7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$500
Average Mileage:
66,300 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replace ignition switch (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Hummer dealer.

problem #9

Aug 012015

H3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I bought a 2006 Hummer H3 a few months ago. I have learned that the passlock is preventing it from starting. Sometimes it will start other times I will have to wait 10 minutes. I can't believe there is not a recall for this since there is complaints by the buttload about it. Not to mention how scary it is stranded in a parking lot and you are stuck waiting 10 minutes for your vehicle to start. This is so embarrassing.. Safety is a huge concern.. My guess is GM won't recall it till someone dies because they can't escape an attacker because there Hummer won't start. Pretty positive if I have to fix this problem out of my own pocket I will never buy a GM vehicle again.. I am sure there are a lot others that are feeling the same way. So annoyed by GM!

- Stacey W., St Joseph, MO, US

problem #8

Aug 052015

H3 5 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The Passlock system on the Hummer is the worst system ever made. My wifes hummer only has about 60k miles on it in the past 8 years and for the last 3 or 4 years it ramndomly just won't start with the Passlock light flashing. This is a huge safety issue: 1) we typically get into the 110+F range in Las Vegas and getting stuck out in that heat for 10 minutes can be deadly 2) getting stuck in that heat with groceries that get ruined or melt is unaccaptable 3) when my wife is alone in a parking lot you don't want to be stuck standing around waiting to get mugged or locked inside your hot car for 10 minutes waiting for it to start 4) missing appontments or being late for work because your vehicle INTENTIONALLY won't start is rediculous

I've heard from HUNDREDS of Hummer owners with the exact same problem and GM should recall this defective part. If this was a "wear" part like brakes or service item like oil changes it should have notified buyers upon purchase.

- Joe O., Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #7

Jan 012010

H3 H3 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Hummer H3 has GM's trusty PASSLOCK II anti theft system. This system disables the fuel system when a false key is detected. The H3 is built with a very weak ignition switch. If you like to hang your keys, pictures, icons, your coat and jacket on the key chain with your ignition keys while in this switch, be ready to be stranded, at least until the system reset after 10 minutes. Hope it starts then. I never hang anything on my key chains except the key and the remote FOB.

I tried a passlock bypass sold on Amazon that tricks the passlock system into ignoring the signal to the BCM. It failed to fix the problem.

What worked for me was taking it to the nearest GM Dealership and replace the weak/cheaply made Ignition switch. After this, I never had the embarrassment of Hummer just cranking over and not starting. This could be a safety concern for women and females traveling alone. This system, if it fails, could potentially put someone in harms way.

Hope this helps some frustrated person. Just stop trying to fix it yourself, save up the funds and report to your nearest GM dealership..They are waiting on you and more than happy to take your money. Again this is another Manufacturer defect that customers are shelling out to fix.

- tinked9, Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #6

Feb 262015

H3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

GM needs to recall the 2006 H3 Hummer. Based on feedback and posts from current owners this is not an isolated technical flaw in the Hummer design. The auto-theft Pass-Lock system prevents the car from starting up without going through the restart computer process. The auto mechanics do not know how to fix the issue until you spend a lot of money on other diagnosis issues that do not fix the real problem.

- Cleo L., Anchorage, AK, US

problem #5

May 052014

H3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I have an irritating unsafe problem with the start of my H3, the anti theft lock system prevents me from starting my H3, in addition weird blinking switches throughout the car one day the clock and radio are blinking the next day my heater light the next day it will move to the doors! I live in a sub arctic/arctic place when my H3 won't start it could get me and my kids killed, I do my part in maintaining oil, tranny, tires, battery ect. Gm has no recalls for this and they should! I cant afford to pay 1000.00 to fix the ignition tumbler

- Brandy B., Wasilla, AK, US

problem #4

Sep 012013

H3 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,710 miles

The anti-theft is coming on about once a month, it started a year or so ago. This summer it was happening weekly and in October 2014 it was happening almost every time I started it up. I have been late for work, appointments, etc. and it has been costly grabbing cabs and annoying to ask people for rides. I have avoided going places because I do not know if I will get home again. It has been really really stressful. I have been stranded going to the US (I LIVE IN CANADA) Every time I get in I feel sick worrying if I am stuck.

I reported it to GM CANADA and they refuse to do anything even though I explained it is a common problem with this vehicle. I am totally fed up with GM not willing to help when they know it is a problem. I also need a cylinder head replaced which I lodged a separate complaint for. The vehicle is a first time owner and been very well maintained. I am sick of GM saying they can do nothing because internet reports are not reliable. They will only acknowledge it if it is reported by their mechanic, how convenient for them. I WILL NOT BUY GM AGAIN EVEN THOUGH WE ARE A 4 CAR GM FAMILY.

- maxineh, Richmond, BC, canada

problem #3

Aug 042012

H3 5 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

I started having trouble with my car randomly not starting and having to wait 10 minutes for it to start back in August 2012 and its now January 2013 and I'm still having issues. Ive taken it to a couple places and they tell me because its intermediate that i have to leave it for several days which i cant so after researching ive noticed its a common problem with GM and seems to be the passlock system.

- Tracy T., Rossville, GA, US

problem #2

Jul 132006

H3 3.5L 5 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

Purchased the car in May of 06, took it out for it's inaugural debut of car camping a couple months later only to discover upon leaving our camp after a two day stint that the car would not start. The keys became locked in the ignition. To make matters worse the OnStar system would not work either because the battery was dead and we were out of cell range. Luckily a good Samaritan hauled me back and forth where I could get cell reception and speak with an OnStar rep. None of the solutions the OnStar tech support offered worked. The final straw was when the OnStar service wanted to tow me to another state to the nearest Hummer Dealer in Nevada. They would not send a tow truck to jump me or tow me home which was less than a hundred miles. I was forced to call AAA and they found a tow service who came out to the camp site and jumped me. I took the vehicle to the dealer the following Monday and they replaced the battery. Not much explanation as to why the battery failed. This situation has happened two more times since 2006. I am now on my third battery in 2011. Finally a local dealer found an issue with the computer. That's for another complaint!

- Beth D., Sacramento, CA, US

problem #1

Jul 062008

H3 H3 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,778 miles

I have driven this Adorable for about 5 month without any hiccups until i took it on a long trip of about 550 kilometers the Passlock Light came on halfway into my trip and stayed on for the next 100 kilometers as soon as i switched off and tried to start the car it refused to start, presently i am trying servicing of the Car if the car would reset itself.

The painful aspect of this is that there is no GM Hummer service center in Nigeria, it is assumed that it is a rugged jeep that has been perfected not to come up with such an embarrassing grounding frustrating problem.

My concern i am 450 kilometers away from home, how do i fix this Problem?

- Tunde B., Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria