NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 47 of 58)

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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:
53 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
30 / 1
Average Mileage:
75,280 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 47 of 58)

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problem #222

Nov 112009

G6

  • 80,000 miles

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

The power steering on my 2006 Pontiac G-6 seems to be faulty. The manual is misleading because it makes you think you can add power steering fluid, but another page doesn't tell you where the fluid goes. When I look online, the car does not take power steering fluid. I think this needs to be investigated. Its not safe!

- Olathe, KS, USA

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problem #221

Nov 072009

G6

  • miles
My Pontiac G6 2006 has a faulty power steering malfunction that almost resulted in a horrible crash. The car started up fine as usual, then on the road, the steering wheel locks making it unable to turn the wheel at all, and the power steering wheel light comes on. I drive on a freeway everyday and it almost resulted into a fatal crash, if I hadn't put on my hazardous lights immediately. The power steering wheel, to my surprise, does not use fluid rather is electronic. Therefore highly expensive, just for a diagnostic test, and then for repair. I strongly urge for this defect to be notified and be recalled for its dangerous potential consequences while on the road.

- Antioch, TN, USA

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problem #220

Nov 012009

G6

  • 30,000 miles
My car has been taken to the dealership now 4 times for problems with the steering. It was taken to the dealership on three separate occasions while it was still under warranty for a popping/cluncking noise in the steering. The dealership said it needed lubricating on one of the visits, it needed tie rod ends on one visit, and some part of the steering shaft was replaced on one occasion.none of which corrected the problem completely. On this last visit which was 11/09/09, nothing was done, because the dealer said it was an ongoing problem with GM, and the part they need to fix the car is backordered, so they cannot repair the problem. The car feels like it is all over the road while driving it. The last reason I took it to the dealer was because the steering wheel completely locked up while making a left turn from a dead stop. After the first three visits, the noise would go away for a week to a month and then return. I have read on internet sites, and I am not the only one with these problems. The car is not safe to drive with all of these steering related problems.

- Notasulga, AL, USA

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problem #219

Oct 262009

G6 4-cyl

  • 44,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. When driving she experiences difficult steering. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle will not be taken to the dealer until the vehicle is recalled for the failure. The failure mileage was 44000. The current mileage was 44747. Updated 12/07/09. Updated 12/08/09.

- Union Beach, NJ, USA

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problem #218

Sep 162008

G6

  • 40,000 miles
Car shakes really bad when brakes are applied, and a clunk noise is hear when turning.

- Toluca, 00, USA

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problem #217

Oct 312009

G6

  • 113,585 miles
I was driving my 2006 Pontiac G6 on 31 October 2009, I turn off the interstate and the power steering locked. Power steering lit on the radio and the wheel was hard to turn. I finally got to autozone and brought some fluid, but found out that there is no where to put it. I did some research and found out that this is electrical problem. I think GM need to do recall on this problem before some seriously get hurt.

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

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problem #216

Jul 012009

G6

  • 60,000 miles

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

I own a 2006 Pontiac G6 and the power steering is sporadic on it. It started out that is wouldn't work for a couple of minutes after the car started. Then the time got increasingly longer. Know I can drive all the was home (26 miles) from work and it wont click on. When it does come on it give 3 dings on the warning system then you hear a click and then the power steering comes right back on. It has come on while making a turn before and because I have had to use a lot of force to turn I end up over turning and sometime going into the other lane causing a very dangerous situation. I don't feel that a car with only 60,000 miles should be having a major problem with it. From what I have seen on the internet this is a very dangerous and costly repair that in not being recall by the maker. Also when the power steering doesn't work and you are braking it shakes the steering wheel.

- Livonia, NY, USA

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problem #215

Oct 212009

G6

  • 44,000 miles
I bought a Pontiac 2006 from carmax in July of this year 2009 and had no problems until October of 2009. I went to the local gas station and got gas when I turned the car on I noticed that the power steering light was on and the wheel was extremely hard to turn. And I couldn't even find the place to put the fluid in at that time. I turned the car off and turned it back on and the light had gone off and the wheel was back to normal. I've since learned that the place where you put the fluid is located on the drivers side way down towards the bottom. I'm not sure but I do believe this is a recall issue. What if this had happened while I was driving with my two children? I called carmax and they told me that I would have to pay $75 for them to look at it and if it was a problem with the power steering my extended warranty would cover it. I don't feel that I should have to use my warranty or pay the $75 on this as, I'm seeing a whole lot of other people are having this issue with this car.

- Columbia, SC, USA

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problem #214

Jun 102008

G6

  • 32,000 miles
2006 Pontiac G6 steering problem. There is a audible "bump" noise when turning. Repaired under warranty and lasted for four months. Came back multiple times after, each time getting repaired and lasting a few months. Car suddenly steers extremely hard and requires great strength to steer out of danger.

- Largo, FL, USA

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problem #213

Nov 032009

G6

  • 61,200 miles
Steering on 2006 Pontiac G6 GT. There has to be something done. If you google steering problems on this vehicle you will see. I have replaced my rack three (3) times in this car. It has 61,000 miles. I just replaced my half shaft and this morning coming to work the rack again failed, my steering locked and I caused an accident. I was not involved but something has to be done and have GM held accountable to recall this car and do something with the steering. Peoples lives are in danger and nothing is being done.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

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problem #212

Nov 022009

G6

  • 59,600 miles

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

My car steering is stalled all of a sudden while I was taking an exit from the freeway. It has become very hard to pull over the car to a side. I would have run into another car if the other car did not stop and honk at me. Today I would have been dead if the same thing happened on a freeway. There is a major safety issue in this Pontiac G6 car. When taken to the repair shop they were not able to find any issue. Finally after couple interactions with the repair shop, they found a problem with steering shaft. Later, I got to know that this problem is been there for a while and GM has not ordered a recall and fixed the issue. I do not mind spending money and fixing it, but the problem is, that there is no fix and even after changing the shaft. There is no guarantee the problem will not repeat. GM has to do a recall and fix the issue at the bottom.

- Centreville, VA, USA

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problem #211

Sep 012009

G6

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 30 mph the power steering warning light would illuminate on the instrument control panel. And then turn back off. When this failure occurs there was a lost of power steering. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer, nor has the manufacturer been notified. The current mileage was 46,000. The failure mileage was 42,000.

- International Falls, MN, USA

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problem #210

Oct 282009

G6

  • 49,500 miles
I own and am the original owner of a 2006 Pontiac G6 gtp. At 49,500 miles a severe shimmy developed and steering became unresponsive. Taking it to the dealership they informed me that my tie rods and steering linkage need to be replaced. Had this problem not been addressed I would have lost the ability to steer the vehicle. A car with so few a miles should not have developed such a problem.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

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problem #209

Oct 162009

G6

  • 95,500 miles
I, too have had problems with the power steering on my Pontiac G6 2006 model. The steering wheel locked up while I was trying to park. I turned the car off and turned it back on. Before the wheel locked up, I heard the "ding" noise and then "power steering" came up on the radio display. This happened before on my way to work, so I took car to dealership and was told to bring car in when the problem happens, which is impossible because I never knew when it was going to happen. He also told me that there was no power steering reservoir, they would have to put the car on a machine. This vehicle does need to be recalled. I pray to god that no one loses their life because of an auto manufacturer's neglect.

- Jackson, MS, USA

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problem #208

Oct 212009

G6

  • 90,527 miles
This morning I went to make a left turn in my 2006 Pontiac G6 and my power steering failed. Power steering came across the radio after a "ding" sound. I was almost in an accident as I was hardly able to complete the turn. After I was able to pull off the road I restarted my vehicle and the problem stopped. I immediately went to the GM dealership that sold me my vehicle. My vehicle is out of warranty and there has not been a recall although I've read this is a problem with almost 200,000 2006 and 2005 Pontiac G6 models. Dealership said it would cost $750 to fix. Im scared to drive my car and once I get the problem fixed this could happen again!!!!

- Kenosha, WI, USA

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problem #207

Sep 282009

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
2006 Pontiac G6 3.5L V6 I too had this problem with the clunking noise when turning, I understand it has electric servos, instead of hydraulic steering pump. The next years they went back to hydraulic, proving there was something wrong with the electric steering, therefore 06 models should be recalled.

- Toronto Canada, 00, USA

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problem #206

Oct 152009

G6

  • 75,000 miles
I bought this car when it was 2 years old and it was fine till about 6 months ago not the power steering assist has completely quit. There are over 400 complaints on ntsb website, please explain to me why I have to pay $800 to the dealer to get this fixed. There should be a recall today!

- Enterprise, AL, USA

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problem #205

Oct 132009

G6

  • miles
Like many others, the electric power steering in my 2006 Pontiac G6 is bad. I know there was an "investigation", but there was no recall. This is a serious problem & someone is going to get killed if they haven't already. Recall the car & fix the problem, please. I am thankful I haven't had a wreck, but I certainly do not have the $750 for repairs. I've read hundreds of complaints about this problem, but GM seems oblivious or uncaring. I was a die-hard GM customer, but will never purchase another GM vehicle again. To keep a customer, you have to treat them right and the lack of what GM is doing about this vehicle is wrong. There have been many accidents reported, but what does it take? I suppose when someone gets killed & GM gets sued they will reconsider fixing this problem.

- High Point, NC, USA

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problem #204

Sep 142009

G6

  • 25,700 miles
Clunking sound again when turning steering wheel right or left, previous repair by dealer under warranty ( replacement of electronic steering box) for same problem sound fixed issue only to have it return now one year later! understand steering problems are an issue with this model!!

- Poway, CA, USA

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problem #203

Oct 052009

G6

  • 64,626 miles
I have a 2006 Pontiac G6 and maybe 3-5 days ago my power steering light came on and I assumed I needed to add fluid. Well, come to find out that my steering pump is electric; so there was no way for me to add fluid. I called the dealership and they informed me to bring it in and they would have to diagnose it. Well, that was done and come to find out they stated they couldn't find the problem. Well, I kept searching and after a few searches on the internet...I see I'm not the only one with the problem. Now, my car haven't froze up on me yet...but it have been pulling like I'm on flat. I did not purchase the extended warranty; and as of now I do not have the money to get it fixed. I have to drive back and forth to work. If I'd new this about this Pontiac I would have never purchased this car. I see why GMC is going bankrupt. There not honest to the customers; so why should we keep buying these faulty cars.

- Galveston, TX, USA

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