NHTSA — Power Train: Manual Transmission 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.

5.6

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,843 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #5

Jun 012009

G6

  • 31,000 miles

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

Clutch went out in car the slave cylinder inside the transmission went out and the clutch went to the floor not allowing me to shift in or out of gear replaced the part with new one ordered from GMC which also failed the day after installed.

- Parker, CO, USA

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problem #4

Jan 222009

G6 6-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
I bought a Pontiac 2006 G6 GT 3.5 liter engine has a lots of power for a V6, mileage was 47,000 kilo. First week had to replace one front strut was leaking, also front top plate bearing and steering kit was knocking. Traction control very noisy. Now mileage was about 52,000 K. still have problem with the manual tap shifting wont shift down to 4th gear, seen the dealer three time now doesn't have the problem every thing was shifting good. Seen the dealer again for the same problem yesterday thank god it did it once while the mechanic did a test drive was with him for the test now been ok for three days. Now 56,123 K they said maybe wont cover on warranty because abuse, if they see sign of coffee or soft drink spills. Why the car has coffee cup holder right there or near the shifter column the electronic component his right there? crazy don't you think. Hope it with get better. Not the best car for me up to now. With that mileage should be like a new car.

- Ottawa, 00, USA

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problem #3

Aug 082006

G6

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Manual transmission does not go into reverse. The dealership has had three repair attempts to fix the problem and still have not corrected it. Also, the interlocking system, which is only supposed to allow the key to be removed in reverse, lets you take the key out in any drive gear.

- Boothwyn, PA, USA

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problem #2

Oct 122005

G6 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 14 miles
F40 (gtp coupe G6) 6 speed transmission 2nd and 3rd gears are very harsh to shift, some grinding. Even worst under sub-zero temperature. Cannot shift back to 1st gear if freezing until oil is warm.. make the car dangerous to drive at very low speed and under slippery conditions. Have to go to complete stop when traffic still moving so to get 1st gear in. GM has a replacement program but refuses to apply it to my case. Dealer changed faulty linkage cable and tried to adjust shifter 6 times with no results. GM's district service managers, dealers service manager and mechanics don't yet know anything about F40 transmission, won't even look at the exchange program that GM put out on Feb. 3rd 2006.

- Montreal, 00, USA

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problem #1

Jan 012006

G6 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 200 miles
Grinding noise when changing gears on 6 speed manual transmission. Clicking or popping noises from transmission when taking foot off of gas. Transmission has a very poor feel generally and generally feels disconnected from the vehicle. Grinding is more apparent with low speed shifts or when turning. The second complaint is that the fog light button and the seat heater switch get noticeably hot while driving with the lights on. The third complaint is that the dash lights do not go on when you put the lights on manually during the day.

- Chesapeake Beach, MD, USA

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