RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Hhr Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
51
Latest Mar 22, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 1,006 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 51 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 51, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Mar 22, 2024

Fuel line is leaking under the car. I could smell gas when I would get out of my car.

NHTSA ID
11578872
Incident
Mar 6, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Sep 5, 2023

Gas line leaking under left rear tire

NHTSA ID
11542647
Incident
Sep 1, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Oct 31, 2022

Rear Section of the rear fuel line started to rott out and started leaking. The sction is where there is insulation on the line, adjacent to the Left rear tire. The rest of the line is good with no corrosion or rust. When the car is running and stopped a puddle forms under the car that is gasoline. I noticed it about a week ago , I smelled gas and thought the engine was the source, but later determined it was the fuel line as I could see the leak. It is by the rear plastic fuel line holder / support. The vehicle is always parked on a concrete driveway or paved street. Never on grass or dirt.

NHTSA ID
11491694
Incident
Oct 28, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Jul 13, 2021

Fuel line rotting. Dripping gas towards rear of car. When I did my research this is very common with the Chevy cars. Like the HHR cavaliers and cobalts. Using a cheap metal then wrapping it in a heat shield that cause moisture to stay trapped causing the lines to rot.

NHTSA ID
11424558
Incident
Jul 8, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Dec 14, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL AT THE FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD INSULATION RETURN AND BRAKE LINE WERE LOCATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL LINE WAS CORRODED WITH SEVERAL HOLES. THE CONTACT CALLED REEDMAN TOLL AUTO GROUP (1700 LINCOLN HWY #101, LANGHORNE, PA 19047) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,586.

NHTSA ID
11383320
Incident
Dec 13, 2020
Mileage
128,586 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 5, 2020

FUEL LINE LEAK NEAR REAR TIRE. FOUND PRESSURE LINE ROTTED INSIDE OF HEAT PROTECTION WRAP.

NHTSA ID
11373108
Incident
Oct 30, 2020
Mileage
187,250 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 26, 2020

FUEL VAPOR LINE RUSTING OUT .FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS PROBLEM IS RAMPANT AMONGST THIS MODEL AND COBALTS.

NHTSA ID
11366367
Incident
Sep 21, 2020
Fuel system
Filed Jul 9, 2020

MY 2006 HHR FUEL LINE BROKE AT THE REAR WHEEL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL LINE HAS A BEND AT THIS LOCATION AND THAT IS WHERE THE BREAK OCCURRED. GAS WAS SPRAYING OUT WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING. THIS OCCURRED IN 2019. I HAVE SINCE REPLACES THE FUEL LINES WITH NYLON FUEL LINES.

NHTSA ID
11338441
Incident
Jun 15, 2019
Mileage
115,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 8, 2020
Fire reported

ON 11-01-2015, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, A FUEL LINE BEGAN TO SPRAY GASOLINE. THE LEAK APPEARED TOWARD THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE LEAK WAS NOTICED BECAUSE THE FUEL CAUGHT FIRE. THE FUEL MUST HAVE BEEN SPRAYED ONTO A HOT PART. THE ON-FIRE FUEL LANDED ON THE PAVEMENT WHERE IT CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL MANUALLY EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE STOPPED THE SPRAYING, BUT FUEL CONTINUED TO DRIP FROM THE AREA FOR SOME TIME. THE REPAIRING MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE LINE WAS RUSTED AND HAD A HOLE. HE SAID THAT PART OF THE LINE SITS IN A POCKET WHERE IT STAYS WET AND DIRT/SALT ACCUMULATE. HE FOUND A FUEL VAPOR LINE ALSO WAS HEAVILY RUSTED. THE LINES WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF 588.31. I'M REPORTING THIS NOW BECAUSE OF THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN INVESTIGATION OF SOME MODEL YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY YEAR WAS NOT ON THE LIST, BUT THE LINES RUSTED. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ THIS REPORT. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL DETAILS OR IF I MAY CLARIFY ANY ITEM.

NHTSA ID
11338110
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
31,541 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 10, 2019

FUEL LINES LEADING BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND ENGINE HAVE RUSTED SEVERELY AND HAVE CAUSED A PUNCTURE FUEL LINE WHICH LEAKS FUEL.

NHTSA ID
11254324
Incident
Sep 6, 2019
Mileage
96,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 22, 2019

RUSTED FUEL LINES LEAK GASOLINE AND VAPORS ARE RELEASED INSIDE CAB.CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WAS TAKEN TO TIRES PLUS *AS*JB

NHTSA ID
11209291
Incident
May 21, 2019
Mileage
152,000 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Nov 9, 2018

I HAVE HAD A TERRIBLE TIME WITH THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2006 CHEVY HHR. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THERE IS NO APPARENT CAUSE. THESE CHANGES FROM WORKING TO NOT WORKING AND BACK CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AT ANY SPEED. FORTUNATELY I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO WRESTLE WITH IT AND STEER IT MANUALLY SO FAR. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM ABOUT IT BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR IT. THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND CHARGED ME OVER $300, BUT THAT DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD. ALSO TWICE A MESSAGE APPEARED ABOUT REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE ENGINE HAD ALMOST NO POWER TO GET UP HILLS. I WAS CREEPING ALONG AT ABOUT 10 MPH ON A SUPER HIGHWAY. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED IT ON AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND THE ENGINE HAD NORMAL POWER AGAIN. ALSO THE DOOR LOCK LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHEN I'M DRIVING. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THE PROBLEMS CAN'T BE DIAGNOSED UNLESS THEY SEE IT ACTING UP. OF COURSE IT DOESN'T DO THESE THINGS WHEN IT IS IN THE SHOP. I AM REALLY DISGUSTED.

NHTSA ID
11150306
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
135,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Oct 11, 2018

LEAKING FUEL LINE. MANY MANY HHR HAVE THIS

NHTSA ID
11139621
Incident
Sep 8, 2017
Mileage
146,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 18, 2018

FUEL LINE RUSTING!!

NHTSA ID
11130036
Incident
Sep 17, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 22, 2018

THE CHEVY HHR WAS BUILT WITH STEEL FUEL LINES RUNNING FROM THE FUEL PUMP OUTSIDE THE FUEL TANK ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE TANK TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THEY TURN AND RUN JUST ABOVE THE EXHAUST PIPE. TO PREVENT HEAT BUILDUP THE FUEL LINES ARE WRAPPED WITH AN INSULATING TAPE OF SOME SORT. THIS TAPE LOOSENS OVER TIME AND ALLOWS WATER TO ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE WRAPPING OF THE FUEL LINES. THIS CAUSES THE FUEL LINES TO RUST TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHEREIN THE FUEL THEN LEAKS OUT VERY NEAR OR ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND COULD RESULT IN THE INJURY OR DEATH OF ANY OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR EXPLOSION OF THE FUEL TANK. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE HHR, CHEVROLET HAS YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL DEALER THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE SYSTEM FROM THE TANK TO THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1000. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN I PARKED MY HHR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND SMELLED FUEL. MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I OWN 2 HHRS, A 2006 LS, AND A 2009 SS, AND AM NOW LOOKING AT A $2000 EXPENSE JUST TO MAKE THEM SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHEVROLET, NOT EVERY OWNER OF A HHR.

NHTSA ID
11097267
Incident
Apr 2, 2018
Mileage
178,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 16, 2018

FUEL SYSTEM RUSTED OUT !! FUEL LINES RUSTED CAUSING FUEL LEAKING FILLER TUBE RUSTED OUT FUEL SYSTEM FAILED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND GM REFUSE TO RECALL

NHTSA ID
11088520
Incident
Apr 16, 2018
Mileage
72,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 14, 2018

THERE IS A FUEL LINE LEAK IN THE BACK BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE LEAKING HAS ALL OVER. RUSTED ALREADY. WAS IN TOWN WITH MY KIDS AND DAD AND HAD IT IDLED FOR AWHILE AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED HAS REALLY BAD. SURE ENOUGH A PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE PAVEMENT. DROVE IT STRAIGHT HOME. EVERYONE WAS SCARED DUE TO THE LEAK. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID
11079036
Incident
Mar 13, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 11, 2018

GASOLINE GOES FAST, I HAVE TO FILL EVERY 4 DAYS. SOMETIMES ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES AWAY AND SOMETIMES RUNNS SMOOTH AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE WANTS TO TURN OFF.

NHTSA ID
11062179
Incident
Jan 2, 2018
Fuel system
Filed Nov 29, 2017

FUEL LINE LEAK BY LEFT REAR TIRE WHICH ALSO IS NEXT TO THE TAILPIPE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE LINE SITS IN A POOL OF WATER THAT FORMS ON THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID
11051353
Incident
Nov 29, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 27, 2017

BOTH THE FUEL LINE (TANK TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT) AND THE RETURN LINE (PART OF THE EGR SYSTEM) HAVE RUSTED AND ARE LEAKING FUEL. THE RUST ON BOTH LINES EXTENDS FROM JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEEL (ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE) TO WITHIN ABOUT 6 INCHES OF THE FUEL TANK. THE LINES LEAK WHEN PRESSURIZED, I.E., WHEN FUEL IS PUSHED THROUGH THEM BY THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, AND THEY SEEP GASOLINE AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE PERMEATES THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN STOPPED, AND THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, AS AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THE VEHICLE LEAVES A THIN PUDDLE OF FUEL, ABOUT 6" IN DIAMETER, BENEATH THE CAR WHEN PARKED. THE LEAK IS QUITE NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 152,800 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, HAVING PURCHASED IT FROM ROBINSON CHEVROLET, IN WHEELING, WV ON JULY 1, 2007. I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE OF THE FIRE HAZARD THAT IT PRESENTS. FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE AND I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WE CAN SHARE, AT LEAST UNTIL THE FUEL LEAKAGE SITUATION IS RESOLVED ON THE HHR. I DID NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PHOTOGRAPH THE RUSTED LINES WHILE THE CAR WAS ON A LIFT, BUT I DID SHOOT A PHOTO OF THE LINES WITH MY MOBILE PHONE. THE PHOTO IS OF THE AREA JUST FORWARD OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. (SEE UPLOADED PHOTO.) IT'S NOT THE BEST IMAGE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS THE BEST THAT I COULD DO WITH THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11040617
Incident
Oct 25, 2017
Mileage
152,800 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 14, 2017

FUEL LINES ON DRIVERS SIDE NEXT TO REAR WHEEL ARE RUSTING AND LEAKING FUEL OVER A EXHAUST PIPE,WHEN HOT WOULD SURELY CAUSE A FIRE. FROM WHAT I'VE READ A FEW HAVE CAUGHT FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10985622
Incident
Apr 3, 2017
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 14, 2017

FUEL LINE RUSTED AND BEGAN LEAKING VERY BADLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE EVAP SYSTEM IN THE BEGINNING, BUT TODAY THE GAS SMELL WAS VERY STRONG, TO FIND IN A WALMART PARKING LOT, A PUDDLE OF FUEL BACK BY THE REAR TIRE. THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THEM, AND THERE PROBABLY WEONT BE TILL SOMEONE DIES; THE LEAK IS VERY CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST ELBOW, BEFORE THE MUFFLER. I HAVE OWNED SEVEN CARS BEFORE THIS ONE, AND NOT ONE OF THEM EVER DEVELOPED BAD FUEL LINES, AND NEVER LEAKED FUEL. NOT EVEN A GAS TANK LEAK.

NHTSA ID
10945225
Incident
Jan 13, 2017
Mileage
165,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 2, 2017

MY CAR WAS PARKED OUT FRONT OF MY HOME AND ON THE MORNING OF 12/28/2016 AS I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT TO WORK AND PARKED MY CAR I LOOKED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR ONLY TO FIND THAT THERE WAS GAS LEAKING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE BY THE EXHAUST FROM THE GAS LINE. I HAVE NOT PAID TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND AFTER SOME RESEARCH I'VE FOUND OUT THERE ARE A FEW HUNDRED OTHER CASES SIMILAR TO MINE. IF MY VEHICLE CATCHES FIRE I WILL BE SUING GM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10939062
Incident
Dec 28, 2016
Mileage
13,500 mi
Fuel systemOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Sep 16, 2016

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... L HAVE CHILDREN THAT L TRANSPORTER BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL AND TO HOSPITAL...AND NEED A SAFER CAR...

NHTSA ID
10907181
Incident
Apr 20, 2016
Mileage
166,054 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 8, 2016

MY CAR WAS TAKING LONGER TO START AND I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHILE DRIVING. I STOPPED THE CAR AND DISCOVERED A SMALL BUT RAPIDLY EXPANDING SPOT OF FUEL ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. THERE WAS A NEAR CONSTANT DRIPPING OF GASOLINE AND BY THE NEXT DAY THERE WAS A SPOT THE SIZE OF A DINNER PLATE ON THE DRIVEWAY STAINED WITH GASOLINE. MY MECHANIC EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE FUEL LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE VAPOR LINE ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF SERIOUS RUST. HE ALSO SAID THAT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE GUARD AROUND THE FUEL LINE, RAINWATER WOULD POOL AND KEEP THE FUEL LINE SUBMERGED WHICH GREATLY ACCELERATED THE RUSTING PROCESS. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING THIS COULD HAVE VERY EASILY HAVE TURNED INTO A FIRE, PARTICULARLY ON THE FOURTH OF JULY WITH SO MANY PEOPLE SHOOTING FIREWORKS. MY CAR IS STILL AT THE MECHANIC, HE TELLS ME THE DEALER TOLD HIM THESE FUEL LINES ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND IT MAY BE A WHILE BEFORE THEY GET THEM IN. WITH AS WIDESPREAD AS THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE, I SUSPECT AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL MAY BE IN ORDER.

NHTSA ID
10883659
Incident
Jul 5, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .