NHTSA — Steering: Column Problems

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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,454 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

problem #17

Aug 222009

G6 6-cyl

  • 40,000 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 warning light illuminated continuously. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. But, refused to fix the problem. The failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 2/9/15 updated 02/18/15.

- Southfield , MI, USA

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problem #16

Mar 232011

G6 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the brake pedal was applied and the steering column began to vibrate. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the steering column failed. The contact stated that the part was not available for the recall repair for NHTSA campaign id number: 14E044000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000......updated 10/15/15 updated 08/28/2017

- Holliston, MA, USA

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problem #15

Feb 192014

G6

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 70 mph, the power steering failed. The dealer replaced the steering column. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

- Longmont, CO, USA

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problem #14

Apr 252011

G6

  • 84,000 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 40 mph, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering torque sensor failed and as a result, the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.

- Lebanon, IL, USA

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problem #13

May 102014

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,214 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed and caused the steering wheel to seize. The power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a sensor in the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,214 and the current mileage was 83,536. Updated 8/11/14 updated 8/30/2017

- Besota, MO, USA

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problem #12

Apr 222011

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the steering wheel began to feel loose and the vehicle began to pull. The power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an automotive service center but the mechanic did not know the cause of failure. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that the failure was electrical and the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they did not consider the failure a safety problem. The current and failure mileages were approximately 75,000. Updated 08/24/11 updated 08/29/11

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

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problem #11

Aug 082009

G6

  • 78,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact was driving approximately 10 mph with an unexpected popping noise coming from the steering column. The failure occurred whenever making a turn. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. The VIN was not available.

- Harliger, TX, USA

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problem #10

May 312010

G6

  • 94,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving in reverse, the power steering service light illuminated on the dashboard and the steering became extremely stiff. The contact shut off the engine and when restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The failure recurred moments later. The dealer advised that the steering column would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 94,500.

- Eveleth, MN, USA

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problem #9

Dec 202007

G6

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 20 mph on normal road conditions and proceeding to make a left or right turn a chime sounded inside of the vehicle. The "power steering" warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and immediately, the steering wheel locked. The driver exerted higher effort to turn the steering wheel and pulled over to the side of the road with caution. The vehicle steered uncontrollably into the left lane. The engine was turned off and restarted. The vehicle resumed normal operation. An authorized dealer replaced the steering column and motor. The vehicle exhibited a clanking noise after the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000. The current mileage was 109,619.

- Holtsville , NY, USA

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problem #8

Sep 102009

G6 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving 20 mph which made it difficult to control the steering wheel. The dealer stated that the power steering column needed to be replaced. The GM manufacturer was notified and advised the contact that there were no warranties for his vehicle. The failure mileage was 89,000. Updated 01/19/10 updated 01/20/10

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

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problem #7

Oct 012009

G6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. Intermittently while driving the power steering failed without any prior warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The technician stated that the steering column needed to be replaced at an expense of $600. The vehicle was not repaired. He filed report number 71-771233424 with the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 51,000. Updated 12/8/09 updated 12/09/09.

- Seward, NE, USA

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problem #6

Sep 012009

G6

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that he experienced difficulty while steering. When making right and left turns there was a noise in the steering column. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000. The current mileage was 62,000.

- St. Clair, MI, USA

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problem #5

Feb 282008

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 65 mph, the steering column locked up for a brief moment. When it unlocked, the vehicle spun out of control and struck a pole on the side of the interstate. A police report was filed. The insurance company did a crash inquiry and, according to their information, there were nineteen similar failures. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000. Update (phone): The rack and pinion was discovered to be faulty after the crash. Prior to the crash, a Firestone shop recommended that the rack-and pinion be replaced but the consumer denied authorization to do the work.

- Lavergne, TN, USA

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problem #4

Nov 212007

G6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 400,000 miles
I bought a Pontiac G6 in Sep 06 and in Nov 07 it started knocking in the front end. I took it to a dealer and was informed that the steering column and the steering shaft are bad.

- Lyndonville, NY, USA

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problem #3

Nov 012007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I recently bought a used Pontiac G6 (2006) shortly after driving the car for less than six months the steering wheel began to shake when I would brake at high speeds. I took my car in and they said that the rotors needed to be re-machined and that they were under warranty. Now, 10,000 miles later the wheel is shaking again and I am in fear of the same problem. Not to mention the wheel has been making clicking/bumping noise when it is turned and a creaking tension noise. I don't know what is wrong with the rotors but I cannot afford to have them re-machined/turned every 10,000 miles because it is not under warranty. I also feel the car is not safe if there are problems with the steering column in a 2 year old car.

- Providence, RI, USA

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problem #2

Mar 152007

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles
Power steering computerized module failed during highway driving at high rate of speed. Power steering loss alert appeared on radio. Wheel of car locked; vehicle was rendered unsteerable causing crash and personal injury. Vehicle had this exact module repaired at dealership two weeks prior when power steering was lost in the same manner w/the same warning alert, but first instance occurred at a 2mph speed in parking lot.

- Boardman, OH, USA

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problem #1

Aug 312006

G6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 2006 Pontiac G6 was involved in an accident on the interstate. Traffic had slowed down to about 25 mph and the vehicle behind did not notice and struck my vehicle at about 60 mph. This force pushed my vehicle into the vehicle in front of it. The driver was wearing their seat belt and shoulder strap at the time. During this incident, the steering wheel along with the main shaft came free of the column and was sitting in the driver's lap when the vehicle came to a stop. The airbags did not deploy and the wiring harness was still attached to the steering wheel. My main concern was that, with the steering wheel in the driver's lap with the shaft sticking straight up, the driver could have been impaled with the shaft through their jaw and up through their skull if the airbag had deployed at that time. I do have a digital picture of the steering wheel placed loosely back into the column if you need to see it.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

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