NHTSA — Unknown Or Other Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 1 of 2)

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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,304 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

May 182023

G6

  • miles

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

N/a

- Bennington, VT, USA

problem #32

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

problem #31

Feb 052020

G6

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

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #30

Feb 282020

G6

  • 201,798 miles

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

Went to a licensed auto repair shop an was suppose to get swaybar bushings put on an they decided to cut the whole sway bar off the rear end

- Woodville, AL, USA

problem #29

Sep 202019

G6

  • 114,000 miles
Strong odor of gasoline inside & outside of car. Its strong that it burns my eyes. Also power steering wheel vibrates & tries to drive itself. It vibrates when sitting still also.

- Newport, AR, USA

problem #28

Apr 122019

G6

  • 143,000 miles
The vehicle vibrates in a certain pattern when above 55 mph on the highway, no one seems to be able to figure out what is causing it. All 4 struts are new, sway bar bushings, sway bar links, control arms both upper and lower, all brake rotors are new. Cannot get the problem diagnosed by anyone because they cannot find out what it is. Also the check engine light turns on and off (code given is for running lean) but no mechanic or dealership have found why it's happening. One dealership even told me it could be the cars ECU. So they told me to verify if my car had any recalls. Please, any help about this is greatly appreciated this problem has been going on for over a month now (today's date 5/9/19)

- Fitchburg, MA, USA

problem #27

Jan 112018

G6

  • 149,000 miles

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

7 different major issues

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #26

Feb 072019

G6

  • 90,000 miles
This is a 2006 Pontiac G6 with the 3.5L LX9 V6 engine. At 90,000 miles I am having transmission problems (automatic). The transmission slips in 2nd and 3rd gear. The car reverses normally. All maintenance is done by myself or the dealer. I changed the transmission fluid with genuine GM parts and fluid. I noticed the fluid was slightly discolored and very tiny pieces of metal were in the pan. The transmission still slipped in 2nd and 3rd gear after changing the fluid. Obviously I want to avoid putting in a brand new transmission. I want to check the computer and and any electrical pieces that correspond with the transmission first before I decide. As a side note, I did bring the vehicle to GM for a diagnosis and apparently there was a code for a transmission position sensor. However I attempted to start the vehicle in drive on many occasions and the vehicle would not start which is what that sensor is suppose to do so I know it isn't the sensor.

- Salem, NH, USA

problem #25

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

problem #24

Dec 032018

G6

  • 221,230 miles
The transmission cable link has a small plastic bushing on it which in my case broke off completely and while my car was in a parking garage. That made my car become unable to start as well as roll by itself almost causing thousands of dollars in damage and cost me money in towing and car repair fees for something that should have been recalled. And my vehicle was not listed in the recall regarding a similar issue like this with General Motors

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #23

Nov 232018

G6

  • 10,700 miles

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

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

problem #22

Aug 102018

G6 4-cyl

  • 0 miles
For the last week I have been having problems with the ignition to my car that it takes 3-5 times of me trying to start the car before the car will start. I took it to auto zone this morning to test everything, my starter etc. When they plugged it in to the sub port underneath where I put my feet for the gas and break it wouldn't give him any readings and he did this 3-4 times. He said the only thing he could say it was computer issues and if my service engine light was on to get it turned off. I looked for recalls but none came up. What do I do because computer work is very expensive. Any help or advice would be appreciated. The vehicle is stationary every time and it only does this when the vehicles sits for long periods/ over night. I turn everything from NY daytime lights, my radio and dome light off. It's had been doing this since August 10, 2018. My email is [xxx] you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Troy, OH, USA

problem #21

Jul 012017

G6

  • miles
Catalytic converter. Was recalled and changed now same issue all over.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

problem #20

Jan 272018

G6

  • 133,000 miles
Turning the wheel is very hard at dead stop to a slow speed. Ex: red to green light turning bay. As it should turn fairly easily it is a struggle and a half to turn causing a wide turn. On the highway you basically have to jerk it to get over in time. Not to mention it already has an alignment problem as well when I was leased the car.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #19

May 052017

G6

  • 91,000 miles
Vehicle has an ongoing problem where it loses power and stalls while driving. After a few minutes we are able to restart the car

- Lackawanna, NY, USA

problem #18

Sep 082016

G6

  • 222,000 miles
On 95 highway South near carson va a white big bag fell off a tractor trailer in was on the highway road it damage my radiator and back end of my car. Repairs had to be done to mybcar

- Stony Creek, VA, USA

problem #17

Mar 142016

G6

  • miles
My car lost all power and I mean everything... my car is still in the shop and it's not fixed yet... the mechanic said that my car just lost it's memory and he has tried to reset the memory but he has not had any luck with it. I wish I never would have got this car because when I had the first recall fixed... it is like now one thing after another has gone wrong and more recalls. I was very scared when I was driving down the road at 55mph and the car just quit.... it was like the car just froze and the traffic on the road just kept on coming I was very lucky and blessed that no one hit me.... I know for a fact that when I buy a car for my daughter..... it will not be a G6 !!!!!

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #16

Jan 072016

G6

  • 172,000 miles
Takata recall check engine light comes on in the display and says engine de rates power and looses throttle peddle in order to stop this we have to pull over and turn the car off! this keeps happening and needs to be fixed or it will cause us to wreck

- Lebanon, TN, USA

problem #15

Oct 062015

G6

  • 176,000 miles
My vehicle has a very strong odor of gasoline. This smell is present when driving and long after the vehicle has been powered off. A visual inspection by a friend who is a 'shade-tree' mechanic show no obvious leaks nor do I notice anything in the driveway. It has gotten so bad that we have to leave windows cracked. I don't have any money for repairs. I am wondering if this is something other owners have seen and if possibly there is or will be a recall? I am scared to drive the car. This has been happening (and getting worse) for the last couple of months.

- Chester, VA, USA

problem #14

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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