Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet HHR owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the low unknown fluid warning light was illuminated. The contact checked the fluid levels and the fluid levels were at full. After a couple of days the contact restarted the vehicle and the warning light was off. The contact was concerned that there might be an issue with brake fluid not flowing through the brake lines as designed which could cause the brakes to not work properly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
I have a 2006 Chevy HHR the first year I bought it I had a small animal run in front of the car, the car skid a long way and I ended up having to change the tire because it made a flat spot on the driver side tire. I have have been in accidents twice in the last 4 years due to having to stop abruptly on the highway and the brakes skidding instead of stopping, both times my car pulled to the left across several lane leaving me facing oncoming traffic and being hit.
In February 2007 I was in an automobile accident while I was driving a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. I was driving on interstate 95 southbound near wilmington, delaware. Someone entering the highway from and on ramp pulled directly in front of me while I was driving. When I hit the brakes on the HHR, the car pulled sharply to the right. The more I braked, the more the car pulled to the right. I lost control of the car and I ended up driving across two lane perpendicular to the traffic and I hit a van head on. No one was injured but my HHR was totaled. I feel that the brakes on the HHR were defective and the way they pulled to one side instead of stopping straight caused me to crash. I reported this to Chevrolet after the crash but nothing was done as far a a recall or anything. In fact, I read about a similar problem when the 2006 HHR was received on edmonds.com. …
After abiding by the recall to change the ignition switch, the car starts freaking out randomly. The dash lights start going on and off. Loose power steering, power brakes and the car just stops. You can be going 70 miles an hour down the highway and the car just gives out. The dealership refuses to fix it unless I am willing to pay all the fees. I had a second dealership replace some fuses but after 2 days it started doing it again. After the first episodes, I called and opened a ticket with Chevrolet, but because the dealership I used didn't want to mess with the car any more they were not very helpful. Now I am driving a death trap because I can't afford a new car and I won't let my children drive or be in the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the brakes was depressed and the pedal went to the floorboard abnormally. The failure caused the driver to crash into another vehicle from the rear. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy and the driver was injured. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and deemed as destroyed. The police stated that the air bags should have deployed and the insurance company planned to inspect the vehicle. The failure and the current mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle, the engine temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. Additionally, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated intermittently and the rear hatch door would erroneously opened and would not remain securely closed. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted or notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 220,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and lightly depressing the brakes, the brakes did not respond. The vehicle would not stop and the contact steered the vehicle onto grass and continued to depress the brakes, but to no avail. The vehicle did not come to a stop until crashing into a tree. The contact sustained a fractured ankle and the vehicle was destroyed. The failure and the current mileages were 44,000.
Brake light tail light and rear blinker housing keeps melting leaving us with no working lights what so ever. Costly and dangerous
2006 HHR 2lt with 5000+ miles had near miss when brakes failed while traveling at about 45 MPH, I attempted to gently brake for a truck turning 6-7 cars ahead of me. I heard a loud grinding noise that reminded me of plastic gear teeth turning the wrong direction. My pedal would not depress and the car would not even slow. Reflexively, I pumped the brake to see if the ABS had just locked up. The brake pedal felt like it was locked in the up position. Luckily I had been about 6-7 car lengths behind and by the time I got up in his rear, my brake pedal released a little (still with resistance) and I was able to slow enough not to hit him as he turned. I had to avoid him by veering to the left to drive around him. The brake seemed to release several seconds later after completely removing my foot from the pedal and coasting. …
I've had chronic problems with the front brakes, rotors, alignment and tires on the front end of my 06 Chevy HHR. The vehicle began shaking violently when the brakes are applied. I took the vehicle back to the dealership at 2000 miles and 12000 miles and each time they had to turn the rotors and it seemed to temporarily resolve the problem. Now I'm at 29000 miles, the problem has started again. The dealership says the rotors and front brake pads have to be replaced. I've owned many new vehicles in my life since my father is retired from general motors, and I've never ever had to replace the brakes or have the rotors turned for that matter. The dealership has tried telling me that the problem is a result of my driving habits and failure to service the calipers. …
Brake complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR, 6% of the model year's 1,006 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet HHR brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Chevrolet HHR, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet HHR brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.