NHTSA — Engine Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 3 of 3)

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:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 1
Average Mileage:
80,733 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Mar 112014

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

I was driving on highway when ignition broke and then the engine locked. Please include this in the recall. Or should I get a lawyer?

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #13

Apr 012011

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
My power steering shut off while driving - electrical on my car comes and goes several times daily problem with airbag lights as well as all dashboard shuts off frequent engine trouble. This car has been nothing but an investment failure I have put so much money and time into this vehicle and have not had a real solution to all the problems I've had since purchasing this vehicle.

- Pitttsfield, MA, USA

problem #12

Feb 062014

G6

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the traction control sensor light illuminated and the vehicle's speed decreased. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 134,000.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #11

Jan 102014

G6 6-cyl

  • 103,000 miles

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

I went to start my car N it hesitated as if it would not kick over... I retried several times N it seemed to rev it's engine harder than normal. After few attempts it kicked over. This has happened several days since. I have had routine maintenance done, battery checked several times N nothing seems to be able to be diagnosed wrong! frustrating.... to say the least!

- Fenton, MO, USA

problem #10

Mar 082014

G6 6-cyl

  • 144,094 miles
Service engine soon light illuminated, clunk, knock or rattle noise from front of vehicle when turning steering wheel regardless if the car is parked or driving on curves, turning, or going over bumps at both low and high speeds. Car pulls to the left and has a constant vibration/shake which can sometimes be very violent throughout the entire car and completely disable it! a constant loud squeaking noise when applying brakes or when driving at low speed can be heard. A ticking or knocking type noise coming from the engine or transmission area may subside in hot temperature. Panoramic sunroof leakes a wind rush noise. Intermittent long crank or no crank with a delayed start. Headlamp and backlighting have low visibility or inoperative. Gearshift indicator light occasionally comes on or flickers. When doors are locked the locking mechanism may not release by key or remote and I have to crawl inside from the trunk in order to unlock the car. The climate control does not engage/ push air on setting 3 but works on 1 2 and 4. the famous "monsoon" radio has horrible sounding speakers as if blown however they are not. I have seen more than 1 certified mechanic for these problems. I have paid a lot of money repairing steering, brakes, rotors, alignment, tires balanced etc. However problems are still occurring in my very recent purchased G6. Now I see recalls have been issued but according to GM website my VIN# is not listed as being recalled. Well apparently it does and should be recalled for replacement repair and reimbursement since Pontiac/GM are completely aware of these issues and recalling cars with "certain VIN numbers". I have bought non-american cars until now with no problems other than standard maintenance. This is my first Pontiac/GM and sadly I am beginning to wonder if I made a mistake by not staying with non-american made cars.

- Walker, MO, USA

problem #9

Apr 102012

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 118,808.

- Vossburg, MS, USA

problem #8

Mar 312014

G6

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #7

Mar 122014

G6

  • miles
Ignition faulty therefore engine locked up. Need new ignition and new engine needed.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 202009

G6 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
Several times when attempting to start the vehicle by turning the key in the ignition the vehicle goes through the process but doesn't start. It will make a "winding" noise. It will take 2-3 attempts to get the vehicle started. This has occurred approximately 30-40 times since 2009. During this same period while driving the beep alarm inside the car begins going off cause it reads that someone is sitting in the passenger front seat without a seat belt. Each time this has happened the seat was empty. In addition, when a person has been sitting in the front passenger seat and vacates the seat the seat or sensor still registers a person there without a seat belt. During the same time period I have had to replace the headlights and front driver side about 6-8 times. I had the front driver side maker light replaced and it was noticed that it was completely corroded. I've had to replace the back brake lights 6-8 times. Lastly, the transmission has begun stalling both at initial acceleration and when driving above 35mph the vehicles suddenly loses its gear and begins to slow down in traffic. This vehicle has major electrical problems. To add, I have spoke to 4-5 other people that have the exact same and additional problems with either the same year, make, and model or the same problems with the same vehicle just a year different.

- Mukwonago, WI, USA

problem #5

Apr 102013

G6

  • 110,000 miles
Driving 65-70 mph on highway while raining. Lost quite a bit of power and started to stahl. Message flashed across message screen stating "reduced engine power". had to pull of to emergency shoulder lane. Left car on the side of highway for a little over 24 hours. Came back next day and my car started right up with no problems. This happened 3 more times with the same outcome. Around 4 weeks ago, while driving on the highway, no rain this time, I heard the chime and message screen flashed "power steering." My power steering was immediately lost, I managed to merge over to left lane and into the emergency lane. While merging, the screen chimed once again but now displaying "reduced engine power". my car stalled and completely shut off. Once stopped, I pulled out key from ignition. Replaced key in efforts to restart my vehicle. The ignition would not turn over. My vehicle was completely dead at this point. Around 10 hours later, returned to vehicle on highway shoulder, car started right up on the first turn of key. This exact incident happened 4 days later with same outcome. Recently last week and this week, while starting my car, once I place my vehicle in reverse. My message screen will chime and display "power steering" and loose all steering capabilities. I can fix this myself by turning off the engine, removing key, wait about 30 seconds and try again resulting in normal use.

- Bethel , OH, USA

problem #4

Feb 282014

G6 4-cyl

  • 155,000 miles

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

Car started giving a warning that driver seat belt was not fastened and it was, the warning would repeatedly come on and go off for the whole day. Then while driving we lost power steering. It was very difficult to control and fortunately was able to pull into a private drive. Left the car and obtained a ride to my destination and the next morning returned, started the car and it was ok. Car does sit outside and not sure what happened but glad we were not going 70 mph on highway. We had to replace the manifold on the car just about 2 weeks before these issues and it was expensive. I don't believe this to be a normal issue for this year of car and what's scary is we also own a 2008 G6.

- Ridgeway, OH, USA

problem #3

Oct 012013

G6

  • 115,000 miles
Below is what happen to my 2006 G6 Pontiac ON01/23/2014, I was driving on the highway 60 mph the chime went off on my radio/driver information center (dic) and I lost my power steering almost crashed into a brick wall. GM is stating they need a letter from you in order to replace the defective part. Loss of power steering assist/ during this investigation, General Motors (GM) indicated that approximately 15,600 model year (my) 2005 Pontiac G6 vehicles built from November 3, 2004 through January 5, 2005 may experience a loss of power steering assist due to an insufficient crimp at the torque and position sensor transducer located in the steering column assembly. GM has indicated that it plans to send letters to the owners of these vehicles to inform them that it will extend the warranty coverage for the eps system in their vehicles to 7 years or 70,000 miles. Statistical analysis of the failures in the population affected by the wiring crimp problem indicate that the problem is an early life failure that should occur within the terms of the extended coverage. GM's investigation of eps failures in the subject vehicles identified a problem with the connector crimps during the two month production range covered by the warranty extension. During this period the crimps may be asymmetrical, resulting in inadequate pressure on the wire that can lead to electrical noise in the signal from the sensor to the controller. The controller may interpret this electrical noise as a malfunction of the system and default to manual mode (I.e., turn off the eps system).

- Fishers, IN, USA

problem #2

Oct 222007

G6 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
I've received but can't locate documents indicating that the steering column in 2006 Pontiac G6 has problems. The steering column freezes up and I can't turn my steering wheel when I'm driving and has almost caused accidents. This has been a big issue and dangerous, in fact everyone refuses to drive my car due to this issue. It's especially bad during the fall, winter and spring searsons, not so much during the summer. I have my grandkids in cars and am so afraid they will be injured.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 092012

G6

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while traveling 40 mph after engaging the brakes the vehicle began to chime and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and was taken to a private mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that the vehicle was not included in any current recalls. The failure mileage was 68,000.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

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