NHTSA — Steering: Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion) 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.

7.1

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,066 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 #2

Nov 262007

G6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

I brought my car brand new with only 2miles on my car. I have a 2006 G6 and I have 26,000miles on my car and today I had to replace my steering gear / core on my car. My car is new, why am I replacing a steering gear on a car with less miles on it? also, after researching on line, I notice that it was a recall on the airbags and I was never notified.

- Zion, IL, USA

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problem #1

Aug 162006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,131 miles
- the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6 with a current odometer reading of 28438 miles. The vehicle was purchased with an odometer reading of 4936 miles as a new vehicle. The contact stated that on 8/16/06 the vehicle began to have a strong vibration in the steering column when turning. After the vehicle was taken to stokes hodges Pontiac of thomson ga the contact was told by the service person that the vehicle was serviced prior to the purchase on 3/31/06 for vibration problems of the front suspension and steering. The contact was told at time of the repair of 8/16/06 that a service bulletin 06-02-32-0007 had been issued for the power steering gear. This was replaced on 8/19/06. The contact mentioned that service she was shown a file regarding the vehicles previous repairs performed prior to the purchase on 3/31/06, which was information that was not disclosed at the purchase time. The contact filed a complaint since this was a safety problem, and the fact that the dealer did not provide this information and sold the vehicle as new. The failure mileage was 16,131 and the current mileage was 28,300. The consumer stated the vehicle continues to exhibit a vibration when turning the wheel. Updated 05/21/07

- Dearing, GA, USA

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