NHTSA — Equipment Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of Avoid Like The Plague

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Pontiac G6 has major problems with two areas fairly critical to the act of driving... steering & safety.

The 2005 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 2005 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 power steering problems, up to 10 years/100k miles.

As of early 2013 the NHTSA had 300+ steering complaints on file for the 2005 G6, with 12 crashes & 4 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 2005 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 2005 Pontiac G6's poor side impact protection & you end up with a vehicle you should steer clear of.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,394 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.

2005 Pontiac G6 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #5

Sep 162010

G6 4WD 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles

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

I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 GT. Since purchase, I have had to replace the intermediate steering shaft four or five times. I recently replaced the whole column (about 4 months ago) and it is again making clunking noises. A car expert friend who drove the car yesterday noted that it seems to both drag and have too much 'play'. the car should be recalled. It is no longer under warranty at 110,000 miles and should be replaced by GM.

- Cresskill, NJ, USA

problem #4

May 012010

G6

  • miles
I have purchased both brake pads and rotors every 8-10 months. I usually try to go longer because it gets to be expensive. It's the same problem. It starts with a pulsation or "bumping" when I brake, even gently, usually at high speeds. But when I look at the old pads, they were hardly worn down. Once I tried resurfacing the rotors but it didn't help; I had to buy new ones only to find that these too soon wore down and warped. I haven't found a remedy. Many others in auto forums and online message boards have also experienced similar problems, suggesting that it is due to poor design of the braking system.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #3

Jun 092010

G6 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Wiper assembly failed twice during operation. Initial failure was in Dec '08 and the entire wiper assembly was replaced at my expense. 2nd failure was on June 9th 2010. On June 9th I was in a driving rainstorm on the expressway driving 55 mph when wipers failed and almost drove off of the road due to lack of visibility. Dealer wants to replace entire wiper assembly again. Vehicle is only 5 years old.

- Rochester , NY, USA

problem #2

Oct 272009

G6

  • 131,120 miles
I have taken my car into the dealership due to the steering wheel being tough to turn at times. I received a letter in the mail from the dealership saying there may be a problem with the steering. However, when I took it into the dealership, they told me that there was nothing they could do to fix the car unless they could physically see that the steering was acting up. Just yesterday, I couldn't turn my car without using two hands to tug on the steering wheel. It wouldn't turn without fighting with the car. This is not the first time this has happened, and I am at the point where I want to sell the car because there are too many problems with it. I have had this problem with steering so many times. What will it take for the dealership to fix the car? do I have to get into an accident before they will fix it or recall it, because I am not paying for something that I complained about when I had the warranty. I am now over the miles for a warranty. Another issue that I have reported to the dealership while under warranty was the car won't start. Sometimes I turn the key and it won't start. It takes several times before the car will actually start. This happens frequently. It's several times a week. It is unreal that I can't get into my car and start it without having a problem. I have reported this issue to the dealership and again was told that nothing is wrong with the car. I have reported several other issues, but the dealership refuses to help with anything. There are so many issues with the Pontiac G6. I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone unless all of the issues are corrected.

- Bentleyville, PA, USA

problem #1

Jan 112006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,850 miles
Purchased Pontiac G6 GT in April 2005 since fall of 2005 steering column has locked up numerous times for 2 sec intervals. Have taken it back 5 times for this till they replaced steering column. As of today 1/11/06 it was dropped off at the dealership again for the same problem along with brake pedal and panels around it rattling. Car only has 13,800 miles on it.

- Davison, MI, USA

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