The vehicle was purchased used on a saturday with the dealership not advising us there were any issues. The next day we headed to the lake and 20 minutes later we were sitting on the side of the road. The vehicle was idling very hard with RPM going crazy. Now over a year and several visits to the shop later we are still experiencing the same issue. When the vehicle is initially turned on it will not move. It has to sit for about 3 minutes with the engine light flashing. If you try to push thr gas nothing happens. The vehicle idles very hard. It is only firing on 4 cylinders and the dealership says that gm is aware of the issue. They said it is a "bad batch" and will just have to keep replacing the head to fix the problem. This is not fair to the consumer and needs to be addressed by gm.
2006 Hummer H3 engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 87, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving at 45mph all systems shut off. No power steering nothing. The car would not restart. This happened multiple times with out warning.
Car has been spontaneously stalling while driving at high speeds. Engine cuts out, power brakes and steering fail, no radio, etc. Vehicle loses all power. It is terrifying. Has happened at least 3 dozen times now. Several visits to dealer could not pinpoint problem. Dealers unable to duplicate stalling, although it has happened to me regularly for months - ie, every time I drive the car (with my two babies) for an extended period on the highway.
Owned the car since 2006 with no problems--regularly maintained, 125,000 miles. My wife took it to the shop where she was told the engine had "low compression." after the review, the manager said he had bad news, that the car needed to be traded in/sold immediately and not to drive it until it was because the piston was defective. I verified the results with 2 other mechanics that the 5 cylinder h3s lose compression out the blue. The shop manager basically told me that I need to sell/trade in the vehicle, but not to drive it until I had done so, apparently this issue has happened to 06 h3s religiously where the compression diminishes and leads to the engine dying. We feel like we've been punched in the gut by hummer. How can a car perfectly maintained all of a sudden have "low compression" and lead 3 professionals to advise us to sell it it as soon as possible? This has been known by hummer (pip3935d) and they did nothing about it. We called gm and they wanted to look at the engine to diagnose it themselves. Pistons 2 and 3 were bad. Our VIN number is covered by the pip3935d but the dealership refused to acknowledge this. They refused to assist us unless we paid $6000 for the "repair"--but this issue will re-occur. I have made a call to gm corporate but have yet to receive a reply. In the meantime we still owe over $4000 on this vehicle that we leased in 2006, then purchased. Our vehicle is unsellable and we don't have $6000 to fix this known hummer 2006 h3 defect. Gm has been aware of the defect since 2008 and refuses to act like professional, understanding, compassionate individuals. I will never purchase or recommend the purchase of a gm again based on this life-changing experience. How can a dealership (that the us government bailed out of bankruptcy) treat its customers this way? We have spent $30,000++ since leasing/purchasing it in 2006.
Owner the car since 2006 with no problems--regularly maintained, 125,000 miles. After a recent long trip my wife took it to the shop where she was told the engine had "low compression." the shop was trusted 100% and been used for decades. Service manager said they would see what they could do about the low compression and that they would have to check each of the pistons. After the review, the manager said he had bad news, that the car needed to be traded in/sold immediately and not to drive it until it was. I verified the results with 2 other mechanics that the 5 cylinder h3s lose compression out the blue--common among 5 cylinder h3s. The shop manager basically told me that I need to sell/trade in the vehicle, but not to drive it until I had done so, apparently this issue has happened to 06 h3s religiously where the compression diminishes and leads to the engine dying. . It's a possible to buy a used engine with the possibility that the compression could die again. Needless to say, we feel like we've been punched in the gut by hummer. How can a car perfectly maintained all of a sudden have "low compression" and lead 3 professionals to advise us to sell it l it as soon as possible? This had to have been known by hummer and they did nothing about it. Meantime, we are probably over/under on the vehicle and will have to get rid of it.
First of all, the date of the incident is very vague considering it's been happening most of the life span of the vehicle. Ever since the vehicle reached 30,000 miles the check engine light has been going on and off periodically. Now there is around 85,000 miles and I can honestly say the check engine light has been on for most of the life of the car. The code is always p0300. This is due to a random misfire in the cylinder heads. I have had this car long enough to say this typically happens during idle. This car has always had a rough idle. I would say ten percent of the time it's a smooth idle. I always use good gas, clean oil and up to date maintenance on this vehicle and I never stress the engine due to it's feeling of it being so fragile. Going online I am astonished to find so many with the same exact problem. Gm had the same recall on the inline 5 cylinder canyon cylinder heads. This is the same problem we are having with our inline 5 cylinder engine heads. Gm needs to put this on recall. Fix their mistake and keep this check engine light from going on every time I park my car, start my car or simply idle. Many would be grateful if this was recalled.
Blower motor quit working. Took to dealer said needed motor wiring harness and resitor. They said the wiring harness caught fire and fused together. Cost of 300.00 to fix. Fire hazard.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate over 50 MPH. In addition, the vehicle would sporadically stall with the illumination of the check engine warning light illuminated. Also, the vehicle would overheat when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer advised that the catalytic converter, air sensor, coil springs, and the spark plugs needed replacing. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 87,000.
The check engine came on and I took it to my dealership to have it checked out.they performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the engine head cylinder (engine missfire). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and denied assistance with the repair because the vehicle warranty was expired. The mechanic stated it was due to an inferior soft metal used to manufacture the heads which caused a loss of combustion when the engine was idling. The blowback at idle was what was causing the engine light to illuminate. Mechanic also stated this problem was a recurring problem in this 5cyl engine which is the same engine that is in the colorado pickups and is covered under a gm recall in the pickups but not the hummer. The mechanic stated that the issue will only get worst. Please help as I was given a price to repair of approx. $3183 if I was going to pay for the repairs myself at the dealership. What can a person do when this is a known mfg defect, many complaints about this issue with no recourse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. The contact stated that the temperature gauge had increased several times and when he inspected the vehicle, he found radiator coolant leaking from the radiator top seal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the he failure. The failure and current mileage was 83,000.
Came out of work to find a puddle of coolant on the ground. Radiator plastic cracked. Fluid is on fan and throughout engine compartment. Searched on google and found this is a known issue. Gm dealer and customer service acknowledged this is a common issue, however would do nothing about it.
The service technician diagnosed a cracked radiator, which is a know hummer h3 issue. They have asked for $850+ to fix what is a known design flaw. Http://www.hummerforums.com/forum/hummer-h3-17/read-if-your-h3-radiator-has-cracked-leaked-21184/.
I went in to dealer for what I called a fluttering periodic idle. They took a look $200.00 later told me I had misfire in #2 and #5 and needed new head. You can imagine my comments and he said it is common he just did one last week on the same year and type h3! Well I was in touch with gm - the car is out of warranty but low mileage. They did cover a portion and I was responsible for the rest. Well I pick up week later. Was told it was test driven and runs great. I told them it ran great before just the fluttering idle when I stopped at a light. They said you are all set.. Many bad words escaped my mouth when I drove home and it was not fixed. The vehicle still drove the same way it did before and the flutter was still there,. So now I have to bring it back again and I made the tech get in the vehicle so he knew what I was talking about and he said well it was brought in for a misfire. Uhhh no it was not. Why has gm not done any type of recall on this if it is known problem. Feel like they don't care since the vehicle is not made anymore what does it matter to them. I could continue but am limited to characters.
Radiator rubs in the middle on the frame causing stress to the top, crackling cracks . .causing leakage!!
The check engine light went on and off. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who diagnostic as cylinder #1 misfire. Compression test failed due to cylinder leakage. The main problem was to at the time of manufacturing the engine soft metals were used with the heads. I was told I need to replace cylinder head and related parts. Contacted gm hummer division informed them of my problem with my 3.5l, 5 cylinder engine and ask them for assistance since they did a special extended warranty for the 2006 colorado and canyons with the same engine problems. They refused to help.
My vehicle has a cracked radiator and according to other hummer owners this is a common defect that happens to these vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel during the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technician stated that the engine's cylinder head would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
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 heating. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who confirmed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,934 and the current mileage was 65,936.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. The contact stated that the instrument panel displayed a warning message that read 'reduced power service stabilizer system tracking failed' and the vehicle failed to accelerate beyond 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired. The failure continued. Both the dealer and the manufacturer were unable to further diagnose the failure. The failure and current mileages were 70,000.
Engine light came on during emission testing, which caused the vehicle to fail. Just had the thermostat and evaporator valve replaced the week before. The emissions department stated that it was a code p0300, misfire in cylinder 1. I took the vehicle for diagnostics and after a coil test and compression test (failed), they stated that is was a cylinder valve leakage. They also stated that there was a bulletin out on 2006 h3 for this issue. When I contacted gm customer service, I was told that the vehicle's VIN was not a part of this bulletin and that the mileage was past the warranty. The only thing they could suggest to me is to take it to a gm certified repair facility and I would have to pay for the complete repair myself.
The check engine light goes off and on intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the engine head cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and denied assistance with the repair because the vehicle warranty was expired. The mechanic stated it was due to an inferior soft metal used to manufacture the heads which caused a loss of combustion when the engine was idling. The blowback at idle was what was causing the engine light to illuminate. Mechanic also stated this problem was a recurring problem in this 5cyl engine which is the same engine that is in the colorado pickups and is covered under a gm recall in the pickups but not the hummer. The mechanic stated that the issue will only get worst. Please help as I was given a price to repair of approx. $4000 if I was going to pay for the repairs myself at the dealership.
Defective cylinder head from gmc - they know about this problem but won't assist with cost to repair, my h3 at 50,000 miles now has cracked cylinder head for no apparent reason and of course since my warranty is no longer in effect I have no recourse. Is there nothing that can be done about this?
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle became hesitant while accelerating uphill. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technician stated that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. The contact stated that the check engine light remained illuminated and the engine would exhibit a loud noise when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the engine head cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and denied assistance with the repair because the vehicle warranty was expired. The failure mileage was 69,000 and the current mileage was 71,000.
Loss of power, was able to drive to the local gm dealer.mechanic stated it was due to a valve seat coming loose in the head.mechanic also stated this problem was a recurring problem in this 5cyl engine.the same engine that is in the colorado pickups and is covered under warranty in the pickups but not the hummer.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. The contact stated the engine coolant was leaking front the front of the engine. The contact examined the vehicle but was not sure if the leak was coming from the head gasket or engine block. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. The contact stated that when the vehicle was set in first gear and parked on an incline, the vehicle abnormally roll backward. The contact spoke with the dealer and they advised using the emergency parking brake because the engine would not have sufficient compression to hold the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure should be explained in the owners manual so that the failure would not occur. The failure and current mileage was 33,700.
While driving received check engine code for #5 cylinder misfire. Took it straight into the local gm dealer who informed me the head was already replaced at 16k miles and now another head is needed. Gm is not willing to cover any cost as the 2006 does not have a power train warranty included. So contacted hummer customer care line and still waiting on word what will be done.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 hummer h3. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH the check engine light started to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who performed a diagnostic test and stated that the engine misfired and had an excessive leak in it. The emission coil was repaired but the problem continued to occur. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 45,014.
2006 h3 hummer cutting off when idling,was diagnosed with same head valve seat problem as recalled colorado atlas engine,same engine the h3 engine should be covered.
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