Clunk Or Pop Noise When Turning

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 1 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 1 of 4)

problem #80

Nov 092016

G6 SE 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,488 miles

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

This is the most troubling issue of any G6 not only my 2 G6's have it but my friends 2 G6's have issues as well, this should be covered by GM and their sh*tty products, this is sad, my tie rod broke off and now 900 CAD to fix it, only replacing the entire front end, Control Arms, Rack and ball Joints and Rods and Links

- Meaghan R., Trenton, Ontario, canada

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problem #79

Sep 172016

G6 GM 3500 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 183,136 miles

Power steeling be stiff at times or make loud noises when turning steering wheel

- Summer A., Whiteville, US

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problem #78

Apr 082016

G6 Sedan V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 184,000 miles

My car had a recall on the steering wheel already, and I took in it for this repair. Now a year later I am having this same issues.

I am an Uber driver, and this noise is making my riders very uncomfortable, and unsafe. Since this was a recall issue already and fixed once, why would I have to pay for this same issue again?? Was it really ever fixed the first time?

- Gene R., Artesia, CA, US

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problem #77

Jul 272011

G6 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

Since the first onset I now have to replace the Ball joints for the 4th time in as many years, these ball joints are one with the control arm and are grease less, but for every time that I have to have these replaced, although the parts are lifetime guaranteed it is a 100 dollar labor fee per side. So between all the replacements after I have the set of ball joints replaced I will have put 2100 dollars into replacing these Ball Joints. Very annoying and dangerous in many ways.

- Eric L., Macomb, MI, US

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problem #76

Mar 012014

G6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,671 miles

The car would clunk when turning left it was getting worse, got it checked and it was very expensive to fix. Alot of labour time involved and expensive part.

- Susan N., Staffa, ON, Canada

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problem #75

Jan 142014

G6 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,536 miles

Not only does my car make that awful clunking while turning, it also drifts across the lane while driving. It is constantly pulling from one side to the other, sometimes pretty harsh too. I've had it in to the local GM Goodwrench Garage and they look at me like I am crazy. It's going in soon to get 2 recalls done and the Steering Intermediate Shaft replaced. Since I made the appointment my thermostat has gone and my gas gauge doesn't work causing the computer to think I'm on empty. I hate this car.

- James T., Taylor, British Columbia, canada

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problem #74

Jun 032014

G6 LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,540 miles

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

Well now the "BAIL-OUT " makes sense...I have a 2006 G6 with 23K miles on it that was driven by an elderly woman. Needs rack and pinion, needs new CV joint, and the tranny slips....Did I mention 23K miles...

We should have let them fail!!! As I believe we have only prolonged the inevitable..

- krisc, Arvada, CO, Bangladesh

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problem #73

Oct 162013

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

Seems to be a pretty common issue with this model. LEMON... Took it to a dealership in Oklahoma and they said it needed a new steering column. I was in shock. Then they said they would replace it for free. Now I was really in shock. They replaced it within a few days free of charge. I still have small steering issue but nothing like before. Before they replaced it I would lose all power steering.

- Jon V., noble, OK, US

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problem #72

Jul 312013

G6 GT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

When you turn my car the steering wheel makes a loud popping noise. The car can even be in park and when you turn the wheel back and forth it will make the noise. The steering wheel will also shake back and forth on its own when in park.

- Amanda N., Fort Worth, TX, US

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problem #71

Mar 012014

G6 SE1

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

I have had a terrible popping sound that just keeps getting worse in my steering column somewhere. I took my car to have it looked at and the mechanic said I needed to have my ball joints replace and there was something else that I needed to have replaced as well in the steering column. Since I am a single mom I am only able to afford so much at one time. The popping has gotten worse and worse but from speaking with other 06 g6 owners, I am evidently not the only one with this problem. It is evidently quite frequent in all these cars. Gm really needs to get their sh*t together and start fixing these cars. People like myself and others can't afford to keep footing the bill for their faulty "craftsmanship".

- Marylee A., Elkton, MD, US

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problem #70

Oct 132010

G6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,398 miles

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

We brought the car to surgenors and my nephew worked there at the time so we got a cut rate on having it fixed under the table sorta thing, I don't know what it was called but they had changed a peace in the steering column. The car would pull to the right and made a horrible sound when turning. This did not fix the problem.

- Julia W., Gatineau, Quebec, canada

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problem #69

Jan 012012

G6 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

The popping, crunching sound is just very annoying!

- Roberto R., Kerrville, TX, US

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problem #68

Feb 052014

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

i have had nothing but problems with this car since i bough it in 2010. i have had the electronic sensor replaced ( recall) and had the steering column worked on 3 times since . Twice a gear was replaced or fixed , first time was $249 and the second time was $650, now the dealer says the rack and pinion needs to be replaced $800-$1000 the car makes a clunk in the steering column when driving and clunks when turning left . the wheels tend to pull when turning also . i am sick of this car and cannot wait to get rid of it . I am almost finished paying it off!

- mje, Glencoe, IL, US

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problem #67

Apr 142008

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,000 miles

MY Pontiac G6 has been a major pain in the ass since I got it back in 2008.... rack and pinion changed countless times. lubed the I-steering shaft many times for $120 a pop, lasts 2-3 weeks and the clunk is back yet AGAIN.... Power steering light pops up even after the recall part was changed.... Now AGAIN it is going in the shop to have it fixed for a total of $1400... I have talked to GM about this and told them that these parts should ALL be recalled due to the shotty craftmanship of these parts....Never heard anything back from them about this issue, other then to ask me if I am ready to buy another one of their vehicles.... ARE THEY HIGH!!!???? what did they not get when i said This car is pissing me off, I will never get another GM product.!!!?????!!!!

I read all these other posts about the same problem and I shake my head.....GM needs to step up and do something about this!!!!!!

- Ann D., Thunder Bay, Ontario, canada

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problem #66

Mar 232012

G6 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Took the car in today to have the popping and hissing noise that occurs when I turn looked at. The GM tech I chatted with online told me that there were no recalls for my car. The GM tech that I spoke with and had look at my car checked all of his sources to see (a) What the problem was and (b) check out the recall paper I received in the mail regarding my steering! He found that there was one out for my steering shaft.

Will be taking it in on Tues. to have fixed. Hoping that it fixes part of the problem. However due to lending my car out to a friend for 3weeks, I had to have the ball joints, and tie rods replaced and am currently saving up to pay for new struts and tires that she ruined (Not GM's fault that she drives like a moron, or that I lent her my car)

- Ronni S., Sheridan, WY, US

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problem #65

Mar 012013

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,257 miles

Just purchased this car from a friend of mine for my son's first car. Seems to be a good car other than the clunking sound when you turn the steeiring wheel. I had my mechanic take a look at it and he lubricated the steering shaft joint and said that I should give it a couple of weeks. It has been one week and it is still making the same noise.

- 06g6, Fairbury, IL, US

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problem #64

Feb 242012

G6 G1 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,523 miles

every time i steer i hear a popping sound that is rather loud and no one knows what the problem is. it hasn't always done it so i'm scared something is gonna break.

- bdeweese2011, Fort Wayne, IN, US

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problem #63

Oct 242012

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

I CALLED PONTIAC TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH MY G6 AND THEY ADVISED ME NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THEIR OFFICE .PLEASE CONTACT 1-866-790-5700 AND FILE A CLAIM AND TELL THEM EVERY PROBLEM YOU'RE HAVING WITH YOUR G6.

- cthomas2010, Memphis, TN, US

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problem #62

Jul 112012

G6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Cannot believe that this "fix" would be $932 PLUS. Are you kidding me. My car is in impeccable shape, looks brand new and I take very good care of it but in this economy I CANNOT afford a bill such as that. A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED if all of the complaints I see are legit. Not sure if I'll buy a Pontiac after this and that's sad because Pontiac had previously always been my car of choice.

- sooms13, Holland, MI, US

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problem #61

Jul 142011

G6 Sudan 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

this is the third time I replace the steering rack in my G6 and got no respond when report it to GM and ask if this a recall problem and why if the car having the same problem but got no answers.

- Agnes P., Alberta, AL, US

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