NHTSA — Air Bags Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 1 of 5)

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:
13 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 1
Average Mileage:
71,704 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #88

Apr 062021

G6

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the passenger-??s side air bag service required message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

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problem #87

Feb 092021

G6

  • miles
After I got my car serviced for a recall on my transmission cables my dash started flashing passenger air bag and now my cars airbags do not work

- Shreveport , LA, USA

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problem #86

Apr 212021

G6

  • miles
My car will flash "POWER STEERING" across the stereo notification screen and alarm and the power steering locks up as you drive and makes steering your vehicle impossible and unsafe! This was a recall which was supposedly repaired at Titus Will (dealership) some years prior when the car was previously owned by Kristena Fulton but it is still very much a problem and a HUGE safety risk. I've contacted their location and was yelled at by a female who stated they had repaired it previously and would NOT help me regarding this. This vehicle is dangerous and poses not only a safety risk which could result in serious injury and death should it be driven on a freeway or highway at the time this error occurs. I've taken video of this and am asking for this to be repaired ASAP as I transport my two children and could result in injury to myself and my children.

- Des Moines, WA, USA

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problem #85

May 152020

G6

  • 290,000 miles

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

I was driving down the road when my steering wheel locked up and couldn't move, I eventually got it to a gas station where I purchased some power steering fluid because the light showed up under the time clock on the radio; come to find out there was a spot to put the fluid. Im still having issues with the power steering, it even caused my alignment to go bad and multiple flats tires. With the last flat tire, my service airbag light came on as well, just randomly. No check engine light has come on to be able to screen the vehicle to figure out what needs to be repaired on the power steering.

- Jackson, TN, USA

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problem #84

Oct 122019

G6

  • miles
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 #83

Apr 152019

G6

  • miles
I noticed after I got the car that the gas was going awful fast, so I decided to look into and found out there was a gas leak and it was the fuel pump

- Cleveland, TN, USA

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problem #82

Jul 232018

G6

  • 100,000 miles

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

Driving down the road the power steering error came on the radio screen. At this point I can't drive because the power steering won't allow the wheel to turn and constantly shakes

- Valdosta, GA, USA

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problem #81

Sep 012010

G6

  • miles
1) stationary - keyless entry remote does not open either door after several times pressing the remote button. The door does not have a key hole to manually open either door or the trunk. 2) statonary or in motion - low beam lights are inoperable because both wiring connectors for low beam lights have melted and there are a lot of complaints online.

- Plano, TX, USA

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problem #80

Jan 022018

G6

  • 82,000 miles
Takata inflators. The airbag warning light for the passenger side comes on when car is started. Stays on. Also the radio display has service airbag message on it all the time when driving. The mechanic states it is the passenger side airbag that is causing the problem.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

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problem #79

Apr 132018

G6

  • 190,682 miles
"takata recall" when I turn on car a red symbol of air bag comes on dash board and a load ticking sound that can be heard inside as well as outside of car. Does not go off ticks when car is in motion.

- Hayward, CA, USA

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problem #78

Jan 052018

G6

  • 87,000 miles

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

Takata recall - my service airbag light came on and is staying lit with a message also displaying on my radio "service airbag". this malfunction warns me as soon as I turn the car on, while driving, and remains in effect. Major safety hazard!

- Greensboro, NC, USA

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problem #77

Dec 282017

G6

  • 122,500 miles
I was sitting in my driveway put it in gear the first gear is reverse so it shift hard into reverse it don't shift hard into neutral an then it shift hard in all other gears it will shift hard but if I get the rpms past 3000 without shifting it will shift fine but it has been happening more commonly each day

- Port Byron, NY, USA

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problem #76

Dec 142017

G6

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving various speeds, the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. In addition, the power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn left or right, although the power steering fluid was full. Futhermore, the transmission shifted hard when placed in gear. Summit Chevrolet Buick GMC in auburn, New York was made of the failures and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 122,000.

- Port Byron, NY, USA

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problem #75

Sep 152017

G6

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that when at a parking lot of a school, the contact drove very slowly at an unknown speed, the brake pedal failed to respond when depressed and in addition the vehicle accelerated to an unknown speed. The power steering failed to turn left or right. The failure occurred without warning. The failure caused the contact's vehicle to crash into another vehicle, which made the vehicle come to a stop. Only the air bag on the power steering wheel deployed. The other air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a back injury that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control), 14V153000 (steering) and 14V224000 (power train) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted and was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

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problem #74

Jul 252017

G6

  • miles
First there is a message that pops up on my dashboard saying about my airbag warning. It pops up throughtout my drive. Its been doing this since I bought my car in 2008. But I mever got a recall paper in the mail and when I put my VIN number in, it has no recalls for the airbag. Its alarming and scary hearing about other peoples complaints with the same issues. Secondly I got a letter in the mail from GMC or something about a recall on my car. It had to do with my break lights coming on automatically while I had my car in the park position. I was excited to finally get it fixed but when I took it to the GMC mechanics in albany Oregon they said nothing was wrong. However till this day I continue to have this issue. The brake lights turn on and stay on while im driving. Ive had several people who were driving behind me tell me the same thing. I just got back from vacation and while driving on the freeway for a long time, I stopped at the rest area and an older gentleman came up to me and told me my brake lights were on the whole time for the last 30 miles he was behind me. If I got a letter concerning my brakes then why arent they willing to fix my problem.

- Albany, OR, USA

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problem #73

May 152017

G6

  • 149,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While the contact's boyfriend was driving 40 mph, he was struck from behind by another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver suffered pain and was taken to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The body damage to the vehicle was repaired, but the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that nothing could be done. Also, while turning the wheels to leave a parking spot, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column and torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there had been a recall; however, it had been completed. Therefore, the manufacturer could not assist. A dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

- New Iberia, LA, USA

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problem #72

Jun 292017

G6

  • 123,865 miles
Takata recall. My driver side airbag light is on and will not go off. I have taken it to the shop who says that it is a sensor. I replaced the sensor and the airbag light still will not go off. The airbags have been recalled but my VIN number is not on the list.

- Rochester, NY, USA

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problem #71

Jun 112014

G6

  • 150,000 miles
There are 3 different areas that I assume are the cause of my car's problems. First the passenger side air bag is has stayed off, regardless of passengers being present since 2014, I believe. Using the key does not change the air bag status. Also this may be part of the electrical area, but at around the same time my cruise control also malfunctioned. The car was in motion when I realized both things. Also I've had problems with traction control coming on out of no where, and instead of the engine speed being reduced, the car will not move at all. Sometimes it will like reset after I pull over and wait for over 10 minutes, but it will come back on repeatedly. I have to pull over wait restart, pull over wait restart several times within a usual 20 minute drive at times. Also I'm having problems with the air compressor staying engaged. My car kind of bogs down when the compressor does kick in, and it repeatedly kicks on and off while driving any distance at all. Also the interior lights flicker constantly. The message center on the radio constantly says that I have low coolant, but that is an error message. In the suspension area my whole front end(struts, ball bearings, etc) seem to be bad. When I drive over a small bump the whole car shutters and pulls wildly to one side or the other. It feels like my tires hit into the rim itself over speed bumps when I am driving merely 10 miles per hour.

- Memphis, TN, USA

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problem #70

May 052008

G6

  • 40,000 miles
Takata recall. But not only the air bags. There is a clicking noise when I steering, sometimes causing the air bag light to come on. There is a vibrating coming from the driver's side front when at speed that shakes the steering wheel even after the tires are balanced and the struts and tie rods were replaced. If I grab the steering wheel with both hands, it moves up and down. When parallel parking, the power steering fails making it impossible to turn the wheel without hitting the gas and putting the car in motion. I've noticed in my research that other G6 models of this year and surrounding years were recalled for all of the problems I am having. When I asked the person at Chevy dealer about it, she told me I was out of luck until the VIN pops up in their system. This has been happing since my wife got the car in 2007 apparently, and since we just had a baby, we are looking into it more. I've been waiting on the recalls to be expanded to her VIN, but nothing. Is there anything we can do, other than paying to rebuild the whole steering system of which others with the same problems were covered? thanks for any help.

- Accokeek, MD, USA

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problem #69

Apr 152015

G6

  • miles
My air bag light comes on once I crank the car and will not go off on the driver side and on the passenger side it will work sometimes and sometimes it would not once the car is running. Having problems getting yearly inspection sticker. I notice there is a recall on 2006 Pontiac G6 air bags frontal. Contacted Pontiac main branch and stated my car wasn't on the list of the recalls. Recall announced: October 31, 2006 NHTSA reference: #06V417000

- Nathalie, VA, USA

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