NHTSA — Steering Problems

2005 Pontiac G6 (Page 13 of 20)

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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:
19 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,992 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 13 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #156

Jul 092010

G6 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles

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

My power steering light came on July 9,2010 and 2 days later my power steering failed completely.

- Lombard, IL, USA

problem #155

Jul 072010

G6

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While the contact was driving approximately 10 mph a chime sounded inside of the vehicle, followed by the power steering warning light indicator on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the technician stated that the failure was related to the steering column assembly. The contact had given the technician approval to repair the vehicle when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 119,000.

- Inman, SC, USA

problem #154

Jul 072005

G6

  • 81,832 miles
I recently purchase a 2005 G6 I did not know at the time what I know now. I have only had the car 15 days and the power steering is going out and it is not covered under warrenty. I have 3 kids that ride in this car and this is suppose to be my reliable car well I think not!!!! no recall I don't understand.

- Jackson , GA, USA

problem #153

Jul 012010

G6

  • 112,020 miles

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

2005 Pontiac G6- while driving the power steering will intermittently stop working-total loss of power steering-after restarting the car it is ok until it decides to stop working again. Almost had a head on collision due to this-looks like a common problem with vehicle and manufacturer knows about it but will not act. Very dangerous defect.

- Fairless Hills, PA, USA

problem #152

Jun 302010

G6 6-cyl

  • 106,986 miles
I own a 2005 Pontiac G6 GT with a 3.5 L V6 I was backing out of my driveway and the steering locked up as we all know this cant be safe for anyone I have two young sons that ride in this car.

- Dixon Il, IL, USA

problem #151

May 082009

G6 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 for the last 10 months the power steering goes out I need to pull off the road shut the car off and restart it looking to see if there's a recall because its dangerous.

- Branchville, NJ, USA

problem #150

Jun 212010

G6

  • 80,000 miles

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

2005 Pontiac G6, started car in parking lot started to drive out, and power steering message came on radian and car light came on in dash, had no power steering and very difficult to steer. This is an intermittent problem that happens very sporadically and has happened in turns and scares the bejeezes out of you!

- Columbus, WI, USA

problem #149

May 102010

G6

  • 90,000 miles
While entering the expressway on ramp the power steering locked up and I was unable to steer the vehicle for around 3 seconds which caused me to veer into the next lane uncontrollably. Steering shaft has been tightened twice prior and replaced once already and feels like it is loosening again. The failure is now happening around once a week and will cause an accident if not corrected. The car now has 93,000 miles, but the steering shaft problems happened before around 45,000 and then again around 55,000.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #148

May 282010

G6

  • 48,860 miles
Urgent:my wife got into the car and started it. Let the car warm up. She was taking our son to summer school. She put the car in reverse and then the chiming started. She looked down at the message indicator and it read power steering. On the dashboard, it had the maintenance indicator on. She turned the car off and then back on. The light and the message was gone. She felt like this might be a computer problem. She went and took him to school with no problems. Today she got in the car, started it and began to drive the vehicle. Once she got to the stop light and then began to go, the message and the maintenance indicator came back on. She pulled over and turned the car off and back on again. The message and the indicator was off. She started to come back home and it happened again. We only have 48,800 miles on this vehicle. We were never sent a recall notice or what to do in case this happened. So my question is...what do we do now" I heard about how GM had a recall on this vehicle. I am currently deployed overseas and this is the only vehicle that she has to drive currently. No one has ever contacted us about any recalls or anything else. Being over in another country, I can not afford to be worrying about my wife and child in this car. What does she need to do" urgent

- Fort Leonard Wood, MO, USA

problem #147

May 222010

G6 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Power steering warning light keeps coming on and off. When driving power steering locks up and sometimes locks up upon starting the car. I have to turn car off and back on to reset it. GM issued an extended warranty for the power steering a couple years ago but it was only good for this problem until your car reached 70,000 miles and now that my car is over that they refuse to fix it even though the problem exists on most 2005 models.

- Fishers, IN, USA

problem #146

Mar 152009

G6

  • 40,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While driving at approximately 50-55 mph and attempting a turn, the steering began abnormally jerking. The contact would continue to turn the steering wheel in order to correct the failure. In addition, when starting the vehicle she would have to continue to play with the key in the ignition switch before the vehicle would start. When driving at speeds of at least 60 mph, the vehicle would exhibit excessive shaking. The dealer replaced the rooters, tires, brakes and performed a wheel alignment. The dealer was unable to duplicate the steering failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.

- Ewing, KY, USA

problem #145

May 092010

G6

  • 96,700 miles
Just recently my driver info center has been coming on intermittently saying that I have a power steering problem (electric). I've taken it to my mechanic and he had to call to find out what had to be done to correct the problem. He was told that a computer and module needed to be replaced in the steering column the cost being around $1000. As of yet I haven't had it corrected but if it continues I will have to have it taken care of for safety sake.

- Monroe Twp, NJ, USA

problem #144

Feb 172010

G6 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
There have been several occurrences I have had with the steering on my 2005 Pontiac G6: Steering issue #1: my steering wheel was easy to turn to the left but not right. Shortly after it would begin it would correct itself: Dealership resolution was to replace the control arms because they were binding up. Steering issue #2 - after initial repairs, the problem was not corrected. Upon return to the dealership they identified additional repairs that were necessary due to symptoms reported. Dealership resolution was to replace the rack (4 times so far). Steering issue #3: I had no steering power at all while trying to turn into a parking lot with no warning. I ended up having the car towed to the closest dealership. Dealership resolution was replace the steering column and steering coil as it had snapped thus causing the sudden loss of steering. Steering issue #4: my radio sounded a message that said "power steering" and I could not turn my wheel in either direction. This happened once while I was driving down the road and almost caused me to wreck into oncoming traffic and a second time leaving a parking lot. Dealership resolution was to replace the steering column and electrical box to the tune of $1,000 which I cannot afford. My only saving grace is that this piece of junk is paid off in three more months which will not come soon enough. Miles at time of last incident was 106,000 and 109,000 miles, current mileage is 114,000 miles. (2005 Pontiac G6 purchased in July of 2006) I was disappointed to find out that Pontiac recently recalled the G5 series of their vehicles for electronic steering issues and are aware of the steering issues on their G6 models. If this is the case, then why are they not recalling all models with known similar issues or atleast making the public aware of the issue. This problem deserves further scrutiny. Did no one learn a lesson from Toyota"?" shame on you!

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #143

May 022010

G6

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while reversing from a parking spot, the power steering failed. The power steering light illuminated with each attempt to turn the steering wheel to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure. The failure mileage and current mileage was 98,000.

- Moline, IL, USA

problem #142

May 022010

G6

  • 98,700 miles
I purchased a used 2005 Pontiac G6 for my son who just received his learners permit. We had stopped in a left turn lane to enter a parking lot from a busy highway. The power steering assist on this car failed as he was beginning to turn. We were almost T-boned. You should not ever have to worry about safety with your 15 year old child in this situation. Period. You have known about this problem for years and have ignored it claiming low complaint rates. This car should be recalled.

- Eugene, MO, USA

problem #141

Oct 152009

G6 6-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
Power steering light comes on and I lost power steering to the vehicle. Steering was very hard. Vehicle pulls hard to the left without any reason. I took it to the GM dealer 5 times to do an alignment but failed to fix the problem. Still pulls to the left as before. None of the dealers I went to knows what the problem is. I am concerned. 2005 Pontiac G6 GT 71,000 miles.

- Collegeville, MN, USA

problem #140

Mar 202010

G6

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While the contact was driving approximately 55 mph excessive force was applied to the steering wheel when making a right turn; however, making a left turn did not require additional force. The power steering failed sporadically. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the steering column needed to be replaced at the owner expense. The vehicle had not been repaired. There are two other people that drive the vehicle and both have experienced power steering failure. The failure mileage was 102,000. The current mileage was 102,900. Updated 05/18/10.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #139

Mar 202010

G6 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 V6 that I purchased in July of 2008. I have had no major problems with the vehicle other than steering issues. There were a few occurrences where the steering was extremely easy to turn in both directions, but no drastic problems. After those few occurrences, I had about 7 instances where I had no power steering turning the wheel to the right but power to the left. About a week after this happened my radio sounded a message that said "power steering" and I could not turn my wheel in either direction. This happened while I was driving down the road and almost caused me to wreck into oncoming traffic. I have been told by several individual people as well as Pontiac dealers and auto part stores that this is a common thing with G6's electronic steering. Pontiac recently recalled the G5 series of their vehicles for electronic steering issues and are aware of the steering issues on their G6 models. If this is the case, then why are they not recalling all models with known similar issues or atleast making the public aware of the issue as these are the issues that cause wrecks.

- Alton, IL, USA

problem #138

Apr 082010

G6

  • 87,250 miles
Driving an 05 Pontiac G6 on the freeway around 65 mph and the power steering went out all of a sudden. I swerved into the other lane and would of hit someone if another car had been there. Very dangerous to have power steering fail and highway speeds. Reading on the internet, this is a common problem for G6's and should be recalled and taken care of so no accidents occur.

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #137

Mar 302010

G6

  • 70,066 miles
While driving my 2005 Pontiac G6 on an interstate the morning of March 30, a notification of "power steering" suddenly appeared on the radio's display area and thereafter, my power steering cut out. I was capable of driving the car to my destination without the power steering. After turning off my car, and turning it back on, the power steering system was fine. After a quick internet search, it seems that this issue has been experienced by many other drivers.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

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