NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission 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.

2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,782 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #7

Dec 072013

G6

  • 105,000 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 approximately 40 mph, the transmission emitted a loud clunking noise with extreme hesitation. The engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 252011

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced difficulty shifting in park, drive, and reverse. As a result, the contact was sometimes unable to start the vehicle because it was not recognized as being in the parked position. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000. The consumer stated the shift cables were loose. Updated 05/22/12

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #5

Jul 232009

G6

  • 37,272 miles
My 2005 G6 brake lights stay on 24/7 very hard to get out of park. I cannot use the cruise control. The position of the pedal is affecting everything. It's unsafe! they are telling me I need to pay $300.25 to replace the BCM. Nothing else is wrong but what they state in the recall papers. Why do I have to fix a problem they recalled??

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #4

Aug 122010

G6

  • miles

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

I received a notice from Pontiac in the month of August 2010 regarding a power steering defect with 2005 Pontiac G6 models. The notice said repairs would be covered within 10 years of the date the vehicle was placed in service or 100K miles. I received this notice just after my vehicle reached 100K miles. I believe Pontiac delayed the notice long enough to make sure owners would be denied on the 100K limit. Pontiac should pay for my repairs.

- Newsite, AL, USA

problem #3

Aug 102010

G6

  • 59,000 miles
2005 Pontiac G6. Brake lights stay on when driving, cruise control disengages and have to depress brake pedal extremely hard to get out of park. Researched problem and found out that there was a recall for this problem for some but not all vehicles of that model make & year. Was told that my VIN were not included for that recall. This is of major concern for me, an accident almost occurred due to this problem. With the economy the way it is and lack of funds to be able to repair what should have been covered by GM why was my VIN number not included in this recall of the same problem? if an accident occurs GM should be required to pay for all damages both to the vehicles involved and any personal injury or death.

- Lowell, MA, USA

problem #2

Jun 052008

G6

  • 47,200 miles
I bought my car on June 2, 2008, when we left the dealership we could smell oil burning, we thought they just overfilled the fluids, on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 while going to lunch, my transmission gave out in my car, it went back to the dealership for eleven (11) days while they replaced the transmission. When we got it back from the transmission repair the air conditioner was no longer working and the brakes were squealing. We took it back to the garage a week and a half later for this and they said everything was fine. In the beginning of August, we noticed that the oil kept going low. On August 14th, 2008 we had to take it back to the garage because there was horrendous, mass amount of oil collecting under the motor. The garage kept my car again, because the rear main crank shaft seal went in the engine. They replaced the rear main crank shaft seal, it was in the garage until August 21, 2008, on this day when we picked the car up, we had to take it right back to the garage because it was hesitating to start and the transmission was shifting hard. The garage determined that wires were unplugged on the engine. On, September 5th while leaving work the car broke down on me again, this time the engine blew in the car. The car was in the garage until September 17th, 2008, while they replaced the engine. So in the few months that I have owned the car it has been in the garage for almost a month getting repair after repair done to it.

- Nanty Glo, PA, USA

problem #1

Jun 252008

G6

  • 36,000 miles
June 25th, 2008 my power steering went out in my 2005 Pontiac G6 and jerked violently to the left causing me to swerve into oncoming traffic. I had my 3 yr old in the car and barely avoided a head on collision on a two lane highway. I have not had it fixed.

- Chickasha, OK, USA

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