NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2005 Pontiac G6 (Page 2 of 2)

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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,971 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Aug 122014

G6 6-cyl

  • 119,050 miles

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

GM has sent multiple letters regarding the power steering recall. They say they do not have parts and they actually encourage owners to continue driving even at a risk of power steering loss and accident. I was backing out of my driveway when my G6 lost power steering causing me to hit an obstruction. GM is a terrible company and the us government is allowing this joke of a recall. Hold GM accountable and make them either fix the recall in 5 business days or buy these cars from us at market value. I will be sending my congressman and senator the same letter telling them of my poor treatment.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #16

Aug 012008

G6

  • 85,000 miles
Bought car used from individual. Lots of issues with it. Steering locks up when driving, take key out and car still runs, lights shut down when driving, traction control kicks in and messes with car. Steering caused me to almost wreck 2X and has had me have to shift to neutral and shut car down on interstate and restart to try to be able to steer.

- Ruffs Dale , PA, USA

problem #15

Dec 072013

G6

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, the transmission emitted a loud clunking noise with extreme hesitation. The engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #14

Feb 052014

G6

  • 125,000 miles

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

My granddaughters car was having problems where it would not start at times, even though it was in park. I drove the car home and parked it in my driveway to try to troubleshoot the problem and when I put the car in park and shut it off, the car started rolling down hill in my driveway. I stopped the car from rolling and when I tried to start it, I found that it would not start. I then shifted the car into neutral and it was able to start. I was able to duplicate this problem by putting the car back in park. Sometimes it would go into park and then start and other times it only appeared to be going into park and then would not start and also would roll backwards on an incline. I took the car to a repair shop for further investigation and they told me that the transmission shift cable was defective and that the good news was the there was a GM recall for this problem for this model vehicle. I called GM to inquire about this and they said that although this model and year car had a safety recall for this defective transmission shift cable, the VIN number for my granddaughters car was not included. It is obvious to me that this car has the same defective part as the recall along with all the same symptoms, including a starting issue in park and the ability to roll down hill after exiting the vehicle. Is there anything that can be done about getting help with this repair?

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #13

Jan 172014

G6 6-cyl

  • 159,000 miles
Power steering suddenly went out today on vehicle while turning crossing intersection. Could of been hit. Very scary. I have never received a recall notice on this issue. Ever!!!!

- Stantonville, TN, USA

problem #12

Jul 232013

G6 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
Gear shift will not shift from park to drive without excessive force on the brakes, brake lamps stuck on/off when brake is not depressed, and/or on when it is depressed.

- Oxford, MI, USA

problem #11

Jun 112012

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the gear shift became stuck in the park position. She had to turn the vehicle on and off several time and shake the gear shift in order to get it out of position. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 112,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #10

Dec 072012

G6

  • 72,000 miles
My steering completely shut off and it was near impossible to turn the wheels. I was able to control the car still but did not know how to help the power steering turn back on. While in the garage, the transmission made a few very harsh shifts in and out of gear when I was trying to accelerate into the garage. Very dangerous.

- Lisle, IL, USA

problem #9

May 032010

G6 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
While driving down the road at approx 30 mph I started to accelerate and the transmission seemed to down shift very hard and caused the engine to rev extremely high and when it went to shift up it shifted so hard it seemed the transmission was going to fall out. This was also followed by the check engine light coming on. Since this incident this happens on a regular basis and but not every time I drive it. Nor is the check engine light always on. I also have trouble sometimes putting the car in park and trying to remove my key from ignition. I have to move the shifter back and forth to get the car into park to remove my key. On most occasions when I am at a complete stop and go to accelerate the engine will rev really high and I have to take my foot off the gas to allow the car to shift.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #8

Jan 202012

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
My son was traveling home and discovered that the steering wheel became hard to control. Due to recent shoulder surgery in December, it was very difficult for him to control the steering wheel. In an effort to gain control, he placed pressure on the shoulder and safely got the car off of the road. Due to the pressure on the shoulder, he was taken to the orthopedic center to have his shoulder examined for additional injury. After reviewing over 132 complaints online and the recalls that were made for the 2005 Pontiac G5 but not the 2005 Pontiac G6. My wife and I are very distraught that the G6 was not placed on the recall list and that our son was so close to losing his life. We purchased the pre-owned vehicle in May 2011. Since there has been so many complaints and close encounter with bodily injuries and/or death, we have also contacted the GM manufacture to determine why the Pontiac G6 was not placed on the recall list. We only want this problem repaired to ensure that our son is driving a safe vehicle and therefore are requesting an investigation into this matter.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #7

Jan 042012

G6 6-cyl

  • 146,000 miles

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

I was driving approx 30 mph and when I went into a curve the power steering quit working and I almost ran into the ditch and hit a mail box. Luckily, I missed both of them but pulled a muscle in my shoulder trying to keep the car on the road. I pulled off to the side of the road and my 3 point turn turned into a 8 point turn. The power steering light was on the screen flashing. This can be very dangerous and deadly. This needs to be a recall before someone dies and the company is sued, considering the fact that I'm seeing this reported quite often.

- Surf City, NC, USA

problem #6

Jun 202011

G6

  • 85,000 miles
We own a 05 Pontiac G6. This vehicle has a chronic issue with the brake pedal sensor. When the sensor is having issues, it is extremely hard to get the car to go from park to drive. More importantly though is then the sensor causes the brake light to work in reverse. When you apply the brakes, the lights go off, when the pedal is not depressed, the light stays on. We have had several sensors replaced and now have been told the "fix" is the electrical lubricant. This electrical lubricant is only good for a few months. Obviously, it is a half[xxx] "fix". we have been to several "former" Pontiac dealers only to have been told we are "out of luck". this is an extremely dangerous situation. While driving at night, if you depress your brakes and no lights come on it could lead to a rear-end collision.thankfully this last time my husband was warned of this event by a gal who was driving behind him. My husband has been pulled over by the police because they thought he was drinking. He was told that a characteristic of a drunk driver is that they "ride their brakes". GM needs to get this corrected!! it is not safe. We purchased this vehicle for my husband who drives 50 miles round trip to work everyday. This is an accident waiting to happen. We are seriously contemplating trading in the vehicle for another one because of this and other issues with the G6. It has been a lemon since we got it between this brake issue, a "clunking" noise when turning (which we were told is "nothing" from our former Pontiac dealers) and the panoramic sunroof leaking and noise issues, which as well we were told nothing can be done about. (we had standing water in the vehicle w/ the leaks) this brake issue needs to be looked at!!!! we will not buy another GM vehicle because of this crappy service and lack of care in getting this vehicle recalled. What is it going to take"?" I have seen other complaints addressing this same thing. I would implore NHTSA to see what can be done about this. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom

- Indiana, IN, USA

problem #5

Oct 132010

G6

  • 48,640 miles
(1.) merging onto the highway at approx. 15mph. Picking up speed. All of a sudden and for the (2.) first time since having the car the power steering light came on the console along with a "dinging". the steering wheel immediately locked up extremely tight. Even as an extremely healthy well built person I could not turn the steering wheel and almost went over the embankment. I hit brakes luckily with no one behind me or infront of me. I managed to bring the car to a complete stop. (3.)turned car off. Restarted. Power steering light off. Steering wheel unlocked itself. In the processes of contacting dealership and/or manufacturer for service.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #4

Jul 292010

G6 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
In October of 2009 I bought a Pontiac G6 2005 after a month of a owning the vehicle my check engine light started turning on and on the display area it would read power steering this was at the beginning of November 2009 since then the power steering had continued to fail on a regular basis, in order to fix the problem I would put my hazards on and pull over turn the car off and turn it on again, this would allow me to regain my power steering. This problem went on for months it is now Aug 2010 and I have gone and had my power steering column replaced at a GM dealer near me... within the past 10 months the power steering failed on a very regular basis I had to pull over multiple times( 4 5 6 ) in one trip and turn the car off and on again to regain power steering, the power steering would give out at not only under speeds of 20 km but at speeds of 60 km or lower.... I am a single mother who drives around with my 3 year old child everyday I do feel that is an issue in many Pontiac G6 made in 2005 that needs to be addressed for my safety and that of my sons..

- Thunder Bay , 00, USA

problem #3

Dec 212009

G6

  • 72,000 miles
I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 GM recall # 80317 - the recall does not include my VIN #. my vehicle has every symptom and issue that the recall calls out for but GM/Pontiac will not honor the recall because it does not include my VIN #. is there anyways that my VIN can be included in the recall? I am a safety hazard as my brake lights dont work, my cruise control doesnt work and when I try to shift the car out of park, I have to apply a lot of force to the brake pedal. All of these are issues that are called out in the recall. Thanks aaron slavey

- Trempealeau, WI, USA

problem #2

Feb 082009

G6

  • 69,000 miles
Transmission failed while car was motion. A gear sheared off the car and broke the tranny casing.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #1

Aug 172005

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
Too many complaints to write them all up, here are a few: Engine makes metal grinding "whooshing" noise independent from acceleration-dealer cannot replicate, warped rotors-dealer wanted over $1,000 to fix, have had radio replaced 5 times due to disc errors-dealer keeps replacing, had steering rack and water pump replaced at 30,000 miles-dealer covered, sensor that turns on lights went-dealer replaced, power steering problems, hard to turn and rough, but no "lock-ups" like others have had(thankfully)-dealer cannot replicate, had drivers side front panel sunroof drain clog, water soaked front carpet(3 inches of water)-dealer fixed but left me with a moldy carpet!, engine flutters/stutters to a start on random-dealer has no answer for me, trunk lid was scraping rear bumper due to latches being tightened wrong-dealer fixed, headlamp full of condensation-dealer fixed, car ridiculously bad in the rain and snow, stability control makes loud grinding noises and causes the car to buck, replaced tires with snow tires, still bad-dealer has no answer for me, large deep scratch across windshield right in the line of view from Contour oem windshield wipers, dealer said too bad. Those are just a few, I cant remember them all, this car is such a lemon. Im sticking with Toyota from now on! I learned my lesson!

- East Bridgewater, MA, USA

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