NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Pontiac G6 has major problems with two areas fairly critical to the act of driving... steering & safety.

The 2005 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 2005 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 power steering problems, up to 10 years/100k miles.

As of early 2013 the NHTSA had 300+ steering complaints on file for the 2005 G6, with 12 crashes & 4 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 2005 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 2005 Pontiac G6's poor side impact protection & you end up with a vehicle you should steer clear of.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,325 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.

2005 Pontiac G6 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #14

Nov 212021

G6

  • 174,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at 70-75 MPH, the vehicle started misfiring. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the failure was associated with the emissions and cooling system. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light illuminated two days later. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.

- Steelton, PA, USA

problem #13

Jun 032013

G6 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
Fuel/gasoline is leaking out. Heavy raw gasoline smell when car is turned off. When air conditioner is turned on it makes a continuous clicking noise.

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 102014

G6 6-cyl

  • 169,000 miles
I have had problems with exhaust failure, electrical with the front head lights and turn signal working and not working, and the car not wanting to start up, when car is put in drive wanting to move at fast speed when let foot off brake.

- Utica, KY, USA

problem #11

Feb 202014

G6 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles

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

At random times the check engine light comes on and I lose all power steering. The car must be restarted to restore power steering. It did this while turning around I am scared for my wife to drive this cars for fear it will fail while on the express way.

- Lincoln Park, MI, USA

problem #10

Nov 052012

G6

  • 100,000 miles
I smelled a very strong odor of gas as I walked up to my car. The check gas cap display came on. I replaced the gas cap and warning is still displayed. The smell of gas has continued to worsen and seems to be coming from the gas tank. It doesn't matter if the car is running or not. I have researched and found many owners of the same year and make car are having the same problem however, nobody has found the exact cause. Suggestions have been to check evaporative solenoid, gaskets, tubing to and from tank. I've done all and the odor continues to worsen.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #9

Sep 032012

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
GM sputter start. If it does start it sometimes doesn't start on the first try and sometimes catches and sputters before it starts. I have to keep the gas pushed so it will catch and start. Like the idle needs adjusted or something.

- Oakwood, IL, USA

problem #8

Feb 222012

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

My car will tell me that the engine power has been reduced and then it will disable the motor. When this happens I have to hopefully be able to pull to the side of the road and shut the car off and restart it. This can happen up to several times a day. It did it to me 5 times in a span of a half hour today. It makes me very nervous when there are cars behind me because I'm not sure if they are going to realize that I can't move. It is especially scary when it happens at a stopsign or stoplight.

- Brainerd, MN, USA

problem #7

Nov 252011

G6 6-cyl

  • 91,300 miles
Yesterday while trying to pull into a parking spot, my steering column locked up and I could not control the vehicle. There was a steering column notice showing on the radio dash column. I thought if I turned the car off and back on again, the problem would go away. It didn't. I waited about 20 minutes before turning the car back on again to see if the issue had resolved itself. (this also happens with the engine light. Sometimes in the earlier morning when it is cold, the engine light will appear upon first turning the vehicle on. I turn the car off and back on again and then the engine light disappears.) I immediately took the vehicle to the dealership. I was told that it was the sensor in the steering column and that everything would cost about $800 + tax to fix. My husband started researching this issue online to see what other owners were saying. I am really surprised that just about 90% of folks are complaining about the steering column, that GM is aware of the issue, and is not listing a recall. When speaking to the dealership, of course they made it seem like the repairs they have completed on steering columns were minimal. Since I have had my car, I have had to have the intermediate shaft replaced twice.the steering column had to be greased once. Every year my brakes are being replaced, and about twice a year, one of the two if not both tie rods need replaced. I have had to pay for four key fobs. My trunk leaks water. My front head light needed replaced as it leaked water. Not cheap. I can go on an on with the repairs but have reached my "character limit". I feel like I got a lemon. Would like to complain to someone in authority, but dealership is no help.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #6

Dec 012008

G6 65-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle lost power steering. She mentioned that this was the second time the failure happened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the power steering and module failed. The manufacturer was notified and refused to provide any assistance since they had done so once before. The failure mileage was 91,000 and current mileage was 148,000. Updated 03/24/11 the consumer stated the engine and rotors had to be replaced.

- Beacon , NY, USA

problem #5

Feb 282010

G6

  • 69,000 miles
In late 2006 I purchased a 2005 Pontiac G6. In early 2007 I was driving and my steering locked up. After it locked up it became very loose, as in you could turn the steering wheel and the vehicle would not change direction. I took the vehicle to the closed dealer and was told that they had to replace the entire steering column, which they did at no cost to me. I have had numerous other problems with the vehicle, such as brake problems, catalytic converter went out, etc. I still owe $11,000 on this vehicle and it only has 60,000 miles on it. Just last Sunday, 2/28/10, I was driving on the freeway with my 18 month old son in the car and my steering failed. The car started beeping, the display read "power steering" and the steering completely failed. I turned the wheel to pull of the freeway but the vehicle would not turn. It was not hard to turn as GM claims but completely loose. I took my vehicle to the dealer and have been told that the power steering motor and module need to be replaced and that it will cost me $1,200. I am a single mother and do not have the money to continue to pay for a vehicle that I am scared to have my son ride in. So what happens if I do somehow come up with the $1,200 they advise this will cost to get it fixed, then what" it fails again? I can't trade it is because the car is worth less than half of what owe. I contacted Pontiac and they inform me that my vehicle has not been recalled so they will not pay for the repairs. Any advise"

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #4

Nov 172007

G6

  • 31,100 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact noticed that the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. She also experienced roughness while driving, accompanied by a loud, indescribable noise. Lastly, it was difficult to remove the key from the ignition. She took the vehicle to the dealer and had the drive-shaft replaced along with a sensor in the instrument cluster. Immediately after the repair, the failure resurfaced. Speed was not a factor. The failure mileage was 31,100 and current mileage was 49,000.

- Lakefield, OH, USA

problem #3

Aug 172005

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
Too many complaints to write them all up, here are a few: Engine makes metal grinding "whooshing" noise independent from acceleration-dealer cannot replicate, warped rotors-dealer wanted over $1,000 to fix, have had radio replaced 5 times due to disc errors-dealer keeps replacing, had steering rack and water pump replaced at 30,000 miles-dealer covered, sensor that turns on lights went-dealer replaced, power steering problems, hard to turn and rough, but no "lock-ups" like others have had(thankfully)-dealer cannot replicate, had drivers side front panel sunroof drain clog, water soaked front carpet(3 inches of water)-dealer fixed but left me with a moldy carpet!, engine flutters/stutters to a start on random-dealer has no answer for me, trunk lid was scraping rear bumper due to latches being tightened wrong-dealer fixed, headlamp full of condensation-dealer fixed, car ridiculously bad in the rain and snow, stability control makes loud grinding noises and causes the car to buck, replaced tires with snow tires, still bad-dealer has no answer for me, large deep scratch across windshield right in the line of view from Contour oem windshield wipers, dealer said too bad. Those are just a few, I cant remember them all, this car is such a lemon. Im sticking with Toyota from now on! I learned my lesson!

- East Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #2

Jul 052006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,000 miles
Sometime when vehicle is started the engine drags and is slow to turn over.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #1

Jun 012005

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,155 miles
The consumer stated with no warning lights the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealership multiple times, but they were unable to diagnose the problem. The vehicle will start immediately after stalling. Updated 11/29/05.

- Columbus, MS, USA

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