NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 26 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Pontiac G6:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 26 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #642

Sep 012012

G6 4-cyl

  • 95,245 miles

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

The steering wouldn't respond, stiff like driving without power steering. Power steering code came up on radio and error came up over odometer reading alog F with check engine light. Went away after a while but continues to have the no response periodically. Code won't go away.

- Fairmont, MN, USA

Add Complaint
problem #641

Aug 302012

G6 6-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
About 6 months after I bought this vehicle I had it at the dealer having the steering rack replaced at a nice price of $250 for my deductible.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #640

Aug 302012

G6 5-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
A year or so after I had the steering rack replaced the first time it broke again and I had to have it replaced again at a cost of $250. Something needs to be done about this car it is unsafe to drive!!!!

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #639

Aug 302012

G6 6-cyl

  • 94,054 miles

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

My wife was traveling down I-95 South on her way to West palm beach to pick up her medication and she was traveling 70 mph and all of a sudden out of no where the power steering went out and the dashboard display said power steering, she manage to get it off the road without killing herself in a crash. This isn't the first time I have had trouble with this car! it is a very unsafe car and should be recalled!

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #638

Jul 272012

G6

  • 148,356 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6 GT. The contact was driving 65 mph, when the power steering failed. The vehicle drifted to the left as the contact attempted to regain control of the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted vehicle however the failure recurred as soon as the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The current and the failure mileage was 148,356.

- La Marque, TX, USA

Add Complaint

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

steering knocking steering column pontiac grand prix pulls to one side Dex-Cool lawsuit intake gasket leak engine complaint electrical issue heater complaint transmission complaint paint defect G6 recall
problem #637

Apr 182012

G6

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel began to shake and jerk abnormally. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where he was advised that the steering gear rack assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls for the year make and model vehicle. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Bear Creek, WI, USA

Add Complaint
problem #636

Jul 012012

G6

  • 114,000 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 the power steering assist failed and whenever turing the steering wheel to the right, there was an abnormal noise and the steering wheel would become difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the steering component and advised the contact that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

- Colorado Springs , CO, USA

Add Complaint
problem #635

Oct 122011

G6

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact was traveling 5 mph when the power steering failed. The power steering warning light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

Add Complaint
problem #634

Dec 202011

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact received notification from the manufacturer, instructing him to take the vehicle to a dealer to have the steering column replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Approximately one year later, the contact lost control of the steering. While turning, the contact lost control of the steering and crashed. The contact injured her rotator cuff. The vehicl E was towed to a dealer and the contact was informed that the steering failure was not related to the steering column replacement. The dealer stated that the steering failed due to the power steering motor and electronic power assist system. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 98,000.

- Kentwood, MI, USA

Add Complaint
problem #633

May 152012

G6 6-cyl Diesel

  • 120,000 miles
Our 2006 Pontiac G6, purchased used for my son to drive to/from school, recently began to lose power steering assist while he was driving. After searching the internet for this exact issue, I see that this flaw is quite widespread and well-known to GM and G6 owners. The NHTSA campaign id # PE07023 downplayed the issue in determining that a safety-related defect does not exist. I maintain that when a G6 driver expects power steering during operation of the vehicle and it fails to perform at the moment it is expected, I certainly would consider that a safety issue. Yes it is still steerable, but not in the same manner. The car is outside of any GM maintenance/warranty at this point due to its mileage, so I expect this will be out-of-pocket to repair. This is why I won't buy another unsafe government motors car in the future. My tax dollars supported a company that can't produce functional power steering. I never had this problem from any other make of automobile. Amazing bureaucracy.

- Madison, AL, USA

Add Complaint
problem #632

May 162012

G6 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles

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

Electrical power steering assist went out during driving. This problem has happened multiple times. A chime signal sounds, and a message "power steering" appears on the information center screen. After this happens, it is very difficult to steer. Steering is restored by turning off ignition and restarting vehicle, however; the problem has occurred several times since, intermittently and with no predictability. This could cause an accident.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Add Complaint
problem #631

May 112012

G6

  • 90,000 miles
While driving the car, the power steering message came on the display. A few seconds later the power steering went out.

- House Springs, MO, USA

Add Complaint
problem #630

May 052012

G6 6-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
While driving to work I notice my service air bag sensor went off. My vehicle only has 64,601 miles on it.

- Troy, NY, USA

Add Complaint
problem #629

Apr 272012

G6

  • 125,000 miles
My Pontiac G6 has developed the classic power steering failure. Going down the road at 35 mph and all of a sudden an alarm chimes three times, power steering is displayed on the radio display, then a click is heard in the dash, then the power steering fails completely, almost causing an accident. This is a common problem with the 2005 and 2006 Pontiac G6, and in my opinion, a safety hazard to the driver, occupants, and others on the road. GM has acknowledged this problem and will repair defective vehicles for 10 years or 100,000 miles. I contacted GM, and was told no coverage would apply due to the car having 125,000 miles. They say the car can safely be operated, but with greater effort. Most people today, including my 16 year old daughter, will panic and not know what to do when the power steering fails. GM needs to repair these cars before more accidents or deaths occur. Your safety may be at risk !

- Mount Airy, NC, USA

Add Complaint
problem #628

Apr 282012

G6 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
My power steering light keeps flashing on my menu display and I have looked online and it seems there are a lot of complaints on this problem but GM has not put a recall on them. I bought my car used last year from a dealership and it currently only has 58,000 miles on it. I am afraid that I am going to lose my power steering and could possibly cause or be in an accident.

- Alger, MI, USA

Add Complaint
problem #627

May 012012

G6

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stopped and shut off the vehicle. After restarting, the vehicle regained power steering abilities. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was an extended warranty for the failure but the vehicle exceeded the mileage limit. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

- Hancock, MN, USA

Add Complaint
problem #626

Dec 142011

G6

  • 99,000 miles
Loss of power steering which occurred at least 5 times while in reverse. The last time this occurred was in drive while entering the expressway. With each occurrence there was a warning chime and "power steering" was on the radio display. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering would recover.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Add Complaint
problem #625

Jul 132009

G6 6-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
The power steering failed for the first time in the summer of 2009. Whenever the weather is warmer than 65 degrees, the power steering fails repeatedly. Every time we've tried bringing the vehicle in for repair at our nearest Pontiac dealership in union, NJ we were told that nothing could be done and every repair would just result in a return for the same issue every 6 months.

- Newark, NJ, USA

Add Complaint
problem #624

Mar 302012

G6

  • 50,000 miles
Power steering locked up. Dealer told me it was the motor and they would fix for free then called back 2 days later to say that it wasn't that motor, it was the module. Now we are responsible for fixing this even though this is obviously a manufacture default.

- Whitehouse, NJ, USA

Add Complaint
problem #623

Oct 152008

G6 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
Power steering stop working, had it replace by a GMC dealer. After a few months it would go out again. This time it would work by resetting it. In Feb. Of 2009 started failing again for hours at a time sometimes a day or two. It was replace after an accident to car. It continued to go in and out at certain periods of time. Now March of 2012 it is completely out. All they want to do is change the whole unit out. I feel to believe that either the parts are defective or the dealers are out to cash in. Can somebody contact me about this matter. I think the only reason this hasn't been taken care of because enough lives were not lost.

- Hammond, LA, USA

Add Complaint

Read the next 20 complaints »

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

steering knocking steering column pontiac grand prix pulls to one side Dex-Cool lawsuit intake gasket leak engine complaint electrical issue heater complaint transmission complaint paint defect G6 recall

Not what you are looking for?