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 Hummer H3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. While driving at various speeds, the brakes would not engage when the brake pedal was depressed and it would also continue to accelerate. The contact once crashed into a vehicle in front due to the failure. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where it was repaired. The failure occurred four additional times and the dealer made repairs to the brakes but could not pinpoint the cause for failure. The contact refused to drive the vehicle as she felt that it was unsafe. There were no repairs to the vehicle that successfully fixed the problem at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 45,057. The current mileage was approximately 110,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. While driving 60 MPH, the ABS indicator illuminated. Seconds later, the ABS activated without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle went out of control and crashed into a wall. There were no injuries. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they test drove the vehicle, but the failure could not be recreated. A report was filed with the manufacturer. An investigator examined the vehicle and concluded that the battery was loose which pulled and shaved the ABS wire. Auburn police report number 0818569 was filed. The failure mileage was 24,000 and current mileage was 25,000.
The inside chrome wheels of my wife's 2006 Hummer H3 are flaking off and peeling. Pieces of the debris come loose at all times (especially while the car is in motion). My biggest concern is that it will interfere with the brake pads when they are needed to slow/stop the vehicle. Since my wife and children are in this car more frequently, I do not want this to become an incident that could lead to an avoidable accident. I have pictures that detail my concern with the inside of the chrome wheels that I could send to you (should you need them).
Tl contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. On May 23, 2008, while driving 35 MPH, the contact attempted to downshift and noticed that the transmission made a rubbling sound. The transmission stopped functioning and the vehicle suddenly pulled to the left. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealer and they stated that the clutch assembly exploded. The vehicle was serviced and the contact did not notice any differences prior to the failure. While driving 55 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The contact had to downshift and apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the brake line had cracked on both sides of the vehicle. The contact was not in a crash, but the vehicle was serviced for the failure. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that when trying to accelerate, the vehicle would not move forward because the left rear caliper had locked up. The caliper unlocked and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the caliper was replaced under warranty. The failure occurred again while the contact was driving at approximately 55 MPH, causing the vehicle to spin out of control and almost crash. The contact planned to have the vehicle repaired when a part was located. The VIN was unavailable at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 85,000. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. While driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control on the anti lock braking system engaged and the vehicle violently jerked until it stalled. After the vehicle stopped he was able to restart it and continue driving normally. The failure recurred approximately 5 times while driving at various speeds after he disengaged the anti lock braking system fuse. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where he was informed that the failure occurred within the wheel sensor. The wheel sensor was replaced and the failure did not recur. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 38,000.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet hhr. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle would not decelerate when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact veered off the road and into a ditch, which stopped the vehicle. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure, but after the failure occurred, the brake warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure recurred in January of 2008. She took the vehicle to the dealer after each occurrence and assumed that the vehicle had been repaired. The contact is very concerned about her safety. The current mileage was 55,000 and the failure mileage was unavailable.
Car has been spontaneously stalling while driving at high speeds. Engine cuts out, power brakes and steering fail, no radio, etc. Vehicle loses all power. It is terrifying. Has happened at least 3 dozen times now. Several visits to dealer could not pinpoint problem. Dealers unable to duplicate stalling, although it has happened to me regularly for months - ie, every time I drive the car (with my two babies) for an extended period on the highway.
I nearly hit another vehicle that pulled out in front of me today. The brake pedal is too close to the accelerator pedal on my 2006 Hummer H3. In an emergency situation, my shoe hangs up on the backside of the brake pedal and I have to turn my foot sideways to get it out from under the pedal. This is a very dangerous and annoying problem that I am afraid of. I can't fix this problem myself as the design is the cause of the problem.
Complete brake failure, no warnings, no lights on dash. Car under warranty, only 9000 miles. Car dealership cannot find any problems, did no repairs. Advised us to wait until the problem repeats itself. Was able to keep car under control and managed to get it stopped. However, this happened in a rural area with little traffic. Do not feel safe driving until the problem repeats itself!
Brake complaints in other H3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Hummer H3?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Hummer H3, 6% of the model year's 362 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hummer H3 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Hummer H3, though it has 4 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 Hummer H3 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.