NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 1 of 11)

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:
7 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,358 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Pontiac G6:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 11)

problem #218

Feb 102023

G6

  • miles

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

Power steering warning on radio, never once did a warning light on dash come up. This started at about 193,000 miles. Turning over car constantly to get my power steering to start. About a month after it just went out while driving approximately 40 mph. Kept pulling over to restart car, never turned back on. Potential wreck trying to turn to get into work parking lot when the car wouldn-??t turn. Dealerships claim my car was fixed already years ago, however this problem with the steering started again apparently at about 193,000 miles. The steering wheel started jerking and shaking when the car was idle around the same time the power steering message came across the radio. The car would also randomly lock my horn, didn-??t realize it could do that until I couldn-??t honk when someone was merging into me.

- Raymore, MO, USA

Add Complaint
problem #217

May 052022

G6

  • miles
My car stopped working all of a sudden in the middle of the road. no warning signs were made nor any of my lights came on. it-??s rough running and never stays on long to drive. when i brake it completely shuts off. it overheats without the temperature gauge telling me it is. i don-??t know exactly what is wrong but it-??s not working now. i couldn-??t go over 35 mph without it shutting off either.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

Add Complaint
problem #216

May 042021

G6

  • 160,000 miles
While driving steering locked up, I had to strong arm the steering wheel in order to drive car too a safe place. Once I cut the car off and cut it back on it it was working fine. This is dangerous because I have gotten it looked at and thru can't find the issue help please

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #215

Mar 012021

G6

  • 18,000 miles

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

The car was working fine and then about a week ago the car was in a parking lot and I started it to go to leave and I could not reverse I'm not sure what it's called but there was like some kind of clip that somebody had to piece together for me just so it would be able to be drivable also the power steering light cut flashing on the radio and I checked to see if there was any power steering fluid and I found out that it has that motor well whenever I go in reverse it sounds like the emergency brake is like on but it's not and whenever I'm driving it feels like it's being pulled to the right and it clicks if I turn it too far

- Hastings, NE, USA

Add Complaint
problem #214

Feb 242021

G6

  • miles
The steering almost gave out and making noise. The whole steering electric system needs to be replaced.

- Jeannette, PA, USA

Add Complaint

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

electrical defect check engine light engine light is on pontiac sunfire security passlock system anti-theft light is on car won't start Dex-Cool lawsuit intake gasket leak engine complaint electrical issue heater complaint transmission complaint paint defect G6 recall
problem #213

Dec 152020

G6

  • 135,000 miles
The steering would lock up in the middle of traffic. Car will cut off in the middle of turning and would cause a accident.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

Add Complaint
problem #212

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

Add Complaint
problem #211

Mar 182020

G6

  • 155,000 miles
While driving I opened my panoramic sunroof and it proceeded to come off of the tracks and glass fell through the sunroof on to my head and into the passenger seat. It is made of four panels none of which are attached it will no longer work properly without doing damage or hurting someone.

- Owensboro, KY, USA

Add Complaint
problem #210

Jan 152020

G6 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
Brakes lights continuously stay while driving or parked. Once the brake is pressed then it cuts off. The brake lights will randomly come and go off from time to time.

- Lake City, PA, USA

Add Complaint
problem #209

Feb 052020

G6

  • 216,232 miles
Steering wheel locks up at low speeds. Shifter cable doesn't engage.

- Independence, MO, USA

Add Complaint
problem #208

Jan 082020

G6

  • 203,500 miles

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

With my engine I have taken my car in for an oil change on time since I've got the car. Than right before one oil change I hear a knock in the engine. So I get an oil change again and it was still making this noise. Following that my air circulation for the fan would stop working at times. My radio electric line seems damaged. Works sometimes.

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

Add Complaint
problem #207

Mar 132019

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the steering lost power and the power steering, brake, and tail lights warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

- Jeffersonville, IN, USA

Add Complaint
problem #206

Jan 012019

G6

  • miles
My cars electric system is completely went out. My heat and air conditioning system completely went out. Its extremely hard just to get my car out of park in my driveway. My keys get stuck in the ignition and its extremely frustrating because you can't leave your keys in the ignition, obviously you have to lock your door so no one will steal your car while your sleeping. And the most dangerous part or what's going on with my car is, when driving the brake medal is almost impossible to mash while driving even with two feet. And my morning commute to work requires me to be on the highway. I've had recall work done to my 2006 Pontiac G6 before due to my electric system failing and these are all of the same signs of the recall. And I wouldn't dare let my family ride in this car. Thank you

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #205

Sep 022019

G6

  • 165,400 miles
Breaking lights come with out touching the peddle when driving down the road.two people have pulled up to me at stop lights telling me that the break lights stay on. Driving down the hwy you at night, you can see that they are on, all the reflectors are lighted

- Watertown, WI, USA

Add Complaint
problem #204

Feb 282019

G6

  • miles
Steering wheel tightens as if it's really hard for myself to turn it, some days when starting car afterwards the steering wheel goes back and forth by itself then the steering wheel will listen where it's I say too easy to control, everyday it seems to be different I can go 2-3 days where it's easy to control then all a sudden for a day or two it stays super hard for me to turn.there days where I jus don't drive it cause of how it's really hard to turn the wheel, I don't get to leave town ever in it because afraid of it possibly locking up on me causing me to wreck, it's my only vehicle can't afford another one and defenitely can't afford to fix it.ive been told there was a recall on the steering for 2006 but I googled it few times and found where there was no recall I was looking forward to the recall...I purchased the vehicle Feb 2019 off a friend of mine and he says the steering had an issue he didn't have time to mess with it so...

- Greenfield, OH, USA

Add Complaint
problem #203

Jun 202019

G6

  • 184,500 miles
Brake lights stay on without the brake pedal being pressed.. same time it turns off the cruise control system.. replaced brake light switch and it happened again 1 month later, as soon as the cruise control shuts off at any speed on the highway I stop and check. And of course the brake lights are stuck on.

- Statesville, NC, USA

Add Complaint
problem #202

Oct 182017

G6

  • 122,000 miles
For the past 2 years, my headlights have barely been working. Ever since I've gotten my car I've had issues with them and have had them replaced plus wiring redone more than 3 times. Each time my low beams go out. It started with one working and one not, and quickly led to both going on. They will not work. I've looked it up and have seen many people having issues with this, along with my friends mom having the same exact car, different year mind you but the same exact problem. I've looked up my VIN for any possible recalls and can't come across one, even though I've seen this has been a big issue for GM. My inspection is coming up and I don't know what to do about my lights, as they won't work no matter how much I fix them. My high beams do so I've been having to drive with them. I'm making a complaint because I'm not sure what else to do about this problem. I feel major anxiety and unease while driving my car and it bothers me that I don't feel safe.

- Lenoir, NC, USA

Add Complaint
problem #201

Jan 112018

G6

  • 149,000 miles
7 different major issues

- Tulsa, OK, USA

Add Complaint
problem #200

Jul 122017

G6

  • 120,000 miles
Electric hartop roof will not latch completly and will not allow access to trunk either. Happen afetr having chevolet garage work on vehicle had other issues as well. Approx on date had multiple dates worked on. Key locked they rplcd key lock assy, then a cable which was problem did not allow start and shifting of vehicle. Charge multiple times and did not fix but charged alot for parts swapping to try and fix issue. Also caused oil leak and never repaired steering issue/popping in front end drivers side.

- Burleson, TX, USA

Add Complaint
problem #199

Jun 222016

G6

  • 86,000 miles
This car was horrible brakes rotors steering was never correct the cruise control went up and down and after I fixed ton stuff the guy I buy it from cane and stole it my husband job in middle of niggt

- East Elmhurst, NY, USA

Add Complaint

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?