NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2009 Pontiac G6 (Page 1 of 3)

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2009 is starting to have the same problems as previous model years, including the headlights blowing out due to bad connectors.

The wiring harness connections aren't a big deal to replace, as long as your dealer or mechanic doesn't charge you an arm & a leg to "diagnose" the problem.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,598 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.

2009 Pontiac G6 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2009 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #43

May 252023

G6

  • miles

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

The car steering wheel gets super loose over bumps. The car shuts off at anytime when driving. I got it check, there-??s a unknown problem with electrical system

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

problem #42

Feb 012023

G6

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a?2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Stability Control, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control); however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the transmission gear shifter failed to shift between gears and ceased. The air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake stop lights failed to illuminate upon depressing the brake pedal. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Summit, NY, USA

problem #41

Oct 142022

G6

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle continued to reverse and failed to stop. The gear shifter failed to shift to the intended gear, causing the contact to use the parking brake while depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the gear shifter cable had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train) there was a delay in retrieving the part for the repair. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #40

Sep 032022

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

The power steering mechanism stopped working, therefore I cannot turn the wheel. The gear shifter/drive train stopped working, therefore I cannot go into reverse, I am stuck in 3rd gear. It is unsafe because when I go to turn I cannot turn the wheel at times. I have issues braking. All of these issues are recalls on the vehicle. GM states that the recalls were performed seven years ago in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I have no way to verify that information nor any assurances that the parts used weren't faulty. I request new repairs under the recall warnings.

- Villas, NJ, USA

problem #39

Jun 242019

G6

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into park. While in a parking lot, the gear shifter would not move into park. The contact called an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new transmission shifter cable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Chester, PA, USA

problem #38

Oct 012018

G6

  • 69,000 miles
The transmission will not shift about 3rd gear and has no reverse, I have research this and have found other GM transmissions have been recalled. I have contacted the dealer multiply times without any response.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #37

Apr 272019

G6

  • 177,722 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. When the gear was shifted into drive from reverse, the vehicle remained in reverse. The transmission indicator illuminated and the vehicle shut down in reverse and would not restart. The vehicle was checked by an independent mechanic at the contact's residence. The contact was informed that the vehicle was included in an unknown recall. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 177,722.

- Dyersburg, TN, USA

problem #36

Nov 192018

G6

  • 69,504 miles
The transmission in my 2009 Pontiac G6 has an wave plate issue with no 3-5-R gears. This is a known problem that GM issued a special coverage for that dealers do not want to repair.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #35

Jul 182018

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. Before the vehicle was able to be insured and inspected, the contact experienced the gear shift failing to go into the park position, which prevented the key from being removed. In addition, the vehicle jerked and shook and the transmission disengaged and engaged when changing gears. Furthermore, when the contact exited the vehicle, the radio remained on and while the vehicle was in motion, there was a loss of power steering ability. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. An independent repair facility diagnosed that the alternator may need to be replaced. The vehicle was unable to be safely driven due to the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and recommended taking it to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was not available.

- Big Springs, TX, USA

problem #34

Jul 152018

G6

  • 96,303 miles
After shifting gears from reverse to drive in a parking lot, my car continued to roll backwards. After trying to shift to park, the shifter linkage became unattached to the transmission, and became unusable. The car rolled back after the shifter indicated that it was in park, but luckily there was another person to assist in moving the shifter linkage back onto the transmission system to allow the car to be put into park.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #33

Jun 192017

G6 4-cyl

  • 100,160 miles

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

The transmission in my 2009 G6 failed without any warning. I was at an intersection and pulled onto a very busy road. After going about 200 feet, the engine revved, but the car was not "pulling". other cars came up behind me very quickly and nearly caused an accident. There was no place for me to pull over, and there was a slight hill ahead of me. I "played" with the gas pedal to try to get the car's transmission to catch, all the while cars were practically pushing me. They probably thought that I had puled out and was just driving very slowly. They started to honk their horns. The car's transmission bucked and banged and I made it to the top of the hill, and over to a spot along side the road where I could pull over. The computer had put up two error codes of P0776 (control solenoid valve 2 stuck off), and P0700 (transmission control module requested mil illumination). I did a search online and found that this likely was a failure of the "3, 5, reverse plate" inside the transmission. This is a known defect with this particular car and transmission. General Motors is aware of this defect and has even extended the warranty on this failure for 2007 to 2009 Pontiac G6's for up to 10 years or 120,000 miles. I purchased my car new on 12/20/09, and it had 100,160 miles on it when this happened. I called GM (case #[xxx]) and they claimed that my transmission has a code of MH8. They said only transmissions with a build code of MH2, MH4, MH6, and MY9 are covered. They told me that the transmissions are identical, but "more than likely someone was killed when this failure occurred in cars with those codes, and probably this wasn't the case for my code". they suggested that I contact NHTSA to file a complaint so that my transmission code could be covered, and get reimbursed. I did have this fixed. It was the 3, 5, reverse plate and it cost me $2442.38 (see attached). Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fairport, NY, USA

problem #32

Aug 172017

G6

  • 74,926 miles
Trans failure whining, less in 3 and 5 gears 6T70 required trans replacement. Called GM, they called dealer, dealer failed to submit warranty request --no warranty help

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #31

Jun 152015

G6

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle shook violently without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to pinkerton Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac (801 graves mill rd, lynchburg, va 24502) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they were not responsible. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Hurt, VA, USA

problem #30

Jun 012014

G6

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle jerked uncontrollably without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (pinkerton Chevrolet Buick GMC located at 801 graves mill rd lynchburg, ca 24502 434-237-9400) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the repairs would be his responsibility. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Altavista, VA, USA

problem #29

May 192017

G6

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vibration emitted from the transmission, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Altavita, VA, USA

problem #28

Feb 022015

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the transmission failed to properly function in second, third, and fifth gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer stated that there was no service campaign nor a manufacturer recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Alta Vista, VA, USA

problem #27

Feb 102017

G6

  • 63,000 miles
Shift cable tab broke causing car to be stuck in drive. 460000 were recalled but my was not. They said it is because I had a 3speed instead of 4speed. The part is the same. Dick norris Buick said they knew all about this and had several repair kits on hand. Ithey appeared to be annoyed by recall work. When stopping to park and putting the transmission into park the car stayed in drive I cannot restart the car without manually moving the shifter under the hood. My car should have been included in the initial recall.

- Tarpon Springs, FL, USA

problem #26

Apr 052016

G6

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the gears were able to shift, but not from the park position. In addition, the vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #25

Mar 302015

G6 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
Car started dragging - could not drive no more than 5 miles - transmission went out - would not go in reverse - no indication on computer of engine problem - read about similar recall on Pontiac G6 for transmission problems - this incident happened around the same time recall put out on certain G6 - but not mine because of engine size - I do not understand why my vehicle did not fall under this recall - I spent a lot of money to replace it.....updated 10-27-15

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #24

Jun 202015

G6

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. While driving at 40 mph, the transmission failed to engage in third gear or reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the wave plate fractured and the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Troy, NY, USA

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