NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 42 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 42 of 57)

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problem #307

Jan 252010

G6 6-cyl

  • 54,511 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 5 mph the power steering wheel light came on and the steering wheel locked, once the engine was shut off and turned back on the vehicle functioned normally. The diagnostic code was S150. The failure has occurred 3 additional times. The failure mileage was 54,511 and the current mileage was 55,000. Updated 07/07/10.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

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problem #306

Feb 282010

G6

  • 78,000 miles
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I have a 2006 Pontiac G6 and the steering is very unsafe. If you turn the vehicle left the steering is very touchy and turn to the right and it is like you have no power steering. The car turns to the left while you are sitting at stop lights or just not moving. The car is very unsafe and needs to be recalled. [xxx]

- Irvine, KY, USA

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problem #305

Jan 122010

G6 6-cyl

  • 34,000 miles
Just this past winter I have had several problems with the power steering on my 2006 Pontiac G6. I have had on 2 occasions my center display ding with a warning that stated "power steering". when I try to turn my car it is extremely difficult. I have been notified of the other Pontiac vehicles that are under recall and I implore you that you also issue it for the Pontiac G6 as well. I am afraid to drive my car and the power steering motor giving out. I have read on blogs about other G6 owners who have had the same problem.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

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problem #304

Nov 162009

G6 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While the contact was driving 50 mph the contact noticed that the power steering light appeared on the dashboard, moments later the vehicle no longer had power steering. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 90000. Updated 04/13/10. Updated 09/21/10

- Ralgieh, NC, USA

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problem #303

Jan 172010

G6 6-cyl

  • 51,345 miles
The power steering in our Pontiac G6 keeps going out while driving. This happens usually while turning, parking or going at a slower pace. It has taken me off the road and made me stop in the middle of streets to turn my car off and restart it.

- Lemoore, CA, USA

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problem #302

Oct 012009

G6

  • 67,000 miles
I bought this car in August of 2009. Within two months of owning it the power steering went out while driving. The power steering system will go out while in the middle of turns and is very difficult to continue in turn, making this a very dangerous situation. This failure happens every day. I can no longer drive with my grandchildren in the car because of the danger it presents. I know there have been many complaints about this, and today I was quite disappointed to see that my 2006 G6 was not on the recall list. How can you leave off a car that has the same problem as the ones being recalled? the previous investigation states it was due to insufficient manufacturing. Protect the consumer, and do the right thing here.

- Fontana, CA, USA

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problem #301

Feb 272010

G6 6-cyl

  • 71,072 miles

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

2006 Pontiac G6 power steering failure has occurred multiple times. Twice while I was in rush hour traffic taking my kids to school and occurred as I was turning and was in the middle of the intersection. Even with my teenage son and I we could barely get the car turned and out of the intersection. I took the car to a GM dealer and they said my power steering motor had gone out and after almost $800 had it replaced. The dealer kept the faulty part. I was also told that Pontiac had issued an extended warranty however it only went through 70,000 miles and at the time of my service I had 70,107 miles and it could not be fixed under the warrant. Since that repair I still experience the same problems usually when it is cold outside and when making left turns. If you are able to pull over and turn the car off and then restart the power steering usually returns however there are many times it is not possible to pull over and out of traffic. With the recall on the Pontiac G5 it seems GM knows of a power steering problem and the G6 should be included also.

- Memphis, TN, USA

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problem #300

Feb 062010

G6 6-cyl

  • 58,500 miles
I own a 2006 Pontiac G-6 that is having the power steering problems when driven a very slow speeds--this doesn't occur at all times but I am concerned that it is the auto was not included in the recent GM recall.

- Hot Springs , AR, USA

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problem #299

Nov 182009

G6 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Power steering has gone out in our 2006 Pontiac G6 three times now. Once while driving under 25 mph and twice while parked in a parking lot. It happens about once a week. You hear dinging and the display reads "power steering" the wheel becomes almost impossible to turn. The only way we have found to make it go away is to park the car and turn it on and off. We have not had the money to take it to the dealer to see if the problem can be corrected.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

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problem #298

Jan 102010

G6

  • 53,000 miles
Intermittent power steering failure on 2006 pont G6. After restarting car power steering resumes.

- West Lafayette, IN, USA

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problem #297

May 162009

G6 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

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

Power steering failed on my 2006 Pontiac G6 gtp numerous times including after having parts replaced at the dealership about this problem more than once before. Steering wheel loses it's power ability but still functions. It has happened on and off and caused a small fender bender as I was not expecting it to fail.

- Ancaster, 00, USA

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problem #296

Jul 122009

G6

  • 37,000 miles
Power steering failure,1 to 3 times daily, this happens without warning, rear brake light do not work right there is a recall on this problem but I do not fall under the right VIN number, these have been a problem since I bought (with no warranty)this car, and these problems have been occurring since July of 2009 this car was bought in may of 2009.

- Guysbrough County, 00, USA

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problem #295

Jun 082008

G6

  • 60,000 miles
My power steering has been randomly going out in my car for about 2 years. I have not had the money to fix it so I have been waiting for GM to recall it. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

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problem #294

Feb 272010

G6

  • 1,000 miles
I have a '06 G6 gtp sedan, and my son has a '06 G6 gtp coupe. We have both experienced problems as described by others-clunking, clinking at parking speed. GM has known about this problem, and yet has refused to act on a solution at the dealer level. Data suggests no fatalities, = lack of action. Driving skill from my fellow Pontiac friends, thankfully saved them. Please, please help us, ,,,,

- Birmingham, AL, USA

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problem #293

Feb 262010

G6

  • 64,320 miles
I have a 2006 Pontiac G6, SE1 with a V^ engine. The intermediate steering column shaft was replaced under warranty at about 30,000 miles. It started acting up again at 50,000 miles. Come to find out when they replaced it originally, it was replaced by a defective part. Between the 2 mileage amounts, GM re-engineered the shaft. GM would not replace the part, they said it was my problem, that I had to pay for it. Now at 64,000 miles, my power steering motor needs to be replaced at a cost of $600. Seems they have a problem, but don't want to stand behind there product, unlike Toyota. The service manager at a local dealer said they have a recall going on now for a Chevy cobalt with the similar problem. GM needs to stand up and take care of this problem with there Pontiac. I've read hundreds of complaints on line, some having steering wheel lock up at high speeds, and acceleration. This must not end in tragedy for anyone.

- La Porte, IN, USA

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problem #292

Jul 162009

G6

  • miles
My car started shaking really bad. It was when I just hit about 55 mph. I've also had the words "power steering" showing up on my diu while driving on the interstate, and yes, I had no "power steering" was lucky enough to pull off the road, after shutting car of and restarting it went back to normal! I then started doing my research to find out a lot of 2006 G6 have this problem. I'm sure I have to replace the steering column, which will cost a lot of money. Which I don't have!!!

- Urbandale, IA, USA

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problem #291

Aug 102008

G6

  • 65,000 miles
I purchased a 2006 Pontiac G6 in 2008 with 22,000 miles. A year later my power steering just went out. I took it to the dealership where I purchased it and they reset the steering system. Later in the year it went out again and from that point everytime I make a right turn the steering goes out.

- Whiteville, NC, USA

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problem #290

Feb 022010

G6

  • 141,000 miles
In 2008 I took my 2006 Pontiac G6 to an independent mechanic because it was pulling to the left. After testing the alignment, I was told that there was a problem with the electronic steering. I was told by the independent mechanic to take it to the dealership because their had been numerous bulletins issued and it was an electrical problem. GM failed to repair my car of this prominent defect at their expense. Now 2 years later the issue has gotten to the point where the car steers on its own and we barely were able to get it to the dealership who has quoted me $1,753 to repair the steering column and position assist motor. GM must know this is a severe problem. Through my research I have found that they no longer use this type of steering and have gone back to the pump.

- Macon, GA, USA

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problem #289

Jan 182010

G6

  • 39,000 miles
I was driving my grandparents in my 2006 Pontiac G6 and while on the highway my power steering suddenly stopped working. Fortunately I was able to get off and right to a repair shop but this is an extremely unsafe problem to have. I've begun looking into common problems with this car and it seems there are a few other common problems that make this car unsafe to drive and give it a guaranteed expensive repair bill. The interior lights have also apparently shorted out and I will now be checking for a common problem I have heard in which the brake lights may be on even when the brakes are not being applied due to corrosion of a wire. These problems are very serious and could easily cause accidents, especially for a 20 year old first time car buyer like myself.

- Pawling, NY, USA

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problem #288

Feb 222010

G6

  • 60,000 miles
2006 Pontiac G6 sucks. The steering pops, brake always squeak eventhough I replaced the rotors and pads, and lose power steering. A week out of my extended warranty and they will not cover it. The same dealership where I brought 4 of the 5 cars I owned. All were GM models. I stood along that brand until now. I hope it totally goes out of business. Do some one have to die before this issue gets solved. Toyota is fixing their issue. American cars, service, and quality sucks. Never again will I buy GM cars.

- St Louis, MO, USA

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