hopewell, va) about the recent recall on my car and asked about a loaner. First they wanted to know where I got my information and then they told me that they have never heard of cars cutting off and that I did not need to worry. My car has lost power 4 times in the last 8 months and even though it did not cut off, it did not have power and was coasting for about a minute before it picked up power again and I don't feel safe in it anymore. This dealer acted like this recall is a joke and they do not want to have to deal with it. I will definitely not go to them for anything again even though I purchased my car from them back in 2006. I don't appreciate them making lite of my situation and if my car does cut off on the interstate and I am run over by the vehicle behind me, me or my family will be suing someone for this incident.

- Disputanta, VA, USA

problem #72

Oct 072011

HHR 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
Gear shifter pin broke & now won't lock in gear. The key cannot be removed except by removing a cap on the steering column & pressing a release button. Defective gear shifter pin. ------------------------------------- I went home & tried to take my key out but it would not release so since the car would not turn completely off the battery died. I found out on the internet that this has happened to thousands of people. I found out how to remove the plug on the steering column to press the release to take out the key. The gear shifter will not lock so it is easy for it to slip into neutral or out of park & roll away. I don't have the $500 they said it will take to fix it so I have to live with it. I always have to make sure to lock my emergency brake & have to hit the release to take my key out. This is dangerous & so wrong of GM not to recall this when so many have had this problem. This is their defect & not the customers.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #71

Feb 072014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 65,100 miles
Sitting still under carport (car not moving). Turned on ignition to check gas amount and the lights on the dash did not come on. I moved it out from carport and they came on. Few hours later the lights would not come on again. The only keys on key ring are 1 house key, 1 car door key and the key fob. This car was not moving when this happened.

- Foley, AL, USA

problem #70

Feb 232013

HHR 4-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
Was snowing got car high centered in driveway could not get ignition to turn off tried off and on for a hour finally frustrated went in home the next morning of course my battery was dead. This happened within the first two weeks of buying the car. Then dealership came out got vehicle started took to shop. I got the car back a week later. Then was driving car and on the weekend on my way to work message on dash says reduced engine power and would not let me go more than 30 mph. The roads were completely dry so road conditions were not the issue. I again called the guy who sold me the car he switch me over to the mechanic who said bring the car in next time it does that otherwise they wont be able to tell what went wrong. Then the next week my front tire was wobbling like it was going to come off and it was not the lug bolts because I checked them so back to the shop again. They said some bolt was loose under the hood to the front end and I should be fine. Then I believe it was a week or two later the ignition locked up on me again and they blamed that on me. I have had the car for a year and owe more than it is worth so cannot trade it in because I owe three times more than it is worth. A month ago again the message came on the dash reduce engine power on my way to work live 11 miles out of town so drove on the shoulder of the road with my flashers on to let other cars by. Among that I had the windshield leek water in my floor on passenger side every time it rained. The dealership had put in a new windshield and didn't get part under the hood back on correctly. I could go on and on but bottom line after buying the car it was in the shop three times before I even got plates for it. I have been really frustrated with the car but not much that I know to do since owe too much on it.

- Mancos, CO, USA

problem #69

Feb 192014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
My car started giving me a charging system warning light. I had it checked, with no findings. The car stopped on me several times, yet always check out okay. The last time the battery was shorted, so I replaced it. The next day the car stopped while I was driving it. I had it towed to a shop, where it started up fine and didn't show anything on diagnostic. When I went to pick it up it started and then shorted out the computer. The computer was replaced, it started up, then started smoking and shorted out the new computer. I want to note that approximately two years ago, the power steering went out and shorted out the charging system, twice. It was repaired at Chevrolet in bakersfield.

- Chino, CA, USA

problem #68

Jan 282014

HHR

  • 42,370 miles
This began with the power steering warning light coming on just as the power steering cut out. After shutting off the engine and restarting all was normal for about two minutes then the same thing happened. After looking on-line I saw that there are many complaints on this same issue and also that Chevrolet did issue a recall for this vehicle in Canada but not in the usa, I also saw that there was a recall on another Chevy model that uses the same power steering motor (which is the problem). Once the motor fails it is extremely hard to control the car and on a highway this could cause a serious situation. In my case I had a dealer fix the car and they had to replace the main computer along with the power steering motor costing me over nine hundred dollars ! I am submitting this complaint for my grandson who currently owns the HHR, I was the original owner.

- Melrose, MA, USA

problem #67

Apr 152012

HHR

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger's side door handles were fractured. The dealer was made aware of the failure and stated that the door panel on both doors would have to be replaced. Additionally, the vehicle stalled while driving approximately 20 mph. The contact also experienced difficulty steering on another occasion. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Grand Island, NE, USA

problem #66

Jul 182013

HHR 4-cyl

  • 102,187 miles
Power steering motor shorted out, when we took it to Chevy dealer we were told that GM would not sell the motor separately as the steering column went out shortly after the power steering motor, and were also told there had been a recall on some HHR's. the price to repair is $1500. I am 71 years old, my disabled husband is 72 years old and we only have social security as income. Tried to get some compensation from GM and after almost 3 weeks they told me they would not help me because I bought the car used from a dealer other than a Chevy dealer, that it was out of warranty and over mileage. If the steering goes out there most likely be an accident of some kind. We have no other transportation, I do feel this is a definite safety issue. Any help you can provide to have GM honor the recall would be appreciated.

- Green Valley, AZ, USA

problem #65

May 272013

HHR 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,402 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the ignition failed and the key could not be release from the ignition switch. The contact had to move gear shifter lever several times in order to shut the engine off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The failure was located at the gear shifter and the dealer replaced the gear shifter system. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 38,402...updated 08-07-13

- West Carolton , OH, USA

problem #64

May 022013

HHR

  • 131,250 miles
Was driving vehicle (Chevy HHR) at highway speed when a warning wassage displayed asyin power steering, a bell started dinging and stering the vehicle became difficult. I was in a curve on a hill. I wasw able to safely get off the highway and turned the car off, checked fuses, found no problem. Restarted the car and it started working again. Had now done this about 15 times after the car warms up or travelded about 20 miles. Has happened to my wife a few times and causes her didiculty in stering the car with her recovery from shoulder surgery. In researching on line and I see this car has been recalled in Canada, and the same parts are used in the Chevy covalt and has recalls for the problem in the us. Why not the Chevy HHR been recalled?

- Millheim, PA, USA

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