8.3
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$895.00
Average Mileage:
52,897 miles
Total Complaints:
39 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (25 reports)
- replace rack (6 reports)
- replace power assist motor (3 reports)
- replace torque sensor in steering column (3 reports)
- replace steering column (2 reports)
steering problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Pontiac dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2006 Pontiac G6 power steering is faulty
2009Sep 16
G6 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 42,000 miles
I bought this car used from a dealership in the early winter of 2007. I've had minor problems but otherwise it was a very pleasant vehicle until the power steering got screwed up. I was shocked to find out the power steering was electrical, to start with. But yes, one day I started the car up like normal and the wheel was incredibly hard to turn. The power steering light came on and I was concerned, until restarting the car some time later when the problem had resolved itself. Well, the problem is apparently sporadic because it has left and come back over time. I see now from this page that this is a common defect in this model and it should be recalled as soon as possible. I've already complained to the NHTSA (I recommend you do so yourself @ http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm)
It is very obvious from the stories above that anyone who has to operate these vehicles on freeways is in grave danger of veering off the road or into oncoming traffic. It makes me sick that they can get away with doing nothing about it. Spread the word, we deserve a recall because we should NOT be paying for faulty merchandise!
I plan on contacting GM themselves, soon as I discover the best avenue for doing so. I already know the dealership will probably find nothing and don't really want to pay for them to tell me everything is fine, but I guess I might have to just for documentation purposes.
2009Sep 06
G6 GT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I first started having issues with my steering column only about 2 weeks after I'd bought this car used from a dealership back in mid 2007. It made a loud rattling noise at about 50 plus mph and the whole column would vibrate. I took it to the dealership, had the column fixed and it was fine until about 4 or 5 months later when the exact thing started happening again. I found it irritating but put off taking it to the dealership. I never really noticed any steering issues (save for the winter, on snow and ice, the car was VERY difficult to control in slick conditions, not sure if that was related or not) until one day a couple months ago on the freeway, when I essentially lost the ability to steer the car. I would attempt to slow down and turn the wheel in one direction and the front of the car wouldn't respond and would veer in the opposite direction. The steering felt extremely loose and out of control. I essentially drove for a mile or 2 panicking and trying to get off the freeway without hitting any other cars, luckily I managed to avoid it. I had the car towed to a mechanic, they checked it over, drove it 30 miles and essentially told me there was nothing wrong with it.
I drove the car for another month or so and it would sporadically do the same thing, although not to the extent that it did before. I could just sense that it wasn't driving right but I think everyone just assumed that I was paranoid and didn't really believe me since there was never something consistently wrong with it.
I finally got online and did some research and found many descriptions of the same problems I'd been having. Rather than attempt to fight GM and waste a bunch of money, which from what I gather I would been forced to do, I said "screw it" and traded the car in. This car was a nightmare from day one, I'm glad I don't have to deal with it anymore.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Oct 08
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 34,598 miles
The main problem with what happened is that my wife was driving the car when it first started. When we took the car in , we were lucky that it did it to the service manager. We were 6 months after warranty coverage . Had to pay the full cost with a sympathetic ear from the manager . My wife has no confidence in the car anymore because of stories that it can and does happen again . I cannot believe with the seriousness of this breakdown that GM has not done a serious recall . We are getting rid of the car with a good chance of not coming back to GM {gulp} . Has there been no serious accidents from this lack of car engineering . There is no backup plan when you are driving and your steering freezes up .
2009Sep 29
G6 GT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS ON THE EXPRESS WAY MAKING A TURN AROUND THE BEND. I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. IT WAS SO HARD. MY RADIO SYSTEM READ POWER STEERING AND THOUGHT I'LL GO BUY FLUID AND DID THAT ONLY TO FIND OUT THIS MODEL DOESN'T EVEN HAVE POWER STEERING FLUID, IT'S ELECTRICAL. FIRST OFF, IN THE G6 OWNERS MANUAL IT SHOULD SAY THAT THERE IS NO DAMN PLACE FOR THE FLUID. INSTEAD IT EVEN SHOWS SOMEWHERE TO PUT THE FLUID... ONLY ON THE ACTUAL CAR ITS NOT THERE. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE THIS MORNING. THERE IS NO WARNING SIGNS FOR THIS AND IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE THEN YOU MAY LOSE YOUR LIFE DEALING WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF A VEHICLE..... GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ASAP AND I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR USED.
2009Sep 07
G6 2.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 39,050 miles
Totally weird and out of the blue. When I started my car it was just fine, but backing out of the garage was odd, as if I had a flat tire. Then it was really difficult to steer and the Power Steering indicator flashed on my radio screen; after about half a mile it sorted itself out. When I say really difficult I mean damned near impossible, as it took most of my strength to turn... not just a little awkward. As it was Labor Day all mechanics were closed, and so I took it to Checkers to see if it needed more fluid - lo and behold, there is no power steering fluid in this model year. What a crock! Got worse each time I started my car... now I love my car, stylish, smooth ride, etc.... but I prefer that it work properly!
I am sooo glad I bought the extended warranty, which covered the repair 100%.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jul 01
G6 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 47,000 miles
I thought I was alone...I know see how truly serious "our" problem is. This is a severe safety issue and one I am truly dismayed at the fact nothing has been done about. Many instances have I been cruising down the road and the power steering goes out. I am a fairly large guy and it is about all I can do to man handle the car to safe stopping point to "stop, turn off and restart"... kind of like a ctrl-alt-delete for your home computer. I can't imagine someones daughter or mother trying to pull these faulty cars over when caught by surprise. I'll be doing my fair share of calling and petitioning the powers that be. There was a gentlemen who posted a helpful statement Dealing with the "Magnuson-Moss Warranty act"... ...
..."One last thing. In the late 70s when GM was busy trying to get out from under yet another problem, the catastrophic diesel engine failure liability, congress passed a bill to protect the consumer from these calculated failures by industry. The bill that they passed, most likely in honor of GM was called the Magnuson-Moss Act. This act was as I understand it, passed with the blessings of the lobby from the auto industries of the USA asking that this not be made public. The act in a nutshell states that if any item fails earlier than a what would reasonable life time, Compared to other products in that class, and regardless of the number of owners prior to the failure, the manufacture would be expected, regardless of warranty agreements, for reinstating the product to operational status. The only catch is that they do not have to tell you that this is available. The consumer must seek out this service. Most dealers do not know about it so you must contact factory reps to explain it to them. If they blow you off, tell them you are going to contact the Federal Exchange commission. They will likely change their tune because I understand the fines are pretty stiff."... Here is a little more explanation of that act. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson-Moss_Warranty_Act
Lets keep this going and get something done about this life threatening issue.
2009Jul 24
G6
- Automatic transmission
- 27,000 miles
My problem start with a power steering warning light but the steering didn't change. I took the car in as soon as I notice the warning. The mechanic could not find a problem but he said he fixed it by changing a battery. Two weeks later as I was driving the warning light came on again. This time the steering was hard to turn. I freaked out and nearly created a major accident. The next day I cranked the car up and the steering was fine. I took it to the shop and explained what happened again they said that they fixed it. I It's not fixed. I will go back tomorrow with the same complaint an I will again suggest that they google for information to resolve my problem.
2009Jul 27
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 73,940 miles
I got in my car after work one day and noticed my steering felt off, as if I possibly had a low or flat tire. So before getting on the interstate, I stopped and checked all tires and had no problem so thought maybe it was my imagination. I proceeded onto the interstate and noticed the problem getting worse, my steering wheel would get tight and jerk to one side and then the other. I was very frightened and felt as if I was going to lose the steering all together and shoot under a tractor trailer or across a lane of traffic. I was meeting a friend to pick up my kids and was too afraid to get back on the interstate with my children in the car.
After the kids got in the car and I started the car again the steering wheel started jerking back and forth very quickly on its own. I took the car to my local repair man who drove the car and of course it didn't do any of these things, but he stated it did feel tight when he moved it back and forth so he put it on his lift and checked everything and said all looked fine and nothing was loose. I drove the car home and later that night had to go back out and the problem started again.
I took it to the local GM dealership the next day and was told they tightened something in the steering wheel but found no problems. As soon as I left there it started again. I returned the car there 2 days later and they kept it overnight when I went to get it I was again told they could find no problems and of course when they drove it the car didn't do this but the steering wheel did jerk back and forth when they were at a stop.
I feel like everyone thinks I'm crazy because the problem doesn't happen all the time and of course apparently doesn't happen when any of the repairmen drive it. But my boyfriend did finally feel it yesterday and is very upset about me being on the interstate in the car, it's at times very hard to control. He came across the complaints on this page and now that I've read them, I am even more frightened to drive my car but what am I to do? I have to work and have no other way of getting there.
I am again supposed to take the car to the GM dealer tomorrow but I don't see any resolution unless they do replace the power steering rack which I don't feel I should have to pay for seeing how many complaints this car has had on this same issue. It's no wonder GM is about to go under. Customers don't want to help a dealer that won't help their customers!! There needs to be a recall on this car for this issue!!!
2005Aug 22
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 3,500 miles
Only a few mos after we purchased our G-6, I was driving around 60 mph when the car whipped to the center line and was jerking/dragging us down the road with the steering wheel completely immovable. I was hanging onto it, pulling down to try to get it back in the right lane, but it would not break free. The dealer said they could find nothing wrong with it, GMC said they could do nothing and even after NHTSA reviewed everything, there still has been no recall. It sat for 3 mos because I was too afraid to drive it, but I could not afford to pay for a car I could not use. The steering still does random and weird things which is unnerving after the first incident. There is a clunk when you turn the wheel. The wheel turns real loose and then tightens up randomly while driving.... and many other issues. I had little confidence of that my situation would be handled before (which it was not) and now with the govt. taking over I have far less.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Apr 22
G6 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 36,400 miles
I think GM needs to re-open a closed investigation that was in the Detroit paper in April 2007 on the power steering problems for the 2006 G6. Around 36,000 miles I had to change my steering rack and now at 103,000 (3,000 miles after my extended warranty went out) my steering motor and module needs to be changed. My steering wheel was shaking so bad while I was driving it, I thought I had a flat tire. This is a safety issue when this happens while driving, because the steering stiffens up and you have to fight with both hands to get it off the road. I have contacted GM (1-800-620-7668) and of course, nothing they can do to help me. I have also added a compaint on NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or www.nhtsa.dot.gov, along with 171 other people.
2009May 19
G6
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
Whenever I back out or do sharp corners my power steering locks up on me. I then have to stop where ever I am and I have to restart my car to reset it. When I turn the steering column makes a weird click. We have only had this car a year (bought used) and it now has 64,000 miles on it. This car is a piece of sh*t.
2009Feb 06
G6 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
I thought I had was going crazy. For the past couple of months I have sensed my steering was a little iffy at times but I thought it was just me. I got my car in July 07 and I have felt vibrations and heard the clunking noise when I turned. I even have had the steering react stiffly when turning left and remarkably loose when turning right especially if I was braking will driving down hill.I thought I was imagining things but after reading many other G6 owner's complaints where I have experienced most of these symptoms I see that it is not just me and something on GM's behalf should be done like a recall. I plan to make a formal complaint to GM and hopefully they will remedy the situation before this negligent against safety causes one or more families unnecessary grief from a problem that is known about but the car company was too ignorant to anything about.
2009Jun 08
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,100 miles
After months of having my car make a clunk noise when making turns, my steering wheel began to have a lot of play when turning to the left, and was harder to turn to the right. Also when i came to a stop the steering wheel moved back and forth on its own. Power steering electric motor was shot. $830 bucks later. Also have had lots of brake (rotors, bearings) replaced twice already....this car is a piece of junk
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 05
G6
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
I have had many problems with this car...power windows, key fobs, tie rods, brakes and now the power steering. Nothing has been covered by my "warranty".
The car is cute but sucks. Dangerous to drive. This is LAST GM vehicle I WILL EVER BUY!
Hello Ford Fusion in September!
Good riddance to Pontiac.
2009May 13
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
As other posts have mentioned. Power Steering Alert came on. Couldn't find PS unit under hood. Took to dealer. They said I had a faulty sensor but the only way to fix it was to replace the entire column. Cost $750. Paid my $85 diagnostic fee and left. Will begin to budget for expense. Hope I don't kill someone or get killed before I can afford to get it fixed. Even though my car only has 53,000 miles, they said it was not covered under my warranty.
2009Jan 04
G6 Sedan
- Automatic transmission
- 104,022 miles
I been having problem with the power steering on my Pontiac for a couple of months now. It will stiffen the steering wheel whenever i go to make a turn. I have had several mechanic look at it. Have even went as far as putting a brand new rack on and also the motor in which the power steering is suppose to be control by. That lasted about a week and then begin to act up again. I contacted GM and was told that there is nothing can be done unless more people call and complain about the same issue. So if you are having problem with the power steering, please contact GM at 1800-620-7668 or NHTSA at 1888-327-42336 so that this problem can be looked in more. It is no used to continue to waste your time complaining on these forums. You need to complain to the main folks that can actually recall this problem.
2009Mar 16
G6 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 36,000 miles
I occasionally get a warning in my display when I start my Pontiac G6. I went to get it serviced and it appears that there is no place to add fluid. I first got the error in my display 36 miles after the warranty ran out. I called Pontiac and they basically said "tough". They would not even give me any information on how to fix the issue unless I came in and paid over $100 to let them troubleshoot it. Pardon my language, but Pontiac Customer Service SUCKS!!!!!!!
2009Mar 05
G6 3.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 180,000 miles
The Pontiac G6 is a very sexy, comfortable ride to have. BUT (and there is always a but)... the power steering reservoir on the 2006 model is not located in sight under the hood at all. NOT even in the manual. But for some reason, a genius put a POWER STEERING warning inside the car as if that bull$h!t works. I call my wifes' dealership and they can locate the power steering reservoir on the 2007 and 2008 models, but can't on the 2006...what type of $h!t is that?!? I'm glad to be able to say the G6 did a very good job on screwing us out of our hard earned money.
Also, let me add to all 2006 G6 users... Take that junk back and get a 2007 or 2008, and if it makes you feel any better find a new make altogether. Recalls take too long, warranties are full of it, and we are in a recession.
2009Feb 14
G6 GT 3.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
I contacted Pontiac and they won't pay for it. This has been all over the internet about tons of people with the same power steering problem, but no effing recall. How many people are going to have to die from this for Pontiac to wake up and admit they're at fault finally? I talked to GM directly, and they said that I had to bring my car to get diagnosed at a dealership (money out of my own pocket) then they would discuss and debate if they would pay for the repair. So I paid $110 to get it diagnosed, and the dealership said it was going to cost about $750, parts and labor. GM then talked to the dealership and like 2 phone calls later, the gm representative she said that they're not going to pay for it because when it was under warranty I never complained about steering issues
Not only did I not get it fixed, I had to give them $110 to tell me what I already knew and GM is making me eat it! Everybody I see that says "nice car" and asks if they should get one I tell not to wast their money since Pontiac doesn't care about their customers and this car has problem after problem. Basically, I told the GM representative after talking to her that you just lost a customer and hung up on her; screw Pontiac because that's all they did to me.
2009Mar 01
G6 GT 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 59,000 miles
click to see larger images
Complaint Photos
Ok people, I have been looking online at all the complaints on the G6 steering, and NOW, It finally got somebody, ME!!! As you can see from the pictures the car is in a mess and all because the power steering went out, The car went out of control and spun around in the road and hit a culvert! I called GM/Pontiac and reported this. today a GM inspector came to the body shop and took all the data to send to the Engineers at GM for a determination. I'll probably lose that battle BUT!!!! I will win the war. I am going to sue them because they have known about this problem since 2005, when the electronic steering came out, and have done nothing about it to this day. To me that shows negligence. I have retained a lawyer and am actively seeking suit. Maybe this will get GM's attention for this ongoing problem EVERYONE is having! more to come.
2009Feb 07
G6
- Automatic transmission
- 34,000 miles
So as comforting as it is to know that I'm not the only one with this problem, I would prefer that this wasn't the case. My power steering warning sensor light came on as I was pulling out of my apartment parking lot. I could feel the steering wheel tighten up and had to struggle to pull it back into my parking spot. I decided to take the bus instead that day and try to figure out what was wrong later. After going on the internet I noticed that many G6 users had stated similar complaints. I went back to my car the next day and the problem seemed to had vanished. I was silently cheering that maybe it was just a glitch and I was problem free. Not so, while leaving the grocery store I went over a speed bump and the problem was triggered all over again. At first my steering felt very loose and strange for about 100 meters, then it became very tight and difficult to steer, the power steering had went out again and I drove it home this way, struggling at every turn. It requires a lot of torque to turn the wheel an I'm guessing this is just as hard on the steering column as it is on me.
Hearing how much this problem costs to fix I haven't taken my car in because it is an extra expense I don't feel like dealing with, especially since it was not my fault in the first place. I live right on a bus route and have been taking public transit and avoiding my car because I am afraid to get in it and loose my steering again. (I prefer the bus anyway because I feel like I am helping the environment, but it's difficult to take it everywhere I go and definitely more time consuming and less convenient for things like laundry, groceries, and household shopping).
Anyway, I guess I will take my car in this week or next week to try and have it fixed. The problem is, how do I know that this will permanently eliminate the steering issue and I won't be back at the shop in a couple weeks/months? Also, I am afraid to get behind the wheel. loose my steering, and potentially cause an accident. It makes me extremely nervous. Come on GM get it together. No wonder your company is falling apart. I miss my Nissan :(
2009Jan 01
G6 GT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 68,000 miles
I've been having the clunky noises when turning the wheel and also the loose steering when turning and also now a vibration in the steering wheel when turning and pulling out. Also just had a new transmission (rebuilt) put in last week. Took it to the dealer twice for steering issues. Supposedly fixed it. Now power steering message came on last evening and lost steering as I was backing out of a parking lot. Turned it off and back on and it reset itself (at least I made it home safely). After reading everyone's same issues, it is starting to scare me to even drive it - afraid it will turn off while driving on the highway. It is going back to the shop today and it better get fixed. I've always had a Pontiac and swore by them. Now I'm hesitant to EVER buy another one.
2009Jan 13
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 6,500 miles
Someone please help us with this power steering problem. It's not right I am talking about the Pontiac and GM Companies. It's not the consumers problem that this is happening, What is going to be bad is when someone is driving their Pontiac G6 and the steering locks up on them and it ends up killing the driver or someone else. Then there will be a big law suit. And it will really be bad that it would have to come to that before they take action to fix the problem.
2008Dec 01
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Well let's see where do I start? I took my car into the dealership recently, the same dealership where we purchased it at (1 1 1/2 years ago) because it was making a weird popping noise when I turned the wheels either way, not just left or right but both ways, so we thought okay maybe a strut problem? The dealership with their "GM Certified Mechanics" said they found nothing wrong and couldn't hear the noise I had spoke of (maybe they had left there hearing aid at home?)So I took my car and made it oh about 10 miles down the road and guess what I heard when I exited off the interstate...You guessed it...That popping sound the car hade made previously...Well here I am a couple of months later and guess what I start my car up, go to back out of my driveway (which by the way is straight) and low and behold guess what...I can't do anything with my steering wheel, okay I turn the car off and then on again, and it's fine (thankfully)...I start down the road and boom boom, power steering goes out, so I pull to the edge of the road and shut the car off, and then turn it back on, it's fine, so I call up that same lovely GM dealership who sold me this car and say I am having the same popping noise and now my power steering is failing on a regular basis, can you help me with a solution to this problem, this is what I hear from the lovely GM dealership...I'm sorry you are having this problem, however it is not covered under your power train warranty and it can cost from $700-$2000 to fix it. However I should inform you this has become quiet the problem with this particular car...What great news! (not). So my husband contacted Pontiac directly to find out just how serious of an issue this was and he was informed that yes, in fact Pontiac & GM are quiet aware of this problem, and there have been several accidents, with injuries noted, because of this exact problem. So now we are working with Pontiac to see if I can get my car fixed and how much it will cost, personally I think that GM should issue a safety alert and recall this immediately before something unspeakable happens to someone, but I guess they are to busy up in Washington trying to get some more money to bail them out, who knows. This has been my 3rd Pontiac and my last Pontiac. I will buy a foreign made car or buy a truck before I purchase another Pontiac. They are supposed to be safe, reliable, and well built, well they never offered me any Vaseline when they told me that either! I am just disgusted at the way American made automobiles have gotten, they are cheap, very unpredictable, and once you sign the dotted line to purchase all the niceness and friendliness and the courteousness goes away and out pop the biggest fangs you ever seen in your entire life! Once again, they wander why so many American companies are going under, well my opinion is this when you buy something you expect the company to stand behind it, like they say they will, and as soon as you have a problem they are like show me the money, or here let's trad for another GM product (that's most likely no better) and let's see if I can get you into another car for $100 or so more a month. Yeah they take you from $400 a month, plus the repair bills to oh, I don't know $500 or so a month and the repair bills? I am absolutely outraged! I
2008Dec 14
G6 LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
Well times are tuff out here in the real world and when you and i are spending more than $400 a month on a car note you expect that the car would last as long as your term right? well i was wrong i searched for my powersteering under the hood when i almost killed myself and my brother on the highway when i was changing lanes and i couldn't steer my car in the lane which i was turning into. no instead i had to slam on the horn to warn the car next to me and luckily the semi-truck behind him noticed that i was in a world of hurt and slammed on his breaks. now i was upset then but im really pissed off now. what in the hell are the big wig assholes problem that they knew about this before this happened and now that i was seriously an instant away from killing myself, my brother, the family next to me and possibly the guy in the truck behind me. well Pontiac, GM you guys now have a problem that you cant ignore anymore
2008Jun 06
G6 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
I got my G6 in March of 07. It only had like 31,000 miles. I fell in love with the car immediately. Fast forward a little over a year and all of a sudden my power steering goes out. But it only went out every once in awhile. Well, I had no idea it didn't take fluid, so I go to Autozone and me and the 2 of the employees spent 30 minutes looking under the hood for a place to put fluid in. They give up and told me to take it to a Pontiac dealer. Well, I did and they said, "Oh it dont take fluid, it's electrical." what?? Anyway, I asked how much it might run me and they told me that a number of things couldve caused it so they don't know. Well a couple months later, it started going out ALL the time, but only when I made right turns. To make a long story short, we gave the car back because I was paying almost $400.00 a month for a car that was so difficult to fix. The air compressor also somehow got busted and it's never been wrecked and that would've cost me about $800.00 to fix. I have an Oldsmobile Intrigue now.
2008Dec 03
G6 3.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 49,535 miles
WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!! The Pontiac G6 Steering if faulty and could result in a death if not fixed in a timely manner. GM Engineers have to be aware of this!! I thought I was the only individual with this problem. I thought maybe I needed to add power steering fluid to my vehicle, but when I could not find the reservoir in the car or location of it in the operators manual. That is when I decided to look online and find that I am NOT the only one!!! This is disturbing to me that GM is letting this happen to the public's safety. I feel that it would be a cheaper fix to find the problem now and repair it than to wait until a grieving family sues and brings CNN into this (Remember what happened to Ford,,,,GM?). I have a note just like many of you out there, but freaks me out when I know that I have to be prepared to crash every time I drive in traffic (Guess who is at fault there GM!!) try explaining that to the investigating officer. I get the ticket and points on my record then left stranded on the road without a vehicle from GM's neglect. GM YOU NEED TO FIX THIS NOW before its a larger issue than your CEO's retirement!!
2008Oct 01
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
Same complaint as the others on this board regarding a power steering failure in the G6. The wheel locks up so tightly, it takes some major muscle just to steer the car out of harms way. You then have to shut the engine off and restart the car in order for the power steering to reset itself. I've had to do this maneuver in some serious traffic on more than one occasion. Finally took it in to the dealer and they said it was a faulty torque sensor. Apparently the sensor itself can't be replaced and a new steering column had to be installed - for a tidy $900. After all that, the steering still is horrible on this car. Unfortunately, until someone gets seriously injured, it's apparent GM will never acknowledge this is a huge problem with this car. Sorry Detroit, I've bought my last car from you guys - you just don't get it!
2008Sep 27
G6 Vg
- Automatic transmission
- 37,000 miles
I took my Pontiac G6 in today for an oil change and to have my breaks looked at because over the last couple of weeks the rear breaks had been making a grinding noise as I slowed or turned. Well it turns out I needed the rotors and breaks replaced for roughly $415. During the inspection I stayed out where the cars are being worked on to make sure things were legit. I noticed a coupk of mechanics looking at the front tires and eventually asked me if I had problems steering.
I said yes. I mostly notice it when I am going down hill. As I am breaking the car begins to shake and if I slightly move my hands from the wheel the car quickly turns left. The mechanic said he noticed right away when he got into my car that when he tried to turn right the car had so much power and turned left. I continued to watch them examine my car; they tried turning the wheels manually then the steering wheel. We all were able to see that the car does not lock when it is being turned to the right, it just spins back to the left with so much force. They told me that since they do not specialize in Pontiacs that I should take it in to Pontiac to have it looked at. I became worried when they said there may be a recall on it and that they would do some research to see. I purchased this car 06/2006 and it barely has 37,000 mile on it. I have three kids that I transport in this car daily and now i do not want to drive it home.
At about the 30,000 mile mark I had to have the car towed into the dealership. i made a 5 minute stop at Starbucks and when I went back to the car it wouldn't start. No my lights were not left on at all. I had already been to my morning appointments without any problems. It turned out to be the battery which was covered under warranty. Even now the car will start and the n quickly shut off. Sometime i attempt to start the car three times before i can get going. I know it has something to do with the starter.
2008Sep 01
G6 4
- Automatic transmission
- 51,000 miles
While driving my car to work my steering went out all together, I am lucky I was on a side street where I did not hit anything, I took it to a mechanic today and was told even though there is multiple complaints regarding the power steering being faulty in the 2006 G6 models it was not recall worthy or covered under any warranty, They went on to say it was approx $1200 to repair and it needed done in order to be able to drive car, I called General Motors and filed a complaint not seeing that it will do me any good but worth a try, This is my first GM car and will be my last, You can visit multiple sites and find where many G6 owners are having the same problem with the power steering, obviously GM Pontiac needs to look into this again and recall this and fix it before someone gets seriously hurt, I should not have $1200 worth of mechanical work on a car barely 2 yrs old with 51000 miles!
Update from Jun 6, 2009: I filed a complaint about my power steering on my G6. I have learned so much about this electrical power steering and I even had family members who WORKED at General Motors tell me I didn't know what I was talking about when referring to the power steering using a 80amp fuse! I guess because I am a woman and shouldn't know so much. I said earlier in another complaint that I filed a complaint with GM Pontiac about this issue. I heard back today that the work would be covered and I am only responsible for a fraction (approx $200) instead of the original quote of $1200-1300! So I am pleased and taking it Monday to get fixed. I do hope this fixes the problem and I don't have to deal with this power steering again. I did inform them that on multiple websites feature ppl with the same problem. I do believe this needs to be recalled and hopefully they handle this. So if you are having the same problem it could be beneficial to call GM and complain. I was covered under NO warranty so I am pleased.
2008Aug 03
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 59,000 miles
I bought the car at the end of June 2008 and have already had multiple problems with (related to what I believe is the dealer doing a crap job on checking the car before they handed it over). I've had to bring the vehicle to the dealership 3 times over the past 2 months. The power steering has been acting up over the past few weeks but went out completely this past Sunday night while driving home. Lucky for me, someone was in the car with me and I was able to pull over quickly. The car beeped (like it does when you don't have your seatbelt on or the gas is low) and then "Power Steering" flashed on the radio screen. I did not know that this car had electronic power steering at the time. Ended up having to drive it home (15+ miles away) and then took it into the dealership where I bought the car (2 months ago).
They told me it is a torque sensor in the steering column that is bent and needs to be replaced....Lucky me they have the part in stock but want to charge me $656 for the part, labor and just to look at my car. This is supposed to be a CERTIFIED vehicle. They will not budge with me. I have had numerous problems with this car and dealership and am about at my wits end. I have paid almost $1000 on this car since I bought it 2 months ago, not counting the down payment and car payments.
So if you are having a problem with your power steering ask them to check the Torque (sp?) sensor in the steering column.
2008Feb 15
G6 Sedan 3.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I love my G6! I love the way it handles and looks. I hate the power steering issue. Apparently tons of people are having the exact same problem. The only difference I seem to notice is everyone else's problem happens when they turn to the left. Mine occurs when I have to make a 90 degree right turn. My car makes that dinging noise and the dash reads "power steering". The power steering goes completely out at that moment and I am forced to use what little upper body muscles I have. I have almost hit someones mailbox and taken out a few trees. If something doesn't get done about this issue fast, there will be many wrecks and ,God forbid, fatalities. This shouldn't be a money issue for the NHTSA, it should be a safety issue.
2008May 08
G6 GT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 69,200 miles
I'm not sure what caused the power steering to be faulty,but on the message indicator the words "power steering" did appear. Not sure what to do, I turned the vehicle off for about 5 minutes & when I turned it back on, it was fine. I went by the GM dealership & was advised that the power steering was electrical which in my eyes is a way to get more money out of the consumer because when I purchased the vehicle there was nothing listed as the power steering being electrical. Maybe there should be a recall so the dealership will have to be responsible. But of course if the problem is not covered under warranty, the dealership will be happy to help you because they can jack the price up. Sometimes I hate I have a Pontiac. After this vehicle I will never get another one!
2008Apr 09
G6
- Automatic transmission
- 68,124 miles
After researching this problem online and seeing that many had the same issue. I think Pontiac need to make a recall. I was almost hit when the power steering went out as I pulled into traffic.
2007Oct 15
G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 35,000 miles
I am paying a $400 car payment on a car that has been at the dealership at least once a month for the past 4 months. First it was the rack and pinion (whatever that is), then it was the steering column had to be replaced, then it was the tie rod and struts, and NOW it is the same noise in the frnt end from when they did the tie rod and struts that is back again. It is really sad that when you take your car into a dealership and a SERVICE ADVISER tells you they have no clue what is going on and they are just putting parts on your car til they can figure it out. Well let me just say that if I have a accident and something happens to me or my child don't think I wont go after the dealership that sold me the car as well as GM for not getting recalls out. What the crap is a "silent bulletin" there should be NO SUCH thing. When something needs fied on a car they need to notify ALL owners and not wait for us to come in to the dealership with the problem. Never again will I buy a GM car or truck!!!!!!!!!
2007Apr 01
G6 GT Sedan 3.5L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 23,000 miles
one time the steering locked up i couldn't turn to left
2007Dec 01
G6 4 Door 3.5L
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
The car has 53000 miles and this is the 4th rack installed. It is past the warranty and the new rack is warrantied for 11000 miles. It can't even make it past that!.
GM your true to your history. First the Corvair, which leaked oil on the showroom floors, then the Vega with that creative aluminum engine that swapped pistons within 40,000 miles. Then came the imaginative GM Diesel. Engineers decided that it would be sufficient to use a standard gasoline block and convert it. Yet another bad engineering choice. Oh, and then there was the conversion to latex primer which was witness to 12 years of rusting rattling pickups collapsing as they clunked down the road. Eventually they came around to correcting the 12 year old problem, with galvanizing, but they were unable to make paint stick to it. Then came the decade (I thought) long problem with the steering racks devouring themselves on the J 2000, J6000, and Citations. I had had enough. I bought nothing but foreign cars. A few years ago I returned to the American car market when I bought a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix. It went into the shop 3 times to have the plastic intake manifold replaced because water was in the oil. Then with the at the ripe old age of 5, with a whopping 73000 miles on it, I wisely traded ot off before the moaning transmission gave out. The problem? I invested in GM's future by buying the first G6 available to my state. A totally loaded $28000 car, was what seemed to be a perfect balance of Styling, handling, power when you needed it, and smart interior appointments. After only 15000 miles the honeymoon was about to end. The first problems with the steering rack made their day beau. Now with 53000 miles on the car she went in for her 4th rack today. Wait a minute! Didn't I have this problem with my 81 citation? Typical GM. Get it on the road and let the customers sort out the problems. After 26 years, they still have not got around to fixing that pesky old rack problem. Maybe they need 26 more years to come up with an answer.
I have the answer GM. Fire all of your bean counters. They are losing all of your beans and I am one of them. Then fire your engineers. They should be designing egg beaters or sewing machines. They are trying to save you money by making everything last only until warranty is up. Most people buy new cars because they are tired of the old one. You won't lose sales if you make a dependable car. Toyota hasn't. Now, hire people who feel that quality is more important than profit. And people who have some kinf of interest in cars. I think after the general public figures this out, that you are building a BETTER PRODUCT they will eventually come back as I tried to do when you failed me. (Again) Patriotism only goes so far until I figured out that me being patriotic is not making GM act any more patriotic. It's still all about money to them. No loyalty to us. The engineers were expected to design equipment to last only through the warranty period but not too far beyond. The trouble is that the foreign companies did not sign on to this plan. They built long lasting low maintenance cars, and it in turn made the US companies look inferior. People started buying for quality. Yes, there was a market for long lasting vehicles! What they did not make in parts, they more than made up for in new vehicle sales. GM has still never caught on to this concept. Well it is all about money to me also. I quit! Maybe I'll try an Audi again. I owned one in the 80s when I was less patriotic, and it ran like a Swiss watch or maybe a 57 Chevy
One last thing. In the late 70s when GM was busy trying to get out from under yet another problem, the catastrophic diesel engine failure liability, congress passed a bill to protect the consumer from these calculated failures by industry. The bill that they passed, most likely in honor of GM was called the Magnuson-Moss Act. This act was as I understand it, passed with the blessings of the lobby from the auto industries of the USA asking that this not be made public. The act in a nutshell states that if any item fails earlier than a what would reasonable life time, Compared to other products in that class, and regardless of the number of owners prior to the failure, the manufacture would be expected, regardless of warranty agreements, for reinstating the product to operational status. The only catch is that they do not have to tell you that this is available. The consumer must seek out this service. Most dealers do not know about it so you must contact factory reps to explain it to them. If they blow you off, tell them you are going to contact the Federal Exchange commission. They will likely change their tune because I understand the fines are pretty stiff.
2007Sep 05
(reported on)G6 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 44,000 miles
I got in my car and noticed that when I turned the steering wheel to the left, it was really tight. When I turned it to the right, it was so loose I had to be careful not to lose control of the vehicle. Also, after getting in the car once, the display read Power Steering and the the wheel would not turn at all. I turned the car off and back on again and it reset itself, I guess. I will have to wait to trade it in, but I won't buy another American made car. This is my second Pontiac because I love them, but I have to let them go.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 17
G6 V6
I've had my car for a bit over a year and sad to say it was a big mistake. I drove off one morning to move my car because they were doing street cleaning that day. When I pulled out of my parking spot I noticed the steering wheel was a bit tight but payed no mind to it. I went around the block and it seemed fine once I stopped to park it. The steering wheel was very hard to turn and then it would randomly easily turn and then lock. I put it on park to see what the problem was and tried turning it left and right and that didn't do much. I managed to finish parking the car trying really hard to turn the wheel. This is very frustrating and dangerous. Thankfully I was not on the highway when this happened. I agree that this car should have a recall by GM. Very disappointed.
dinag
North Bergen, NJ, USA
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