Clunk Or Pop Noise When Turning

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 2 of 4)

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Pontiac dealer.

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.

6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$610
Average Mileage:
66,450 miles
Total Complaints:
80 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (41 reports)
  2. replaced intermediate steering shaft (13 reports)
  3. replace steering rack (7 reports)
  4. rack and pinion had to be replaced (3 reports)
  5. replace steering shaft (3 reports)
  6. replaced ball joints (3 reports)
2006 Pontiac G6 steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #60

May 212010

G6 Sudan 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

This is the second time I have had to replace the steering rack on the car within a year and it keep having this same problem and I report it again to GM and got no respond.

- Agnes P., Alberta, AL, US

problem #59

Aug 142009

G6 Sudan 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

I had problem with the steering rack the first time in 2009 or maybe 2008 and it is very annoying everytime you turn the wheel or slow down there is a loud roaring sound. I also report this to GM in and email and they never respond by to me.

- Agnes P., Alberta, AL, US

problem #58

Dec 122011

G6 GTP 3.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,500 miles

I have trouble with my power steering going out on me

- mrcowboys40, Piqua, OH, US

problem #57

Nov 042011

G6 dark and tan 4cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

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

I have had a thumping in the steering since about 60K on the car. I had to get a new thermostat put in last week, which I am not happy about, and had them check the thumping when I had this problem fixed. They told me it was the steering gear and once they got into the car there could be more wrong with it. I am so sick of this car! I will NEVER buy another GM product!!! I should not be having as many problems with this car! It seems like something every year with this stupid car and now steering problems!?!?! The first chance I get to get rid of this problem car I will! I am even more determined to get rid of it since I have been reading about the problems on here and they keep re-occurring with a lot of people here. Seems a lot have had to have this steering problem fixed 2 or 3 times already. This car should be recalled on this and people ought to be reimbursed for these repairs! There is absolutely no reason, other than shotty craftsmanship and cheaply made parts, that this car should have so many problems. I am very very disappointed with GM! If there is a class action lawsuit I want in as well! This car is a money pit and UNSAFE! Maybe if GM would have made a solid quality vehicle to begin with they wouldn't have had to file bankruptcy and get rid of half their lineup of cars. I gave your car a chance and you blew it GM!!!

Update from Jun 24, 2013: SO GLAD TO BE RID OF THIS PEACE OF JUNK CAR!!!! I don't know how GM has gotten away with selling such trash for years! My Mom had an HHR and it was no better! I will NEVER buy another GM car! The G6 by far, has been the worst car, mechanically, that I have ever owned!

- Boston D., Kennesaw, GA, US

problem #56

Apr 022011

G6 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

I bought the car from my brother and the car had this noise when I bought it in April. Sort of reminds me of a bad cv joint knock or something but it is the steering. My mechanic says that it would cost a huge amount in labor alone for him to even get to the problem to fix it.

- mspaulding, Freedom, ME, US

problem #55

Apr 012011

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I'm reading these comments here and I cannot believe that hundreds (maybe thousands) of people are having the same issue I am having and have gotten the same raw deal from GM. My steering locked up on my while I was driving about 3 years ago, I could NOT turn the steering wheel and had I been going any faster (at the time I was going less than 30mph) or if any traffic had been around near my turn, it could have killed me or an innocent person. Well, back then GM replaced it as a "recall" although they have a different name for it. They replaced the steering at no charge.

Well, fast forward to this year and my steering is now making a very, very loud popping sound when I turn "pop, pop, pop, pop, pop". Well, I contacted GM and they give the the same BS they give everyone else...to do a diagnostic which would cost me $99 (that I don't have) just to see if it's the same issue. If it's the same issue as the "recall" they say they would replace it for free. Come on now! Do you really think they are going to say it's the same issue? Not a chance. The guy was very rude to me and argued with me on the phone, essentially calling me a liar (like I'm some kind of dope trying to scam GM out of money)...it got very heated and I told him off. I told him the company will have blood on their hands if I die as a result of this damn car OR if someone else is hurt because of this faulty steering. I don't have $1500 do fix something THEY KNOW is faulty to begin with! I paid all this money for this car and it's been NOTHING BUT TROUBLE the whole time. My power roof hasn't worked in two years and the air control knobs haven't worked in a year and a half. This car is AWFUL.

I'm afraid now that I'm driving a death trap. I don't have the money to throw around on this and they are avoiding their responsibility to fix this. They had the audacity to send me a coupon for a discounted oil change because I've been a loyal Pontiac owner my whole life (owned 4 pontiacs over the years)...what a huge slap in the face. After we bailed them out they have the nerve to knowingly sell and NOT FIX a dangerous steering issue they KNOW is faulty. Steering going TWICE in the last few years???? On a 2006???? What a joke. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. I can't believe they can sleep at night when people are dealing with this, getting into accidents or even dying due to this GM problem.

How do we make them take care of this? How do we demand they replace it FREE OF CHARGE??? I'm so angry about this because it's a dangerous issue. There has to be some way that GM is held accountable for their AWFUL product. Again, I've already had it replaced once...it's happening AGAIN!!! HELP!

- dzmojo, Lakewood, OH, US

problem #54

Jul 012011

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

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

Like all the others, our G6 is also clunking every time we turn the wheel, BUT, we can go one better. We are also getting a "groaning" noise from the steering column as well. It's so embarrassing to drive! You can't tell me this is the 'norm' and like all of you have said, "WHEN IS THE RECALL COMING?"

I actually loved my car, panoramic roof was the best, until that became faulty and we had it back at the dealer no less than 12 times for repairs, only to have a RUDE SERVICE PERSON tell us to just "deal with it". I am usually not a complainer, but we all work hard for what we have and we pay good money for these vehicles, and to be told to just "deal with it" was totally unacceptable! Needless to say, that person is no longer working for GM. (Thank you very much!)

Maybe if we all continue to complain to GM, they will do something? I am going to call GM when I get out of work today and start a complaint file. Their number is 1-800-762-2737 if anyone wants to give them a call. It's TOLL-FREE people, let's be heard!

- fuzzy2154, Palos Hills, IL, US

problem #53

Aug 082011

G6 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

i just bought the car on 08/05/2011 from a dealership and before i had it for a week the sunroof broke off the track and the power steering was making a popping knocking sound. you could also feel it in the steering wheel and the floor by the gas and brake pedal. i am unable to give the vin number cause i took it back to the dealership on 08/19/2011 for themto fix the problems. i wish there was a return policy for car. i would give it back and get a different one just because of having those two problems in one week of owning the car.

- Brett S., Spring City, PA, US

problem #52

Sep 102010

G6 GT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,700 miles

My complaint is that the part has a one year warranty and although I know this needs to be repaired again because it is clearly broken again, the repair places continue to say its just typical of GM vehicles to make wobbly noises, and clunk when the steering wheel moves. I feel so unsafe when driving due to repeated, costly issues.

- beautysbliss, Lansing, MI, US

problem #51

Feb 142009

G6 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,308 miles

steering wheel has always clicked very loudly when turning to the left. took to several mechanics. no solution or cause found. crappy car.

- kperez, Pearsall, TX, US

problem #50

Mar 082010

G6 SE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,389 miles

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

well I have had the same problem as everyone else except the first 2 times the clunking noise happened it was replaced under warranty 3 time it was out of my pocket and ia m just waitng for it to go again it seems to be every year i am replacing it damn it!!!Now the latest thing is lower control arm both inner tie rods both outer tie rod ends and now the rack is gone and needs to be replaced i found this out after i had the power steering recall performed.$310.00 was the cheapest new rack i could find at car quest dealer wants $500.00 for rack that should be recalled along with the whole front end.RAGE!!!!

- Andrew W., Oromocto, New Brunswick, Canada

problem #49

Apr 262011

G6 3500 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,762 miles

Yesterday I start the car and turn the wheel to get out of the parking stall I was in and all of sudden I get this clunk and the wheel won't turn. So I let off the wheel a little bit and it let me turn it. So then I'm going straight now and stopped to get out of the parking lot and the wheel is shaking all on it's own. It stopped after a while. This is the worst that is has seemed to be so far. I get home and tell my mechanic (my boyfriend) and he tells me he thinks it's probably something to do with the power steering pump. Will be looking into finding the recall that I got in the mail about the power steering on some G6 models. Apparently mine might be one of those now that I have a problem.

- sandersg6, Roscoe, IL, US

problem #48

Nov 082010

G6 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

I noticed here a couple of months ago that when I turn my steering wheel I hear a clunking noise. As I researched Im not alone. I havent done anything yet to fix it because weve been working on the brake issues Ive had. Will look into this one soon and see what can be done if anything.

- Andrea S., Texarkana, AR, US

problem #47

Jul 122010

G6 GT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

This problem is still not fixed. The car makes a funny squeeking noise at low speeds when going over bumps. Sometimes it is worst than others and sometimes it doesn't make any noise. Most prominent when going over speed bumps and sometimes worst by the end of the day (after driving all day). The dealer replaced the intermediate shaft but it still makes the noise. GM sent out a TSB for this problem #06-02-32-007B. I will print out this TSB, take it to my dealer, and hopefully they will follow it to fix the problem instead of trying to replace the I-shaft again.

- jpbales, Kennesaw, GA, US

problem #46

Oct 242010

G6 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,433 miles

The popping started a while back ..someone told me it was the struts..today the power steering light came on. Just one more thing to add to the long list of problems with this car

- Angela J., Mansfield, TX, US

problem #45

Oct 202010

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

Getting a lot of strange noises from the front end. The dealership replaced both front ball joints. They have to change the connecting rods to do this because of the design. Then got another front end alignment. This cost me 100 on an extended warranty. I also have a complaint on this website that reflects the rear hubs were also changed at 52,000 miles, they were junk. Don't buy a G6!

- cityshark, Hillsdale, MI, US

problem #44

Jul 102009

G6 GT 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 40,156 miles

i'm from netherlands antilles and in my country we don't have pontiac dealers. i bought this pontiac gshit in america and shipped it into my county and now i have the problem here without a solution. i heard clunking noises before but now hear i a strange sound like something squeezing metal on metal. here in my country have about 15 pontiac gshit's with the same problem nobody can fix.it's a shame for this car and my car was full loaded with leather nice clean sunroof gt model.shame to ride with girls in my car and a strange noise comes out from my steering.

- Gibbs E., Curacao, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

problem #43

Jul 152009

G6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,600 miles

I traded in a hyundai for Pontiac and was extremely disapointed to have so many issues so soon. The steering began to pop not even 3 months into owning the car. I finally took it in and the after factory warranty did not cover nor did Pontiac. They had to lubricate the Intermediate Steering Shaft. For $134.00!!!! Ridiculous!! I

- Heather P., Pueblo, CO, US

problem #42

Feb 182009

G6 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Well this problem started after I owned the car for about 3 months. Not sure of the exact mileage, but I've kept every damn receipt when they did this. For one they couldn't find the damn problem... so you wanna talk about a problem... I'd hear a knock when ever I turned. The dealership replaced the swing arm, rack and pinion twice. I went home and had my brother look at it and he said tell them it's the intermediate drive shaft and because of the angle it sits at... it will be an ongoing problem... It has now had the intermediate drive shaft replaced 3 times... Can pontiac just recall this damn car!!

- rabe, Wichita, KS, US

problem #41

Mar 062010

G6 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,615 miles

My G6 had the steering thud noise issue for a while. When I first bought it used a week after the noise was very noticeable, had I-Steering shaft lubed it solved the problem for about 2 months then the issue slowly started to come back, I just got the I-Steering Column Shaft replaced the car turns great know no more THUD Noise !

- Kyle C., Milford, CT, US

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