Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
While driving this vehicle, the power steering light flashes on dash board and I lose all the function of the power steering. It has now happened 4 separate times in two weeks, the last when I was turning a corner and nearly hit a car on the side of the road because I could not steer the vehicle. I have a safety recall letter from general motors stating that I had to pay out of pocket to fix and then they would determine if it fell under there recall. When the letter states to bring it to the dealership should the power steering light ever comes on the dash panel, which it has done know 4 times when the power steering failed. I could been killed if I had been going faster or killed some one. This is an issue with the GM faulty mechanics. First it was the ignition having to give my vehicle up for nearly 6 weeks to have it fixed. …
Car started smelling gas inside when driving and have to open the window to get some fresh air. A clicking noise, too much noise from the front suspension when turning or driving..l took the car for oil change and the dealer tech did not want to drive the car stating that it's safety issues. They said the lower control arms has been wear out and that the "sway bar"is shorter wearing my tires. In just this year l have change the 4 tires twice. Discount tires said they have not seen such a thing before the wearing occures in the inside part of the tires... The entire front suspension is collapsing. GM need to issues a recall for these issues.... The dealer gave me a repair quote of almost $3000 ...GM need to take responsibility of all these issues and offer a credit or repurchased the car back... …
A "clunking" noise from the front suspension when turning into a driveway or dip in street at 3 or 4 miles per hour. This problem has been taken to the Chevrolet dealership and to an independent auto repair shop where I was told the "lower control arms rear bushing was torn (rubber) and therefore allowing the arm to move to where it contacts the frame of the vehicle. This is dangerous, and could very well cause the steering to malfunction at a most inappropriate time resulting in a collapse of the front end suspension. I would like GM to correct this defect in engineering, and if they cannot to repurchase my vehicle so I can purchase a safe and more reliable vehicle.
I was driving in the right lane going westbound approaching a stop light when I applied my brakes it did not slow down,I pressed the brake hard an car kept going into the rear of a truck that was stopping at the light. My car was not stopping. Like it had no control. The airbags did not deploy. Im concerned that the ignition turned off when I went over some pot holes in the road. My car is one of the vehicles on the recall list for the ignition switch, I had replaced ignition switch months ago due to same problem. What are my options to get this problem resolved?
I own a 2006 Chevy HHR lt2, it has approx. 52K miles, and a rattle, vibration in the steering column has been occurring at speeds below 45mph. Also, the driver side floor is continuing to flood with water, and the heater/ac blower has failed or shorted out. Lastly, I have had the brake rotors worked on 4 times by Chevy, and they are now once again in need of repair. I recently took my vehicle back to the dealer for the rattle in the steering and the water leak. I found numerous TSB articles for the issues, but the dealer and GM are claiming the tsbs do not exist. The repairs will total more than $1100. I was told the bushings, and tension rods are the problem with my steering, and they would need to be replaced. At 52K miles I find it hard to believe these items would fail.. …
2006 Chevrolet HHR. Consumer states several problems with vehicle the consumer stated his sons vehicle had a severe shimmy in the steering wheel and became progressively worse when the brake was applied. The pads and rotors were replaced twice and the third time the rotors were machined, but the problem continued. There was also a strange noise coming from the front suspension, but the dealer was unable to pinpoint the problem. At 42,000 miles the air condition made a loud screeching noise for 2 minutes, then stopped working. At 68,000 miles, a metal skid plate had fallen from underneath the vehicle. Soon after, the exhaust was very loud. The vehicle was taken to the repair shop and the consumer was informed the catalytic converter had cracked. …
This is an ongoing safety problem that Chevy/GM doesn't care to worry about. My cars steering wheel shakes when I am driving. Sometimes to the point of the car to be uncontrollable in addition to this the traction control light goes on along with the engine light. I have brought this in to the dealer every two months and have been told a combination of what the dealers mechanics feel the problem is. I have had steering columns replaced, cam shaft solenoids, bushings, rotors. The list goes on. Nothing has fixed the issue. Today bringing back to the dealer I am now told that I am lucky to be alive as both control arms in the front are seconds from breaking along with the links that keep the car stable.. The mechanic shared that had I hit a pothole I would have died as the car would have spun out of control and impossible to recover as I would have no way to control the steering wheel. …
There appears to be a large amount of cobalt and HHR owners with complaints about suspension clunking noises. Research shows there is an issue with the stabilizer bar parts and also the intermediate steering shaft. These problems occur at many intervals of mileage ranging from 10,000 miles and up. GM has since sued the manufacturer of the intermediate steering shaft for those replaced under warranty equaling $30mil. I am unlucky as my vehicle was out of warranty (3yr/36000 miles) and could not get any of my suspension and steering problems fixed by a known issue from GM. They have stated that the intermediate steering shaft is not a safety concern. Now, if a part that is vital in connecting the steering column to the rack and pinion system is not a safety concern, then I believe GM executives are more concerned with cost of doing the right thing than safety of their customers. …
To whom it May concern: on January 17, 2008 I had an accident that was due to a manufacturing defect on my 2006 HHR. I was on my way to drop off my children to daycare. As I was exiting the highway ramp, I hit a guard rail. This situation was very scary and frightful for my kids and me because of the impact. It could've been a lot worse if there was a driver behind me. I called the dealership, mccluskey Chevy., and they came to pick up the car while I had to find another way home. Later on I discovered the left side ball joint broke. This issue is a manufacturing problem. I have not had transportation for almost a month now. This situation has been so stressful. The minor damages have been repaired and I don't have extra money to get it repaired on top of making a monthly payment. The cost of the repairs is over $2,000. …
It began with my key getting stuck in the ignition, would have to try to place in park multiple times to release the key. Found the panel in the steering column and the release button to remove key. Now the gear shift button is stuck in the pressed position, making the car vulnerable to coming out of gear. This is extremely unsafe and costly to fix. From listening to service representative at a former dealer, this is a common problem with HHR and cobalts. Additional personal research has indicated this is a common and known issue with the manufacturer. This defect is unsafe and should be recalled and fixed by the manufacturer on their dime, not mine. In addition, the rotors knock and have had to be replaced. I had one replaced under warranty, they would not replace both front rotors. Now the opposite is knocking and is no longer under warranty. …
Suspension complaints in other HHR years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2006 Chevrolet HHR?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the suspension of the 2006 Chevrolet HHR, 3% of the model year's 1,006 complaints. The component named most often is front (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet HHR suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to suspension 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.