Chevrolet · Known Issues

2006 Chevrolet HHR Problems: 6 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2006 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2006 Chevrolet HHR has 6 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run and Disable Air Bags (Recall 14V047), Ignition Key Can Be Removed Outside Off (Recall 14V171), Aftermarket Leather Can Disrupt Passenger Sensing (Recall 06V417), Instrument-Panel Storage-Bin Door Can Open in an Impact (Recall 08V444), Headliner Needs Additional Impact Protection (Recall 08V046) and Aftermarket Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run (Recall 14E021). DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chevrolet HHR problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2006 Chevrolet HHR has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run and Disable Air Bags (Recall 14V047), Ignition Key Can Be Removed Outside Off (Recall 14V171), Aftermarket Leather Can Disrupt Passenger Sensing (Recall 06V417). Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Chevrolet HHR reliable?

The 2006 Chevrolet HHR has 6 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run and Disable Air Bags (Recall 14V047) and Ignition Key Can Be Removed Outside Off (Recall 14V171) and Aftermarket Leather Can Disrupt Passenger Sensing (Recall 06V417) and Instrument-Panel Storage-Bin Door Can Open in an Impact (Recall 08V444) and Headliner Needs Additional Impact Protection (Recall 08V046) and Aftermarket Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run (Recall 14E021). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

What is the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run and Disable Air Bags (Recall 14V047)?

Certain 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR ignition switches can move out of Run because of key-ring weight or a jarring event, shutting off the engine and preventing air-bag deployment in a crash. Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR Ignition Key Can Be Removed Outside Off (Recall 14V171)?

Certain 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR ignition lock cylinders allow the key to be removed when the ignition is not in Off. A vehicle not secured in the correct gear can roll away. Severity: high.

What is the 2006 Chevrolet HHR Aftermarket Leather Can Disrupt Passenger Sensing (Recall 06V417)?

Certain 2006 Chevrolet HHR vehicles originally built with cloth seats were reupholstered with aftermarket leather that can make the passenger-sensing system enable or disable the frontal air bag incorrectly. Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR Instrument-Panel Storage-Bin Door Can Open in an Impact (Recall 08V444)?

Certain 2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR top-center instrument-panel storage-bin doors can fail to remain closed as required during an interior-impact test. Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR Headliner Needs Additional Impact Protection (Recall 08V046)?

Certain 2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR vehicles without optional roof-rail air bags do not meet a federal upper-interior head-impact requirement. Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR Aftermarket Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run (Recall 14E021)?

Certain UCI-FRAM replacement ignition switches sold under specified Wells, Duralast, Airtex and Carquest part numbers for 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR applications can move out of Run, stall the engine and disable the air bags. Severity: high.

2006 Chevrolet HHR Problems: 6 Issues Every Owner Should Know

In This Article

All 6 Known Issues

2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR: Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run and Disable Air Bags (Recall 14V047)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR: Ignition Key Can Be Removed Outside Off (Recall 14V171)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR: Aftermarket Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run (Recall 14E021)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

2006 Chevrolet HHR: Aftermarket Leather Can Disrupt Passenger Sensing (Recall 06V417)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR: Headliner Needs Additional Impact Protection (Recall 08V046)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR: Instrument-Panel Storage-Bin Door Can Open in an Impact (Recall 08V444)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

Other Chevrolet Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chevrolet HHR problems?

Is the Chevrolet HHR reliable?

What is the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run and Disable Air Bags (Recall 14V047)?

What is the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR Ignition Key Can Be Removed Outside Off (Recall 14V171)?

What is the 2006 Chevrolet HHR Aftermarket Leather Can Disrupt Passenger Sensing (Recall 06V417)?

What is the 2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR Instrument-Panel Storage-Bin Door Can Open in an Impact (Recall 08V444)?

What is the 2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR Headliner Needs Additional Impact Protection (Recall 08V046)?

What is the 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR Aftermarket Ignition Switch Can Move Out of Run (Recall 14E021)?