NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 24 of 57)

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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:
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 24 of 57)

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problem #667

Jun 172008

G6

  • 71,000 miles

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

In the middle of driving I lose powering steering. I have talked to someone about this, but they said that they couldn't do anything since the car had just passed the mileage that was set. This problem was a consistent problem before the mileage that was set. I had no idea what was going on and since it went away after I turned the car off and back on I thought it was no big problem. It then again happened the following month after that incident while I was driving on I95. I then did a google search on the problem and found that there was a recall in affect since 2007 and this is when I bought the car. GM is refusing to fix the problem that they are responsible for causing. Now I have a car that is I can't get fixed just because they did a poor job in putting the information out to the public effectively about the fault. I do not feel that I should have to pay for something that happened during manufacturing process.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

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problem #666

Feb 192007

G6

  • 2,500 miles
So when I first received my Pontiac, I loved the car, but then right away as I would turn I could hear a clicking noise. Took it back and they couldn't hear it at the time of service or what ever the incident was. Over the years, I was back and forth with the matter and now it has obviously gotten worse. Then the power steering warning light came up where my radio is and no check engine light so I figured that it needed more fluid. Well, there is no reservoir on the car any where, I had 2 mechanics looking every where and nothing. And recently outta no where as I am driving it just completely locks up on me!! not only is this very dangerous, but extremely scary when I have my 4year old daughter in the car!! so I went on a Pontiac web site and the forum said to make a complaint because Pontiac doesn't believe this is a big enough safety issue to recall it! while I think it is!!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

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problem #665

May 022012

G6 6-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
There was a recall on 2005-2006 G6 however GM indicates that my vehicle was not affected. After reading bulletin 10183A dated May 12, 2012 I contacted GM and took my 2006 G6 in for a diagnosis. I was informed that I would have to replace the assist motor module before they could tell me what else was wrong with my vehicle. My Pontiac G6 has experienced loss of powering steering, check engine light is illuminated on the dash. This vehicle loses power steering within the first mile of driving. Like vehicles that were recalled for this condition I to must turn my vehicle off and restart the the ignition to regain steering. The vehicle pulls completely to the left if you were to lose control of the steering wheel and there was an oncoming vehicle there would surely be an accident. I keep hoping that I don't get reared ended while making a right turn or hit another vehicle causing front end damage or perhaps injury. There were 15 warnings with my G6. The cost to replace the motor module first quote was $749. I was later given a discounted price that GM thought to be fair at $560. My vehicle is driven by a young driver. This vehicle as I was told by the dealership is not safe to drive so I should be careful. I tried to ask the GM district specialist who determines the affected VIN numbers and he did not have that answer.

- Grant Townhip, MI, USA

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problem #664

Dec 272012

G6

  • 60,000 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 that while driving approximately 25 mph, a grinding noise was emitted from the steering column and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder, shutdown, then restarted but the failure persisted. The failure recurred several times and the vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that the steering column and modem needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 60,000.

- Clevland , OH, USA

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problem #663

Jan 092013

G6 4-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
Power steering locked up on me. I just got done drive over 3000 miles in the last couple of weeks. Apparently this was an issue with this car, but I never received the letter about this recall.

- Middletown, RI, USA

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problem #662

Jan 062013

G6 6-cyl

  • 165,500 miles
I bought my Pontiac G6 2006 from a used car dealership in Dec. 2011. I had some pull in the steering when I first bought it. I had my car check for alignment issues, the rotors check and brakes checked. All were ok. Was told by mechanic it was nothing to be concerned about. 5 days ago my steering wheel started shaking real bad when braking. Sunday Jan. 6,2013 for the first time my power steering light came on and steering went out while I was driving. Was extremely hard to steer. Luckily managed to pull over and turn off car. I turned off my car waited a minute and when I turned back on my car I had my steering back. I could of had a serious accident and I have a teenage driver who also drives my car. It occurred again on mon Jan. 7,2013. Steering was ok then just out of nowhere steering stops working again while driving. I contacted GM dealer and they said it was not on recall. And that they only have power steering assist covered up to 150,000 miles. I noticed there was recall on the 2005 Pontiac G6 power steering. I also noticed that there are alot of complaints over the same issue I have on the 2006 Pontiac G6. I am wondering why nothing has been done.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

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problem #661

Aug 202008

G6

  • 42,000 miles

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

My power steering column went out while I was trying to turn into my apartment complex and I almost side swiped another vehicle. I lost all power steering. I went to the dealership and got the problem fixed for $700 and with in the time of the part warranty it went out again. It is now 4 years later and it just went completely out again. I know for a fact that there are hundreds and hundreds of 2006 Pontiac G6 owners that have experienced the same problem. This could end up being fatal for someone in the right situation. Also when you call to speak to GM about the problem they brush it off as if they have never heard of it before which can not possibly be the case if there are so many people complaining of the same problem.

- Manchester, TN, USA

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problem #660

Dec 262012

G6 6-cyl

  • 116,541 miles
My wife was driving on the freeway doing about 67-70mph to work when she started to fell the steering wheel shake then it started to pull left. I have checked tires, wheel lugs, an suspension components. Its been about four days now. Really bad at slower speeds an she scared to drive the car. So I drove it today an it scares me really bad I can't even think about puttingg my kids in this car its really that bad please help !! everything is true:(

- Greenfield, CA, USA

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problem #659

Dec 262012

G6 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
My 2006 Pontiac G6 steering wheel moves back and forth by its self. When I'm driving the power steering stops working and becomes very hard to steer.

- Cameron, WV, USA

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problem #658

Nov 092012

G6

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the power steering failed, causing the contact to merge out of their lane. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the contact was informed that the failure could be related to a module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 88,500.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

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problem #657

Nov 302012

G6 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Last night on two occasions my power steering stopped working and the lights on my dashboard went off as well as my headlights. The power steering warning light and battery light came on. Once while pulling into a parking spot I almost hit another vehicle and then again while pulling onto on coming traffic. My car wouldn't turn and there was a bus coming my direction. I could have easily gotten into a serious accident. This problem is very dangerous and scary. I will not be able to drive my car until this problem is solved. Please help!

- Kansas City, MO, USA

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problem #656

Nov 272012

G6 6-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
2 days in a row I have been pulling into parking spaces when all of a sudden my power steering stops working, the power steering light comes on, and a alert chime sounds. Pontiac has recalled other makes/models for this exact problem, but the 2006 G6 was not included in this recall. My car is becoming dangerous to drive because of this defect. There are plenty of reports of this online. Why is Pontiac not being required to recall these faulty cars" 2 months ago I contacted Pontiac because my car was leaking fuel from the gas line. This was happening because of a faulty plastic part in the fuel pump. Again, Pontiac had a partial recall for this exact same part, and the exact same problem on other models, but no recall for the 2006 G6. Since leaking fuel is a hazard to my family I was forced to get this fixed, and Pontiac did not reimburse or help with the cost. Again, why is Pontiac not being required to recall these faulty cars that are dangerous to the families who are driving them"

- Frisco, TX, USA

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problem #655

Jul 152010

G6

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph the steering became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the warning chime began to sound. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and shut the engine off. After restarting the vehicle regained power steering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact stated there was a manufacturer recall for the power steering. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the VIN was not included in the manufacturer recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Euclid , OH, USA

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problem #654

Nov 102012

G6 6-cyl

  • 138,427 miles
The steering wheel seemed to be jerking and shaking. While leaving the store, I was turning right when I heard a bell sound and on the display panel it read "power steering". I tried to turn the steering wheel but it would barely move. Steering wheel feels like it is locked up. I had to drive home very carefully to keep from having an accident.

- Bailey, NC, USA

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problem #653

Oct 072012

G6

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, an abnormal grinding noise was emitted from the vehicle. As the contact approached a turn, he realized that the power steering assist had failed. The check engine warning light was also illuminated as the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was inspected by the contact's father who was a mechanic and concluded that the power steering system would need to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000 (steering:electric power assist system), which included the Pontiac G5 model, but not the G6 model. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 88,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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problem #652

Nov 052012

G6

  • 74,000 miles
As I was coming up to a stop light I heard the warning chimes, looked at the radio and it read power steering.. I heard a pop and then could not turn the wheel at all.. luckily I had the red light or I could have had a major wreck since I was pulling onto a major highway! turned the car off and like magic... the steering returned. Why has this not been a car that has been recalled. A life should not have to be lost in order for this to happen...I want answers!!

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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problem #651

Oct 312012

G6

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated as the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the steering component and was unable to locate a failure with the power steering. The failure recurred twice but each time the dealer was unable to diagnose a failure. The contact stated that each time the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the steering wheel would return to normal. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

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problem #650

Oct 262012

G6 4-cyl

  • 147,792 miles
While backing out of driveway the steering stopped functioning altogether and still doesn't function. This issue nearly caused an accident.

- Enid, OK, USA

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problem #649

Sep 122012

G6

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the steering wheel would turn on its own. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they stated that the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Fayetteville, TN, USA

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problem #648

Oct 062012

G6 4-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
I have had nothing but problems since buying this car used in 2010. Have had the front end tie rods, struts replaced and now the power steering is acting up. I was driving 40 mph and the car started to shake and the power steering light went on, and steering went out. Was able to pull over into a parking lot. I turned car off and then back on and power restored. I know it will happen again based on all the other complaints. This problem is very serious and could cause a major accident and there needs to be a recall on this problem.

- Winnetka, IL, USA

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