NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 6 of 11)

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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:
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 6 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #118

Jan 012013

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the brake lights illuminated intermittently when the brake pedal had not been applied. The contact also stated that the cruise control was inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, etc) and contacted two local dealers who had not yet received instructions to remedy the recalled vehicles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. Updated 9/8/14 updated 1/8/2015

- Holliston, MA, USA

problem #117

Jul 222014

G6

  • 66,919 miles
I have a 2006 Pontiac G6 the interior lights stopped working then the sun roof would open but would not close back I took it to the dealer were after over $400 dollars they discovered that about 15 wires above the head liner had shorted out and burnt this is very unsafe if it happened driving down the road and the head liner caught fire this could lead to death.

- Cleveland, VA, USA

problem #116

Mar 132012

G6

  • 80,000 miles
While accelerating onto the highway the vehicle loses power and all service, warning and dash lights come on. They flash and flicker until I lift foot off gas pedal, but will come right back if I step on the gas to hard. This issue only occurs when performing a hard acceleration onto the highway.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #115

Dec 182013

G6

  • miles

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

Lost power steering completely. Thank goodness I was driving instead of my wife. I was able to make it home and took it immediately to have it fixed by a certified GM dealer. I contacted GM directly and was told there was no recall on this VIN. After another call, I was told that there were upcoming recalls for this year model and that I would be receiving a reimbursement form in April of 2014, which I never received. Upon multiple calls, I was told that I would be contacted by my local GM dealer who also told me there were no recalls on this VIN.I should be reimbursed for fixing an issue that should be under recall. GM is using some very shady business practices........and all of this after having it taken to the dealership six months earlier for a total electrical malfunction, which should have already been recalled as well....

- Bigelow, AR, USA

problem #114

Jul 112007

G6 6-cyl

  • 125 miles
Purchased new Pontiac G6 2006 on June 2, 2007, 72 miles. July 2007, problems with cruise control. Contacted reliable Pontiac with problem. Never returned my call. Took it to thompson's placerville, acted like I did not know how to work a cruise control. Continued to have electrical problems throughout the vehicle. Spoke with david O'keef, Pontiac customer service (866) 790-5600, ext 31952, regarding lemon law. I took the vehicle into thompsons on the following dates (there were several more, but I did not receive an invoice from the dealer): 7/11/07; 8/10/07; 10/05/07; 10/8/07; 10/20/07; 11/16/07; 12/12/07; 4/8/08; 4/23/08 5/14/08; 5/16/08; 5/31/08; 11/11/08; throughout 2009 and 2010; 4/28/11; 9/6/11; 9/14/11; 12/9/11; and 12/14/11. Pulled over by chp several times for brake lights being on, but I was not braking, officer stated vehicle too dangerous to be on road. On 9/6/11, a friend referred me to motortrend recalls. Recall date for air bags was 10/31/2006 and exterior lighting: Brake lights 1/30/2009. Steering needed to be replaced in 2009. I was never contacted by GM or reliable Pontiac. Vehicle was a costly, safety hazard through 12/14/11. Still have issues. Extremely inconvenient to keep taking it to the dealer. Now I know why I was being flipped off by other drivers on the road, they thought I was "brake" checking them.

- Placerville, CA, USA

problem #113

Apr 012014

G6

  • 101,756 miles
TL ' the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving various speeds, the brake lights on the vehicle would either illuminate randomly or fail to illuminate completely when the brake pedal was depressed. The dealer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 101,756. Jcc

- Greenfield , WI, USA

problem #112

Jun 222014

G6 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

It's starts with being hard to get my car out of gear. Then my cruise control goes out & then my brake light stays on while I'm driving, but when I brake, the light goes off. It's the light at the bottom of my rear window. I can see the reflection in my rear window.

- Anderson , IN, USA

problem #111

Dec 042010

G6

  • miles
TL * the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the rear brake lamps and the brake lights on the spoiler were not operating properly. Upon pressing the accelerator pedal the lights illuminated and when the contact applied the brakes the lights failed to illuminate. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was scheduled for diagnostic testing and to be repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #110

Sep 052012

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
Everything electrical is shot. It started about two years ago..one by one, everything in the car (electrical) stopped working. Such as.. 1. power lock for the doors doesn't work 2. trunk release button doesn't open the trunk 3. car alarm would go off every time I opened the door (as the door was unlocked) 4. air conditioning stopped working 5. brake lights would illuminate while driving, and would go off when I would brake. 6. brake lights wouldn't illuminate at all sometimes. 7. headlights and/or taillights would go out, or dim randomly 8. push-lock button on each door would go up and down (by itself) as I would be driving, or when the car was parked. (couldn't lock my car doors) because of the exterior lighting issues, I was pulled over twice. I also had my car repaired a couple times (mechanic even called Pontiac for assistance). After the car was fixed, (if possible), the lights would stop properly working again, shortly after being 'repaired'. eventually, I stopped driving the car. I haven't driven the car since February, 2014 (5 months). I don't have the money to continuously get the car fixed (to pass inspection), or pay for safety violations. Therefore, I haven't had a car to drive for 5 months. I had received a letter in the mail (prior to the recall letter in June 2014) stating there was a default with the power steering. I called the number twice. At first, I was told my car issues were not relevant to the default. The second time, (probably a couple months later) I was told that my car was now over the mileage to be covered by the warranty (stated in the letter), and therefore it voided my eligibility to have the repaired by them.

- Hampstead, NH, USA

problem #109

Jun 082014

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
Driving on hwy 526 charleston SC. With my twin daughters and 7yr. Old son and the windshield wipers stop working, cigarette lighters stop working. I could nt see feared for my kids life. I went to dealership I was told that this is what's happening to G6 cars. Ever since I got this car its been one thing after another I cant afford to repair this problem that is a defect and pay car note, plus keep a job I don't have a way to get there or anywhere if it's raining.

- Hollywood, SC, USA

problem #108

Mar 012014

G6

  • 35,000 miles

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

Rear doors will intermittently not unlock either with door switch or keyless control. This create a hazard if a small child is in a rear seat restraint, have to craw between the seats to try and reach the locks to manually unlock them.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #107

Jun 022014

G6

  • miles
S10 appropriate handling- letter to the secretary from constituent re for information letter regarding three separate issues with Pontiac G6 (power steering, shift cable and wiring corrosion) and lack of solutions from General Motors (GM).

- La Plume, PA, USA

problem #106

May 012014

G6 6-cyl

  • 61,000 miles
Driver side brake light and rear turn signal fails to illuminate. Both bulbs were changed and fuses evaluated but didn't fix the problem. This combined with a steering problem noted in a previous complaint makes the vehicle extremely dangerous to have on the road.

- East Hampton, CT, USA

problem #105

Mar 072013

G6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,300 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the brake light remained illuminated when the brakes were not engaged. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 39,300. Updated 09/11/14 updated 1/5/15

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #104

May 012013

G6 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Once again GM has issued a recall for 2006 Pontiac G6's for brake light issues, cruise control, and difficulties getting the car out of the park position. The brake lights randomly illuminate while pressing the gas and shut off when I press the brake. The cruise control will randomly disengage as well. Once again my VIN is not covered under the recall. How is this possible? the symptoms I've experienced are identical to the recall. Both recalls to be exact. The same make, model and year of car with identical problems but I'm not covered and the GM reps are no help. This is my second complaint. I know for a fact that there are other people out there having this same problem.

- Riverview , FL, USA

problem #103

Apr 242014

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle has been test and replaced with new part containing a new starter and starter relay. Was told to take it to dealer for testing on theft auto switch and they reported ignition switch problems. The vehicle will start at times when its ready all other associated parts were fine. So whats the cause behind the delay. Ignition switch! does something have to happen before the matter is properly taking care of. Especially since there has been an ignition switch recall....

- Walterboro, SC, USA

problem #102

May 012013

G6 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
At random times the car's tails lights up and stays lite even though the brake petal is being applied. This occurs whether the car is parked or being driven.

- Mokena, IL, USA

problem #101

May 022012

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
Used from hurd R.I my Pontiac G6 2 years ago and about 3 months after I was having trouble with the steering, they replace something but never give me paper work then around 8 months ago the heater blow went and had to replace it the steering light on dash go off at least 2 time a months the first time I thought I need steering flu I was told you don't put that in this car..air bag my seats are after market leather seats and sometimes the light indicates the seat is on they also have heated seats that work when they want to..my brake the I had it changed 4 time this past year I bring it to the place I brought it and they push me off and say it's fine.

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #100

Apr 222014

G6 6-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
The 2006 Pontiac's brake lights go on when the brakes are not applied. The cruise control will not engage, and this occurs intermittently. I'm not sure the brake lights go on when the brakes are applied. This is scary!!!!!!

- Stamford, NY, USA

problem #99

Apr 012011

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
My power steering shut off while driving - electrical on my car comes and goes several times daily problem with airbag lights as well as all dashboard shuts off frequent engine trouble. This car has been nothing but an investment failure I have put so much money and time into this vehicle and have not had a real solution to all the problems I've had since purchasing this vehicle.

- Pitttsfield, MA, USA

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