NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 11 of 11)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

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:
7 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,358 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 11 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Jul 032008

G6

  • 40,000 miles

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

When I first purchased the car it only had 10 miles on it and within the next 6 months it would not start and had to be towed to the dealership 3 times. The first 2 times I was told that there was some loose wiring or that the wire was to close to a component and the component melted the plastic covering the wires. The third time I was told there was a problem with the security information but, it was corrected. Then at 40,000 miles the car started jerking whenever I drove it. It seemed as if the gas was not getting to the engine quick enough (I'm not a mechanic) then the mileage went considerably down. For a full tank of gas I used to get 451 miles this is told through the fuel monitor that is in the car. But, after this began occurring the monitor would state 239 miles after I filled it up! I have had to fill-up 6 times in 2 weeks. When a tank of gas used to last 2 weeks for me. I went to the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from and was told that I am no longer under warranty so they would have to charge me to diagnose the vehicle. Once they diagnosed the car they stated that it was the catalytic converter and the would replace free of charge and that I would not have to pay for the diagnostic test either. While I was ecstatic to know that they were going to fix my vehicle at no charge to me, warning bells did sound off immediately. When I received the invoice back from them it stated that these items were replaced: Oxidation catalytic converter, 2 gaskets, 1 pipe and 2 manifold core chg. And after all of this work which took from 8:30A.M to 2:00pm, my mileage monitor is now reporting 300 miles for a full tank of gas when originally I was getting 451. After reading all of these complaints re. This vehicle I am just disgusted. I will review this site when purchasing my next vehicle which I think will be pretty soon.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #17

Feb 182008

G6

  • 23,000 miles
It rained really badly and all of a sudden I heard the horn on my car going off continuously. Once the horn starts sounding other issues occur: *automatic shift to lock does not engage *have to push the lock button twice on the remote car key entry device in order for the car to lock I want to lock the car from the inside and have all four doors lock, I cannot have the key in the ignition the car is running and I push the lock button, the driver's side lock pops back up *when I cut the car off but leave the key in the ignition I normally can still hear the radio, but when this happens, I can no longer hear the radio; if I do want to listen to the radio but not crank up the car, there is a pinging noise as if I am getting out of the car and leaving the keys in the ignition because of all of this, when I got in the car, the information center shows door ajar or open.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #16

Nov 152006

G6

  • 28,000 miles
My vehicle squeaks when I go over bumps, even really small ones. I have taken it to the dealership over 10 times. My shocks were replaced, but a couple of days later, it was doing it again. This has been going on for well over a year now. My battery died in my car and it caused my cd player not to work. When my battery was recharged and car running again, the cd player would not work. The radio does, but not the cd player.

- Hutto, TX, USA

problem #15

Feb 072008

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles

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

Every time it rains or gets extremely cold my car has several problems. It starts usually with the head lights going out, turn signals not working, dash lights working randomly, air bag lights saying they are off and on at the same time, windows not going up and down, radio and time resets itself, seat belt sensor goes off when seat belt is on, air bag staying off when 180lbs is in the seat, hard starting, long starts. These are the problems that I have had since I bought the car in December of 2005, it has been to the dealership 8 times for these problems. Again today in the dealership for lights not working. Dealership keeps telling me they can not get the car to duplicate the problem. I keep telling them it has to be cold and wet, not keep in doors.

- Saint Helen, MI, USA

problem #14

Jul 162007

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
2007 ponitac G6 stalled on three occasions. First time the battery was replaced. Second time the battery was charged and wire was tightened. Third time dealer stated it was an electrical problem. The dealer stated the problem may have related to the radio coming on by itself and the drivers window having a problem, but they were not sure if that was the real problem.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #13

Nov 302007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,300 miles
First leak was the xm antenna. Water came in through roof center console lights. Second leak was from the sunroof water entered the cabin through the same place. Dealer repaired sunroof drain tube. Third leak was the sunroof drain tube. Dealer repaired the other sunroof drain tube. The water enter the cabin and ran on the passenger seat belt. This happened in the winter and the seat belt froze solid in the retraction reel. At the same time the water also damaged the airbag sensors in the passenger seat and caused the an airbag failure. The forth leak soaked both seat belts. This time the dealership extended the sunroof drain tubes per a service bulletin. Now there are intermittent electrical problems with the car. The heads lights would not turn on until the car was turned off then restarted. The turn signals, instrument cluster lights, and heater control lights stopped working intermittently. Of course they worked fine while the dealership had the car.

- Aurora, IN, USA

problem #12

Jul 142007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,100 miles

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

I bought a 2006 Pontiac G6 with only 6,000 miles on it, after a few days of driving it, I noticed something was wrong with the power steering. It would go completly out and in my information center it would say power steering, then other times it would get very loose to where I would have to pull off the road and turn the car off and restart it. I took it to the dealership, where they kept it overnight, called me the next morning and said they found nothing wrong with it, mind you this happens on a daily basis. I told them to keep it longer. Pontiac called back and told me to come pick it up, that they could not get it to duplicate, therefor could find nothing wrong. A week later it goes out completly again, in heavy traffic with my daughter in the car with me, I almost wrecked my car. I immediatley pulled over and called the dealership back, I was told that if I didn't like there service to take it elsewhere, so I did. They had to replace the whole elctronic system in my vehicle. Now at 9,600 miles the problem has resurfaced again.

- Summerdale, AL, USA

problem #11

Aug 142007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,300 miles
My electrical system in my Pontiac G6 GT has been having trouble. The first sign of trouble was my window switch quit working, which was replaced, but after researching I found that this is a common problem. The second incident happened a month ago, my power steering failed as I was turning a corner. This then proceeded to happen numerous times, when I was going between 0-40 mph. I had to shut off the car, then it was okay (no "power steering light" came on). The electrical chip was replaced. Third incident, power steering light starting coming on and steering was harder to control (but not locking up). I am very concerned that this is going to be an ongoing problem with the electrical system in the G6, and I am even more concerned for my safety and when the warranty is finished. Pontiac needs to look into these failures and take the steps to ensure the consumers safety.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #10

Sep 152006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
I purchased my Pontiac G6 GT in September of 2006. Shortly thereafter, I had to return it to the dealership because the horn would not work properly. It was replaced. 6-8 weeks later, it was back at the dealership for another horn replacement. Then, the starter sounded like it was hanging up, like it would not disengage after the motor started. So, I took it to another dealership, but they could not duplicate the problem and simply reset the computer and returned the vehicle to me. 2 months ago, I noticed that the cruise control was not working. A couple of weeks later I discovered that my brake lights were staying on. I took it to the dealership and a module was replaced regarding the brake lights and cruise control. The next week it was back at the dealership for the same problems. 2 weeks after the return, guess what! it was back at the dealership for the brake lights staying on and the cruise control not working. I got the car back last week, and over this past weekend, I noticed that the cruise was not working yet again. Not only the brakes/cruise, but the starter started hanging again and now the drivers' side heated seat comes on and cannot be turned off!!! my car has been at the dealership since Tuesday and Pontiac says that they will not offer a buy back because the problems are electrical and not mechanical! I guess I will just wait on it to catch fire!

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #9

Dec 152006

G6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
I had several types of electrical failures with this vehicle. The first one was a check engine light and was reset by dealer with no codes found. The next was low coolant warning that was a defective wire and repaired. Another time the vehicle simply would not start and had to be towed to the dealer. After filling vehicle with gas the dash panel was completely out, vehicle ran normal. Dealer was aware that no instruments were working and was unable to detect the problem, no codes found. Dome light never worked and was unable to be fixed. In December I stopped for a red light in traffic and smelled melting or burning plastic and seconds later a small cloud of fowl scented smoke entered the cabin of the vehicle. I shut the vehicle off and tried to restart the vehicle when the light turned green and the vehicle would not start. I called for roadside assistance and waited for the tow truck. When the tow truck arrived the vehicle started smoking from the engine compartment and then caught fire. The damage was not repairable. At the time I was certified Pontiac retail professional and as of new years day had not been given a rental vehicle under the warranty. The manufacturer has not been the least bit helpful in the situation and as a result I have since left my job as a GM sales professional. GM will not provide a rental vehicle while they drag their feet to identify the root of the problem. I have waited until new years day to file this complaint to give GM ample time to resolve the issue.

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #8

Aug 212006

G6 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

I have a 2006 Pontiac G6 that I am leasing since 11/1/2005 and since August 2006 I have been having numerous problems with the battery and engine on and off. Then finally on August 21, 2006 I went to go start it and it was totally dead. It was towed to the nearest dealer and they had to replace the battery which started leaking battery acid into the engine. About a month later in mid September 2006, I was running errands and went to start my car to go home and it was dead. I was at a store and had to get it towed again to a nearest dealer. There they found it was a wiring harness chafe around the starter motor and also concerning the air conditioning lines and that caused a few fuses to blow. As of today November 28, 2006 I am still having issues with starting the car and the dealer cant find whats wrong. The car just turned one year and shouldn't have these issues. I had to go out and buy a portable jump starter becasue this car is so unpredictable. It has been back and forth to the dealer 3 times in 2 months and I am tired of it.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

problem #7

Sep 032006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,700 miles
The car was parked in my yard. A typical Florida storm quickly blew through. Lightning struck near-by setting off the horn, which would not stop. Smoke started coming from the car. I called the fire department who then extinguished the fire in the electrical system and a report was made. My dash was melted and the interior is ruined my insurance company has done an investigation and said it was a faulty electrical system. My children and I could have been killed, we could have lost our home. It is still under investigation between my insurance and GMC.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

problem #6

Sep 232006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Radio and display does not always come on when vehicle is started; display is dim sometimes to the point you can barely read it then it comes back bright all of a sudden, time and temp changes; these events are occurring at least once a week if not 2 -3 times a week; unsure of the exact date it started. Date given is the first recorded date.

- Thibodaux, LA, USA

problem #5

Jun 292006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,375 miles
I bought this car on 4/12/2006. The electrical system has a problem so when the passenger rolls down the power window the driver can not put it back up. On 6/29/2006 I took it in for this and they put grease on my windows and they replaced the drivers side window switch. It worked for 2 days and then it stopped working again only this time the passenger seat belt warning stopped working as well, so on 7/8/2006 I took it back and they replaced the drivers side window switch again and repaired the wires to the warning for seat belt. Now here we are it is 7/17 and it quit again on Friday the 7/14/2006 so I called and this time they told me they are keeping it indefinitely and the lady who made my appt. Said I should consider renting a car. I argued that for as much money as I spent on this car I should not have to, so they agreed to pay the rental. My concern is this; things keep happening with the electrical system what if it causes a fire or worse an accident with me and my 3 kids in it.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #4

Apr 212006

G6 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,253 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle was parked for a period of several days, but after turning the ignition, there was the strong odor of something burning. Further examination revealed grayish black smoke erupting from the center console near the floorboard. The contact pulled up the panel which revealed no obvious fire, but more smoke. After the removal of foam insulation block from the console, flames were visible. The fire department was contacted to extinguish the fire. The emergency operator instructed the contact to the turn off the ignition. While doing as instructed, the flames touched the contact's arm resulting in minor injuries. Meanwhile the flames engulfed the vehicle which was deemed a complete loss, there was extensive fire damage. Police were on the scene and a report was taken. Afterwards, the fire inspector determined the fire was electrical in nature.

- O'fallon, IL, USA

problem #3

Feb 092006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,500 miles
When driving check engine light and traction control light will come on, driver information center will show message "reduced engine power" and car will slow down significantly and not go over 45 mph. Additionally cruise control will not work. If turned off remote start will not work and vehicle restarts with check engine light on and runs rough. Usually next restart check engine light will be off and will run better. Vehicle will have burnt smell when parked in garage after incident. Computer is storing error codes but dealer can not diagnose problem. Dealer indicates "software error" prevents them from getting information about vehicle at time when error codes were recorded. In shop 3 times and they can not figure out, wanted me to use a data recorder but when they tried to show me how to work it the recorded did not work. This has happened 3 times, 2/9/2006 on I95, 2/20/2006 during in town driving(only disabled remote start and burning smell), and 3/4/2006 on a country road.

- Topton, PA, USA

problem #2

Jan 012006

G6 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 200 miles
Grinding noise when changing gears on 6 speed manual transmission. Clicking or popping noises from transmission when taking foot off of gas. Transmission has a very poor feel generally and generally feels disconnected from the vehicle. Grinding is more apparent with low speed shifts or when turning. The second complaint is that the fog light button and the seat heater switch get noticeably hot while driving with the lights on. The third complaint is that the dash lights do not go on when you put the lights on manually during the day.

- Chesapeake Beach, MD, USA

problem #1

Nov 212005

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,500 miles
Vehicle was purchased in August and have had no problems since. When temperature is cold, below 30 degrees F, stabilitrak does not work and message is displayed in message center. When temp is above 30, stabilitrak works fine. Without traction system, vehicle slides over the road, losing traction very easily.

- Livonia, MI, USA

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