NHTSA — Engine Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 1 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 1 of 3)

problem #54

Jul 022023

G6

  • 113,000 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 driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Midas. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to an undisclosed dealer and the contact was informed that the engine failed due to the timing belt and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Peoria, IL, USA

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problem #53

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

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problem #52

Jan 082020

G6

  • 203,500 miles
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

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problem #51

Oct 122019

G6

  • miles

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

For several months, the indicator lights in the vehicle have been randomly coming on for one ting or another. The air bag light comes on as well as the engine light. At one point, the gas gauge indicates that the tank in about empty when we have just filled the tank half of the way. Being senior citizens, it is difficult to get a diagnosis on the car without paying beyond your budget, or getting the repairs done. Also the power steering freezes up while driving sometimes.

- Detroit, MI, USA

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problem #50

Jul 092019

G6

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 50 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and the vehicle lost power and stalled. Additionally, the security system engaged and the electric power steering and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 95358554395B. The failure mileage was 200,000.

- Manning, SC, USA

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problem #49

May 132019

G6

  • 161,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While operating the vehicle, an abnormal dinging noise was heard and the vehicle decelerated. After a few seconds, the vehicle stalled and restarted on its own. In addition, the check engine and all the other instrument panel indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 161,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Norfok, VA, USA

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problem #48

May 032019

G6

  • 143,000 miles

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

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

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problem #47

Nov 232018

G6

  • 10,700 miles
While driving I will go to exellerate and my RPM gage will flair up and then crash and my car will die out and I wil have to quickly get off the road without getting hit and try to restart my car if the RPM gage doesn't ingage the chances of it dying while driving is less but when it does I know at some point the car will die. It's happened on the highway with semi trucks driving behind me.

- Tiptonville, TN, USA

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problem #46

Apr 112017

G6

  • 193,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 55 mph, the steering wheel shook uncontrollably. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and turned off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and able to drive normally; however, sometimes the failure would persist. The contact also stated that the engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 193,000.

- Buffalo Junction, VA, USA

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problem #45

May 182018

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that there were several failures that randomly progressed upon purchasing the vehicle from a private seller. Due to the various failures, the vehicle was unable to pass state inspection. The vehicle was taken to four different independent mechanics, but a permanent remedy could not be provided to prevent the failures. The various mechanics replaced the throttle body, spark plugs, air flow sensor, and battery; however, the failures continued. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed, and failed to start and restart on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it diagnosed that the master computer and the struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

- Denver, CO, USA

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problem #44

Apr 162018

G6

  • 152,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2006 Pontiac G6. While the vehicle was stuck on a snow embankment, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact was shifting the gear from drive and reverse numerous times while her son was attempting to push the vehicle out of the snow embankment. A burning odor was detected and, a short time later, the vehicle caught on fire. The police and fire department were contacted and the fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer (jd byrider, (260-209-5071) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were not liable due to the vehicle being deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

- Sheboygan, WI, USA

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problem #43

Mar 172014

G6

  • miles
My son died in the car.

- Bainbridge, OH, USA

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problem #42

Dec 282017

G6

  • 211,000 miles
The brake lights started coming on without the pedal being pushed.then the battery started going dead randomly when parked.then all dashlights flickering, power locks locking and unlocking thereself, and lost accelerating power and shut off, all happened while in motion on city street.have trouble switching gear shift out of park.front brakes also locking up randomly when driving.

- Panama City Beach, FL, USA

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problem #41

Jul 222017

G6

  • 12,643 miles
My wheel an brakes locked while I was driving causing me to hit two cars parked my airbags never came out the driver side tire an front end busted fluids leak out an it happened on a city street vechile was towed

- Newark, NJ, USA

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problem #40

Apr 252017

G6

  • miles
Recently, I saw an article from a local news station regarding the attorney general going after local car dealerships for not disclosing or fixing recalls for cars sold off of their lot. I purchased my car in February 2015, with no knowledge of any issues or recalls. Upon placing my VIN number into the NHTSA website, I discovered that I have three recalls that have affected my car, having to do with the brakes, transmission and power steering. My car has had issues with its brakes from the get-go, I even went back to websmart to have it fixed with my warranty. Mere weeks after getting it "fixed", the issues returned and I'm not sure if it has to do with this recall or not. My power steering has gone out on me three times while driving, in the little over two years that I have had the car. I am not sure what to do regarding this and could use some help. Thank you, matt.

- Henrietta, NY, USA

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problem #39

Oct 012016

G6

  • miles
The air bag doesn't work and the light flashes "service airbag, " and, while pumping the brakes to stop, you have to pumps twice before the car reacts to the command. I had the pads replaced but the car operates the same as before.

- Metairie, LA, USA

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problem #38

Oct 022016

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,706 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled over and was able to restart the vehicle after 60 seconds. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,706. Updated 01/06/2017

- Raeford, NC, USA

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problem #37

Nov 232015

G6

  • miles
While driving 55 mph around a sharp turn my service engine light came on and the radio display read 'engine power reduced' causing the vehicle to reduce speed drastically and an accident narrowly escaped. There is no excuse faulty part or not that my life should be endangered or but at risk by a manufacturer defect or whatever the cause. This needs to be looked into, before someone loses their life!!

- Waconia, MN, USA

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problem #36

Aug 222011

G6

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled. After 30 minutes, the vehicle restarted normally. The contact also stated that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they were not able to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Basehor, KS, USA

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problem #35

Aug 112015

G6

  • 75,000 miles
The car had a "ticking" sound for 3 weeks. The sound starts when you start the car and does not go away. Last week the car abruptly stop and shut off. When I attempted to re-start the car it smelled like something was burning so I left it go and took it to a mechanic. They say the car is crap..the engine locked up and part of the piston broke off and flew into the motor, damaging it. Thank god we were not on the highway where the speed limit is 70 mph when this happen. Now we are stuck with a car that is not worth repairing and no one wants it for a trade in nor will the loan go away. These cars should be pulled off the market.

- Moon Twp, PA, USA

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