NHTSA — Steering Problems

2005 Pontiac G6 (Page 18 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 18 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Mar 282009

G6

  • miles

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

The power steering went out on me while driving. No way to check the power steering fluid.

- Taylors, SC, USA

problem #55

Mar 182009

G6

  • 54,634 miles
I have had a problem with my electrical power steering on my 2005 Pontiac G6 GT. It first started with the steering tightening while making a stir. I thought nothing of it. But three days ago the power steering was completely gone. I thank god I wasn't on the freeway. I could have caused a horrible accident. I managed to take it to a shop and suggested replacing the power steering fuse. That wasn't the fix. I contacted a GM dealer and they said I would have to pay $100 to find out what was wrong. Also I will probably cost me anywhere to $350 to $500 to fix the problem. I went online and found several complaints from over the past few years dealing with the lost of steer power with the G6. Some cars were brand new. According to the posting several people have contacted GM corporate with the same complaint, but with no success. This is clearly a safety issue that has to be addressed by GM. These cars need to be inspected. This could result in casualties. Please can anything be done to have GM to issue a recall on the power steering system? I found a website that has several complaints like mine. The site is www.carcomplaints.com.

- Euless, TX, USA

problem #54

Dec 012008

G6

  • 70,000 miles
While driving, the power steering stops working. It seems to happen most when I am slowing down while preparing to make a turn or while parallel parking. The last time this happened was yesterday and I barely had enough time to pull my car off the road. The power steering light comes on, dings, and then the power steering is completely gone. If I turn the engine off and then turn it back on, the power steering comes back. But it worries me that at any time I could lose power steering and also control of my car. This first started about three months ago (December 2009), and for a while it happened almost every time I would make even a slight sharp turn or attempt to parallel park. This has been happening more and more frequently, from a couple times a week to a few times a day.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #53

Mar 012009

G6

  • 70,000 miles

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

Steering locks up on turns.

- Derby, CT, USA

problem #52

Mar 102006

G6

  • 30,000 miles
I previously posted a complaint about having a defective intermediate steering shaft in this car that's causing a "clunk" sound when turning at low speeds. I contacted a local dealer (frank kent in ft. Worth, tx) to see if they had this part as I do not consider it safe to continue to drive the car without being repaired. They indicated that they do and also advised me that a safety recall had been issued for this same part in GM trucks and SUV's. why when this is obviously a severe problem in all GM vehicles wasn't a recall issued for all their vehicles using this same part? I hope to hear from an investigator soon as the person who answered my call today couldn't provide me with the answer to this question.

- Texarkana, TX, USA

problem #51

Jun 012007

G6

  • 30,000 miles
Car has developed a clunk in steering when turning at low speeds. Steering column U joint is defective.

- Texarkana, TX, USA

problem #50

Feb 062009

G6

  • 76,500 miles

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

I have had the steering rack on my 2005 G6 replaced 3 times, the last time it lasted 4 months and approx 3,400 miles the time before that it lasted 17, 000 miles and about 1 year. It seems that this car model has some serious steering issues that need to be investigated and make Pontiac accountable. Numerous calls to the Pontiac 880 do nothing. They do not care about the consumer.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

problem #49

Feb 032009

G6

  • 55,500 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While driving between 5-10 mph on normal road conditions, the contact heard a chime sound inside the passenger compartment. Immediately, the power steering warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel locked, followed by an unintended loss of power steering. The driver exerted more effort to turn the steering wheel and pulled into a parking lot. The engine was turned off. When the vehicle was restarted, the warning indicator was no longer illuminated on the instrument panel and the power steering resumed to normal. On a separate occasion, the failure recurred. The vehicle is in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure and current mileages were 55,500. Updated 3/5/09 the dealer replaced the steering column assembly. Updated 03/10/09.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #48

Nov 172007

G6

  • 31,100 miles
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 #47

Jan 062009

G6

  • miles
I started experiencing trouble when turning mainly to the right. It was subtle at first then became more prevalent. It still seems like the problem mainly occurs when turning to the right. No consequences have occurred yet, however, if the problem continues or gets worse it could lead to problems. I have received an estimate to repair the problem but nothing has been done yet. If problem persists or gets worse I will have to take action to repair the problem.

- Rock Island, IL, USA

problem #46

Jan 102009

G6

  • 28,000 miles

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

Continuous problem with steering, even after dealer replaced and serviced all components...it came steering clunk at U joint and steering shaft came back. To my understanding this is a major manufacturer flaw from talking to people driving Pontiac G6 from 2005 till 2007?...and it can potentially lead to steering lock that will lead to accident and worse.

- North Aurora, IL, USA

problem #45

Dec 212008

G6

  • 64,000 miles
After 64,000 miles on a 2005 Pontiac G6, I started hearing a clunk noise after turning steering wheel and while driving on expressway over 50 mph, my steering wheel vibrates. It feels as though the steering wheel is loose and something is about to come apart on my car. I went to a mechanic to get new brake pads and he stated that the vibration and steering noise was because my ball joints were bad. I handle this car extremely well and can not understand why ball joints would be bad so soon. He also stated that after trying to find parts, only the dealer sold them and they were a whopping $215 for each side of car. My warranty expired and this is going to be an out of pocket cost. It also seems that I have to keep replacing the brakes and rotors often. Additionally my power steering light comes on sporadically making it hard for me to turn the wheel.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #44

Dec 292006

G6

  • miles
Many times while driving vehicle power steering would tighten up while driving so could not turn wheel, mainly to left. Took 2005 G6 to dealer numerous times only to be told they could not find a reason for the problem. Finally in December of 2006, son was driving car, going around bend, steering wheel did not turn he wound up being hit by an 18 wheeler. Lucky to be alive. They did not total car, can you believe it, but turned it in 2 months later. Pontiac is very remiss in not recalling this vehicle before someone does get killed.

- Old Bridge, NJ, USA

problem #43

Dec 122008

G6

  • 25,000 miles
I have had a problem with the steering of my 2005 Pontiac G6 from the day it was purchased. The steering has been fixed under warranty but he issue continues. I'm told by my dealer that it just seems to be an issue that I need to live with. I am also really afraid this will cause me to crash and kill myself or someone else. There needs to be a recall on this car. It seems that others are having the same problems.

- Turnersville, NJ, USA

problem #42

Oct 152008

G6

  • 300,000 miles
Pontiac sent a letter regarding the loss of power steering. As of today, the steering in my Pontiac G6 has been repaired 3 times, the gas cap has been replaced at least three times, and the radio has been replaced 5 times, 3 of which have been in the past three weeks. I SE an investigation was opened regarding the steering in 2007 and I see no results of the findings. The issues have been persistent for about a year and Pontiac dealers refuse to test for electrical issues. I have been going round and round with the Pontiac company for three weeks with no solution. The car has been in the shop for three times in the past three weeks. Please help. I see other customer complaints regarding the 2005 Pontiac G6 and others seem to report the same issues. I no longer feel safe driving my child around in this car and Pontiac doesn't seem to want to resolve the issue.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #41

Oct 302008

G6

  • 80,000 miles
I have loss of power steering intermittently, this occurs mostly at low speeds but is occurring with more frequency as of late. The car also is starting to shake around 60mph, the tires are one year old (replacement tires) and the alignment was done when it was completed. I went back and they double checked the alignment and said it was perfect. I am afraid that the steering issue will occur at higher speeds while either my wife or I are driving it, causing an accident. This is clearly a safety issue and should be resolved, not by simply posting a tsb but by posting a recall for this issue because of its severity and potential cause for personal harm.

- Monroe, OH, USA

problem #40

Oct 292007

G6

  • miles
I have had a problem with the steering of my 2005 Pontiac G6. It has been fixed under warranty for gear assembly 2 times. Sway bar link. Popping when turning steering wheel. And again at 38,000 miles it is doing the same about every 10 months it does this, I am really afraid this will cause me to crash and kill myself and my children or someone else. There needs to be a recall on this car I have talked to several people with this same make and model and they are having the same problems.

- Aynor, SC, USA

problem #39

Jun 162005

G6

  • 23,000 miles
Steering locked up at start up for the first few minutes. Had problem looked at prior to it becoming an issue while driving. Dealership replaced the steering column. At this time I do not know if this fixed the problem.

- Kapolei, HI, USA

problem #38

Sep 232008

G6

  • miles
Ongoing noise in power steering shortly after purchasing the G6 new in 2005. There's always been a clunk when turning right or left at slow speeds (ie: Parking lot). Two different dealers have determined (until now) that the noise is normal. The noise level has increased over the past 3+ years and now at 40,000 miles the "intermediate steering shaft" needs to be replaced. I'm hoping the extended warranty will cover the $450 repair job.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #37

Sep 172008

G6

  • miles
My power steering will lock up, my steering wheel will free spin to the left and tight to the right.

- Mobile, AL, USA

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