NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 7 of 57)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

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 7 of 57)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1007

May 292018

G6

  • 108,000 miles

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

Performed recall now have power steering light coming on and off constantly. Worried the steering might go out.

- Berea, KY, USA

problem #1006

Aug 172017

G6

  • 160,000 miles
The first event happened while driving the vehicle on a Texas highway going about 60 mph the steering wheel immediatly went stiff and a chime and warning light went off in the car indicating that the power steering assist was faulting and had shut off. The event caused distress as I had my family in the vehicle. I had to pull to the side of the highway in heavy traffic using great effort in order to avoid an accident. I shut the car off and then turned it on and the error went away. I took the vehicle to get checked at a local General Motors dealership and I was told about the recall affecting power steering assist in these vehicles. The dealership told me that my VIN number did not qualify with GM safety recall even though my vehicle had the same issue and they told me that I would have to pay upwards of 1600 dollars to get the issue repaired. I then contacted GM corporate regarding the incident. They stated via email that the vehicle did not qualify for the safety recall even though the vehicle exhibited the same issues as those vehicles GM acknowledged. They informed us that they would do nothing to repair this safety issue and we were left with no other avenues. The issue has come and gone a couple of times since then luckily in less dangerous situations with the worst one even leading the vehicle to steer towards the side of a street striking the sidewalk. This incident did not injure anybody but did cause damage to the suspension system. The damage has been repaired out of pocket, however it still raises major concerns towards the safety of myself and that of my family's. I have been lucky thus far that none of the incidents with GM faulty steering control assist have caused direct harm to myself or others.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #1005

Jun 072017

G6

  • 130,009 miles
We had a Pontiac G6 that had a recall on brakes and power steering and my mother was in a wreck and had to have brain surgery thank god she made in we had a Pontiac G6 2006 I have it on video were it almost rolled over both of us when it was in park and we got out of it. I have never been through so much and my mother has not been the same since her brain surgery. So please check you vehicle you never know what tomorrow will bring!!!

- Moulton, AL, USA

problem #1004

Apr 102018

G6

  • 195,336 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated before the failure. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and then taken to lambert Buick GMC (2409 front St, cuyahoga falls, oh 44221). The dealer was unable to diagnosis or repair the vehicle due to the high mileage. The vehicle was then taken to vandevere Chevrolet (1490 vernon odom blvd, akron, oh 44320) where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist and torque sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 195,336.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #1003

Apr 162018

G6

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Pontiac G6. While the vehicle was stuck on a snow embankment, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact was shifting the gear from drive and reverse numerous times while her son was attempting to push the vehicle out of the snow embankment. A burning odor was detected and, a short time later, the vehicle caught on fire. The police and fire department were contacted and the fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer (jd byrider, (260-209-5071) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were not liable due to the vehicle being deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

- Sheboygan, WI, USA

problem #1002

Apr 152018

G6

  • 165,000 miles
Power steering light comes on intermittently steering wheel vibrates and moves back and forth. Took it to GM dealer and was told it was in once for recall and closed out. They will not fix again under recall. It vibrates and moves when stationary. Some years ago it lost power steering before the first time it went in...

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

problem #1001

Mar 262018

G6

  • 174,000 miles

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

My 2006 Pontiac lost its power steering I was in motion, in a parking lot, it was very difficult to steer it did come back but it was scary I was told it had a recall I called the company they said it ended in 2006 I did not own the vehicle then. The man ( danny he called himself at Pontiac) said I would have to pay for the cars diagnostics and repair. I need help!

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #1000

Apr 012018

G6

  • 100,000 miles
Power steering went out and I found out it has been fixed before under warranty before I bought it! and yes I was driving the car! also the shifter has issues!

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #999

Mar 092016

G6

  • 35 miles
Power streeling

- Crowley, LA, USA

problem #998

Mar 052018

G6

  • 162,500 miles
The steering colum became very hard to turn while driving.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #997

Mar 092018

G6

  • 161,000 miles

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

Under hard acceleration and at high speeds the power steering in the vehicle begins to fail and all of the electrical lights on the dash begins to flash and blink in a shortage type of way. The vehicle becomes almost impossible to control. There is a clunking noise in the steering wheel when you turn it left to right. If your going around a corner and hit the gas or use hard acceleration you loose steering control.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #996

Feb 122018

G6

  • 0 miles
.sudden loss of electric power steering, out of no where while im driving on street or highway. Then sometimes when turning car on the power steering light comes on I'll turn the car off and turn it back on a few times and it will go away. Steering will also jerks to the right while driving I have gotten inner and outer tire rods done new tires and a new battery still having an issue suspensions are fine.

- Moline, IL, USA

problem #995

Mar 172014

G6

  • miles
My son died in the car.

- Bainbridge, OH, USA

problem #994

Mar 032018

G6

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 35 mph and making a right turn, the steering wheel failed to move. Additionally, when the gear shifter was in the park position, the power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #993

Mar 052018

G6

  • 130,000 miles
While driving my vehicle down a city street the steering just locked up on me. I couldn't turn the wheel. Stopped the vehicle parked and restarted the vehicle I was able to get the steering to work. I have researched this issue online and found several complaints. However, when I went on GM website and enter my VIN# it shows no recalls; same on your site. I want to report this because this is a major safety issue I could have been in the processing of turning left or right and could have had a serious fatal accident!

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #992

Feb 092018

G6

  • 126,500 miles
Power steering light sometimes comes on, but the power steering intermittently stops working while driving. Then it will start again. There is usually no light or warning before it goes temporarily goes out. This has happened in the middle of turns at low speeds, while turning, mostly on city streets.

- Ladysmith, WI, USA

problem #991

Jan 272018

G6

  • 133,000 miles
Turning the wheel is very hard at dead stop to a slow speed. Ex: red to green light turning bay. As it should turn fairly easily it is a struggle and a half to turn causing a wide turn. On the highway you basically have to jerk it to get over in time. Not to mention it already has an alignment problem as well when I was leased the car.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #990

Oct 012017

G6

  • 188,000 miles
My car has been recalled twice due to electric steering. The power steering intermittently keeps going out well driving and or just starting the car. I have contacted the dealership and they only guarantee the parts replaced for 90 days. So they aren't backing the parts put on to make the vehicle safer. The car also has severe electrical issues. It has locked me in the car and has service air bag notices. The gauges go out well driving.

- Roy, UT, USA

problem #989

Jan 232018

G6

  • 193,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the steering wheel vehicle locked up while driving 65 mph on the highway. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and towed to the contact's home. The contact called joseph Buick GMC (8700 colerain ave, cincinnati, oh 45251, (513) 741-1000) and was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the remedy. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V064000 (steering) in 2015. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 193,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #988

Jan 102018

G6

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While the contact's wife was driving approximately 70 mph, the steering wheel jerked and became difficult to maneuver. The power steering and ESC warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac of murfreesboro (960 john R rice blvd, murfreesboro, tn 37129, (615) 645-1075) where it was diagnosed that the torque sensor assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was repaired per the recall and provided case number: 8-3808185085. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Antioch, TN, USA

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