Hummer

H3 (1st)

2006-2010 · Compact SUV ยท 3 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.9)
796 NHTSA Complaints
4 Recalls
56 Fire Reports
27 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (24.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (24.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (24.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (24.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (24.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (24.6% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

LH8

5.3L 8-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.9)
35 complaints 17.5 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
10
safety systems
10
other
6
brakes
3
body
3

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (10 complaints)
Brakes Issues (3 complaints)

LLR

3.7L 5-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.2)
326 complaints 65.2 per year Gasoline
23 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
130
engine
71
other
61
body
31
safety systems
29

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (130 complaints)
Typical onset: 69,125โ€“120,410 mi Est. repair: $251โ€“$750 (6 reports)
Engine Issues (71 complaints)
Typical onset: 61,085โ€“128,000 mi Est. repair: $525โ€“$2,050 (7 reports)
Body/Trim Issues (31 complaints)
Typical onset: 42,116โ€“145,000 mi

L52

3.5L 5-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
310 complaints 155.0 per year Gasoline
20 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
81
electrical
77
other
50
body
36
cooling
33

Known Issues

Engine Issues (81 complaints)
Typical onset: 53,000โ€“102,250 mi Est. repair: $2,500โ€“$5,000 (13 reports)
Electrical System Issues (77 complaints)
Typical onset: 100,000โ€“130,000 mi Est. repair: $90โ€“$1,000 (5 reports)
Body/Trim Issues (36 complaints)
Typical onset: 108,006โ€“152,000 mi

2 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hummer H3 regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (217 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (152 complaints)
engine critical
Body/Trim Issues (67 complaints)
body critical
Safety Systems Issues (40 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Cooling System Issues (33 complaints)
cooling critical

Recalls (4)

15V421000Jan 6, 2015serious
Visibility

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.

10V179000Apr 29, 2010serious
Structure

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.

06V417000Oct 30, 2006serious
Air Bags

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.

05V552000Jul 11, 2005serious
Equipment

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2010 Hummer H3 problems?

The 2006-2010 Hummer H3 has accumulated 796 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Engine, Body/Trim. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Hummer H3 engine is most reliable?

The 2006-2010 Hummer H3 was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.7L 5-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2006-2010 Hummer H3 a good used car?

The 2006-2010 Hummer H3 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 796 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2010 Hummer H3 have?

The 2006-2010 Hummer H3 has 796 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2006-2010 Hummer H3?

There are 4 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2006-2010 Hummer H3 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Hummer H3?

Before buying a used Hummer H3, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Engine, Body/Trim, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the H3?

The 2010 Hummer H3 received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (24.6% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 796 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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