Known Recalls

Model year record

2006 Chevrolet HHR

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,372 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V171000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,191,014
Reported to NHTSA
2014-04-10
Owners notified
2014-04-18

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V047000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
2,190,934
Reported to NHTSA
2014-02-10
Owners notified
2014-04-18

Defect description

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V444000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
296,422
Reported to NHTSA
2008-09-03
Owners notified
2008-12-23

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING 296,422 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE DOOR ON THE STORAGE BIN IN THE TOP CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AS REQUIRED.

Safety risk

THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V046000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
181,516
Reported to NHTSA
2008-01-30
Owners notified
2008-04-02

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING 181,516 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF RAIL AIR BAGS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' IN TESTS, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.

Safety risk

THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V417000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
794
Reported to NHTSA
2006-10-31
Owners notified
2006-11-06

Defect description

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering44980,000 mi
Electrical system18580,000 mi
Air bags5870,271 mi
Power train4790,000 mi
Structure: body: door4771,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system44129,000 mi
Structure: body4268,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages4159,000 mi
Engine4080,844 mi
Structure2952,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2736,420 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2650,000 mi
Unknown or other2648,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2550,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2343,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2350,000 mi
Suspension2254,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)14100,000 mi
Service brakes1485,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1124,350 mi
Exterior lighting1065,100 mi
Suspension: front836,420 mi
Wheels857,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system780,000 mi
Vehicle speed control786,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch624,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline667,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip613,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel522,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system546,290 mi
Air bags: frontal41,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine43,500 mi
Steering: column428,000 mi
Visibility427,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring327,000 mi
Equipment32,637 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)339,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission35,600 mi
Seats338,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system358,255 mi
Tires3236,079 mi
Traction control system354,000 mi
Visibility/wiper3121,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system341,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module27,200 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers224,400 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner234,083 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.212,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch224,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights2100 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock2220,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift27,800 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm24,000 mi
Tires: sidewall21,942 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly268,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module13,045 mi
Electrical system: software113,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly19,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash113,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system148,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly117,380 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor138,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility112,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1153,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, other151,500 mi
Interior lighting11,166 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock113,000 mi
Power train: axle hubs159,000 mi
Power train: driveline170,822 mi
Seat belts135,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler125,850 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly130,000 mi
Service brakes, air1200 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor19,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp13,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid13,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components118,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc117,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads118,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder13,700 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1125,324 mi
Structure: frame and members118,300 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields165,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm16,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: front: hub1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing130,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt132,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1158,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control113,500 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls119,373 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices160,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield1180,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 2007 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.