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2006 Chevrolet HHR

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.

Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
Ls/Lt 4dr Wagon
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
Length
176.4 in
Curb weight
3,175 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 23 MPG combined — 26% better than the average 2006 SUV - (18.3 MPG).

Watch out for

  • No AWD or 4WDTwo-wheel drive only, unusual for a SUV -.
  • Many owner complaints207 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 41 for similar models — most often about the steering.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2006 Chevrolet HHR is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.2L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 176 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,175 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 26% better than the 2006 SUV - average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 207 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Ls/Lt 4dr Wagon176.4 in69.3 in65.4 in103.5 in59.1 / 58.7 in3,175 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
HHR FWD2.2L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 23+26%$2,900386
HHR FWD2.2L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+26%$2,900386
HHR FWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+26%$2,900386
HHR FWD2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 22+20%$3,050404
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.3 MPG2006 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2006 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2006 Chevrolet HHR (this car)23 MPGNot rated2
2006 Toyota RAV424 MPGNot rated10
2006 Honda CR-V23 MPGNot rated11
2006 Hyundai Tucson22 MPGNot rated1
2006 Subaru Forester22 MPGNot rated1
2006 Toyota Highlander27 MPGNot rated9
2006 Kia Sportage22 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (2)

Electrical System › Ignition · Apr 10, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V171000 · 2,191,014 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags · Feb 10, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2006 Chevrolet HHR is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

207Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
5Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
125,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering87
Electrical System39
Fuel/Propulsion System36
Engine12
Structure › Body11
Unknown Or Other11
Air Bags9
Service Brakes7
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/07: 119/08: 119/09: 219/10: 220/01: 120/03: 320/06: 120/07: 420/08: 120/10: 320/11: 120/12: 221/07: 422/01: 122/10: 123/07: 123/09: 123/12: 224/03: 224/06: 124/09: 124/12: 125/05: 125/08: 119/0719/1020/0620/1021/0723/0724/0324/12max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2006 Chevrolet HHR buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 87 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Electrical System — 39 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 36 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 125,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other HHR years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2011 HHR26176.4 inNot rated2137
2010 HHR26176.4 inNot rated3210
2009 HHR26176.4 inNot rated3190
2008 HHR25176.4 inNot rated2236
2007 HHR23176.4 inNot rated2231

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →