NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 21 of 58)

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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:
53 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
30 / 1
Average Mileage:
75,280 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 21 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #742

Mar 312014

G6 4-cyl

  • 65,932 miles

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

Luckily for me I was in the process of exiting my driveway and made it to the end. As I was operating my vehicle, I suddenly heard a chime. My first instinct was to see if my seatbelt was connected. Then my steering wheel jammed. And I didnt understand what was going on, so I braked and as I reached to turn down my radio to pick up my cell and ask someone what that could mean, I saw on my display the words power steering. So I revered back into my parking area and exited the vehicle and began making phone calls. Long story short, GM is giving me the run around and lies. I have it in writing and voice messages where they state they will pay for a tow and a rental, when it came time for the tow today I called the numher provided for me, that I read back as I wrote it down, and it was a false number. I emailed GM several hours ago about this and have not recieved a response. My appt for my car is 10 am tomorrow and I have no way to get my car there other than drive it, which is unsafe. Additionally, I have it in writing where a member of GM customer care stated my car is safe to drive I just need to use extra caution to steer. Thats like telling someone to sleep with a stranger, its safe but he careful you dont catch a disease.

- Lagrangeville, NY, USA

problem #741

Mar 082014

G6 6-cyl

  • 144,094 miles
Service engine soon light illuminated, clunk, knock or rattle noise from front of vehicle when turning steering wheel regardless if the car is parked or driving on curves, turning, or going over bumps at both low and high speeds. Car pulls to the left and has a constant vibration/shake which can sometimes be very violent throughout the entire car and completely disable it! a constant loud squeaking noise when applying brakes or when driving at low speed can be heard. A ticking or knocking type noise coming from the engine or transmission area may subside in hot temperature. Panoramic sunroof leakes a wind rush noise. Intermittent long crank or no crank with a delayed start. Headlamp and backlighting have low visibility or inoperative. Gearshift indicator light occasionally comes on or flickers. When doors are locked the locking mechanism may not release by key or remote and I have to crawl inside from the trunk in order to unlock the car. The climate control does not engage/ push air on setting 3 but works on 1 2 and 4. the famous "monsoon" radio has horrible sounding speakers as if blown however they are not. I have seen more than 1 certified mechanic for these problems. I have paid a lot of money repairing steering, brakes, rotors, alignment, tires balanced etc. However problems are still occurring in my very recent purchased G6. Now I see recalls have been issued but according to GM website my VIN# is not listed as being recalled. Well apparently it does and should be recalled for replacement repair and reimbursement since Pontiac/GM are completely aware of these issues and recalling cars with "certain VIN numbers". I have bought non-american cars until now with no problems other than standard maintenance. This is my first Pontiac/GM and sadly I am beginning to wonder if I made a mistake by not staying with non-american made cars.

- Walker, MO, USA

problem #740

Jul 102013

G6 6-cyl

  • 92,450 miles
Power steering randomly quits working. First time was on the highway. Other times in the middle of a turn, backing out of a parking spot, multiple times when merging onto a main road off from a side street.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #739

Apr 162008

G6 6-cyl

  • miles

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

I purchased this car in 2008. Since the first day I purchased this car I have had an issue with the steering. I brought the car back to the dealership twice and was told that there is nothing wrong. When I drive there is a snapping sound coming from the steering wheel. I believe this car is unsafe and I checking for a recall and have not found one yet.

- North Dighton, MA, USA

problem #738

Oct 092013

G6 4-cyl

  • miles
My power steering went out. Had to replace the whole column and everything. The vehicle locked up on me while driving. It cost me over $800 to replace.

- Shawnee, OK, USA

problem #737

Oct 012013

G6 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
My vehicle is experiencing faulty power steering, which goes out without any notification. It does this when just starting to pull out and it also does it in the middle of a turn. This is very dangerous. It makes you lose control of the steering and could result in a wreck. My vehicle also has been experiencing the service aiir bag warning that has also been recalled in other GM vehicles. The breaking system on my GM is also faulty with the lighting. When the break is pressed the brake lights go off and when the brake is not pushed the brake light goes on. I have contacted GM numerous times and am told that the recall is not model specific that it is VIN specific. If my car is having all of the same dangerous issues, why is it not also recalled?

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #736

Jul 062013

G6

  • miles

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

3 times already my steering wheel got stuck especially when I try to pull out from a parking space. One time at a stop light it did get stuck and was shaking. I had to turn off my car and wait about 10 seconds in order for it to work again.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #735

Jan 132014

G6 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
(2006 Pontiac G6 GT) the first time I had trouble with my ignition & power steering was in January of 2014. I started my car and the power steering locked when I tried to pull out of a parking spot. I towed it to a mechanic which said everything seemed fine and it was so frustrating knowing there is still a problem. The problem continued. Recently on March 6 2014 while driving the power steering light came onto the radio screen. The power steering disabled while I was driving and it was almost impossible to pull over away from other cars on the road. It was the most horrifying feeling knowing I had no control. I turned the car off and back on again which the wheel was moving and seemed fine to drive. I pulled back onto the highway driving 35 - 40mph and the steering completely locked up and I could not move my wheel at all. I stopped put my hazards on and shut the car off and took the key out of the ignition. I tried starting my car and all the lights on the dash board went haywire also my 6 cd changer changed through every cd and then the car shut off. Mechanics are still not sure what the problem is. Weeks later, now March 30 2014 I started my car and the poweer steering is completely locked and it is not drivable.

- East Boston, MA, USA

problem #734

Mar 212014

G6 4-cyl

  • 94,221 miles
Power steering is disabled when driving and this started at 94,200 miles.

- Alma, MI, USA

problem #733

Jun 072007

G6

  • 25,860 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, a clicking noise was heard in the steering wheel. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. In 2007, the vehicle was repaired by the dealer for the similar defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 25,860. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #732

Apr 112012

G6 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

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

When I turned the car on, the power steering light came on and the power steering would not work. I would turn the car off and restart it and it would be fine, but once I would get going it would quit working again. This has been happening at least twice a week since 4/11/12. It is getting more and more dangerous. Without any warning, as I'm driving the power steering just goes out. I have contacted GM regarding this and they tell me that my VIN number was not included in the recall.my break lights also stay on if the break is not pushed down and when you press the break pedal down the break lights go off. More recently, when someone sits in my passenger seat the service air bag light comes on. I contacted GM again and again they told me that my VIN number was not affected and not included in the recalls. My car is affected, because I am having the same problems. I live in the dfw area and the break light issue and the power steering issue are causing huge problems for me. It is terrifying each time I have to go anywhere. At the drop of a hat the power steering just quits. GM does not see this as an issue and I am repeatedly given the brush off.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #731

Jan 212014

G6

  • miles
As I was driving my steering wheel locked up and it was almost impossible to turn the wheel. It happened on a regular side street as well as on the highway. My steering wheel also has a knocking sound/noise coming from it when I make any left or right turns. My sister has the same exact car. She informed me that she received a recall letter about the steering and her car was fixed but I have yet to receive a letter for my car which is the same make, model, and year. I have also been experiencing issues with my car when I accelerate from a red light, stop sign and etc. It feels like a jerking/pulling motion when I accelerate, as if it is trying to change gears... every time I take it to the car shop, it never does it when they are test driving my car. So it is difficult for the mechanic to pinpoint what I am referring to, which is frustrating.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #730

Mar 182014

G6

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start. The contact also mentioned that the power steering assist failed while attempting a left turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #729

Mar 142014

G6

  • 128,206 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the power steering warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was making a loud noise before the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 128,206.

- Virginia Beach , VA, USA

problem #728

Apr 102013

G6

  • 110,000 miles
Driving 65-70 mph on highway while raining. Lost quite a bit of power and started to stahl. Message flashed across message screen stating "reduced engine power". had to pull of to emergency shoulder lane. Left car on the side of highway for a little over 24 hours. Came back next day and my car started right up with no problems. This happened 3 more times with the same outcome. Around 4 weeks ago, while driving on the highway, no rain this time, I heard the chime and message screen flashed "power steering." My power steering was immediately lost, I managed to merge over to left lane and into the emergency lane. While merging, the screen chimed once again but now displaying "reduced engine power". my car stalled and completely shut off. Once stopped, I pulled out key from ignition. Replaced key in efforts to restart my vehicle. The ignition would not turn over. My vehicle was completely dead at this point. Around 10 hours later, returned to vehicle on highway shoulder, car started right up on the first turn of key. This exact incident happened 4 days later with same outcome. Recently last week and this week, while starting my car, once I place my vehicle in reverse. My message screen will chime and display "power steering" and loose all steering capabilities. I can fix this myself by turning off the engine, removing key, wait about 30 seconds and try again resulting in normal use.

- Bethel , OH, USA

problem #727

Mar 082014

G6 6-cyl

  • 129,745 miles
When driving the car power steering popped up on the radio and all power steering stopped working on the car. I have researched online and some models have an issue with the power steering module and GM extended the warranty to fix the issue but I called the dealer and they said that my model is not covered. This is a very dangerous issue and if I had been going faster and on a turn it could have been very bad.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #726

Mar 032014

G6 4-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
I was stopped at a stop sign and when I went to turn a corner, my power steering went out making it very difficult to maneuver my car around corners and into a parking spot. The power steering alert on the dash board came on. When I turned my car off and turned it back on, the power steering came back on. The issue I experienced is the same issue that is described in gms technical service bulletin 10183A, issued in May 2012, which extends the warranty on power steering columns for other 2006 Pontiac G6 cars. However, GM's position is that my VIN wasn't selected in 2012 when the extended warranty was put out, so they are unwilling to cover the cost to replace the steering column regardless of whether it's a previously identified issue with the steering column design and the potential safety risk.

- Adrian, MI, USA

problem #725

Feb 282014

G6 4-cyl

  • 155,000 miles
Car started giving a warning that driver seat belt was not fastened and it was, the warning would repeatedly come on and go off for the whole day. Then while driving we lost power steering. It was very difficult to control and fortunately was able to pull into a private drive. Left the car and obtained a ride to my destination and the next morning returned, started the car and it was ok. Car does sit outside and not sure what happened but glad we were not going 70 mph on highway. We had to replace the manifold on the car just about 2 weeks before these issues and it was expensive. I don't believe this to be a normal issue for this year of car and what's scary is we also own a 2008 G6.

- Ridgeway, OH, USA

problem #724

Nov 012013

G6

  • 137,700 miles
The steering wheel on my vehicle had completely locked up while I was trying to turn on to a busy highway. I had to drive straight across a four-lane highway so I could safely stop to turn the car off and back on so the steering wheel would unlock. I was told about the recall that GM had put out back in 2010 because of the exact same power steering issues. After being told by two dealerships that my car did not fit the criteria because it was only specific VIN numbers. I then decided to call gms Pontiac customer service line to voice my concerns and ask why a vehicle that is doing the same thing they recalled vehicles for can't fall under their recall and service bulletin they issued. After talked to someone for quite a while and continued to be told that there is nothing they can do. So my concern is that even though my situation may have not been as severe as others, it could have been. And when I go to the manufacturer of my vehicle with a safety concern I think they need to be a little more caring and actually try to help. Especially when there has been a recall for the same issue!!

- Kennedale, TX, USA

problem #723

Jan 302014

G6 6-cyl

  • 152,000 miles
I was driving on highway, I just got on the highway when the message on the radio screen popped up and said power steering failure. I could not move my steering wheel, it was very hard to try and get my car off to the shoulder. If I had been driving any faster or in the left or middle lanes on the highway, I would definitely have been hit or hit someone. This is a serious issue, GM has told me there is nothing they can do about it because the vehicle is out of warranty but my question is if I'm not the first person to report this issue and there has been many out there like this, why haven't they sent out notices to inform the driver of this issue? since then, my power steering has went out twice and since GM won't cover costs to repair this manufacturer defect, I am forced to trade in my car or sell it. I don't think I will be buying another GM car because of the lax attitude they have towards this issue.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

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