VehicleVerdict

2006 Hummer H3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 470 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.8 times the median H3 year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 6 H3 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 10 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (103), engine (87), and visibility & wipers (61), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

470

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

34

Fires reported

10

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other H3 years?

H3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted470 complaints2003: 4 complaints2006: 470 complaints2007: 331 complaints2008: 154 complaints2009: 95 complaints2010: 8 complaints
H3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all H3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Hummer H3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System10322%
Engine8719%
Visibility & Wipers6113%
Body & Structure378%
Suspension317%
Other296%
Airbags204%
Brakes204%
Transmission204%
Steering112%
Latches & Locks112%
Fuel System102%
Seat Belts71%
Speed Control71%
Tires & Wheels61%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Lighting41%
Seats20%

Does the 2006 Hummer H3 have recalls?

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

15V421000Visibility & WipersJuly 1, 2015 · 164,993 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Hummer H3 vehicles manufactured February 5, 2005, to May 24, 2010, and 2009-2010 Hummer H3T vehicles manufactured May 21, 2008, to May 24, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the connector module that controls the blower motor speed for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system may overheat.

Consequence

If the blower motor connector module overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace part of the blower motor connector and harness, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Hummer customer service at 1-800-732-5493. GM's number for this recall is 15042.

10V179000Body & StructureApril 30, 2010 · 162,129 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2010 HUMMER H3 VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE INTEGRAL CLIP-TABS ON THE LOUVER ON THE HOOD MAY FRACTURE, CAUSING THE HOOD LOUVER RATTLE AGAINST THE HOOD AND BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS INDICATOR IS UNNOTICED, ADDITIONAL CLIPS COULD FRACTURE AND THE HOOD LOUVER COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL APPLY AN ADHESIVE TO THE HOOD LOUVER TO SECURE IT TO THE HOOD. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HUMMER AT 800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

06V417000AirbagsOctober 31, 2006 · 794 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence

IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy

BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“11/02/11 SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING LOOKED UNDER DASH BLOWER RESISTOR AND PLUG MELTED TOGETHER HAD REPLACED ON 12/11/11 SMELT BURNING PLASTIC AGAIN HAD SAME PROBLEM BLOWER RESISTOR AND PLUG MELTED AGAIN FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT IS A ON GOING PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 2, 2011 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE SMELL OF COOLANT EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WHITE SMOKE WAS VISIBLE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 17, 2012 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED AND BEGAN TO POWER ON AND OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 25, 2015 · fire

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SALES DEALER EXPRESSED THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE NOISE PROBLEMS WHILE TRAVELING HIGH SPEEDS. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH. THE SALES DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE NOISE PROBLEM. THE SALES DEALER EXPRESSED THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE IN 2 MONTHS. THE PARTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 30, 2006

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HUMMER H3. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE UPPER BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARM BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 11, 2014

2006 Hummer H3 — common questions

Is the 2006 Hummer H3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 470 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 6 H3 years. It is one of the H3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 H3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (103 complaints), engine (87 complaints), visibility & wipers (61 complaints).

Does the 2006 Hummer H3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Hummer H3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Hummer H3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the H3 years to avoid are 2006, 2007. The cleanest record among H3 years belongs to 2003.

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.