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NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 1 of 4)

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" â€” TSB #10183 â€” 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:: 0 / 0
Average Mileage:: 92,251 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Jun 012023

G6

miles

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

Unknown

- Greenville, NC, USA

Apr 062021

G6

151,330 miles

Transmission automatic is starting to go and or slip. Have to accelerate very slowly to get car moving. Will start reving once it's past 3 rpms. Happens in motion, on streets while driving to work. I hear a noise when shifting from reverse to drive.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

Mar 172021

G6

miles

My vehicle has transmission trouble that I found to be a defect

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Mar 042021

G6

214,398 miles

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

Within a few minutes of driving 🚗 today I couldn't normally steer to either direction without pulling tremendously on the steering wheel, as well almost like its stalling out putter, , "GM, is short for god mode and can he build it, or "got man" cause he 'got ya' when you bought it.. great. Love it. Fml

- Delta, CO, USA

Dec 032020

G6

116,500 miles

The road was wet had no traction control and anti lock brakes. The car would not stop I was going around 60mph on a expresswaysliding and almost hit the car in front of me. This has happened twice since I bought the car used.I feel the car is to unsafe to drive it's sitting at mb garage in huntley il. On line there's a lot of problems.

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

Aug 062020

G6

180,685 miles

Lost 4th gear while driving

- Holland, IA, USA

May 232020

G6 6-cyl

135,000 miles

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

Transmission isn't shifting, and shift cable came apart somewhere. Several cars just like mine have been recalled due to this same thing happening, but mine isn't"? car doesn't have even 135,000 miles. Electrical system is shorting out somewhere, and is draining my battery. Power steering is working against me or not working at all. This all happened around the same time... please help me get this figured out, I'm not the only one having this issue, it is definitely an issue with several thousand of these cars just like mine and mine doesn't fall under the recall notice??? tell me why not?"

- Tower Hill, IL, USA

May 032019

G6

143,000 miles

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle decelerated and stopped in the middle of the road without warning. The contact stated that the transmission could only shift into reverse. The contact lived down the road and drove in reverse to her home. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 143,000.

- Diamondale, MI, USA

Sep 202018

G6

209,000 miles

My G6 2006 3.9 gtp transmission wont move the car in first gear the transmisson showed no sign of going bad I have to put car in manual to drive it also traction control light pops on random times followed by a weird grinding noise.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

Jul 062018

G6

miles

My transmission is going on me, ive had several occasions where I went to shift into reverse waited almost a minute for it to shift pressed the gas & it wouldn't go anywhere then it kicked real hard. Took it to a shop & they told me that it's failing I'm afraid I'm going to take a chance & get into an accident or have my car rollaway when it's parked. Another issue I have is with my steering, took it to the same shop for a left control arm & they told me the reason for the cracking when I turn the wheel is that I need a U joint. Again I'm afraid I'm going to get into an accident with these issues I have with this car.

- Daisytown, PA, USA

Feb 142018

G6

miles

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

Auto transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift: It is like the vehicle is in neutral and not shifting into gear including park.

- Newport News, VA, USA

Dec 282017

G6

122,500 miles

I was sitting in my driveway put it in gear the first gear is reverse so it shift hard into reverse it don't shift hard into neutral an then it shift hard in all other gears it will shift hard but if I get the rpms past 3000 without shifting it will shift fine but it has been happening more commonly each day

- Port Byron, NY, USA

Dec 142017

G6

122,000 miles

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving various speeds, the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. In addition, the power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn left or right, although the power steering fluid was full. Futhermore, the transmission shifted hard when placed in gear. Summit Chevrolet Buick GMC in auburn, New York was made of the failures and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 122,000.

- Port Byron, NY, USA

Nov 232017

G6

120,000 miles

I've got a 2006 Pontiac G6 2.4 an the transmission will shift hard sometimes from park to reverse not in neutral but from neutral to drive an it will shift hard when I'm driving no check engine lights

- Port Byron, NY, USA

Aug 052017

G6

178,450 miles

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that after the vehicle being repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (power train), three months later the vehicle was stuck in reverse after reversing the vehicle. The contact mentioned the vehicle failed to shift into park as well. The vehicle was taken to duplessis Buick GMC at 2522 S burnside ave, gonzales, la 70737 where the failure was duplicated diagnosed from the recall. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was repaired multiple times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,450.

- Sorrento, LA, USA

May 312017

G6

125,000 miles

ABS and traction control warning light comes on intermittently. Driver unsure if car is ok or not. Both lites at the same time. Also, seatbelt warning lite/chime do not go away even when buckled.

- Ridgeley, WV, USA

Jun 082017

G6

109,197 miles

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the shifter did not move out of park gear unless the brake pedal was depressed several times. The contact stated that the failure occurred every day for approximately two months. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the VIN was not part of the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 109,197.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

Mar 092017

G6

114,000 miles

My vehicle was recently taken to the dealership for a recalled part (brake lamp malfunction) and my vehicle is still locking up. After fixing the recalled part I have purchased a battery, a caliber, starter, and two hubs. My car is still not working it will function for a couple of miles perfectly, and then it returns to the same problems. First it will not gear up the car will be on drive and it will take a couple of minutes to catch, then the car will lock up and not be able to move. So I will have to get a tow service because the ABS system will lock the car and I cannot push it to a safe area.

- Houston, TX, USA

Dec 182016

G6 6-cyl

109,000 miles

My car was running just fine. All of a sudden on a very rainy night, the car would not catch gear it would take about 5 seconds to run smoothly. About 8 minutes later when I got to the freeway it drove smoothly. The next day after driving the car about 20 minutes it started doing the same thing again, but this time it started burning. I stopped to let it cool and checked all the fluids, everything was ok. I tried to drive my car 10 minutes to make it to my house. While reversing a lot pop happened. I stopped and looked and pink fluid was running down the parking lot. I tried to move the car out the way but the steering wheel was hard to turn. After an hour I was able to take it to a relatives house after refilling the car with power steering fluid. After 2 hours of sitting we tried to take it to my house and as we left the car locked up. The engine ran but the tires were getting no rotation. We were in the middle of the road for about an hour while a mechanic took the brake caliber and brake pads off, so we were able to move the car out the way. I am paying on a car that I have not had for six months and is not working.

- Houston, TX, USA

May 252016

G6

90,000 miles

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter became stuck and was unable to move out of the park position. In addition, the cruise control failed to operate and disengage. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electronic stability control, electrical system, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Owosso, MI, USA

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