Clunking Noise While Driving

2006 Pontiac G6

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Pontiac dealer.

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.

6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$500
Average Mileage:
57,300 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. struts leak and fail (3 reports)
2006 Pontiac G6 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #13

Jul 012015

G6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

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

I saved my income tax money to buy a car for my son in college a few hrs away. Since my illness makes me unable to drive far, he can come home and visit and not be without a car. It's a pretty car he said and took my much older car I had. I just thank God I have it and not him for it's a risk driving it. Please some one help to find the right person to call.

- cwinski3, Colliers, WV, US

problem #12

Jul 032013

G6 2.4L 4CYL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

Clunking noise has been going on for over a year and still no idea what the problem is. It does it while going down the road, it does it worse when turning. Other than that aggravating noise, the car hasn't changed..

- Holly T., Beloit, OH, US

problem #11

Sep 092010

G6 Sedan 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I have this problem too, I am having to replace rack and pinion, ball joints, wheel bearings, trans axles, some kinda rod, and I'm getting ready to do the strut bearings.

- Lucas C., Cambridge Springs, PA, US

problem #10

Nov 152010

G6 3500 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,491 miles

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

I have been having this problem for sometime now. But the main cause of this clunking noise is probably due to the amount of pot holes in the parking lot that I work at, so I hit at least one a day, I'm sure. I'm thinking it's my ball joints that need to be replaced, maybe more now.

- sandersg6, Roscoe, IL, US

problem #9

Apr 012009

G6 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

I am so disappointed in the quality of my car...at 80,000 miles it is completely falling apart, from brakes to the cd player, this car is a definate lemon. Oh and by the way, the power steering issue will be fixed at no cost to me based on the letter I got for yet another recall!!!

- amyne, McCook, NE, US

problem #8

Feb 152010

G6 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

I bought this car in Feburary 2006 used and told the used car dealer that I purchased it for that after the test drive I wanted to front end fixed before I would buy it. I was told that the driver side wheel berrings had to be replaced. I then was ok with the car and purchased it with 2000$ down and financed it for 8000$. I pay 240$ a month for a car that I am really worried about. I complained to the dealer again because within a month I noticed more noise and wiggling in the front end. I asked my dealer to have it checked again and see what happen. I was not told what it was but that she had to pay alot of money to fix it. Within a month I told her that I was really worried and wanted it fixed!!! She had it checked and the mechanic told me that I needed new tires. I bought new tires...over 300$ and quess what....still can't stay straight on the road and bangs really loud over every little bump. There is constant noise in the front end. Scary noise. I had the dealer take it back again and she said that she paid for the front end to be aligned and they got busy and forgot. They said they realigned it this time and still doesn't drive straight. I have had this car for 4 months and have had it in the shop 5 times and I am so frustrated. I really like the car but am afraid of crashing....

- shannon-bug, North Little Rock, AR, US

problem #7

Apr 012008

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

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

i had to replace the struts the first year i bought ths car...its ridiculous,the money that i put into this car,even my mechanic feels bad for me.& i m still making the payments,not even paid off yet...& the extended warranty run out couple days ago.GM sucks....no wonder why they were going out of business.

- fadwatucker, Collingdale, PA, US

problem #6

Mar 022009

G6 GTP 3.9L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

Seems to be a light 'bangin around' when going over irregular road conditions (light cracks and basically anything that's not absolutely smooth) and it's emanating from the driver's front suspension area. I have read other complaints of such things. Some have even stated that the eng/trans mounts were loose. I have verified none of this but I will soon.

- mgmgrand, Montague, MA, US

problem #5

Aug 152007

G6 Sedan 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED...16K MILES. STARTED TO NOTICE THE "CLUNKING" SHORTLY THERE AFTER. PRIMARILY WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH ROADS, RAIL ROAD TRACKS..ETC. SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS OF LATE. (SURPRISE HUH SINCE I HAVE NOT HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC) ANYWAY SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE.

- darkdecline, Tyler, TX, US

problem #4

Aug 142008

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

My car also makes a clunking and squeaking noise while driving. I have spent over $750 trying to fix this problem. A week after they "fixed" it...it was making the same noise again. Also, the coolant is leaking again. They fixed this once too and it started up again about 3 weeks later. Do NOT buy this car. I will never buy another Pontiac car again.

- lisap82, McHenry, IL, US

problem #3

Jun 012007

G6 GTP 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

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

Thumping rattle in front. Dealer service couldn't figure it out . Took several return trips and I finally told them what to look at. I was right. Bad struts with leaking seals had failed and were causing the thumping. Fixed passenger side at 14,000 mi. Driver side failed at 16,000. Been fighting with GM customers Service ever since on a way to get rid of this ongoing problem car. This isn't the only issue with this car. Leaking sunroof took four times to fix. Sun visor mirror door/light broke and whole visor was replaced. XM shuts off and switches to AM on its own. Wiper switch doesn't control settings and speeds consistently. This car has been in the shop every 1700 miles for some repair, usually several return trips to get them to figure it out, since we 've owned it. Dealer service is horrible. GM Customer Service will not help at all. Their answer is too bad. The car isn't considered a lemon because it hasn't had a reoccurring major problem three times and the struts aren't considered major failures.The Customer Service people are trained to tell you they can't help, but offer extended warranty and nothing else. When I said that wasn't good enough because I wanted to get rid of it not keep taking it back for the newest problem, they hung up on me.

- Cecil A., Evansville, IN, US

problem #2

Jun 132008

G6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

First of all I have been to the dealership where we bought the car about 5-6 times for the same problem. Their answer (EVERYTIME) is, "you need new tires". The last time we took the car to them was about 2 weeks ago. They turned the rotors, and aligned the front end. This fix the problem for about 1 week, then the car started shaking again when you get around 65-70 mph. Also, when you drive on a road that is not perfectly smooth, or hit any kind of bump, you can hear a clunking noise in the front end. It sounds like something is very loose under there. My wife will not even drive the car. I will NEVER have another Pontiac G6 or for that matter, any Pontiac.....It's been NOTHING but trouble, and it's a 2006 model. The owners of the company should have to drive it for the rest of their lives....

- Kelley B., Hamburg, AR, US

problem #1

Jun 062008

G6 GTP 3.9L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,285 miles

I had just bought my 2006 g6 gtp. The second day I had it I was slowing down to turn in to my grandma's lane to show her my new car and i heard the popping sound for the first time. The popping sound has progressively gotten worse in the last couple of days since then. I looked underneath for myself and you can see that the bolts that hold the engine and transmission in place are loose. It is now scheduled to go to the dealer in the morning. I think this is pretty bad for a 20,000 mile car.

- Melissa B., Mendon, OH, US

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