NHTSA — Steering: Electric Power Assist System Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 2 of 2)

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.

3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,832 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 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Jan 252007

G6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,814 miles

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

I have a 2006 Pontiac G6 sedan, it has 38,934 miles on it, last week I began having difficulty steering the car and then it began to make an awful noise at first when turning then when driving straight. I took the car to my mechanic who informed me of a problem with the power steering box and column. I was told this was under investigation and would like to add my car to the problem. My mechanic stated that it would have to go back to GM for all repairs.

- Ocala, FL, USA

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problem #15

Mar 162007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My powersteering went out. When I start my car it automatically turns to the left. Now I cant even drive my car. I was coming back from new orleans with my 3 kids from the holidays and my power steering messed up. I would like it fixed that can kill someone when driving down the road. Don't you think you should do it right and fix the problem before someone either gets seriously injured or killed.

- Deridder, LA, USA

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problem #14

Jan 032008

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Started car and let run for 20 minutes before work because of the cold morning. Went to leave and could not turn left or right. Muscled the steering wheel back and forth for a few minutes and it seemed to help. Did the same thing this afternoon while trying to leave work for home. Did the same thing as this morning. After a few miles of driving the steering seemed freed up and had no other problems. I will see what happens tomorrow and if it happens again I will be making a trip to the stealership. Car is an '06 G6 sedan with 48,000 miles.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

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problem #13

Dec 162007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,165 miles

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

My 2006 Pontiac G6 GT lost ability to steer while pulling in to my driveway. This lasted for 2 minutes with no power steering and very difficult to try and turn the wheel at all. I guess it was a good thing we were not on a curvy road or on the highway needing to turn. The info panel on the car indicated a power steering error right after it happened. I restarted the car about 1/2 hour later and it acted normal at that point. We will not drive the car again until it is fixed. You must be able to steer and stop a vehicle to drive safely. This Pontiac is not safe. It only has 40,000 miles on it.

- Shepherdsville, KY, USA

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problem #12

Sep 172007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
06 Pontiac G6- loud clunking in front end. Power steering rack replaced at 35,200 miles. Car has had noise since purchased with 15,000mi. Car still has strange steering, loose wobbly feel. Car also has extreme torque steering when accelerating hard, pulls hard to the left. Car has had warped rotors since 20,000mi. I replaced all rotors and pads with new at 35,000mi. Front rotors were totally worn out. All pads were more than 3/4 worn.

- Brownfield, ME, USA

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problem #11

Nov 282007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Recently when I am driving my power steering will disable itself and then I have to drive without it. The thing that I am concerned about is that weather is a major factor in northern Ohio and what if I am driving on a snow covered road and the power steering disables. I am assuming that there would be some sort of accident and or injury. I have searched the internet to find more information about the electronically power steering on the Pontiac G6 and discovered that there has already been an investigation opened. Can you please update me on the status of the investigation and file another complaint with Pontiac on my behalf. Thank you for any help you may provide.

- Ashtabula, OH, USA

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problem #10

Jul 012006

G6 4-cyl

  • 12,000 miles

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

This complaint is pertaining to a 2006 Pontiac G6. Since July 2006 I have been experiencing a loss of power steering while parallel parking. This occurs approximately 3 times a week. I do not experience this loss of power steering any other time except when parallel parking. I live in an area where you can only parallel park, so this is a major problem. I have been stuck partially in spaces and partially on the street, not being able to move my car numerous times. I notified the dealer that sold the car, and reported that they can look to see what they can do, however, the cost is dependent upon the warranty.

- Turtle Creek, PA, USA

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problem #9

Oct 302007

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles
I own a 2006 Pontiac G6. The car has been difficult to start. Then I was making a right hand turn at a stoplight stopped waiting for traffic to clear and the steering wheel got real tight then the power steering message came on the radio. It was very difficult to steer after that. I contacted the dealer and they stated it was a fuse. It has been to the dealer twice before for a grinding in the steering when the weather is cold but they claim everything was fine.

- Waterloo, IL, USA

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problem #8

Sep 252007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Power steering randomly "locks" making it hard to control vehicle. Have had a few "near hits" but starting to scare me to drive.

- Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

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problem #7

Sep 152007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Power steering failure.

- Queen Creek, AZ, USA

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problem #6

Aug 012007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 75 mph the power steering would turn on and off. The steering wheel was jerking left to right. The vehicle was pulled over, however; the steering wheel continued to jerk. The dealer was unable to determine how to repair the failure. The current mileage was 26,000 and the failure mileage was 25,000.

- Statesville, NC, USA

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problem #5

May 122007

G6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,266 miles
2006 Pontiac G6 - I have had the car into dealer three times for steering problems. First repair was a replacement of steering rack and electric drive. Unit failed 2 weeks later and electric motor was replaced again. Three weeks after that steering started to make a popping noise during right turns. Dealer greased a joint but there is still a hard spot in the steering wheel when turning in that direction. I have not suffered an accident but am fearful of the performance of the steering due to all of the problems that I and others have encountered so far.

- High Springs, FL, USA

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problem #4

Jun 252007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
While driving on interstate I lost power steering. After losing control, and regained my composure and pulled over to the side. Reading the message board that said power steering was gone, I continued on home. The new part will cost $352.oo plus labor to fix. The steering continued to go on and off.

- Weatherford, TX, USA

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problem #3

Jun 152007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Complaint is about the 2006 Pontiac G6. Before power steering failure the vehicle will have a hard time starting. Shortly after the power steering will seize, making the car impossible to steer. Fortunately, there has been no accident to date. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the sensor for the power steering was reset. Less than a week later the problem happened again, and the dealership wanted totroubleshoot the vehicle again. The estimate for repair was $1200 and up.

- Indian Mound, TN, USA

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problem #2

May 162007

G6

  • miles
The power steering in the 2006 Pontiac G6 sedan has been failing recently. At first, the steering wheel was much freer when turning left and very tight when turning right. The problem was intermittent but is occurring more frequently now. I am now getting a total failure of power steering along with the power steering message on the display. When this occurs I have to stop and turn off the car and restart. Sometimes, it operates properly, but today it continued to fail after three different attempts to restart. All of this occurred in the span of one mile. Although was not involved in an accident, I have very serious concerns about this problem.

- York, PA, USA

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problem #1

Dec 302006

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,480 miles
While going around a curve, power steering message came on console. I lost all power steering. I had to restart car to get the power steering back on. I took it to dealer, they are going to replace the steering column, since there isn't a power steering pump it is all electrical and the switch is in the column. They don't know when the piece will come in, but they said I could drive it and if it goes out again, it won't do any harm, just be a "surprise". I pray that it doesn't go out going at a higher speed around a curve.

- Salisbury, PA, USA

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