The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,107 in the U.S. in 2006 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 8 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
8 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Nissan Armada 1352006 Hummer H3 1112006 Ford Freestyle 276
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V240000 (electrical), 08V441000 (electrical) and 06E010000 (steering) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Hummer sent dealers 749 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, transmission stuck in third gear, instrument cluster…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Hummer's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 8 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 54K miles (1K to 88K km) on the car (7 of all 8 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Brakes are very noisy (squeaking) dealer grinded down brake pads and removed and sanded the rotors. Still have squeak not as bad. Very concerned on brake issue and jimmy rig fix at 6000 miles
2006 Hummer H2 owner · NHTSA complaint 10168416
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 20.4M views · 2003–2009 Hummer H2
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door127K views
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 hummer resistor repair. Fan not blowing on hummer h2 both Ac and heat fanVito Mirra · 62K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical101K views
How to program A Hummer H2 remote key fob 2003 - 2007PYR Automotive · 91K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension78K views
Wheel bearing hub assembly replacement Hummer H2 2005 GMC Cheverolet 2001-2007Fixing cars and stuff · 52K views · 2 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x435K views
How to use 2007 Hummer H2 4x4 and rear lock4x4 Rides · 35K views
Show 4 more
- Timing chain & engine35K views
2003 HUMMER H2 6.0L - ENGINE MISFIRE DIAGNOSISSuper Mario Diagnostics · 24K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service29K views
How to Change Engine Oil & Filter on HUMMER H2 | 2006 H2 HUMMEREasy Steps · 29K views - Windows, doors & mirrors28K views
Hummer H2 Rear Window Regulator Replacement & Repair. 2003-2009 Hummer H2 2003-2009 RearPower Up Auto · 21K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank17K views
2003 Hummer H2 Gas Tank Removal Fuel Pump/Sending Unit Replacement Part 1Patrick Murphy · 17K views
Before you buy, watch
Hummer H2 2003 to 2009 common problems, issues, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 23K views
2003 HUMMER H2 PROBLEMSLifeissimple · 21K views
2003 hummer h2 problemsFelix Rosario · 10K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Hummer told dealers about
Hummer sent dealers 749 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, transmission stuck in third gear, instrument cluster…
- Clunk noise that can be heard on a 2-3 upshift on 2002 and prior light duty trucks
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2010
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 AVALAN…
- Electrical · recall issued 2008
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 X…
- Steering · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS.
Show all 5 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2005
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 LAB…
- Steering · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedNon-crash engine compartment fires2008
- ClosedHummer h2 steering knuckle failures2005–2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Every Hummer H2 year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 Hummer H2 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Hummer H2 reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,107 were sold in the U.S. in 2006 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Hummer H2 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (38%), brakes (25%) and transmission & drivetrain (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Hummer H2 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2006 Hummer H2 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
What Hummer H2 year is better than the 2006?
Nearby, the 2003 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works