NHTSA — Air Bags 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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,226 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #11

May 042020

G6

  • 230,000 miles

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

Car cut off while driving to work.

- Florence, AL, USA

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problem #10

May 012020

G6 6-cyl

  • 45 miles
I bought it in January and its may, I'm having trouble with the engine. Sometimes its don't want to crank!

- Florence, AL, USA

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problem #9

Sep 012019

G6

  • 163,000 miles
The steering column is broken and when driving the vehicle it feels like the steering wheel is going to shake off. It is very hard to control the car while driving due to this. It makes a terrible rattling noise when driving, the higher the speed the louder the noise. I am terrified to drive my car but this is my only way to work and back. I have 2 small kids who ride in this daily. Called and checked on any recalls for this and was informed back in 2014 (previous owner) had it fixed for this issue. And now it's happening again. Plus the service air back soon light keeps coming on. Which if we were in an accident from the steering column being broke. The airbags won't deploy. This issue needs to be fixed by GM again.

- Warsaw, VA, USA

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problem #8

Aug 172019

G6

  • miles

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

Takata recall - there hasn't been any recall on this vehicle. Is a recall going to be done??

- Bluffton, SC, USA

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problem #7

Nov 182018

G6

  • 183,000 miles
Takata recall. Something happened to my steering. The warning light is on, it gets so tight you cannot steer it. It also says to service the airbag. I'm so scared to try to drive it. If you shut the car off and restart it the steering wheel feels loose again, but like you do not have complete control. Then it's tight all over again. This was driving down the highway.

- Hyde, PA, USA

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Dex-Cool lawsuit intake gasket leak engine complaint electrical issue heater complaint transmission complaint paint defect G6 recall
problem #6

Aug 112018

G6

  • 170,632 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While driving 35 mph off a highway ramp, the vehicle swayed right and left. The contact lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash into a ditch and flip over. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact suffered minor cuts on the left hand from the windshield shattering. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot and inspected by the insurance company. It had not been determined whether the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,632.

- Bellaire, MI, USA

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problem #5

Feb 032014

G6

  • miles

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

The contact owned a 2005 Pontiac G6. While driving at 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and the vehicle rolled over multiple times into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V224000 (power train). The failure mileage was unknown.

- Florissant, MO, USA

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problem #4

Mar 012014

G6

  • 76,000 miles
Service air bag warning light illuminates intermittently. GM dealership said it's a common problem and there is a service bulletin for it, but no recall. Also stated if it isn't fixed the airbag will not deploy.

- Lemoore, CA, USA

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problem #3

Feb 162014

G6 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
When we turn the ignition key the engine starts but the key remains in start and doesn't return to run.we get no gauges, no power windows, and obviously no air bags, and no radio. If we barely touch key the car shuts off. We were fortunate to be able to park and figure out that you had to physically and carefully turn the key to run. The car died 9 out of 10 times. We had just bought the car and the dealer had earlier shaved the cars key to solve the problem. The dealer then had the lock changed by a certified locksmith. We contacted GM to verify that the new ignition that the locksmith put in wasn't defective, (not that we question the locksmith)and was told the car wasn't on the recall. When we asked whether they could tell if the lock was ok, or if the problem was deeper in the ignition they said we would have to pay $110 just to find out, and if it was defective, $300 more. Now we've contacted GM and got a file number, and guess what" they're blowing us off. We never even knew about the problem until the recall news 2/14.the recall needs expanding. And we need to know if the locks a locksmith might buy to replace, is also bad. GM refuses to give that info. And they say they haven't got the parts to repair their problem anyway. Can it be the ignition lock only or is it deeper"

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

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problem #2

Mar 082013

G6 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Service airbag message popped up and stays on until the car is turned off this is just one of many issues I've had with this vehicle and I'm embarrassed to say that my dad and a couple of my uncles had worked for the GM plant in linden NJ.

- Plainsboro, NJ, USA

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problem #1

Jun 012009

G6

  • 41,805 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. Two years ago, while the vehicle was at a stop, the contact's vehicle was struck by another motorist traveling 90 mph. In turn, his vehicle was pushed into traffic and struck the driver's side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. Both front seats were cracked in the mid-lumbar area, which caused severe injury to both front passengers. A total of four occupants were injured and a police report was filed. The failure mileage was 41,805.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

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