NHTSA — Steering Problems

2005 Pontiac G6 (Page 8 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 8 of 21)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #261

Nov 282013

G6 6-cyl

  • 110,540 miles

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

While sitting at a stoplight on 11/28/13 the light turned green, as I proceeded to make a left hand turn I couldn't, it seemed as tho my steering wheel had froze! immediately a message came across my message board that said power steering and then a symbol of a car with a wrench inside of it appeared on my dash in the left corner. Of course I panicked because the car behind me started blowing the horn. I managed to turn the steering wheel with much difficulty and pull into a parking lot. I pulled out my manual and found out that I had electric power steering ! I had to find someone to disconnect my battery to see if it would reset itself which it did, so that I could get home. Once at home I went on-line to see what kind of information that I could find on the eps and if there were any recalls for this problem. I was shocked at what I found ! little did I know that there was a recall for the same exact problem in 2010 that did not include my make. Seeing that this is a documented defect I feel like GM should be responsible for these repairs as well. This is a very critical matter ! I feel like my car is unsafe to operate therefore I have to find other means of transportation to get back and forth to work.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #260

Nov 292013

G6 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
Happened 2X's in the last 3 days. First coming in to the drive way of my house. Power steering stopped working. Car coasted in to stop. No issue since in my driveway. Turned off the car and restarted. Steering worked. Called dealer made appointment for 11/29. In route to the dealership. At a stop ready to turn on to traffic. As I accelerated the steering died.. had to struggle to make the turn. Told the dealer. Received a call that this will be covered even though at first he said it would not be. Major safety issue here. This car is driven by my daughter for long distance and at highway speeds. Thank god it happened in my driveway not on a highway or in moving traffic while she drove it. But it did happen to me. This should be made very public.

- Poughkeepsie , NY, USA

problem #259

Nov 062013

G6

  • 141,000 miles
Well driving on three different occasions now the power steering has completely went out on us. To the point where we had to stop the car, turn it off and restart it. And today it locked up where we couldn't even turn the wheel and almost caused an accident, GM really needs to recall the 2005 G6 for this steering issue before someone gets killed. We carry precious children in this car and with over 300 complaints about the same issue when are they gonna wake up and recall just as they have done for the 2006.. is it gonna take the price of peoples lives before GM fixes this known problem...

- Va, VA, USA

problem #258

Nov 232013

G6

  • 118,000 miles

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

My wife was driving our car and the power steering just stopped working. It locked up and good thing that she was driving slow because she was able to stop but if someone was next to her then she would have no way to get out of the way.

- Clifton Springs, NY, USA

problem #257

Nov 192013

G6 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
For the past 2 weeks my steering wheel has been locking up while driving in my street. For example today it did so, and then it stalled and was followed by the "power steering" message displaying on the radio, along with wrench icon on the dash. This is really scary and needs to be attended to. Another issue that occurs, is that the steering wheel will move by itself from left to right. It will even do this when in park. Please make a recall for this.

- Lansdale, PA, USA

problem #256

Nov 082013

G6 8-cyl

  • 166,000 miles
I was driving my car and suddenly the power steering light popped up on my monsoon radio. At the same time my power steering instantly went out causing me to momentarily lose control of my car. Luckily, noone was behind me. This issue needs to be addressed asap. There is a recall on the 2006 Pontiac G6 but none on 2005.

- Carthage , MS, USA

problem #255

Oct 152013

G6 6-cyl

  • 91,648 miles

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

I was in the left hand turning lane and I started to turn and I lost all my power steering. I was not able to turn right or left. I was very lucky that there was a parking lot to my right that I was able to pull into after I was able to make the turn. After I turned the car off and let it sit for a minute, I turned it back on and everything seams to be work now. It has a electric power steering unit so there is no fluid to check. I looked on the internet and read many people complaining about this same thing happening. If I was not so lucky I could have been hit by a car behind me or coming some other direction.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #254

Mar 062013

G6 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
My steering wheel locks up when im driving at random times the only way to unlock it is to come to a complete stop in the middle of the road and turn of the car then turn it back on' I've had near accident incidents because of this and I contacted the dealer ship and they couldn't do anything.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #253

Aug 082013

G6

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning message appeared on the radio display. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred intermittently at various speeds. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #252

Jul 042013

G6 6-cyl

  • 154,000 miles
Was waiting at stop sign to turn right and heard the warning bell with power steering in the led menu display. All power assist was lost at that very moment. Upon returning home I restarted the car and power assist was working again. After reading through tsb complaints I'm sure it's going to happen again. I have already been through the sticking brake late issue last year.

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

problem #251

Apr 042013

G6 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles

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

In April 2013, while driving the 2005 Pontiac G6, the wheel began "jerking" around, and it became harder to control and steer the vehicle. A chime, and warning light appeared "power steering". after veering off to the shoulder and and re-starting the vehicle, the problem did not reappear. After the second re-start, the problem reappeared and was increased- increased strength to steer, warning light on. After taking the vehicle to an independent locally owned shop, it was learned that Pontiac was aware of this issue, and had issued a special coverage for the problem. After taking it to a Pontiac certified dealership, they repaired the problem, at my cost of $780, due to the fact that my mileage was outside of the special coverage perimeters. I was issed a letter outlining the problem, and special coverage perimeters in June 2012, at which time I was well within the mileage and year perimters listed, but was not experiencing the problem. I did not seek repair assistance, as it indicated for owners who were experiencing the problem only to seek repair assistance, and it would be covered at no charge. I experienced the problem 9 months later, in exactly the way described in the letter, and was denied coverage due to a higher mileage than outlined 9 months prior. Loosing control of your steering while going down a 2-lane highway at 55 mph seems to be more of a safety concern, than a general special coverage problem. Despite the amounts of affected vehicles with the exact same problem, it is dissapointing that Pontiac is not taking care of their customers in a more formal, recall way, and instead treating it as a casual compliant. After calling the 1-800 for GM, I was informed of no further assitance, or any indication that a recall would soon be issued.

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #250

May 152013

G6 6-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
Power steering failure occurred after starting the vehicle. Had to shut vehicle off and start again several times before steering would function again. Has happened approximately 6 times in the last 2.5 weeks, with severity of the issue increasing (takes more restarts to resolve issue).

- Jefferson, SD, USA

problem #249

Feb 052013

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was advised that a fuse needed to be replaced but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired the approximate failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was not available.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #248

Oct 192012

G6 6-cyl

  • 99,250 miles
Steering column has locked up three times while turning into parking places. When this happens I lose total control of my steering ability. The message screen says power steering failure and the car notifies me with a signaling sound then the yellow service light comes on with the wrench. I shut the car off after manually manipulating the steering wheel as much as I can into place in the parking location. Then when I start the car back up the power steering works, the indicators are off and the car drives fine. I do check power steering fluid levels and this has never been a factor as the fluid levels were adequate. I have read several complaints about similar issues but luckily mine has not resulted in a majors incidence so far.

- Marinette , WI, USA

problem #247

Dec 122012

G6 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
Power steering quit working.

- Menomonie, WI, USA

problem #246

Feb 082013

G6 6-cyl

  • 29,590 miles
Stopped at traffic intersection and felt a slight vibration, then two chimes alert on dic display, with message "power steering". attempted to steer wheel but simply could not turn. Put car in park, turned ignition off/on. Power steering resumed. Will contact dealership to bring in for service. Already knew there was a risk that this might happen. Also note that for past week, both my wife and I noticed that the steering wheel seemed more sluggish - no play in wheel.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #245

Dec 072012

G6

  • 72,000 miles
My steering completely shut off and it was near impossible to turn the wheels. I was able to control the car still but did not know how to help the power steering turn back on. While in the garage, the transmission made a few very harsh shifts in and out of gear when I was trying to accelerate into the garage. Very dangerous.

- Lisle, IL, USA

problem #244

Jan 302013

G6

  • 49,480 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the contact attempted to switch lanes and the power steering failed. The contact also stated that it felt like the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that the electronic power assist needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and current mileages were 49,480.

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #243

May 012012

G6

  • 100,000 miles
My electrical power steering completely locks up while driving, making it nearly impossible to turn my steering wheel. It has happened almost every time I drive it recently. It also makes my car shake and make clunking noises. It is in the repair shop now, but because there is no recall, I am expected to pay for the repair, which I am refusing to do. With the amount of complaints and the absolute danger of this problem, it is ridiculous that this car is not recalled and covered by Pontiac. I will pay a lawyer fee to sue Pontiac before I pay for repairs caused by their faulty engineering.

- Northeast, MD, USA

problem #242

Nov 062012

G6

  • 100,000 miles
The steering wheel locked, and the power steering shut off.

- Pascoag, RI, USA

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