VehicleVerdict

2006 Hummer H2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2006 Hummer H2 sits mid-pack among H2 years: 35 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 25, with 5 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (5), engine (5), and brakes (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

35

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other H2 years?

H2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted186 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 186 complaints2004: 74 complaints2005: 103 complaints2006: 35 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 3 complaints
H2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all H2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Hummer H2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System514%
Engine514%
Brakes411%
Suspension411%
Steering39%
Airbags26%
Other26%
Seats26%
Transmission26%
Visibility & Wipers26%
Fuel System13%
Seat Belts13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Lighting13%

Does the 2006 Hummer H2 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V240000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2008 · 857,735 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

06E010000SteeringFebruary 1, 2006 · 1,360 units

Defect

CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.

05V552000OtherDecember 7, 2005 · 32,068 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.

05V455000SteeringOctober 5, 2005 · 123,592 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, IT COULD ALSO RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED. IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAY WERE TO SPRAY ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H2T. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE ON-STAR SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT BUT THE MANUFACTURER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 28, 2008 · crash

“1. NORMAL DRIVING IN TOWN AND HIGHWAY 2. FAILURE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE & PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS; CAUSES EXHAUST GASES TO FILL ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BYPASSES THE CATALYTIC EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT. 3. DRIVERS SIDE HEAD HAD TO BE REMOVED, BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS EXTRACTED FROM THE HEAD, NEW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THEM TO RUPTURE AND LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 20, 2015

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 GMC HUMMER H2. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO A CANAL. THE TOW MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SCRATCHES FROM THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 15, 2007 · crash

“STEERING IS VERY SLOPPY AND VAGUE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THERE IS TOO MUCH NON ACTIVE MOVEMENT TO CORRECT DIRECTION. I HAVE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT LEAST 6 INCHES CONSTANTLY TO EVEN KEEP THE TRUCK STRAIGHT. I HEAR GM HAS WEAK PITMAN ARMS ETC.. ALSO THE STEERING JUDDERS AND VIBRATES AND SOMETIMES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 1, 2006

2006 Hummer H2 — common questions

Is the 2006 Hummer H2 reliable?

It is close to typical for the H2: 35 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 H2 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), engine (5 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 2006 Hummer H2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Hummer H2. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Hummer H2 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hummer H2 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the H2 years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2004. The cleanest record among H2 years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.