NHTSA — Service Brakes Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 4 of 6)

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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Pontiac G6 has major problems with two areas fairly critical to the act of driving... steering & safety.

The 2006 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 2006 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 this power steering issue, up to 10 years/100k miles. However a large number of 2006 G6 owners have reported they were not covered by this campaign, based on VIN#.

As of late 2013 the NHTSA had well over 700 steering complaints on file for the 2006 G6, with 21 crashes & 12 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 2006 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 2006 Pontiac G6's poor side impact protection & you end up with a vehicle you should steer clear of.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
12 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 1
Average Mileage:
77,966 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.

2006 Pontiac G6 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #51

Jul 252012

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

My brake lights were on when I wasn't using the brakes and went off when I pressed the brake pedal and sometimes the brake lights just flash on and off when the brakes aren't being used, I've gotten stopped before for this issue. This has been an ongoing, very frustrating, dangerous problem at night and on fwy. I contacted the manufacturer but my vehicle didn't fall under a recall they had previously issued for this very same problem and refused to try to fix the issue. Please have this car manufacturer extend the recall to all 2006 Pontiac G6 vehicles.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #50

Mar 062014

G6 4-cyl

  • miles
Brake lights stay on while driving and shut off when brake is applied.

- Grand Haven Township, MI, USA

problem #49

Nov 272013

G6 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
While driving North on Ohio rte. 33 (at 70 mph) on 11/27/2013, my cruise control disengaged and would not re-engage. I pulled over at the next available exit, shut off my car for about 10 seconds, and restarted. Cruise control was again operational. Given such an isolated incident, I dismissed my concern. However, on 12/16/2013, I was driving eastbound on I-70 (again at 70 mph) and my cruise control again disengaged. I noticed right away and pressed the accelerator to keep my speed up. The three vehicles immediately behind me, including one tractor-trailer and a vehicle operated by one of my family members, noticeably slowed down to add following distance. My cell phone rang, and my passenger answered and put the call on speakerphone. My family members in the vehicle behind me asked what was going on and indicated that my brake lights were still on, although no pressure was being applied. Apparently, this is the reason that the vehicles behind me were slowing down - they thought I was slowing down, even though I was not! I pulled off at the next exit to again shut off and restart my car. My passenger claimed that something smelled hot (possibly brakes), although I cannot offer verification of this. After restarting and re-entering I-70, cruise control worked and brake lights were reported by following family members to work properly.

- Continental, OH, USA

problem #48

Nov 242013

G6

  • 112,000 miles

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

Traveling West on I-20 and my cruise control disengaged for no reason and I realized my brake lights were on. I tried several things, but the lights would not turn off while I was driving and do not signal to other drivers that I am coming to a stop, which is quite dangerous. I have tried several things including checking recall status, but my VIN was not included in the recall. I also often have issues getting my car out of park, have to press the brake a little harder than normal.

- North Charleston, SC, USA

problem #47

Sep 012011

G6 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Most of the time my brake lights are on without pressing the brake pedal. Sometimes the lights are on when I start my vehicle and sometimes they come on while driving. When the brake lights turn on they generally do not turn off and I drive around with brake light always on. Sometimes I've been told that when the brake lights are on while driving and I begin to actually brake, the brake lights turn off. When the brake lights are on while driving the cruise control will not engage. There have been instances where I set my cruise control and it suddenly disengages and I have been told by people following my vehicle that this is when the brake lights turn on without me hitting the pedal. I have also noticed that when the brake lights are on when I start the vehicle that it is extremely hard to shift my car out of park.

- Oak Park, MI, USA

problem #46

Sep 052013

G6

  • 140,000 miles
My 2006 Pontiac G6 has proven issues with the brake light system. Periodically, but often, the brake lights illuminate while I'm driving without me pressing the brake pedal. Whenever I actually press the brake pedal, the lights go off! other vehicles have nearly run into the back of me because of this malfunction. I have had the brake sensor replaced, but the problem persists. This is a very dangerous issue and research has confirmed that there are multiple cases of this plague. Please help!

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #45

Nov 162013

G6

  • 136,000 miles

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

Brake lights stay on when brakes are not pressed and turn off when brakes are pressed.

- Casa Grande, AZ, USA

problem #44

Nov 012008

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
Brake lights are illuminated while driving and when car is in park, without brake being depressed. When brake is actually being depressed, brake lights are not illuminated. Cruise control works intermittently, sometimes going off while driving after being set. Difficult to switch gears out of park at times. Have taken it to mechanic twice. First time had a sensor replaced. Second time had the brake light switch replaced. Problems still not resolved. After seeing a previous recall in 2009 for this same issue I checked into it and my VIN number is not included in that recall. Driving with children in my car, it is a major concern for me, especially with the brake light issue. There are many times when people almost rear end us because of this issue. I hope that another recall is issued soon to correct this problem before people get seriously injured or killed as a result. Extremely dangerous malfunction!

- Rushville, IN, USA

problem #43

Oct 092013

G6 4-cyl

  • miles
The brake lights stay on without the brake pedal being pushed on. When the brake pedal is pushed, the brake lights turn off and other drivers do not know that I am slowing down. There have been several instances that I have been nearly rear ended. There is a recall for this problem but my VIN number is not covered under that recall.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #42

Oct 072013

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
I am experiencing a problem with my brake lights intermittently staying on when the brake light isn't pressed and then turning off when the brake pedal is pressed. My cruise control will randomly stop working and it will take a period of time before it will work again. I am also having an issue getting out of park sometimes. It seems I have to press down incredibly hard on the break pedal to shift it into gear. I began to research these problems trying to figure out what the cause could be. I didn't have to look long because I was flooded with complaints from people with the exact same problems with similar if not identical cars. I found out there was a recall on the 2005 and 2006 G6's but of course my VIN wasn't covered. In fact, I talked to a customer service rep from GM and specifically asked if there were recalls of the 2005 2006 G6's for this problem and verbatim I received "not to my knowledge". I just finished talking with that GM rep less than 10 minutes ago. How is it possible that a customer service rep working for GM hasn't heard about this recall? I'm frustrated by the runaround I got with the GM reps and in the end I still have to take it in for a diagnostic and pay for it out of pocket. This recall needs to be extended to other VIN's.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #41

Sep 162013

G6 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles

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

The brake lights stay on while driving, but they go off when the brakes are applied. The cruise control works intermittently also. That is, the cruise cannot be set at times and when it is set, it will just go out for no reason and can't be reset.

- Columbus, MS, USA

problem #40

Aug 222013

G6 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The brake lights are illuminating while driving without the brake pedal being depressed. When the brake pedal is pushed the brake lights turn off. The cruise control will turn on but it will not engage.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #39

Aug 012009

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
I purchased this Pontiac G6 in 2008 used. At the time, the vehicle had approximately 30,000 miles. Within the first year I noticed my cruise control would stop working. At the time I was unaware that my brake lights were also malfunctioning. I realized this malfunction after being notified by a random person driving behind me on the road. She notified me that when I pressed the brake my lights would not illuminate and when I was not pressing the brake pedal, they were illuminating. A complete reversal. After some research, I realized this was a common problem and there was a recall issued. When I contacted my local dealership I was notified that although my car was the same make and model, it was a gtp and was not covered in the recall. Eventually the dealership decided to perform the recall procedures which only temporarily corrected the problem. Since that original fix, I have had the brake module changed three or four times, taken to two several dealerships and also to a trusted mechanic. No one can get the problem corrected. I am now told there is a chance it is the body control module. I am so tired of spending money to correct a defect in this vehicle with on guarantee of a fix. This car is dangerous to drive and General Motors needs to correct this problem. Updated 09/10/13

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

problem #38

Aug 112013

G6

  • miles
Recall no. 80317 to add dielectric grease is not working!!!! the brake lights are illuminated while driving and brake pedal is not depressed. The brake lights are not illuminated when brake pedal is depressed. This is a safety issue!!!!!!!!

- Harrisonburg, VA, USA

problem #37

Oct 252010

G6 4-cyl

  • 27,000 miles
Brake lights stayed on while car was moving and went out when brake pedal was depressed.

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

problem #36

Aug 072013

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
Brakes are illuminated when foot is not on brake pedal and brake lights are off when foot is applied at the brake pedal. This is a safety issue!!!!! if needed to apply brakes in a fast manner a following car could rear-end the Pontiac G6. Obviously I'm not the only person with this issue. So why hasn't something been done to make Pontiac recall the brake sensor relay before people are involved in car accidents" the "recall" to add dielectric lubricant to the connector to prevent corrosion is not working!!!!! I should not have to worry about when my brakes lights are illuminated automatically. I have been to the dealership numerous times to have dielectric grease put on the connector. I really hope that the NHTSA can push this issue with the 2006 Pontiac G6 brake lights being illuminated while brake pedal is not pressed. Pontiac recalled the first 93 manufactured Pontiac G6's for 2006 but what about the others that have the same problem???????" exterior lighting:brake lights recall for 2006 Pontiac G6 recall announced: January 30 2009nhtsa reference: #09V036000number affected: 8,012summary: GM is recalling 8,012 my 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 vehicles. The brake lamps may not operate properly because of corrosion in a wiring connector. Corrosion in the connector could cause the brake lamps to illuminate when the brake pedal has not been depressed, or the lamps may not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed. In addition, the cruise control may not engage, and greater brake pedal force may be required to shift the vehicle out of park. Consequence: Brake lamps that are not operating properly may not warn a driver in a following vehicle of the braking status and could lead to a crash without prior warning. Fix: Dealers will apply a dielectric lubricant to the connector to prevent corrosion. The recall began on February 17, 2009.

- Harrisonburg, VA, USA

problem #35

Jul 312013

G6 4-cyl

  • 41,171 miles
With the engine running and the transmission not in park, the applied emergency brake would not prevent the vehicle from drifting forward nor backward. I was informed, at a GMC dealership, that the rear brake calibers had seized in a partially engaged position -- so the brakes were dragging while the car was being driven _ and _ the emergency was useless. The repair cost was over $ $500. The car had a rear brake replacement job about 1,000 miles before this problem, and supposedly the caliber problem wasn't apparent then.

- Allison Park, PA, USA

problem #34

Feb 012013

G6 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Brake lights turn on even when I'm not braking, sometimes don't turn on when I am braking. Also, cruise control stopped working.

- Parrish, FL, USA

problem #33

Dec 012012

G6 6-cyl

  • 151,633 miles
My car is very difficult to shift from park. My brake lights don't work when I push the brake and flash sometimes when I don't push the brake. My cruise control won't set and if it does set, it cuts off with out warning on the highway.

- Liberty, TX, USA

problem #32

Jun 152012

G6 6-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
Brake lights are illuminating when I do not press the brakes...does not illuminate when I do press the brakes, this has resulted in me being rear-ended and has lead to several near accidents. Additionally, the cruise control will not set and it is often difficult for me to put my car into gear without pressing the break all the way to the floor or without restarting my car. The car doesn't always catch the first time I try to start it, the power outlets now are not working in addition the stereo resetting itself and the windshield wiper arm constantly popping off.

- Middle River, MD, USA

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