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NHTSA — Steering Problems

2005 Pontiac G6 (Page 2 of 21)

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:: 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 2 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

May 012020

G6 6-cyl

150,000 miles

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

Electric steering failure.

- Bartlett, TN, USA

May 112020

G6 6-cyl

153,285 miles

My power steering keeps locking up.

- Bartlett, TN, USA

May 032020

G6

miles

My steering wheel locks at initial start from time to time. The only way to get the wheel back turning is to turn the car off and back on.

- Roxboro, NC, USA

Apr 012020

G6

540,000 miles

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

Power steering loss of function cause of failure is steering torque sensor and GM refused to repair even though its in their recall list

- Hudson, CO, USA

Mar 212019

G6

170,000 miles

Ever since I bought my car from a small private owned dealership it's had the power steering light on. It locks up from time to time when I turn my car on and sometimes while im driving. To get it to release I have to turn my car off then back on to get it to work. It usually only happens when im stationary but ive had it happen while trying to make a turn in the city.

- Decatur, IN, USA

Feb 202020

G6

200,000 miles

The dic says power steering and the light on the dash is showing a car with a wrench inside of it. The power steering will go out intermittently causing unsafe driving conditions. It can be remedied by turning the vehicle off then back on. The remote start will not work with this light on. There was a recall for this problem before but as this is a used car I do not know if it was properly fixed or attended to. This has happened both while backing out (and turning the wheel to the left) and while driving on a country road going approximately 45 miles an hour with the wheel straight.

- Delia, KS, USA

Sep 012019

G6

163,000 miles

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

The steering column is broken and when driving the vehicle it feels like the steering wheel is going to shake off. It is very hard to control the car while driving due to this. It makes a terrible rattling noise when driving, the higher the speed the louder the noise. I am terrified to drive my car but this is my only way to work and back. I have 2 small kids who ride in this daily. Called and checked on any recalls for this and was informed back in 2014 (previous owner) had it fixed for this issue. And now it's happening again. Plus the service air back soon light keeps coming on. Which if we were in an accident from the steering column being broke. The airbags won't deploy. This issue needs to be fixed by GM again.

- Warsaw, VA, USA

Nov 042019

G6

190,947 miles

The power steering comes off and on the wheel turns on its own

- Muncie, IN, USA

Oct 082019

G6

220,000 miles

I purchased a 2005 Pontiac G6 GT from a small dealership, it has high mileage but runs good. Just recently when I start the car there is no power steering making it difficult to turn the steering wheel. I have to turn the key to the off position and restart to achieve power steering, sometimes it takes several restarts to get power steering back. I have not lost power steering while vehicle is in motion yet, just at initial start

- Somerset, WI, USA

Sep 012019

G6

miles

Steering went out. Online everyone is complaining about. Why no recall?

- Seneca, IL, USA

Aug 092019

G6

175,644 miles

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

Power steering stopped all of a sudden while driving. Very dangerous. They came back intermittently and then left again. Very very dangerous! it is not working at all now.

- Sorrento, FL, USA

Aug 072019

G6

141,000 miles

Power steering will just quite working when driving.

- Potterville, MI, USA

Apr 152019

G6

140,000 miles

Power steering. I got my car at an auction about a week ago and it's been driving great! took it into a shop and they check all the fluids. All looked great. But I was driving home from downtown last night (4/15/19) and the steering was extremely stiff. I'm glad it was late at night so there was too much traffic.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

Apr 112019

G6

144,543 miles

On my Pontiac G6 2005 the power steering control unit went out on me I have no steering

- Norfolk, VA, USA

Feb 052019

G6

169,000 miles

While driving we went over a small little dip and then all of the sudden I couldnt turn my steering wheel but about 1/4 of a turn. Later that day it was fine but it did that the whole drive

- Beatrice, NE, USA

Jan 172019

G6

84,000 miles

Power steering has failed almost causing me to crash..I was traveling at highway speed whe the steering failed..it took all my strength not to crash and get off the road..this is a serious design flaw in this car

- Wilmington, DE, USA

Dec 142018

G6

59,972 miles

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact stated that the vehicle should have been included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 59,972.

- Saint Clair, PA, USA

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

Dec 162015

G6

miles

'takata recall' my electric power steering is messed up in my car

- Augusta, GA, USA

Nov 252018

G6

194,975 miles

While driving 60 mph on the highway the power steering gave out on the car. After letting the car sit overnight. The power steering was still hard to do. Reached out to local car dealer and was told that car was not covered in manufacturer recall. Will be calling the manufacturer to see what can be done.

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »