NHTSA — Service Brakes, Electric 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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,833 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #9

Aug 062011

G6 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles

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

The brake lights on the vehicle come on randomly while driving. This causes the lights to be inoperable while depressing the brake pedal. I have been in several close calls for rear end accidents. Stopped by the police on 2 separate occasions. Also this is the exact problem that GM has in the 2005-06 Pontiac G6 brake light recall notice. I have had the vehicle serviced under recall 2 times now. The fix lasts approximately 3 to 4 months, then the exact same, extremely dangerous, brake light and cruise control issue returns. When the problem occurs the cruise control disengages at random also. This has caused many nerve racking situations when cruise control disengages in traffic while traveling up a hill. GM's fix of applying dielectric grease to the connector is a band aid type fix and is not a remedy for this extremely dangerous recall issue. The newer model G6 vehicles do not have this issue, making it obvious that GM saw a need to fix the problem in house. This problem has been occurring for 4 years at minimum. The car currently has 89K miles and I am the original owner since new. I keep the car in immaculate mechanical condition. This defect needs to be fixed in the correct manner before somebody loses a life.

- Allen, MI, USA

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problem #8

May 092011

G6

  • 116,000 miles
I hit a pothole and the bracket holding the control wires for the ABS and traction control on the passenger side broke and my shocks ripped the wires. I now no longer have ABS or traction control, atleast on stated tire. My idiot lights in the dash are now constantly on and put out an alert ding every time the car is started. I previously had some alignment work done, but that was over 4 months ago. This incident happened immediately after hitting said pothole. I hit a curb back in 2007 which led to the alignment work that was done a few months ago. The plastic used for the windshield washer jets has also recently corroded and fell apart, so they no longer work either.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

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problem #7

Dec 072010

G6

  • 30,000 miles
My current problem with my 2006 Pontiac G6 sounds the same as the recall for the 2009 Pontiac G6. Today (12-8-10) I had to bring in my car in to the dealer after putting my car in park, which then proceeded to roll. The wiring system did not seem to recognize park or disconnected from the transmission. I later tried to turn the ignition and the car would not turn on at all. 4 months ago I brought it in for the key getting stuck in the ignition because the car didn't recognize it as being in park. Three other times I had issues with the brake/foot peddles. I would have to break to accelerate and drive to slow down or it would not accelerate at all until it reached 30mph. It would automatically drive in traction control and read decreased engine power on the panel. In addition, I have recently had a fountain of water pouring into my car surrounding the sunroof on either side of panels btwn the front and rear windows, resulting in severe interior damage and subsequent mold spores growing. Instead of the filter surrounding the sunroof filtering water out, it is filtering water in.

- Audubon, NJ, USA

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problem #6

Oct 092009

G6

  • 45,000 miles

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

Problems with car started in June of 06, for abnormal noise, from underneath car, condensation was constant in headlights even after replaced. Car disc player would constantly malfunction and was replaced - steering was always seemed not just right. Car would accelerate for short spurts, trunk filled with water after a rain really feel the whole stability of the car needs to be seriously looked at. Husband received brain injury from what looked like he just plowed into a block wall for no reason. He held a clean driving record with a current cdl license.

- Saint George, UT, USA

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problem #5

Mar 312010

G6

  • 71,500 miles
The brake lights on my car only work properly on an intermittent basis. The brake lights come on when the brake pedal is not engaged and the brake lights will stay on at times when the brake pedal is no longer engaged. The cruise control will also just disengage while driving down the road or fail to set a speed when trying to set. There is a current recall on this exact problem with cars like mine. However, GM claims that my vehicle is not included in this recall as the defective part/issue is not on my vehicle according to the VIN number issued.

- Murphysboro, IL, USA

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problem #4

Nov 102009

G6

  • 280,000 miles
I bought a G6 new with 39 miles, it now has 28 thousand miles. Notices serious problems with braking, it shakes and when I try to stop it shutters. My steering is not good either, some days the steering will be nice and smooth and other days hard to turn. I also here a popping noise when I put my foot on gas pedal to drive.. the braking system is of major concern as they all are. My car is only three years old and only 28 thousand miles why has there not been a recall, it seems others out there are having the same problems, so it has to be the car. Before someone dies the government needs to call a mandatory recall, if the dealer won't..or replace our auto's with a safe one..

- Mandeville, LA, USA

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problem #3

Aug 222009

G6

  • 21,000 miles

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

We are having the same issue with our 2006 G6. Our exterior light sometimes doesn't work, the cruise control sometimes doesn't work. We had to replace at our own expense the brake rotors due to inferior quality. We were having the vibration issue some mentioned. My wife could not get it out of park one day, we had it towed to the dealership. We got the same story about the recall about not being covered by the recall and having to get it diagnosed at our expense. Last year our brakes completely failed and we rear ended a minivan. Luckily no one was injured. But our insurance is going up. I cannot wait until our lease is up in Feb 2010. We will trade this thing in and get a dependable foreign vehicle.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

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problem #2

Sep 252007

G6

  • 16,000 miles
I purchased my 2006 Pontiac G6 in July of 2006. When I received it had 300 miles on it and have loved it ever since. I would say I noticed a slight popping noise and I felt it as well when I make turns. Shortly after that my brakes began to sputter and cause my front end to shake when I applied my brakes every so often. For about a year now I have noticed that they shake every single time I apply my brakes and it gets worse and worse each day. One last item of concern is regarding the steering of my car on roads and highways/ freeways. My car is uncontrollable when driving causing it to shift to the left and right quickly making it hard to keep on the road which is hazardous to my safety and to the safety of my passengers. I have read up on these issues and it came to my attention that numerous owners of this vehicle have had the exact same problems so I know that it has nothing to do with the way I drive my car. I am satisfied with my car otherwise, but am extremely disappointed in the issues I am facing today on a car that is only three years old with 33,000 miles on it.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

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problem #1

May 292009

G6

  • 32,000 miles
Faulty brakes and steering on 2006 Pontiac G6 GT. Very dangerous! I've had rotors turned at 7000 miles, 14000 miles, 24000, miles and just recently at 32000 miles. They must be poor quality. I've been driving vehicles for many years without brake service for 50000 + miles. Warranty is almost up (in 2 weeks) and I'm nervous. Had steering components replaced because of a popping noise and shimmying front end as well as both tie rod ends (seems a little too soon for all that!). current mileage is 33,500. I don't have money to keep pouring into this lemon after my warranty is out. I am not currently having any problems, but with all of the complaints I've already read, I'm sure more issues are coming! what is wrong with GM! no wonder they are bankrupt. Who wants this kind of "quality" vehicle they claim to make. Unfortunately, there are other GM models with the same steering and brake issues. Someone will be killed and then heaven help GM! lawsuit! issue a recall for god's sake! step up to the plate if you want to restore consumer confidence. Start making real "quality" vehicles like you use to. You can buy back my G6 anytime! all I've ever purchased is GM, but now I'll go buy a Ford.

- Davenport, IA, USA

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