NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 22 of 57)

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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:
51 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
30 / 1
Average Mileage:
75,713 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 22 of 57)

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problem #707

Jan 032014

G6

  • 85,000 miles

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

Electrical power steering goes out periodically when it gets very cold outside. This has been occurring for sometime now. If the temperature gets close to freezing outside the power steering shuts off a few after I first start up the vehicle and if I make very sharp turns it goes out. I never experience this issue when its warm outside. GM should be responsible for repairing this no matter if your vehicle is past 70000 miles. They failed by making and electrical power steering system in these year models which obviously they realized was a problem since the 2007 models have the traditional power steering pump.

- Irving, TX, USA

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problem #706

Nov 282013

G6 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
Steering wheel started jerking and then power steering went out. Had to shut the car off several times to get it back on and now it does it daily. Needs repaired and I just found out today that there may be a special warranty to get it repaired. The mileage at the time my not be exact because I really didn't look at that at the time.

- Sistersville, WV, USA

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problem #705

Oct 282013

G6 6-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
I was driving down watt avenue and suddenly my power steering went out. I was unable to regain control of the wheel but thankfully I was just going straight and not turning. The problem has since gone away but this is a very dangerous incident that occurred and I suspect it will happen again. I have conducted research online to see if this has happened to other drivers, driving a Pontiac vehicle and it has happened numerous times. I believe there should be a recall on the power steering within this vehicle and I urge the NHTSA to follow up again on their investigation a few years ago and demand a recall on the power steering for this model and year. Considering the power steering was built into the transmission, this is a very serious problem that can't just be fixed by adding power steering fluid. If the NHTSA does not do anything about this serious problem and issue a possible recall, there will be more accidents and some may end up fatal.

- Antelope, CA, USA

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problem #704

Oct 102013

G6

  • 137,000 miles

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

Upon starting car there was a chime and "power steering" message on dash display. Vehicle extremely difficult to operate/control as the steering is heavy--no power at all. Parking and turning at low speed nearly impossible. Took it to the dealer today for steering column replacement per tsb. Was told by dealer this failed to correct the issue and that it might be the ps motor. Am being told the ps motor is not covered by tsb, nor is the diagnostic fee, but GM should cover as I've seen numerous complaints in forums.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

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problem #703

Nov 192013

G6 6-cyl

  • 126,049 miles
Had the car check because the power steering light came on, couldn't detect. Now it's doing the same thing and the power steering went out for a few seconds. Put the car in park, turned it off and the power returned once the car was back on. Today, November 19, 2013, the power steering light flashed again. I recalled getting a letter a while back, if there is something wrong with the power steering why didn't they just do a recall. In the event you have to get this problem fixed then you can submit a claim form. Why didn't they just recall the car. I have my car since 2005 and it has been service on a regular basics to assure that it is in property working conditions. I've kept the oil change, brake repairs, etc. Now the steering is giving a problem.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

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problem #702

Nov 062013

G6

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, there was a sudden loss of power steering assist with the illumination of the warning indicator. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who replaced the steering column however, the failure persisted after the repair was performed. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

- Hollis, NY, USA

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problem #701

Nov 082013

G6

  • 165,426 miles

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

The contact owns 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated the steering wheel locked while approaching a stop light. The power steering light illuminated and the radio alarm beeped when the failure occurred. The contact was able to shut the engine off restart the vehice and resume driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 165,426.

- Decatur , GA, USA

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problem #700

Aug 222013

G6 6-cyl

  • 74,397 miles
As I was exiting on to an off ramp the steering locked up and I lost control momentarily at the same time not being able to slow down. The car eventually spun out and slowed down on its own. Then I waited and started it back up and it went.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

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problem #699

Oct 042013

G6

  • 145,000 miles
Power steering loss has been experienced twice in the past nine days. An audible chime sounds and the dic indicates power steering. Steering became very rigid and I swerved into oncoming traffic as I was not prepared for the loss. Shut the car off, started it again and it seems fine. First time it happened, nine days ago same thing. Shut it off, started it again and it was fine for a week then it did the same thing again. Took picture of dic to date stamp the incident.

- Welland, NY, USA

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problem #698

Oct 062013

G6 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
I bought this car for my 16 year old daughter. There are a few common electrical problems all connected to the steering column apparently. It started with the key not wanting to move, first to start the car and then not being able to get the key out of the ignition. The radio fails intermittently. The latest is that the power assist steering fails intermittently. Extremely dangerous! sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I've researched different sites and it seems to be a huge problem and connected to the electrical problems in the steering column. I'm told by mechanics it is a problem in almost all G-6's in 2006-2007 that have the power assist steering. Since it is such a safety issue, why is it not being recalled?

- Box Elder, SD, USA

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problem #697

Sep 012013

G6

  • 175,000 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 the power steering warning light illuminated as he applied the brakes to a complete stop. The contact then accelerated to 25 mph and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had to jump-start the battery in order to start the engine. The contact proceeded to drive the vehicle but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 175,000.

- Paramount , CA, USA

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problem #696

Aug 262013

G6 6-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
Upon driving the G6, a popping noise began coming from the steering when turning the wheel. The noise is present when not moving, when moving at low to moderate speed while turning, and while going over bumps in the road. It appears to be related to the steering or intermediate shaft, which is a common problem and acknowledged problem by GM. Overtime, this can be a very large danger when steering is compromised.

- Rockledge, PA, USA

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problem #695

Aug 202013

G6 6-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
Steering wheel locked up while driving.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

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problem #694

Jul 052013

G6

  • 186,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while reversing from a drive way, the power steering failed and caused the steering wheel to tighten with the illumination of the power steering warning light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but the were unable to duplicate the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.

- Charolette, NC, USA

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problem #693

Aug 132013

G6 6-cyl

  • 78,854 miles
I was driving and pulling up to the turning lane to make a left turn when all of a sudden the car lost power steering and I nearly crashed into the fence of a corner house. Also has a problem a strong smell if gas after the car is shutoff and have been told it has a crack in the lines that run on top of the fuel tank and the smell is from gas leaking out of the crack an spraying the top if the tank. I have read online that many people have experienced both of these problems with their 2006 Pontiac G6.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

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problem #692

Jul 122013

G6 6-cyl

  • 95,800 miles
The problem initially started while sitting at a stop light. The steering wheel started jumping radically. I was able to control it better when I got up to speed. The steering wheel jerks no matter what speed I'm going but it seems that the slower speeds are the hardest to control. From what I've been reading this is an on going problem with this make/model. This condition presents a safety hazard that needs to be addressed.

- Layton, UT, USA

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problem #691

Aug 072013

G6

  • 55,158 miles
A chime was followed by "power steering" displayed on the dash. This has happened every time I start the car within the first 3-15 miles. I called the local GM dealer who said to bring the car to their service department and that it would cost $110 to analyze the problem. I found that GM has recalled this make, model and year. When is this going to happen in the United States?

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

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problem #690

Aug 032013

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
This is the 2nd time I have had a problem with my steering wheel jamming up while the car is in motion on the highway, which is a very scary ordeal.the 1st time it happened I almost hit a city bus and had mi infant in the car. Called GM which advised me if it was the steering column assembly which they fixed in April 2013 now it August 2013 in im having the same problem I was on the highway in my steering wheel locked up on me out of no where, I was going 65mph which steering the car was very difficult to do while other cars are going at a fast rate I was scared for my life. Called GM once again had my car taken to a shop now I was told it was the motor in the steering wheel and that is not covered or on recall.. I have seen so many complaints about this same problem over the internet and GM has not done anything about it... GM wont do something until someone dies. But I will be going to the BBB, help me [xxx] and starting a petition something must be done so I will take matters into my own hands. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

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problem #689

Apr 052013

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
This is the 2nd time I have had a problem with my steering wheel jamming up while the car is in motion on the highway, which is a very scary ordeal.the 1st time it happened I almost hit a city bus and had mi infant in the car. Called GM which advised me if it was the steering column assembly which they fixed in April 2013 now it August 2013 in im having the same problem I was on the highway in my steering wheel locked up on me out of no where, I was going 65mph which steering the car was very difficult to do while other cars are going at a fast rate I was scared for my life. Called GM once again had my car taken to a shop now I was told it was the motor in the steering wheel and that is not covered or on recall.. I have seen so many complaints about this same problem over the internet and GM has not done anything about it... GM wont do something until someone dies. But I will be going to the BBB, help me [xxx] and starting a petition something must be done so I will take matters into my own hands. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

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problem #688

Jul 222013

G6

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65-70 mph, the power steering assist failed and the power steering warning light illuminated after the failure. The contact was able to keep the steering wheel under control. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 120,000.

- Sheridan , CA, USA

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