NHTSA — Steering: Column 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.

4.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,431 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2005 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments

problem #8

Dec 182009

G6

  • 50,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 55 mph the steering column locked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the steering motor needed to be repaired at an expense $1,100. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer took report number 71786884256. A representative of the manufacturer stated that since the warranty expired, no assistance would be provided. The current and failure mileages were 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Calverton , NY, USA

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problem #7

Jul 212009

G6

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the steering column vibrates and is difficult to steer. Additionally the vehicle unexpectedly drifted to the left or right side of the road. She took the vehicle to a local repair facility and a mechanic replaced the front ball joints and tires, and performed an alignment. One week later the failures resurfaced. She took the vehicle to a dealership in which a technician concluded that the breaks needed to be replaced. She speculated that the technicians have incorrectly identified the cause of the failure; therefore, the dealer still has possession of the vehicle. The vehicle identification number was unavailable failure mileage was 54,000. The current mileage is 57,000.

- Waunakee, WI, USA

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problem #6

Jan 012008

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,600 miles
My 2005 G6 GT is equipped with electronic power steering and it randomly failed while driving down the street. Check engine indicator light illuminated, "power steering" was displayed on the console, and all power steering was lost. Luckily I was coming to a stop at a traffic light or else this could have been more catastrophic at high speeds or in a turn. Pontiac issued a bulletin stating that they have identified an issue and should only bring the car in for repairs if the problem has occurred. This logic is utterly ridiculous. Should a car company require you to have a near death experience before they accept that a dangerous defect exists in their product? steering column being replaced now but skepticism is high. Update (10/14/08): Dealership replaced the entire steering column and corrected the loss of power steering. The rack and pinion unit was replaced twice and the intermediate shaft was lubed once and replaced once, but they were just making noises and did not result in loss of power steering.

- Watervliet, NY, USA

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problem #5

Sep 162007

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

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

Power steering was going out on my car for no good reason, sometimes when I wasn't even turning. Took it to the dealership they said this car has electrical power steering and that at times when power steering is being used too much (example in a U turn and your keeping it in the position for long time) that it can go out and "should" return after a few turns or movements. Later they found out they had to reset the steering column (re-synchronized the sensors that were off) car worked fine for 1 week. Then... finally they say that the steering column has to be replaced and its going to cost $700. Since I have done that I haven't had any problems since. Now Pontiac is reimbursing for the repair. I do not recommend anyone buying a Pontiac.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

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problem #4

Jul 072007

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Power steering had been feeling very loose for a few days, then all of a sudden the power steering completely failed while I was driving. The steering wheel locked up and the display "noted power steering". I almost crashed into another vehicle when the steering completely locked up. I initially looked to see if I needed power steering fluid, which I could not find. I then looked on the internet trying to find out where to put the power steering fluid finding out that the vehicle has a hydraulic power steering system and does not take power steering fluid. Upon my research into where to put the power steering fluid I saw an article indicating that there is an investigation into a recall in this regards. At that time I took the vehicle to the dealer because it is still under manufacturer warranty. The dealer still has the vehicle and is replacing the entire steering column.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

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problem #3

Oct 012006

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The Pontiac G-6 was purchased in August 2005. In October 2006 the steering wheel locked while I was driving the vehicle. The brakes were working and the car was running, but I could not turn the steering wheel which was locked. I had to come to a complete stop, place in park and turn the ignition off and restart to unlock the wheel. 8 months after I had it repaired it went out again. They said they could repair I, T but that the car was not doing this when they drove. I could not predict when it was going to lock up.

- Bella Vista, AR, USA

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problem #2

Dec 062005

G6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
- the contact stated that the steering seizes intermittently on his 2005 Pontiac GT. The failure speed has varied, however, he could tell when the steering wheel was about to seize because the steering wheel would vibrate and shift to the left on its own. The failure mileage was 13,000 miles. The steering light would come on after the failure. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer a total of three times because of the steering problems. The dealer could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. The key became stuck in the ignition, the dealer replaced the ignition. The repair invoice did not state that the ignition was replaced. The vehicle operated without incident for 2-3 months. The contact is now experiencing the same failure. The contact has the repair invoices.

- Woburn, MA, USA

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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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