NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 26 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 26 of 57)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #627

May 012012

G6

  • 117,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stopped and shut off the vehicle. After restarting, the vehicle regained power steering abilities. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there was an extended warranty for the failure but the vehicle exceeded the mileage limit. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

- Hancock, MN, USA

problem #626

Dec 142011

G6

  • 99,000 miles
Loss of power steering which occurred at least 5 times while in reverse. The last time this occurred was in drive while entering the expressway. With each occurrence there was a warning chime and "power steering" was on the radio display. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering would recover.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #625

Jul 132009

G6 6-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
The power steering failed for the first time in the summer of 2009. Whenever the weather is warmer than 65 degrees, the power steering fails repeatedly. Every time we've tried bringing the vehicle in for repair at our nearest Pontiac dealership in union, NJ we were told that nothing could be done and every repair would just result in a return for the same issue every 6 months.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #624

Mar 302012

G6

  • 50,000 miles

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

Power steering locked up. Dealer told me it was the motor and they would fix for free then called back 2 days later to say that it wasn't that motor, it was the module. Now we are responsible for fixing this even though this is obviously a manufacture default.

- Whitehouse, NJ, USA

problem #623

Oct 152008

G6 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
Power steering stop working, had it replace by a GMC dealer. After a few months it would go out again. This time it would work by resetting it. In Feb. Of 2009 started failing again for hours at a time sometimes a day or two. It was replace after an accident to car. It continued to go in and out at certain periods of time. Now March of 2012 it is completely out. All they want to do is change the whole unit out. I feel to believe that either the parts are defective or the dealers are out to cash in. Can somebody contact me about this matter. I think the only reason this hasn't been taken care of because enough lives were not lost.

- Hammond, LA, USA

problem #622

Mar 192012

G6

  • 76,000 miles
As I was pulling into work, my car dinged three times, then power steering was flashed on my radio and my steering wheel locked up! unable to drive my car, I had it towed to a mechanic and the estimated repairs would cost $900! this is a horrible car, as this is just one of the few problems I am having with this vehicle. Every time I turn the steering wheel, something in the steering system is making it clank, and when I turn the wheel back it will clank again. If I am at a complete stop and have my hands off the steering wheel, when I apply the gas, the wheel will pull itself about half a turn to the left and as I pick up speed it will recenter itself. When I turn the wheel there is also a grinding noise. The struts have gone bad, which is $450 more, and there is a leak in the front left tire somewhere (not the tire itself, the mechanic told me it was leaking oil somewhere). This is my first GM car, and it will most certainly be my last.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #621

Mar 172012

G6 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

I was making a turn when my steering wheel stiffen and on my display panel power steering displayed on the screen. Every time I try to turn my steering wheel the message comes on the display panel and the steering wheel becomes tight making it very hard for me to make any turns.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #620

Mar 142012

G6

  • 65,400 miles
Was backing out of my driveway and realized I could not turn my steering wheel. It took all the strength I had to be able to get my car back into the driveway to park it. There are a lot of owners who are having this issue and I'm surprised there has not been a recall to fix this. I am very fortunate that it didn't happen while driving on the road with my children in the car. Help us get a recall for this dangerous issue.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #619

Sep 162011

G6

  • 96,000 miles
As I was casually driving within city limits, my power steering just stopped working. I pulled over and noticed that I was helpless because the power steering is electric and I could not add any fluid. After about 15 minutes or so the problem ended. About 7 months later, the power steering light has started coming on.

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #618

Jan 232012

G6 6-cyl

  • 99,873 miles
The first incident, I was driving and making a turn into my driveway and it became very difficult to turn the steering wheel. This happened another two times before the most recent incident. When I was driving down the highway, the power steering of the car completely quit. "power steering" flashed on the dash and it became very difficult to steer the car to safety.

- Ortonville, MI, USA

problem #617

Nov 242011

G6 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

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

Power steering went out, almost caused a fatal accident on the road. Heard about recalls for this but no GM dealership is accepting recalls for this vehicle about this specific problem. A quick search online and there are thousands of users having the same issue.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #616

Feb 272012

G6 4-cyl

  • 187,250 miles
I was backing out the garage when power steering got stiff and very difficult to steer.

- Mississauga, NY, USA

problem #615

Feb 152012

G6

  • 75 miles
Power steering quit working will driving... hard to turn and drive..

- Mccook Lake, SD, USA

problem #614

Feb 162012

G6

  • 80,000 miles
Power steering hose is rubbing against exhaust which now has made the powers steering hose to leak which could cause a fire if it hit the exhaust.

- Fargo, ND, USA

problem #613

Feb 162012

G6 6-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
I was driving 60mph when all of a sudden my steering locked up. I was on an interstate with traffic going 60-70 mph. My children were with me and I could not steer my G6 over to the shoulder. I had cars and semi's about hit me. Trust me, with all of the complaints about this and no recalls yet, if it is to happen and I get hurt I will sue GM! there are thousands of complaints over the same crap going on with these cars! you need to fix GM!

- Huntington, IN, USA

problem #612

Feb 102012

G6

  • 44,777 miles
I was driving on the freeway to get to school and Y power steering went out I could not control the car and I almost crashed to another car. I stopped the car turned it off and then turned it back on and then I could control the power steering. Is there any recalls on this car.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #611

Feb 082012

G6

  • miles
The steering becomes hard as a rock and I cant turn the wheel because it is so heavy. While I am on the highway my car shifts to the left, and I am afraid for my life. Why is there no recall on this. This is ridiculous.

- Peekskill, NY, USA

problem #610

Feb 132012

G6 4-cyl

  • 100,138 miles
Power steering failed as my daughter was backing out of driveway. I took her to school so I could get car checked out. Returned home and turned car off restarted and power steering was ok. Seeing numerous complaints on this issue. Was this isolated or will it happen again is there a recall from GM?

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #609

Jun 152011

G6

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact was driving 20 mph when the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off road while turning the steering wheel with extreme force. The vehicle would have to be turned off and back on so that the power steering would reset independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as the steering column, internal shaft and sensor needing repairs. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 109,000.

- Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #608

Dec 162010

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
Power steering goes out on my car several times aday. It has gone out on me while driving as fast as 40mph. This car is dangerous to drive. When it goes out I have to shut the car off before the power steering will start working again. Once it comes back on the steering does not feel right. When I try to steer to the right it is stiff when I steer to the right it is very loose. I have had this car for about 4 yrs. Loved it until I got afraid to drive it! also, what dummy came up with having the windshield wiper on the passenger side of the car stop right in the front of the driver? it is almost impossible to see out the window when it is raining..

- Foster, WV, USA

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