NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 20 of 58)

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:
53 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
30 / 1
Average Mileage:
75,280 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 20 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #762

Jan 062014

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Power steering went out as I was driving.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #761

May 102014

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
My first experience was when I came to a stop light turning left, the steering wheel jerk pulling right. I lost control of the steering wheel due to the steering wheel jerking. My car ended up on the sidewalk of lowe's trees. I was so afraid because the steering wheel was so hard to turn. Right then my car became unsafe to drive. I call the tow truck to tow my car home. That was a scary experience. My arms and hands hurt due to the steering wheel jerking in any direction.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #760

Apr 292013

G6 4-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
While car was in motion (going straight) I was coming to the street I needed to turn right on and my steering locked and I could not do anything but go straight. I have to slowly pull over, turn car off and when I turned it back on the steering reset and I was able to make turns. I brought the car to my mechanic and the trouble code on the car was CO545 which indicated that there is a problem with the power steering. Upon research I have found that there have been many problems with the steering in 2005-2006 and more current Pontiac G6 however when I took it to the GM dealership to see if my car is covered under the 10 year/150,000 mile special policy I was told no based on my VIN. This upset me since there has obviously been many reports of problems with the power steering.

- Addison, IL, USA

problem #759

Mar 192014

G6 4-cyl

  • 76,021 miles

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

Continuously while driving the steering will lock putting the car into straight position, while in turns, bends, cures, . etc. This has left me I N to oncoming traffic, nearly side swiping cars beside me, heading front on with cars not being able to steer and have control.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #758

May 012014

G6

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was advised to replace the power steering. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 14V153000 (steering) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. Updated 6/27/14 the consumer stated as he was backing up, the steering locked up and he hit an object and damaged the trunk.

- White Ville, NC, USA

problem #757

Feb 092014

G6 6-cyl

  • 123,139 miles
Steering failed while attempting to turn from highway onto an interstate ramp. While braking the steering response became erratic and car spun into the guard rail. No personal injuries during the wreck; however, car body damage was $3300. No previous steering failure had been experienced. GM dealership indicated power steering control module (22837369) was cause for steering failure. GM dealership replaced this module to return power steering to service and charged me full cost of parts and labor.

- Muncie, IN, USA

problem #756

Apr 012011

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

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 #755

Nov 052013

G6

  • 100,000 miles
TL- the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph the power steering suddenly malfunctioned making the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The contact indicated that after turning the vehicle off and restarting the engine the vehicle operated as normal for approximately 2 miles before the defect reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 14V153000 (steering). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced that the same defect listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000. Jft

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #754

Apr 172014

G6

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the power steering malfunctioned and the wheel became very hard to maneuver. The dealer was contacted and notified him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 180,000.

- New Burnside, IL, USA

problem #753

Apr 212014

G6

  • 78,000 miles
I was driving out of our subdivision on a small hill when the power steering failed. I was able with difficulty to drive the vehicle home about a block. I had the vehicle towed to a local Pontiac dealer. I did not see any warning displayed or hear any beep. I do not have access to the vehicle so have no idea what the vehicle number or exact mileage is. I did not recall hearing about the recall and received no notification from General Motors. The ignition switch in some vehicles has received a great deal of press, but I didn't recall any news about the potential steering issue. GM should have warned owners directly of the possible failure.

- Rochester, MI, USA

problem #752

Jun 292010

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

6/10: Driving on freeway at 65 mph and lost power steering. In 9/10, received letter from GM indicating issue so brought vehicle to local dealer for steering column replacement. In 10/10, driving on freeway at 65 mph, lost engine power and power steering with indicator above radio saying "reduced engine power". I had to pull over to side of road, turn car off, then turn back on again, to regain power. This happened several more times between 10/10 and early 12/10 at which time I brought the vehicle into local dealership for repair. They replaced throttle body. I have since sold the vehicle to my nephew who has not had any problems. This vehicle should have been a recall. Very dangerous. No rhyme or reason to occurrences as well as whether the car would regain engine power or not. I did have a heavy key chain at that time.

- De Pere, WI, USA

problem #751

Jan 142013

G6 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
Power steering didn't work on day when I started my car. I had to restart several times. Since then power steering has gone out while driving about 65 mph, steering wheel turns left on its own, ( while driving or sitting still), and jerks left to right continuously. But once the car the engine is turned off the steering wheel turns right on its own and centers itself. When the car is turned back on the wheel then turns left again on its own. I had an alignment and this has not fixed the issue, but only made worse. Turning the wheel left is much easier than turning right all the time. If sitting still and wheels are turned right, the wheel will then turn all the way left again as though it is possessed.

- Hermitage, TN, USA

problem #750

Feb 032014

G6

  • 99,000 miles
Making a right hand turn at an intersection the power steering stopped working, chime sounded and "power steering" appeared on the info screen. Car was hard to steer. Continues to go out intermittently when turning.

- Butler , PA, USA

problem #749

Feb 122014

G6 6-cyl

  • 193,204 miles
My tail lights do not work at all on the vehicle. Have replaced bulbs and fuse and still nothing. Also there is no power steering. It had went out while driving the car. Also the catalytic converter. Have called the manufacturer to get them fixed but my VIN is not on the recall list. I was wondering why? all the recalls that have been placed on this make year and model are exactly what I am experiencing problems with on mine. So how is it determined which vins get recalled. I have kids and am scared to drive this vehicle due to the severity of problems I am experiencing with it. I can't even drive my vehicle at night due to the tail light issue, and can hardly drive it daily due to the power steering being out in the vehicle. Please advise on how to fix this issue and what the next steps I should do.

- Murfreesboro , TN, USA

problem #748

Apr 152014

G6 6-cyl

  • 104,096 miles
I was backing out of my driveway, everything seemed okay until I put the car in drive and my car chimed and the 'power steering' message showed up on the dashboard. I just purchased this car less than a month ago from a dealership, and had no warnings of steering problems.

- Carpentersville, IL, USA

problem #747

Mar 102014

G6

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at no particular speed the vehicle lost power steering with the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel was hard to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who did not diagnose the failure. There was a recall under NHTSA recall campaign id number 14V153000(steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.

- Dania Beach, FL, USA

problem #746

Feb 152014

G6

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically fail to start. The contact would have to shift into neutral and then park numerous times before the vehicle would respond. The contact also stated that when driving over a road bump or any unleveled road surface, the instrument panel would fail. On one occasion while the contact was driving at an unknown speed, the power steering assist failed and caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle, who then crashed into a guard rail. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who was not able to diagnose or duplicate the failure. The contact was advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle had been previously taken to an independent mechanic for the same failures however, the mechanic also was unable to diagnose a failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #745

Apr 072014

G6 4-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
My wife was making a turn into a parking lot and loss power in her steering. After the vehicle was shut down for some time, I was able to drive it back home with no issues. The car will be parked until we can take it to the dealership for the recall.

- Lanham, MD, USA

problem #744

Apr 052014

G6 4-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
Wife was driving then power steering shut off wile driving. Power steering appeared on info screen and the car dinged. She was very scared I called my dealership and was told my car did not have a recall that it was only for the 05 G6 and "some" 06S but not mine well guess what mine should be... if anything happens to me or my family cause of this I will own GM just like the others they need to include this recall to all the 06 G6S.

- Vilonia, AR, USA

problem #743

Apr 032014

G6 4-cyl

  • 171,129 miles
Yesterday I found out that there was a recall for GM Pontiac G6 cars, inclusive of my model. Ironically, when I drove to work this morning, my power steering went out without warning, almost causing me to wreck!!!! when I called T he customer service for GM in detroit, they told me that this was still "fresh" and that a complete VIN list had bee completed yet for the recall and may not until the end of the month. She did however, issue me a case number and patched me through to the local GM Pontiac dealership to set up an appointment. The dealership manager was very accommodating and told me, he would work with me as best as possible, but the info from GM could be slow coming. GM needs to get on the ball here!!!!!! suppose I had wrecked or was injured due to this "no warning" incident? I'm just asking for a quick resolve!!!

- Dahlonega, GA, USA

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