2003-2008 Hummer H2: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

2005 Hummer H2
2008 Hummer H2
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2003-2008 Hummer H2 ▼

  • Price Range:  $16,600 - $40,900
CG Rating

43

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2003-2008 Hummer H2 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Trailer-towing capability

Cons

  • Noise
  • Entry/exit
  • Fuel economy
  • Steering/handling

Vehicle Highlights

Launched for 2003, this new "junior" Hummer borrowed styling from its military-based big brother, but was designed as a more-civilized, less-costly SUV. Like the larger, original Hummer--now called the H1--the H2 was built by AM General in Indiana. However, it was designed in conjunction with General Motors, which now owned the Hummer brand. H2s were sold through selected GM dealerships, most of them Cadillac franchises. Compared to a Chevrolet Tahoe, the H2 was 9 inches shorter in length, but its wheelbase was nearly 7 inches longer and it was more than 2 inches wider. It was also some 1300 pounds heavier. Standard seating was for five occupants, with a single-passenger third-row seat optional. The H2 took its 6.0-liter V8, four-speed automatic transmission, and major chassis components from GM's full-size pickup trucks. All-wheel drive was standard: designed for severe off-road use with low-range gearing, specific throttle-pedal and traction-control settings, for on- and off-pavement activity. A locking rear differential was installed, too. Luxury sport-utility vehicle competitors included the GMC Yukon/Denali and Toyota Land Cruiser. An H2 could tow as much as 7000 pounds. Standard features included antilock four-wheel disc brakes, chassis skid plates, GM's OnStar assistance system, power front seats, a split folding second-row seat, and 17-inch wheels. Side airbags were not available. Options included heated leather front and second-row seats, a sunroof, chrome appearance package, and an Adventure package with self-leveling rear air-spring suspension.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Hummer H2 wagon Rating
Performance 4
Fuel Economy 2
Ride Quality 5
Steering/Handling/Braking 2
Quietness 3
Controls/Materials 5
Interior Room 7
Room/Comfort (rear) 6
Cargo Capacity 7
Value within Class 2
Total Score: 43
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2003-2008 Hummer H2. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2003-2008 Hummer H2.

Year to Year Changes


2004 Hummer H2: A navigation system became available for 2004, part of a combination radio/navigation unit that put the video screen in the audio faceplate. During 2004, engine output rose to 325 horsepower.
2005 Hummer H2: An SUT offshoot of the original H2 wagon joined for 2005, with a pickup truck-like cargo bed. Seating five like the regular H2, it replaced the wagon's enclosed cargo area with a 3-foot-long, 5-foot-wide open cargo bed. The SUT had GM's midgate wall behind the rear seat. Fitted with a power-retractable window, the midgate folded along with the back seat to extend bed length to 6 feet.
2006 Hummer H2: A Pacific Blue Limited Edition package for 2006 bundled Hummer's audio/navigation system with DVD entertainment, carbon-fiber interior accents, and special blue paint. Also included were a roof rack, roof-mounted off-road lights, and brush guards for the grille and taillights. Hummer launched a new, smaller H3 model this year, which would also be the finale for the mammoth H1.
2007 Hummer H2: A rearview camera became optional for 2007 on this military-styled SUV from General Motors' Hummer brand.
2008 Hummer H2: The 2008 Hummer H2 got a redesigned interior and a more powerful engine. Hummer updated its big SUV's passenger compartment for 2008. A 2-passenger 3rd-row seat became available. Also new was a 393-hp 6.2-liter V8 that replaced a 325-hp 6.0-liter. Maximum towing capacity is 8000 lb, up from 6500 lb.

Our road test for the 2003-2008 Hummer H2 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2003-2008 Hummer H2 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2003-2008 Hummer H2 is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Value for the Money
For better or worse, the H2 carries over many big-Hummer styling cues and makes a unique image statement. It's highly capable off-road, and fairly civilized on-road, but limited cargo room leaves the H2 short on utility. Seating comfort and capacity can't match other big SUVs. Similar money can buy any number of more-luxurious, more refined competitors. Look for a less-exaggerated model with more interior room, comfort, and practicality plus superior workmanships and greater fuel economy.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Hummer H2 wagon Rating
Performance 4
Fuel Economy 2
Ride Quality 5
Steering/Handling/Braking 2
Quietness 3
Controls/Materials 5
Interior Room 7
Room/Comfort (rear) 6
Cargo Capacity 7
Value within Class 2
Total Score: 43

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Hummer H2 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Hummer H2 .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: The A/C may quit or may occasionally blow warm air due to a bad low-pressure switch. (2003)

Electrical problem: If the OnStar system quits or won't come on (no power), but comes back to life if the fuse is removed for five minutes, the vehicle communications interface module must be replaced or else the problem will recur. (2005-06)

Fuel gauge: The engine may not start or may stall because the tank is empty yet the gauge shows fuel remaining, or the fuel gauge will not show full after refilling due to sulfur corrosion of the fuel level sender and if after treating with Fuel System Cleaner PLUS the problem remains, the sender may need to be replaced. (2003-06)

Fuel pump: The nozzle may keep shutting off during refueling due to the vent opening being collapsed inside the tank. (2003)

Keyless entry: The remote keyless system quits working and there was a campaign to reprogram the electronic module inside the passenger door and this fix will be made at no charge regardless of time or mileage. (2003)

Sunroof/moonroof: Water leaks at the sun roof requiring replacement of the kinked drain hoses with updated parts. Wind deflector rattles at cruise are due to deflector screws coming loose. (2003)

Transaxle leak: Shifting problems, loss of power, or inability to move at all may be due to a transfer case leak at the output shaft and, after repair, a longer driveshaft yoke must be installed. (2003)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $750
Alternator $345
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $3,100
Brakes $890
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing
Constant Velocity Joints $2,700
Exhaust System $850
Radiator $880
Shocks and/or Struts $1,800
Timing Chain or Belt $960
Our price chart for this generation Hummer H2 details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
2008
H2 $40,000-43,000 $37,200-40,000 $28,800-31,000
H2 SUT $41,500-43,500 $39,000-40,900 $30,300-31,800
2007
H2 $33,000-35,500 $30,700-33,000 $23,400-25,200
H2 SUT $34,500-36,500 $32,100-33,900 $24,500-25,900
2006
H2 $28,500-31,000 $26,500-28,800 $19,400-21,100
H2 SUT $30,000-32,000 $27,900-29,800 $21,000-22,400
2005
H2 $24,500-27,000 $22,800-25,100 $15,900-17,600
H2 SUT $26,000-28,000 $24,200-26,000 $17,200-18,500
2004
H2 $21,000-23,000 $19,300-21,200 $13,700-15,000
2003
H2 $18,000-19,500 $16,600-17,900 $11,500-12,500
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Hummer H2 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 4-door wagon crew cab
Wheelbase, in. 122.8 122.8
Overall Length, in. 189.8 203.5
Overall Width, in. 81.2 81.2
Overall Height, in. 77.8 78.5
Curb Weight, lbs. 6400 6400
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 86.6 --
Standard Payload, lbs. -- --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 32.0 32.0
Seating Capacity 6 5
Front Head Room, in. 40.5 40.5
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.3 41.3
Rear Head Room, in. 39.7 39.7
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 38.6 38.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Initial H2s held a 316-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 engine, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. During 2004, the V8 increased to 325 horsepower. In 2008, a 393-hp 6.2-liter V8 paired with a 6-speed automatic replaced a 325-hp 6.0-liter V8.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
ohv V81 6.0 / 364 316 360 4-speed automatic: -- 4-speed automatic: 10.7
ohv V81 6.0 / 365 325 365 4-speed automatic: -- 4-speed automatic: --
ohv V81 6.2 / 376 393 415 6-speed automatic: -- 6-speed automatic: --

1. Hummer H2 exceeds the weight limit for vehicles tested in the EPA fuel-economy program.

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  USA
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Hummer H2 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2003-2008 Hummer H2 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

2003 Hummer H2: Ignition key in some vehicles could be removed with shift lever in position other than "park."
2003 Hummer H2: Windshield wiper motor could fail, due to improper manufacture.
2003-04 Hummer H2: Brake hydro-boost housing may be out of spec and O-ring seal may fracture, slightly affecting steering effort when braking or parking.
2003-06 Hummer H2 w/certain Fabrech aftermarket replacement Pitman arms: Pin could shear off, resulting in loss of steering control.
2004-05 Hummer H2: Second-row center occupant seat routing may make it difficult to position lap portion of belt around hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants.
2004-05 Hummer H2 w/Bosch hydro-boost brake assembly: Hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate, which could result in leakage and increased steering/braking effort.
2006 Hummer H2: Power steering hose may not meet specification and could fracture during extreme steering maneuvers.
2006 Hummer H2: Tire and loading information label may show inaccurate vehicle capacity weight.
2006-08 H2 equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system: A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge.

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