NHTSA — Structure Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Pontiac G6 has major problems with two areas fairly critical to the act of driving... steering & safety.

The 2006 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 2006 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 this power steering issue, up to 10 years/100k miles. However a large number of 2006 G6 owners have reported they were not covered by this campaign, based on VIN#.

As of late 2013 the NHTSA had well over 700 steering complaints on file for the 2006 G6, with 21 crashes & 12 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 2006 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 2006 Pontiac G6's poor side impact protection & you end up with a vehicle you should steer clear of.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,344 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.

2006 Pontiac G6 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #10

Mar 072012

G6

  • 35,000 miles

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

About 2 years ago my G6 started leaking water around the drivers side sun visor and I also noticed that the passenger side seat belt would become wet when it rained and it has progressively gotten worse to the point it soaks the drivers seat and headliner and the entire car holds so much moisture you can't even see out of the windows. I have a sunroof by the way. This past weekend I did a little research and saw a lot of people having the same problem so I pulled back some of the headliner and like they said the drainage tubes were not even connected. We tried to reconnect them but they are so short it is impossible. I read somewhere that they were aware of this problem and that they had shrunk due to heat but apparently nothing has been done to make this right and they are charging $1000 at the dealership to replace it when this is a manufacture screwup to begin with. This car has gave me more problems than anything. I've had the issue with the tail lights staying on when the brake pedal wasn't being depressed and have took it to the dealership multiple times for that only for them to tell me my car wasn't part of the recall even though it was doing the same thing and then they tried to charge me some ridiculous amount claiming it was the brake switch causing it to do that and finally I got irritated and found out how to do what they would to fix the recall myself and haven't had any more issues with that so far. Long story short this car is a piece of junk and I wish I would have never bought it. It only had 5000 miles on it when I got it and only has 40000 on it now and I have had problems almost the entire time I have had it.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

problem #9

Feb 162012

G6

  • 80,000 miles
Power steering hose is rubbing against exhaust which now has made the powers steering hose to leak which could cause a fire if it hit the exhaust.

- Fargo, ND, USA

problem #8

Dec 152008

G6 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Power steering went out during blizzard-like conditions. I could not turn the wheel. Since then, intermittent times of power steering locking up. Then, in September of 2010, car began rattling, thumping, having a mind of its own. Sounds like an airplane. Power steering notice and engine light are on permanently now. I have already talked about the potential for accident with my children and had to prepare them for this because we cannot afford all of this work. In the last two years, the brakes have been replaced 7 times (in the shop 6 times in 2008 from may-Sept). They had to special order the calipers because like the electronic power steering, the calipers on a G6 are the only car that is "done this way." The steering failure is now taking a toll on the brakes. I have also experienced the flooding on the floor boards of the car in the backseat and trunk but never made a connection until reading all 857 complaints thoroughly on one website and 153 on another. I have contacted and am awaiting a return call from a lawyer. I am also contacting the company our car is financed through for some kind of recourse. I have been trying to contact both GM and Pontiac. I am going to have to get the car fixed but I will fight to get reimbursed or somehow get out of the remainder of this loan without my husband's credit being impacted. I have to use my car for work. I had to switch jobs so I would not be expected to Transport clients. I am in fear for myself and my family. What kind of life is that" is anything in the works for a recall" so far, I have endured all of the financial responsibility: Increased insurance premiums, accidents, tickets for failure to control and repairs. Because the steering problem is severe, I have to find the money next week or park the car while continuing to pay the monthly car payment.

- Huber Heights, OH, USA

problem #7

Mar 102010

G6

  • 60,000 miles

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

Clear coat delamination for 2006 Pontiac G6 gtp.

- Burnsville, MN, USA

problem #6

Nov 172008

G6

  • miles
I have had this car for almost 3 years. It squeaks like the plastic is rubbing against each other. The brakes have not stopped squeaking. I have had them redone about 4 times. The black rubber strip is rotting. There is a leak on the passenger side coming through the little square right about the seat belt. My warranty is up and my extended warranty does not carry over to fix any of this. My car upholstery was already redone once due to a flooding and I paid for that. Now the backseat smells like mold. The handle on the passenger side of the car has been replaced twice because it keeps coming off. This is the worst investment I have ever made. I just found out that the power steering is actually electric. I hate it.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #5

Dec 292006

G6 6-cyl

  • 20 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6 GT. While driving the vehicle off the dealer lot at approximately 2 mph, there was an electrical failure with the power windows. In addition, the cell phone charger fuse continued to blow out. The dealer stated that they would make repairs under warranty. There was bubbling in the paint job that was also repaired under warranty. Whenever the vehicle is started, the stereo changes from xm fm to am. The screen for the xm radio is blank, the clock is always behind, and the fuel gauge never works properly. It is difficult to tell exactly how much fuel is in the vehicle. The engine ticks periodically and it sometimes stalls upon starting. The nuts in the door loosen every two weeks and make a loud clunking sound when they are coming loose. There is also something wrong with the power steering. The failure mileage was 20 and current mileage was 18,000. Update 09/10/08 the power steering failed and was replaced, but it still was not right. The drive shaft began to unusual noises. Updated 09/10/08.

- Allmogordo, NM, USA

problem #4

Sep 052007

G6

  • 16 miles

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

Clear coat chipped off car, rotors warping every 3 months, buttons on radio discolored, sunroof stopped working, power steering locked up 4 times, battery needed replaced 3 times, car hesitates when starting & then dies, jerking sensation when driving - I've taking into the dealership 26 times in the past 3 years.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #3

Nov 302007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,300 miles
First leak was the xm antenna. Water came in through roof center console lights. Second leak was from the sunroof water entered the cabin through the same place. Dealer repaired sunroof drain tube. Third leak was the sunroof drain tube. Dealer repaired the other sunroof drain tube. The water enter the cabin and ran on the passenger seat belt. This happened in the winter and the seat belt froze solid in the retraction reel. At the same time the water also damaged the airbag sensors in the passenger seat and caused the an airbag failure. The forth leak soaked both seat belts. This time the dealership extended the sunroof drain tubes per a service bulletin. Now there are intermittent electrical problems with the car. The heads lights would not turn on until the car was turned off then restarted. The turn signals, instrument cluster lights, and heater control lights stopped working intermittently. Of course they worked fine while the dealership had the car.

- Aurora, IN, USA

problem #2

Aug 102007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,100 miles
I noticed a 'blobby'-like plastic something coming up from the right hand side of the dash, esp. When it was hot. This had only been happening for a week or so. Took it into the dealer, informed that it was the weather stripping coming away from the dash and the windshield.

- Brea, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 232006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
(1) high speed driving (50 miles ph) and car wash (2) lot of air noise through sun roof and water leakage in through sun roof in car wash (3) dealer mentioned lot of complaints received from other customer. When they contact the manufacturer (GM) they request to contact the company that designed it. The company's phone goes to the answering mc and no resolution to the issue. Nothing is done.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

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