NHTSA — Steering Problems

2005 Pontiac G6 (Page 16 of 21)

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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:
19 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,322 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 16 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #101

Dec 132009

G6

  • 476,000 miles

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

While driving the 2005, Pontiac G6 with 47,600 miles the steering will at various times go out. After searches online I have found many complaints about the G6's electrical powers steering failing. No crashes have occurred due to this incident but are very imminent if it were to happen at highway speeds. Contacting the dealership tells us the VIN number is outside the peak months the main defect was created. I cant understand how if it is a problem in my vehicle how it is considered not a warranty issue.

- Tulsa , OK, USA

problem #100

Aug 162007

G6

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. Intermittently while driving he loses power steering without warning. Within the last several years, the vehicle was taken to the dealer multiple times. The rack and pinion, and power steering motor were repaired several times. Consequently, within the last two years he had two vehicle crashes. He sustained minor injuries in both incidences. However during the last crash, the vehicle was almost completely destroyed. The manufacturer was notified, but he was advised that they would only cover the rental expenses.the failure mileage was 49000. The current mileage was 53,000.

- Camp Nelson, CA, USA

problem #99

Dec 092009

G6

  • 93,310 miles
While making a right hand turn at an intersection, the steering popped and locked up in the middle of the turn. The car ran into the opposite lane when the steering locked. I came about a foot away from hitting a truck that was coming from the opposite direction. I immediately parked the car and moved the wheel back and forth. The wheel locked in both directions, then would release and continue turning. At one point, a "power steering" error showed on the cd player. I turned the car off a few times and tried turning the wheel again, and about 50% of the time it would malfunction again, the other time it would be normal. For all the same complaints on this vehicle, something needs to be done. I do not feel safe driving this car.

- Mahanoy City, PA, USA

problem #98

Dec 062009

G6

  • 83,223 miles

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

My Pontiac G6 GT lost its powering steering during my drive to work. This is the first time that I have experienced this issue with my vehicle. While driving the power steering alert light came and less than 10 seconds later my vehicle lost its power steering.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #97

Feb 132009

G6

  • miles
I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 and everytime I turn my wheel there is a loud clunking noise from the front of the car. A lot of these problems could be linked to the electric power assist steering. I have heard some people have lost all steering while driving. The steering is very loose and feels like you are all over the road.

- Grover Hill, OH, USA

problem #96

Aug 102009

G6

  • miles
I was driving on my way to the doctors office with my 68 yr old grandmother on my passenger side. We were sitting at the light waiting on the left turn signal to turn green when suddenly my engine light comes on & my car states power steering loss. Then I really lost power steering in mid turn. Thankful enough the left turn signal was green long enough for us to have made it through the turn because had it not we would have been hit multiple way. I have been reading that this is an ongoing problem for the Pontiac G6 2005 model & I truly don't understand why they have not been recalled. What will it take for this issue to be resolved?

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #95

Nov 132009

G6

  • 110,000 miles

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

The power steering on my 2005 Pontiac G6 goes out without notice while I'm driving. From my research this problem is consistent among several GM models with electronic power steering. The power steering indicators pops up on the dash, the engine light comes on and the power steering completely goes out.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #94

Jul 112009

G6

  • 48,000 miles
I was driving my car pulled in to the parking lot tried to turn the wheel it was hard and then it felt like could not turn no more I reverse and it jerks the wheel back again. Took it in to the dealer for the recall but it started doing it again not even 2 months later.

- Pasadena, TX, USA

problem #93

Nov 032009

G6

  • 79,000 miles
I just bought a 2005 Pontiac G6 and I have problems along with many many others. First of all the rotors are very warped and when I drive on freeway and hit the brakes the whole car shakes and feels very unsafe!! and the second problem is the steering column pops when making turns, left and right..I think a recall is in order. Please please help me and many others thanks

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

problem #92

Oct 312009

G6

  • 70,234 miles
Ongoing problem with the power steering. From what I understand, this is a wide-spread problem with the 2005 Pontiac G6.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #91

Nov 022009

G6

  • miles

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

I was driving to school when my power steering went out. I pulled over and called a mechanic. I took it to a local mechanic, but they could not fix it because I have electric steering. He said that if I did not get it fixed right away the steering could lock up on me and cause an accident. I took it to the dealer, and they replaced the steering column.

- Pocahontas, AR, USA

problem #90

Oct 272009

G6

  • 131,120 miles
I have taken my car into the dealership due to the steering wheel being tough to turn at times. I received a letter in the mail from the dealership saying there may be a problem with the steering. However, when I took it into the dealership, they told me that there was nothing they could do to fix the car unless they could physically see that the steering was acting up. Just yesterday, I couldn't turn my car without using two hands to tug on the steering wheel. It wouldn't turn without fighting with the car. This is not the first time this has happened, and I am at the point where I want to sell the car because there are too many problems with it. I have had this problem with steering so many times. What will it take for the dealership to fix the car? do I have to get into an accident before they will fix it or recall it, because I am not paying for something that I complained about when I had the warranty. I am now over the miles for a warranty. Another issue that I have reported to the dealership while under warranty was the car won't start. Sometimes I turn the key and it won't start. It takes several times before the car will actually start. This happens frequently. It's several times a week. It is unreal that I can't get into my car and start it without having a problem. I have reported this issue to the dealership and again was told that nothing is wrong with the car. I have reported several other issues, but the dealership refuses to help with anything. There are so many issues with the Pontiac G6. I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone unless all of the issues are corrected.

- Bentleyville, PA, USA

problem #89

Oct 162009

G6

  • 102,541 miles
I was driving my car to go get lunch and pulled up to a stop sign and bell went off and I could not steer my 2005 Pontiac G6. I pulled into a Saturn dealership which was the first right turn off the busy road I found myself on. It took two people to turn the wheel and I had to park sideway's in three spots. I went into the dealership to seek assistance and had one of the porters drive the car back to the service area when he reported the issue had resolved itself. After talking with a technician, he recommended that I wait to have it serviced to see if it was a momentary blip in the computer or if the problem presents itself again. I agreed but decided to do an internet search on my car, make and model only to find numerous complaint's of the same issue with power steering failure in the '05 and '06 model. What makes me even more upset and disgusted is that posting after posting all over the net state that GM knows the steering is failing and posted a bulletin in 2007 stating there was a problem but never bothered to send out any communications when I would have been well within the warranty. Now I have 102,000 miles on my car and am looking at an $800 - $1000 repair unless I junk this piece of crap. In addition - my car has had a lengthily service record that is quite disappointing. I have had a new fuel system including fuel pump, fuel lines, solenoid (sp?), four steering racks, two sets of control arm's, a steering column, steering coil, steering gear, stereo/cd player, tail lights, ignition and window clips to make them stop screaming. This has been the biggest disappointment since the VW beetle of '03. And we wonder why no one wants to buy american anymore...GM here's your sign.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #88

Oct 142009

G6

  • 68,000 miles
2005 Pontiac G6 with 68,000 miles. The steering column was replaced at 56,000 miles due to hard, and erratic steering. The steering has in the last day become hard to turn, and takes excessive force to change direction. I have parked the car until the local dealership can get it in for diagnosis. I see that there are a large number of similar complaints. I strongly feel that this is an inherent, and dangerous situation, which could be life threatening.

- South Byron, NY, USA

problem #87

Oct 082009

G6

  • 90,100 miles
I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 GT. Last week when I was turn on the off ramp I completely lost power steering. The light came on stating power steering, and my service engine light came on. I was able to steer the car to a gas station though it was extremely hard. I bought some power steering fluid, but to my surprise my car has electric power steering so there wouldn't be a fluid I could fill. When I turned my car back on the lights were no longer on and my steering was fine. Today - about six days later - I was pulling off the off ramp and the same problem happened. This time I could barely steer at all. I pulled over, shut my car off and turned it back on and it was fine. I have been looking online and I see that I am one of hundreds of people with this problem on this car. I am going to have to get this fixed because this could be a life or death problem, after reviewing all the other customer complaints I feel GM should recall all of the 2005 and 2006 models that may have this problem. Thank you

- Woonsocket, RI, USA

problem #86

Oct 092009

G6

  • 113,000 miles
Power steering failure!!!!! tell you what....why don't I come over and pick up your children, family and friends and take them for a ride and hope that the power steering doesn't fail and we crash and die. Get my point"?? or maybe I will just have 16. Accidents and rack up my insurance. Why is this issue not a recall"

- Calgary, 00, USA

problem #85

Oct 122009

G6

  • 95,000 miles
Started the vehicle and placed the car in reverse. This is when I received a message on the dash saying power steering and was unable to turn the steering wheel without struggling (loss of power steering). After the car was shut off and restarted everything worked fine. What if this were to happen while driving in harsh weather conditions. Death? nothing has been done to correct this problem because the repair is to expensive and I feel that it should be a recall matter for GM.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #84

Oct 102009

G6

  • 84,400 miles
While taking a right turn driving to work the power steering in my G6 went out causing the steering wheel to lock up sending me into oncoming traffic. I luckily was out at a low traffic time and was able to avoid being hit by another vehicle. The steering after that point was possible but extremely hard to manage and sharp or quick turns would be impossible. I reached my destination which was close and turned the vehicle off. When I restarted the engine the "power steering" alert that had flashed on my radio was off and the power steering seemed normal again. After researching I've learned that this has been on ongoing problem and I can expect that it will happen to my car again without warning putting me in danger while driving.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #83

Oct 062009

G6

  • 61,000 miles
2005 Pontiac G6. I was turning in the middle of a busy intersection when my electrical power steering went out in the middle of the intersection unable to control my car almost getting hit head on and by several other cars as I was jus sitting in the middle of the intersection. This car need to be recalled as I read so many stories about people having the same problem and some which caused accidents. In my case it didn't cause an accident thank god that other drivers were paying attention and somehow avoided my car. How this hasn't been recalled yet blows my mind!!!!! needs to be recalled asap. On top of that the dealership said my steering can go out at anytime. Im driving a car that can loose steering at any time without any warning which endangers anybody around me.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #82

Oct 062009

G6

  • 61,000 miles
I was diving my 2005 Pontiac G6 when I was turning into a busy intersection my power steering locked up and the light on the dash lit up, almost causing a head on collision by cars doing 50 mph. I was just sitting in the intersection because I could not control my car after that happened almost getting hit by another 2 cars. I turned my car off and back on and the power steering worked again. Took it to the dealership they replaced the power steering motor because it was under warranty. The steering wheel column needed to be replaced but wasn't under warrant so they did not replace it. They said it works for now but it could go out anytime im driving, which can cause an accident. I couldn't believe what happened thought it was a fluke just my luck, only to see so many people having the say problem in the same year, in the same car with the same mileage. The power steering went out with no warning. These cars need to be recalled asap somebody will get hurt or even killed by this. I was only doing around 20mph and almost got hit three times head on and from the back imagine if I was on the expressway or even turning down a side street and loosing the steering and running up a curb endangering innocent bystanders. Since these are newer cars there are so many of these cars out there that haven't experienced this yet but will. Not only people driving these cars are in danger at anytime but other people are to. I almost got hit head on by a Ford truck his life wasin danger just as much as mine. How these cars are not recalled yet blows my mind"????" so many people lives are in danger im driving a car that they said that there is a possibility that it could happen again. Are they just going to wait until people get killed by this if not already or come up with a solution before more people lives are at risk. These cars need to be looked at and recalled asap. I heard something about an extended warranty but they don't make extended lives. Recall asap recall asap.

- Toledo, OH, USA

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