NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 16 of 57)

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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
51 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
30 / 1
Average Mileage:
75,713 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.

2006 Pontiac G6 steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 16 of 57)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #827

Nov 262013

G6

  • 99,986 miles

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

On 11/26/2013, after I made a right hand turn I heard a pop and lost power steering. I was turning into a busy intersection with 3 lanes in either direction, when my car lost power steering and I ended up in the far left hand lane when I should have been in the right lane. The cars beside and behind me (traveling 40mph) were able to swerve around me and I was able to pull into a nearby parking lot only running over a curb. My vehicle was/still is not included in the power steering module power loss recall. No error codes were found after I had it towed to a dealership locally and I was charged $400 for an ignition switch that was "loose" to see if that fixed the problem. On 10/9/2014, the same thing happened when I was traveling 50 mph with my infant son in the car and we almost crashed as I went off the road. I heard a loud pop and all power steering assist was lost.

- Derby, KS, USA

problem #826

Oct 072014

G6

  • 110,878 miles
Driving into a curve power steering failed and car was very hard to handle...went up onto a sidewalk. After car was turned off and back on the steering released. Drove to dunlap johnson Chevrolet to have looked at. Notified a recalled on steering torque sensor was released on 2006 Pontiac G6 but not on my VIN yet so I paid to have fixed. Recall # 14116. [xxx] service manager said my car should be included in this recall. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Clover, SC, USA

problem #825

Oct 122014

G6 6-cyl

  • 81,949 miles
Parked car was doing fine came to get in car air bag on passenger side front seat didn't come on then it came while driving then driver seat belt light keeps coming on and turning off for a while then pops on again while driving passenger seat light and air bag stays on when passenger leaves car and flashes saying to put on seat belt but no passenger is in car this all happened out of nowhere it does not detect that someone is buckled up in driver seat and doesn't detect when someone leaves passenger seat it all happened at once the steering rack makes a popping noise and we told the dealer about it and the looseness they sad that car has no open recalls on this VIN but certain others of this car does.

- Centralia, IL, USA

problem #824

Aug 272014

G6 4-cyl

  • 73,000 miles

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

Was attempting to get out of a parking space, lost power steering. Brought to my mechanic who diagnosed code CO545. This happened at least one more time since then. GM says this VIN not under recall for this problem despite other 2006 Pontiac G6's being under recall for exact same problem. Refused to help. They said maybe in future this problem will be part of a recall. Such callousness.

- North Massapequa, NY, USA

problem #823

Oct 062014

G6 4-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
I backed out of my driveway and started to drive. I went approximately 500 ft and my power steering light came on and the steering wheel locked up. I have noticed others are having the same problems. This is extremely dangerous.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #822

Apr 042014

G6

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the power steering intermittently failed on several occasions. The contact had extreme difficulty turning the steering wheel. The contact had to turn the vehicle off, which reset the computer but the failure intermittently recurred. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who repaired the steering column, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), 14V153000 (steering), and 14V224000 (power train). The contact attempted to schedule three recall repairs, but the dealer provided an unreasonable timeframe as to when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was notified. The contact stated that the steering wheel was vibrating and the power steering failure continued intermittently. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Prospect Park, PA, USA

problem #821

Sep 192014

G6

  • 130,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at 20 mph, the power steering seized as the power steering light illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted the engine and the power steering resumed normal functioned. The vehicle had not been inspected by a professional. The dealer advised the contact that the VIN was not included under the NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Sauquoit, NY, USA

problem #820

Sep 242014

G6 6-cyl

  • 43,726 miles
This has happened 2 times already, the most recent was today. The power steering completely gives out and I can not steer the car at all left or right. The first time I almost hit a car and person pulling out of the grocery store parking lot.the second time I hit a curb turning into a parking spot. This is very dangerous. Has almost cost my life the first time. No one will fix it because there haven't been enough people reporting it on my VIN number yet. I have called the GM line to report it. And that's what I was told. I have even called 2 dealerships an they said I can pay for it now to get fixed and be reimbursed when the recall comes out after enough people have reported it. I cant afford to pay for this out of pocket ! its very dangerous and scary to lose complete control of your steering an should never happen !!.this recall has effected many cars of the same make /model and year as mine.I suffer from mine not killing enough people first to get it fixed.. this already almost cost my life or major injury. I want it fixed before it kills me or causes me to kill someone else. Its documented now that I have reported this because a crash im sure is coming since I have had this happen 2 times already.I'm hoping someone will help me take care of this issue... I am affected, my car has this its a matter of time before someone dies on the highway because of my car..your responsible.

- Bellevue , NE, USA

problem #819

Sep 132014

G6 6-cyl

  • miles
This vehicle has 3 recalls for everything that shouldn't be transmission power steering and brakes...the power steering just gives out without warning!

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #818

Jun 062014

G6

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and was not able to turn without applying force. The failure progressively worsened and the power steering warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact did not confirm if the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #817

Jan 292014

G6 6-cyl

  • 112,000 miles

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

Power steering went out making car very difficult to steer, if not impossible, causing the driver (my daughter) to be unable to steer and strike a parked car. Airbags deployed. In early June 2014, I received a recall notice from GM (Pontiac) for their recall notice number 14116. However, the vehicle was totaled in the crash, and there was no recourse on my part.

- Sterling, IL, USA

problem #816

Jun 132014

G6

  • 63,000 miles
The electric power steering assist cuts in and out as described in NHTSA action number : PE07023, when the steering:electric power assist system fails, the car is very difficult to steer at low speeds. This vehicle does not show it is covered by the recall.

- East Grand Forks, MN, USA

problem #815

Sep 172014

G6 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
I have experience some issues with power steering on my vehicle on and off, here in the past couple of weeks it has worsen. It is a very scary situation. The power steering stops working while I am operating the vehicle causing the wheel to become very difficult to operate specifically as I need to make a turn. I usually have to apply a great deal of force just to turn. I feel like my safety and the safety of my family is T risk. Have been in contact with GM who has made contact with a dealer so I can take my car in to be diagnosed. They have stated that my vehicle has a couple of recalls but the power steering issue is not one of them. I have done my research and have found many other 2006 G6 owners with the same problem on different sites. Interesting enough there is a recall for power steering assist lost for Pontiac G6 all of 2005, "some 2006, 2008 and 2009. Doesn't make sense that my car is not part of that recall considering my car is experiencing the exact same problem for which the recall is for. It should not take for some one to get very hurt for this to happen. And for what I have researched it is affordable to repair is in fact very expensive over 1,000 dollars.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #814

Aug 092014

G6

  • miles
I have been waiting for over six weeks for GM to repair three recalls in my power steering - I am unable to drive my car! I am a single girl who lives alone, I had to rent a car for a planned trip, as my power steering stopped working and I was able to drive my car. According to GM - they have not made the parts to even fix my car! what am I to do" I have been without a vehicle for over six weeks. My service request with GM is [xxx]. can you help me" information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #813

Apr 012014

G6

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel vibrated and turned independently and the power steering indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had to use excessive force to turn the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering); however, the vehicle could not be repaired for five months because the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

- Hillsborough, NJ, USA

problem #812

Aug 312014

G6

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that after refueling, the steering wheel stopped working. The contact had to shut off and restart the vehicle several times in order to get the steering wheel operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the power steering motor and column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #811

Jul 192012

G6 6-cyl

  • 15,333 miles
My car is garage kept and lightly driven with very low miles. My service light came on and I received a recall notice about steering issues so I scheduled service 07/19/2012 @ wright auto group 15090-9303. They replaced the steering column but after a month it began to be hard to turn wheel, especially at a stand still so I made another appointment on 09/26/2012 and they replaced power steering motor and module. It worked fine but as time went on it began to produce a knock. After making a turn, the column knocks when it is winding back left or right turns. I left it go a while but it began to knock more so I made appointment on 07/29/2014. They never even checked the steering and called me telling me my back rotors need sanded, tie rod needs replaced, and they broke my stud of the wheel claiming I needed a new hub. I questioned the steering knock, they said, they start at the brakes and replace any problems then continue checking if problem is not resolved. Also stated the column they replaced per original recall was only warranted 1 year. They already charged labor for inspection and said I would have to pay for them to inspect this part. I have a regular mechanic so I took the car to him. He replaced the tie rod per my request but didn't feel it needed replaced. He welded a stud on saving me from a new hub. He replaced the brakes and rotors. He advised to replace instead of sanding. He thinks the knock is from the column they replaced but since it was a GM problem, he told me a GM dealer needs to check it. My car steered fine with no issues but the light came and I received this recall. It has never been right since and a knock after turning is not normal. With the car sitting in park, turn the wheel right or left, it knocks when you let the wheel go. I fear this could be unsafe and do to a faulty replaced part from a recall.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #810

Dec 182013

G6 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
I checked my VIN on my 2006 Pontiac G6 to see what recalls popped up. My vehicle does not fall under any of the recalls for power steering, air bags, or seat belts but I have had many issues. My power steering quits working randomly. I have to pull over, shut the car off, then turn it back on and it will work agian. Just yesterday the warning light came on and said service air bags. Also the sensor for the seat belts will sometimes not work. The bell will continuously ding to alert you that the seat belt is not buckled and it actually is. Funny thing is, my car has had none of the problems that it is under recall for and all of the problems it's not under recall for. I have three children and this is my only transportation. I am afraid to put them in this car and drive anywhere with them.

- Sterling, MI, USA

problem #809

Feb 032014

G6

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle would jerk forward violently and accelerate independently while at a complete stop. The contact had to apply excessive force to the brake pedal to ensure that the vehicle would stop. In addition, the service engine sensor illuminated multiple times and was cleared twice by an independent repair shop; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who changed the oil and reset the code twice, but did not diagnose the code displaying from the sensor. The contact also mentioned that the power steering sensor illuminated intermittently and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #808

Aug 222014

G6

  • miles
My mother-in-law has received 3 recall notices this year pertaining to this vehicle &, so far, GM has not provided the parts to fix the problems. The pertinent NHTSA campaign #'s are 14V153000 & 14V224000. My daughter is considering buying this vehicle, so I am, understandably, concerned about these problems being fixed. Anything you can do to alleviate this will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

- Iowa City, IA, USA

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