NHTSA — Electronic Stability Control Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Pontiac G6 has major problems with two areas fairly critical to the act of driving... steering & safety.

The 2005 G6 has a major defect trend with electronic power-assisted steering failure. The power steering cuts out while driving, making it extremely difficult to steer. G6 owners typically report spending $600 - $1,200+ to fix the problem, replacing either the entire steering column or the power assist motor.

In March 2010, GM recalled 1.3 million vehicles for this exact problem "...after receiving 1,100 complaints of power steering failures." However the 2005 G6 wasn't included in that recall.

In July 2010, GM issued a "Special Coverage Adjustment" — TSB #10183 — covering "certain" (not all) 2005, 2006 & 2008 Pontiac G6's for power steering problems, up to 10 years/100k miles.

As of early 2013 the NHTSA had 300+ steering complaints on file for the 2005 G6, with 12 crashes & 4 injuries. The NHTSA closed their initial investigation in 2007, having determined that losing your power steering going over 15-20 mph isn't a big deal & that most crashes occurred at slow speeds, so not a safety risk. Ridiculous? Yep, we think so too.

The 2005 G6 also has an expensive problem with "popping" or "clunking" noises when turning, & that issue extends to newer model years as well.

Factor in the 2005 Pontiac G6's poor side impact protection & you end up with a vehicle you should steer clear of.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,162 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Pontiac G6 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #12

Jul 152020

G6

  • 50 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Making loud nosies when steering. Front end very wobblily feeling as thought the front part of the car feel like its going to detach from the car. When the car hit about 50 mph it would shake real bad. Very uncomfortable ride overall

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #11

Nov 182018

G6

  • 183,000 miles
Takata recall. Something happened to my steering. The warning light is on, it gets so tight you cannot steer it. It also says to service the airbag. I'm so scared to try to drive it. If you shut the car off and restart it the steering wheel feels loose again, but like you do not have complete control. Then it's tight all over again. This was driving down the highway.

- Hyde, PA, USA

problem #10

Jun 162017

G6

  • 200,000 miles
My power steering went out on the vehicle without warning which caused me to hit another vehicle without warning. I only had the car for 1year

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #9

Oct 092017

G6

  • 135,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Upon accelerating, the vehicles steering wheel locks up and all electrical begins to flicker and shut off. The steering wheel will jerk from drivers hands and seize up unless acceleration stops. Infrequent electrical burning smell and day time running lights no longer work even after bulb replacement.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #8

Feb 032017

G6

  • 120,000 miles
Car in to GM dealer unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition (GM extending the warranty coverage on my vehicle for the loss of power steering caused by electrical input signals within the steering column assembly. If this condition occurs on your 2005 Pontiac G6 within 150,000 miles the condition will be repaired for you at no charge. I contacted marty malone & mike sutton @columbiana Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet on 7-20-17 @ around 3:00 pm.showed them the letter with the recall #10183 and told them that this problem has just occurred this year 2017 and my mileage is 141,000 now. Want to get this taken care of as soon as possible for this is unsatisfactory and dangerous to drive. Don't want this to happen again & to correct power steering motor controller unit with no charge. Already had torque sensor assembly action recalled and fixed on 12-16-2014 80,987miles which did not correct the problem. Dealer had said case was closed but I 'm still under recall repairs with less then 150,0000 miles. How could this be a closed matter when it is powered by NHTSA recall envelope with special coverage #10183 in it. They said for me to call customer service. So I did with case service request# 8-3102459106. Spooked to raeole @ 4:45pm. He said that you can not open it again if already closed. This why I am coming to you in regards to this matter and to please get it fixed with no charge.car was in motion on street. Hard to turn. Had to turn car off to regain power.wheel shaking & power steering light on.

- Poland, OH, USA

problem #7

Jan 052017

G6

  • miles
While driving on the highway, the vehicles electrical power steering failed resulting in a nearly eminent collision with adjacent traffic. My family was within the vehicle at the time and I felt genuine terror in regard to their safety. I was barely able to avoid the collision as the steering began to lock and tighten up, however through sheer power and luck I manage to avoid the vehicles in the lanes adjacent to me. GM has had specific notification of this issue through numerous complaints by customers and has apparently taken the approach that they would rather risk the safety of their customers than do the right thing and create a recall in regard to power steering to make their vehicles safe for consumers. I have contacted GM to no avail as they treat recalls on a VIN specific basis to avoid public liability and have chosen to attempt to make me pay out of pocket for their negligence and wonton disregard for the safety of their customers.

- Sanford, FL, USA

problem #6

Aug 182016

G6

  • 134,897 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering motor and the electronical control stabilizer the steering wheel is hard to turn because it malfunction and I know you'll have a recall for that I took it to a mechanic and he said that's what it is he hooked the computer up to it he even told me that there is a recall I should contact GMC.

- New Caney, TX, USA

problem #5

Sep 142014

G6

  • miles
Recall notice, I have been waiting for over a month for parts to come to the dealership.

- Wildwood, FL, USA

problem #4

Sep 082014

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V224000 (power train). The parts needed for the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Lampasas, TX, USA

problem #3

Aug 252014

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V224000 (power train); however, the parts needed for the repairs were unavailable. The dealer was uncertain about when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Cumberland, RI, USA

problem #2

Jul 052012

G6

  • 151,595 miles
Where do I begin!!! my G6 I love but apparently the electrical power steering goes out. So, with that being said you have no power steering. Its is really hard to turn your wheel, on highway to get off an exit, pull in to park somewhere, make a tight turn, and try and pull out of a tight parking situation. I realize one of the ways to fix the problem is to get it fix (obviously outrageous price), or just turn the car off and restart that seems to work. So, apparently about 3-4 years ago GM realized this "manufacture defect/recall" but not a safety recall" I don't understand it but you know how big companies are never want to be accountable. Ok, so in 2010 I receive this letter from GM about this loss of power steering but in the letter reminder it states "the vehicle can still be steered in a safe manner but will require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds or when stopped." Ok so when you are on the highway??" I work alot and have to travel, and for personal reasons I travel a good bit. I have been very lucky when this defect occurs either someone with me to guide me through it or for some reason the highway is non busy and I can pull over (reminder 2 hands on the wheel with no power steering using all my arm strength to pull over) ok, so again this GM letter, so ok course after trying to jump some hoops I don't meet the requirements for this repair to fix by GM at their cost. That letter states vehicles with less than 100,000miles..yea ok, me I travel!!! crazy so I complain why not right. So, 2 years pass receive a letter from GM again about this "power steering issue" now 150,000ml..again!!!

- New Oxford, PA, USA

problem #1

Aug 172005

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
Too many complaints to write them all up, here are a few: Engine makes metal grinding "whooshing" noise independent from acceleration-dealer cannot replicate, warped rotors-dealer wanted over $1,000 to fix, have had radio replaced 5 times due to disc errors-dealer keeps replacing, had steering rack and water pump replaced at 30,000 miles-dealer covered, sensor that turns on lights went-dealer replaced, power steering problems, hard to turn and rough, but no "lock-ups" like others have had(thankfully)-dealer cannot replicate, had drivers side front panel sunroof drain clog, water soaked front carpet(3 inches of water)-dealer fixed but left me with a moldy carpet!, engine flutters/stutters to a start on random-dealer has no answer for me, trunk lid was scraping rear bumper due to latches being tightened wrong-dealer fixed, headlamp full of condensation-dealer fixed, car ridiculously bad in the rain and snow, stability control makes loud grinding noises and causes the car to buck, replaced tires with snow tires, still bad-dealer has no answer for me, large deep scratch across windshield right in the line of view from Contour oem windshield wipers, dealer said too bad. Those are just a few, I cant remember them all, this car is such a lemon. Im sticking with Toyota from now on! I learned my lesson!

- East Bridgewater, MA, USA

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