NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine 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.

3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,937 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

problem #4

Mar 062011

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

I have a 2006 Pontiac G6 and have experienced numerous problems with acceleration and shifting (automatic transmission). Just recently I was driving and a weird sensor came up reading reduced engine speed and thank goodness there was no one behind me because my car shot all the way down to around 8 mph. After I reached a semi-safe place to pull over I put my car in park and tried turning it off and restarting to see if that would help, it wouldn't even turn over. I am very frustrated because I have 80,000 miles on my fairly new car and I should not be experiencing this sort of trouble. I was lucky that I was on a back road and no one was right behind me because in addition to something going on internally I would have been rearended for sure. After visiting your site I have seen numerous complaints very similar to my story and feel as if this should be addressed. Please take this complaint and realize I am a valued customer and if this next problem costs me a bunch I will never buy another GM vehicle as long as I drive.

- Lebanon, ME, USA

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problem #3

Feb 272009

G6

  • 40,749 miles
I was driving in the rain and hit a puddle the was an 1 !/2 in deep and water got up into my engine and ruined it. I have to get my engine replaced and had to go through the insurance company that cost me $1000 deductible. This is the 2nd time that I've heard of this happening in the last 2 months. I feel that this is a GM defect. The water was not that deep.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

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problem #2

Feb 232009

G6

  • miles
Pontiac G6 code P2070-imt. Valve failed 280 miles ago. Both head gaskets leaking at around 42,000 miles. Car serviced regularly.

- New Market, VA, USA

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problem #1

Sep 092008

G6

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 70 mph on normal road conditions and proceeding to turn left, there was an unexpected loss of power steering and the engine stalled. The engine restarted and the power steering returned. The engine stalled intermittently on ten separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 43,000 and current mileage was 64,000.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

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