NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 24 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 24 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #682

May 102013

G6

  • 78,000 miles

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

Electric power steering fails to work. Unbelievably difficult to turn steering wheel and control car. Mechanical clicking sound has been heard since car had 14000 miles. Dealer insists this is normal.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #681

May 232013

G6 6-cyl

  • 162,000 miles
This happened before, and I took it to the dealer where I brought it, and they told me that there was not a recall on the power steering. This time it happened, I was just about to go into a left turn on to the freeway, when the steering was extremely hard to steer.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #680

May 162013

G6 4-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
I was on my way to a softball game, was going 65 on the fast lane, and all of sudden I read power steering on the radio, the car was still on but the gas didn't want to go and my wheel was tensed, there was a lot of traffic but I managed to get it to the left shoulder without causing an accident. The car was towed and has been parked ever since.

- Robstown , TX, USA

problem #679

Apr 152013

G6

  • 95,000 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 55 mph, the power steering assist seized and the contact was unable to move the steering wheel. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a repair shop to perform a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 95,000. The current mileage was 97,000.

- Broadway , NC, USA

problem #678

Mar 212013

G6 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
Steering locks up, steering wheel jumps and jerks when turning the wheel.

- Grindstone , PA, USA

problem #677

Feb 212013

G6 6-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
Driving down road, power steering went out while driving, causing car to not turn sharp corner easily almost going into ditch.

- Jamestown, MO, USA

problem #676

Mar 282013

G6 6-cyl

  • 74,304 miles

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

Steering locks up; while driving making turns wheel locks, in street and in hwy going around 45mph almost causing accident. Very dangerous...

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #675

Apr 012007

G6 6-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
We bought this car brand new, and troubles started immediately. First thing was when you would turn the steering wheel it would make a popping noise, well returned it a few months after we bought it they said it was because of a cap, that use to be metal but are now plastic wears out, nothing dangerous but annoying. Well that was replaced 3 times before some kind of a rod was replaced. Then it always smelled of anti freeze. And would lose it, but they couldn't find any leak. Well after having it in having 2 radiators put in it, it still did lose fluid. Until recently I had an accident where a lady left her car in the middle of the highway and ran off and left it in the middle lanes coming off of a bridge a man slammed on his brakes and I hit the side of his bumper, and caused damage to the front of my car and I got a new front end and a new radiator again. Still leaked fluid. My husband after getting the car back from the repair shop found the leak and bought a part and fixed it himself. Pretty good after 3 radiators and all the techs working on it over the 6 yrs, he had to fix it. It has been in the shop right after I got it because when you would take off, it would act like it skipped a gear. But if I shifted w/the standard shift it wouldn't do it. They said there was no shavings in the transmission tray and all was fine. Took it back again for the same thing, they still said nothing was wrong with the transmission. But to this day about once or twice a week it will still skip when accelerating. I have had the motor on the convertible replaced right after I got it. The stereo was also replaced. The passenger side chair arm release, that allows you to let the seat up for someone to get in the back came off, they put another one on and no adhesive it stripped out again. Refused to fix it. I have all paperwork from all the repairs it has had, will list in anotherpost.

- Lumberton, TX, USA

problem #674

Mar 222013

G6 6-cyl

  • 145,997 miles
The electric power steering assist motor / module locked up almost causing a wreck. A real safety issue, that G.M.C had recalled to fix the problem, but they would only fix part of problem after saying they would fix all of it, so the car still has the problem. I just bought the car and had not made my first payment, when the power steering went out!

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #673

Feb 092013

G6 4-cyl

  • 81,373 miles
While driving around a 25mph curve, power steering failed without warning, causing loss of control at the end of the turn. Because of the loss of control, I hit a guard rail. No injuries or airbag deployment.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

problem #672

Jan 262013

G6

  • 118,453 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 when he started his vehicle, the power steering did not activate. He had to start the vehicle several time before the power steering activated. After the power steering was activated the steering wheel began to shake violently. While driving at various speeds, the power steering would failed intermittently. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 118,453.

- Lynchburg, OH, USA

problem #671

Nov 062012

G6

  • 85,000 miles
Cid light chimes indicating power steering and check gas cap. Took car to dealer requires module to be replaced cost $600. Spoke to Pontiac my VIN was not identified as part of a recall because the recall was from a specific plant that built the steering column. I would think that all specifications were provided and built the same way. I have been reading a lot of the other complaints with regards to the power steering on your web sight and don't understand why this isn't being addressed by Pontiac. I believe Canada issued a recall why haven't we (usa). I was told that I can pay for the repairs and get reimbursed if there is a recall. I can't afford nor do I think I should pay to get an important yet defective piece of equipment replaced in the vehicle I purchased used. It cost $99 for the assessment that is not refundable. I see that the is a recall that you are requesting to expand in regards to the Pontiac G6 perhaps the power steering or should I say manual steering since that is what my vehicle is at the present time.

- Jeddo, MI, USA

problem #670

Jan 292013

G6 6-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
My power steering went out. Warning sound came on and "power steering" illuminated on my screen. I had to drive the car about 50 miles like this. Took it to my mechanic and he told me it was an electric assist power steering failure and that I needed to take it to the dealer for repair and that these cars had a faulty steering units and they should replace for nothing. The dealership told me the repair would cost approx $600 and that the mileage had expired for this extended warranty. I am 20K miles over the 150K cut off. No one notified me that this was faulty or I would have took in for the repair before the cut off.. faulty is faulty no matter how many miles the car has!!!!!!!!!!! this is no way to treat customers!

- Jackson, GA, USA

problem #669

Feb 012010

G6 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
The steering started to make a pop/ clunking noise. And occasionally the power steering alert goes off. This has been going on for years now. And still happens. I continually hear more reports of this issue and concerned nothing is being done. I have had several mechanics look into this issue and none knows what exactly what is wrong and why it's happening. I've also read about high dollar "fix" by GM mechanics just for the issue to come back within a year. We need a investigation and a recall done about this before serious accidents or fatalities happen!

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #668

Oct 222007

G6 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
I've received but can't locate documents indicating that the steering column in 2006 Pontiac G6 has problems. The steering column freezes up and I can't turn my steering wheel when I'm driving and has almost caused accidents. This has been a big issue and dangerous, in fact everyone refuses to drive my car due to this issue. It's especially bad during the fall, winter and spring searsons, not so much during the summer. I have my grandkids in cars and am so afraid they will be injured.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #667

Jun 172008

G6

  • 71,000 miles
In the middle of driving I lose powering steering. I have talked to someone about this, but they said that they couldn't do anything since the car had just passed the mileage that was set. This problem was a consistent problem before the mileage that was set. I had no idea what was going on and since it went away after I turned the car off and back on I thought it was no big problem. It then again happened the following month after that incident while I was driving on I95. I then did a google search on the problem and found that there was a recall in affect since 2007 and this is when I bought the car. GM is refusing to fix the problem that they are responsible for causing. Now I have a car that is I can't get fixed just because they did a poor job in putting the information out to the public effectively about the fault. I do not feel that I should have to pay for something that happened during manufacturing process.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #666

Feb 192007

G6

  • 2,500 miles
So when I first received my Pontiac, I loved the car, but then right away as I would turn I could hear a clicking noise. Took it back and they couldn't hear it at the time of service or what ever the incident was. Over the years, I was back and forth with the matter and now it has obviously gotten worse. Then the power steering warning light came up where my radio is and no check engine light so I figured that it needed more fluid. Well, there is no reservoir on the car any where, I had 2 mechanics looking every where and nothing. And recently outta no where as I am driving it just completely locks up on me!! not only is this very dangerous, but extremely scary when I have my 4year old daughter in the car!! so I went on a Pontiac web site and the forum said to make a complaint because Pontiac doesn't believe this is a big enough safety issue to recall it! while I think it is!!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #665

May 022012

G6 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
There was a recall on 2005-2006 G6 however GM indicates that my vehicle was not affected. After reading bulletin 10183A dated May 12, 2012 I contacted GM and took my 2006 G6 in for a diagnosis. I was informed that I would have to replace the assist motor module before they could tell me what else was wrong with my vehicle. My Pontiac G6 has experienced loss of powering steering, check engine light is illuminated on the dash. This vehicle loses power steering within the first mile of driving. Like vehicles that were recalled for this condition I to must turn my vehicle off and restart the the ignition to regain steering. The vehicle pulls completely to the left if you were to lose control of the steering wheel and there was an oncoming vehicle there would surely be an accident. I keep hoping that I don't get reared ended while making a right turn or hit another vehicle causing front end damage or perhaps injury. There were 15 warnings with my G6. The cost to replace the motor module first quote was $749. I was later given a discounted price that GM thought to be fair at $560. My vehicle is driven by a young driver. This vehicle as I was told by the dealership is not safe to drive so I should be careful. I tried to ask the GM district specialist who determines the affected VIN numbers and he did not have that answer.

- Grant Townhip, MI, USA

problem #664

Dec 272012

G6

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, a grinding noise was emitted from the steering column and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder, shutdown, then restarted but the failure persisted. The failure recurred several times and the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that the steering column and modem needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 60,000.

- Clevland , OH, USA

problem #663

Jan 092013

G6 4-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
Power steering locked up on me. I just got done drive over 3000 miles in the last couple of weeks. Apparently this was an issue with this car, but I never received the letter about this recall.

- Middletown, RI, USA

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