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 Hummer H3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated while making a turn, he heard a loud abnormal popping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the rear leaf spring had detached from the subframe of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Was driving this vehicle about 45 mph and began to shake violently. Was able to get it slowed down and back under control. Happened two more times on my drive home and took it to an auto repair shop today and found the frame is broken on both sides in front of rear leaf springs.
I was driving the vehicle at a normal rate of speed and stopped at a traffic light getting ready to change. I applied the brakes and when doing so, I heard some horrible noises and felt certain that parts had fallen out of the car. I knew something was immediately seriously wrong. I put the car in park (but it was effort and a grinding noise to put it in park) and stepped out to look under the car. No parts were on the ground, but something was leaking out of the bottom of the car. I got back in and put the car in drive to move it from the roadway knowing I was going to need assistance to tow it somewhere. It grinded trying to put it in any gear and only "revved" the engine when I tried to apply gas to drive it. There was absolutely no warning. The tow driver immediately noticed the drive shaft was disconnected and that was the leaking and thus going nowhere. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. While the contact's husband was driving approximately 10 MPH, another vehicle suddenly pulled out in front of him. In order to avoid hitting the vehicle, the driver immediately slammed on the brake pedal and the leaf springs suddenly fractured. The vehicle's "u" bolts, shackle bolts, and rear shackles fractured. The failure caused the drive shaft to detach from the transfer case and the rear axle to lay against the rear mud flaps. The vehicle was towed to the dragon auto body shop where all damaged parts were repaired. The contact informed an unknown Hummer dealer who stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 8/3115342180. The approximate failure mileage was 106,520. Updated 11/01/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal loud noise coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle began to veer to the left. The contact was able to merge to the shoulder of the road where it was discovered that the vehicle wheels had shifted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger leaf spring failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. While driving at a low speed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that both leaf springs in the rear of the vehicle had fractured. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back home. The dealer (sax motor co, 52 21st st e, dickinson, nd 58601, [phone]) was notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
On March 20, 2016 we hear a very loud bang in the rear of the Hummer.. Rear main leaf spring broke off. We also have the loud bang when you put the vehicle in drive. Both are being investigated by GM engineers @[email]. This vehicle should have never been sold by the dealer auto serv of tilton, nh. They will not make good on this vehicle. The vehicle at the time was literally going 15 miles per hour. Can you imagine if we were on the highway!! We have the old leaf springs home with us for proof.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. The contact stated that the rear leaf spring fractured without warning while driving approximately 55 MPH. The vehicle was driven and parked at the contact's residence due to the failure. A dealer (weber Chevrolet granite city, 3499 progress pkwy, granite city, il 62040, [phone]) stated that there was no manufacturer recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 09/06/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Hummer H3. While driving 50 MPH, the rear side wheel began to wobble without warning the contact also stated that the rear passenger side spring snapped and fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger spring was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,856. Updated 04/19/17
Catastrophic failure of leafspring/rear suspension. Turning out onto road and heard a loud snap, steering went crazy, almost lost control of car. Saw similar incidents happening all over the web. Some ending in the truck flipping end over end. See common thread...bad weld in leaf spring and it snaps randomly over time at weld. Noticed someone on forums also complained with this NHTSA tracking number (10838131). Please look into this before someone gets killed!
Suspension complaints in other H3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2006 Hummer H3?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the suspension of the 2006 Hummer H3, 8% of the model year's 362 complaints. The component named most often is front › hub (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Hummer H3 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
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.