Are Hummers Reliable? A Complete Breakdown
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It’s hard to talk about rugged, off-road vehicles without mentioning the Hummer. Who doesn’t want a rugged off-roader with monstrous proportions and military aspirations? However, many of you will agree that Hummers are some of the most polarizing vehicles available.
When people shop for this popular off-roader, one of the most common questions is: are Hummers reliable? If you’re planning to buy a used Hummer, one of your primary concerns is probably its reliability.
Today, we put the spotlight on the venerable Hummer as we talk in-depth about its reliability along with its common problems. Let’s get to it.
How Reliable is the Hummer Brand?
Hummer is known for its legendary off-road capability, excellent engine performance, and iconic design. However, this unique fleet of super trucks and SUVs is not without problems.
For instance, Hummers can be tough on owners when repairing and maintaining the vehicle. It requires regular care, and spare parts can be hard to find, especially if you have an original Hummer.
Are hummers reliable? The folks at CarComplaints.com have cited the H3 and H2 as the most problematic models, likely because of how popular they are. While doing our due diligence, it’s unfortunate there’s not enough data for the reliability ratings of the Hummer fleet.
On the other hand, the folks at RepairPal couldn’t provide a reliability rating for the Hummer. But instead, they rated the Hummer with a placeholder score based on the reliability history of midsize trucks. According to RepairPal, Hummer’s average annual repair cost is $662.
In terms of safety, Hummers are some of the safest vehicles on the road, with solid safety ratings. For example, the 2010 Hummer H3 aced many of its crashworthiness tests, including frontal and side crashes.
Hummers are built for rough weather and terrain. Provided that you tend to your regular maintenance and replace broken parts immediately, your Hummer may last up to 300,000 to 500,000 miles if you only drive on normal roads.
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What are the Common Problems of Hummer?
Are Hummers reliable? Below are some of the most common problems you may encounter as a Hummer owner:
Leaking Valves
Reasonably common with the 2006 Hummer H3, numerous complaints about the Hummer leaky valves have been logged over at Car Complaints. H3 owners noticed that the vehicle had a rough start, then the check engine light came on. Another reported symptom is that the vehicle burned oil which eventually turned into a leak.
The problem occurs at around 87,750 miles, and a valve replacement may cost you $2,580 on average.
Low Oil Pressure
A common complaint with the 2006 H2 is the low oil pressure problem. Many H2 owners have reported knocking noises coming from their vehicles. A few reports also stated that their Hummers’ suffered decreased performance along with the strong smell of burning oil. Repairs for this type of problem may cost up to $7,000.
We’ve covered the low oil pressure issue in great detail in our guide, so give it a read to know more.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?
Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last? How often should you replace your brakes? We’ve got answers
Climate System Issues
Owners of 2008 H3 Hummers struggled with A/C and heater issues. The issues stem from the HVAC harness, which many reports said burned out at around 90,950 miles. Numerous owners said that it’s a recurring issue which means they had to replace the harness multiple times to get the climate system working.
Engine Stalling
According to numerous reports, the engines of 2003-2006 H2s are prone to stalling. In addition to stalling the engine, the issue was accompanied by low idle speeds. While many issues may cause an engine to stall, this particular one was repaired by simply servicing the throttle body.
In general, always bring your car to a mechanic when your engine stalls to get a proper diagnosis.
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What are the Most Reliable Hummers?
Are Hummers reliable? Below are some of the best Hummers as far as reliability goes.
2010 Hummer H3
The last version of the H3 before it was discontinued was considered one of the best, reliability-wise. It’s the smallest Hummer in production, but it had four-wheel capabilities and a robust V8 engine. Fuel economy isn’t its strong suit, but that’s expected with most Hummer models.
2022 GMC Hummer EV
As if Hummers couldn’t be more bombastic, the Hummer EV Edition 1 came to play. This Hummer is all-new and all-electric, and it’s a proper luxury pickup truck. It has all the modern bells and whistles, along with an estimated 1,000 horsepower and 0-60 mph in 3 seconds acceleration. Of course, being all-electric means you can say goodbye to the Hummer’s fuel economy woes.
Shaping up to be the best Hummer ever made, this beast of a truck has a six-figure introductory price, so better save up.
What are the Least Reliable Hummers?
In general, you’ll want to avoid the old Hummers to save you the headache of repairing and maintaining them. This is especially true if you’re looking to buy something like an H1 Hummer. They can be expensive to maintain, and parts are hard to find.
2006 Hummer H3
The assault-vehicle styling may draw you in, but the 2006 H3 had many problems, which led to numerous complaints. Its engines had many issues, including leaky valves, faulty cylinder heads, and outright engine failure. If you have to avoid the least reliable Hummer, the 2006 version is the one to avoid.
2003 Hummer H2
The 2003 H2 isn’t the most unreliable vehicle out there, in fact, they’re relatively reliable if you only consider its ruggedness and go-anywhere attitude. However, its maintenance and repair may give prospective buyers a lot of trouble. Annual maintenance and repair costs can be as high as $745.
If you’re looking to buy a used 2003 H2, make sure you view the maintenance records. Otherwise, you’ll have to take a pass. Hummers can be very reliable if serviced and maintained correctly. However, the 2003 H2 seemed to have aged poorly and was clearly a product of its time.
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