NHTSA — Tires 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.

3.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,150 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #6

Oct 092014

G6

  • 105,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6 equipped with sumitomo touring lst tires, size P215/60 TR16. The contact stated that all four tires were bulging and cupping. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the failure was a manufacturer defect. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000 and the tire failure mileage was 20,000.

- Rockvale, CO, USA

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problem #5

Mar 192012

G6

  • 76,000 miles
As I was pulling into work, my car dinged three times, then power steering was flashed on my radio and my steering wheel locked up! unable to drive my car, I had it towed to a mechanic and the estimated repairs would cost $900! this is a horrible car, as this is just one of the few problems I am having with this vehicle. Every time I turn the steering wheel, something in the steering system is making it clank, and when I turn the wheel back it will clank again. If I am at a complete stop and have my hands off the steering wheel, when I apply the gas, the wheel will pull itself about half a turn to the left and as I pick up speed it will recenter itself. When I turn the wheel there is also a grinding noise. The struts have gone bad, which is $450 more, and there is a leak in the front left tire somewhere (not the tire itself, the mechanic told me it was leaking oil somewhere). This is my first GM car, and it will most certainly be my last.

- Waterford, MI, USA

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problem #4

Aug 112009

G6

  • 7,000 miles
I bought 4 cooper tires in January 09 at the cost of $702. I went in on 08/12/09 to have them rotated. I was informed that 2 of the tires were fine, but that 2 of the tires needed to be replaced. These are 60K tires and I have put 7K on them. Cooper states that to replace them I will have to pay 18% on one tire and 15% on the other. My contention is that these were evidently defective tires to begin with that were obviously not safe. I had noticed my car was hydroplaning but could not understand that since they were relatively new.I talked with cooper tires and they say I still have to pay for the tread I used and I feel like that is wrong. Had something happened to me I can guarantee they would have had to take notice then.. a statement was made that by a rep from cooper that I must be an irresponsible driver. I am 62 and I am not hard on my car.it is a 2006 G6 Pontiac and it only has 47,000 miles on it. I just want to make it known so that hopefully it will not happen to someone else. I will replace the tires this weekend but I still believe that it should not be at my expense. I would appreciate someone letting me know this complaint has been reviewed.

- Duluth, GA, USA

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problem #3

Feb 282009

G6

  • 29,600 miles

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

On 2/28/09 I noticed that my steering wheel was pulling severely to the left, while it felt like the rest of the car was pulling to the right. This got progressively worse and was difficult to control the car when turning corners. Decided not to take the interstate. Heard a loud thump and car veered to the left. The entire left wheel assembly had fallen off the car while I was driving on a busy street in heavy traffic. When the tire and assembly came off it pushed out the left front fender and bent it from the weight of everything coming apart. Police responded and told me had I been on the interstate it could have been fatal. Car was towed to dealer. Car is 2.5 yrs. Old, 29K miles.

- Richmond, VA, USA

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problem #2

Feb 172008

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles
I leased a 06' Pontiac G6 in June of 06' and I've had nothing but problems with the car since I got it. On 2/16/08 I was on my way to Florida for vacation and I was half way there when I noticed the brakes were grinding. I only have 26,000 miles on my car and this was the first long distance to ever be driven with my car. So when I arrived to Florida on bad brakes I took it to a Pontiac dealership and they told me I just needed brakes and it would cost 210 per brake because all they brakes had went. And I didnt have the money to pay for brakes (which very rarely go all at once or at 26,000 miles.) I had just replaced all 4 tires a week prior. So I took my car to have a second opinion at another place who specialize in brakes only and they found that the calipers in my car had malfunctioned and they wore the brakes down to bare metal. Pontiac refused to pay and told us that brakes aren't in the warranty and that it's normal wear and tear. Which I know first hand its not. My father has a 04' Kia and hes been back and forth to Florida 4 times and has 36,000 miles and hes never replaced his brakes or tires. This is totally ridiculous and I know this is not normal to happen to a car.

- Worcester, MA, USA

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problem #1

Aug 232006

G6

  • 9,300 miles
I started having problems with my car vibrating in August 2006. I took it to the dealership. They said they were unable to duplicate the problem. Approximately three weeks later I took it to the dealership again. This time I rode with the mechanic. He said it was vibrating because it was out of balance. I had the car balanced and then it began pulling to the left and continued to vibrate. I took it to the dealership again. This time they said it needed to be aligned. I had the car aligned. The care still pulled to the left. At that time they said they would need to talk with a manager. They then diagnosed it was a problem with the tire. They said it was defective and that I would need to bring it in so they could get the numbers off the tire for them to order a new tire. That was 2.5 months ago. I have since asked that another brand of tire be put on the car, but they will not do that because they say it is not a safety concern. I have a letter from a mechanic at an Agency that specializes in tires/wheels. They feel it is a safety concern and have advised me not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.

- Williamsburg, KY, USA

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