NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 32 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 32 of 57)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #507

Feb 082011

G6 6-cyl

  • 118,000 miles

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

My power steering keeps failing on my 2005 Pontiac G6. I have two small children and it is extremely unsafe to have this problem. I am now afraid to have my kids in the car. The first time this happened it was in my parking lot. The second time I was turning in traffic. Thank god there was not a car coming the other way. I had to throw my whole body against the wheel to get it to turn. And yes my children were in the car at the time. I don't understand why this has not been recalled. Both times this happened the service light came on and the screen flashed power steering. My steering immediately went out. I am now going to have it checked out at a shop.

- West Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #506

Feb 042011

G6 6-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
This morning I was on my driving to work and as I was pulling on to the highway, my power steering locked up and I could not turn my wheel very well! because, I was already turning, I was able to get it to the side of the road before any cars were to come. At that point, I was unable to turn my wheel nor did I feel comfortable going any further on the highway. I then called a person and got my car to my local mechanical shop where it currently is now. I do not feel safe in this car and don't feel that the extended warranty is proper. I think it should be a full on recall for the power steering. Obviously, GM knows there is a problem which is the reason for the extended warranty but to not have it as a full warranty is ludicrous. The fact that people's lives are at risk and this has happened to many people is nonsense not to have a full recall. I have done research on this issue and it is a very common problem. I'm not sure how many complaints is needed before it is corrected but I would sure hope it would not take a horrific accident for this to occur. I have 111000 miles on my car 11,000 over the criteria and very upset is not being taken care of by GM. This is very disappointing and not to mention and most importantly, dangerous! thank goodness I've been driving for several years and knew what to do but there are too many young kids out there that drive this type of vehicle that are not experienced drivers and will get hurt because a major function of the vehicle goes out and no fault to anyone except the automotive company making the vehicles. I would have the GM people/ NHTSA people who make the call to recall to think about their own children or family and how they would feel if something happened to them because the power steering went out at a crucial time and had no control over the vehicle. Again, very disappointing not only to GM but to the national highway safety for not deeming this as a serious problem and having recall sent out.

- Shelbina, MO, USA

problem #505

Feb 022011

G6

  • 80,165 miles
Have been having intermittent jerking of the steering wheel when turning right. Turning right into my place of work tonight, the steering completely failed. I was already turned enough to make it into the gate without ramming into it, and managed to park. I checked under the hood and all seemed to be fine. I started the car again and the power steering pump was fine. I am terrified to drive this car as I have no cell phone and have to drive almost entirely on highways at 65mph to and from work (in the dark mostly). There are many other G6 owners with the same problem and have had serious crashes. This needs to be recalled.

- Walkertown, NC, USA

problem #504

Jan 252011

G6

  • miles

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

I own a 2006 Pontiac G6 GT and have had the "power steering" light come on while driving and my wheel locks up completely and I cannot turn it. The first time this happened then the light only came on. So I finished my shift at work and then drove to auto zone to buy fluid. On my way there, the wheel locked up and I was driving on a busy highway, unable to turn off of it. Finally I put my car in neutral, turned it off, then turned it back on. I was able to drive it to buy fluid but the power steer is electric in G6's. I was told that my entire steering column needs to be replaced and I'm no longer under the warranty by my dealership. I've been researching different sites online and many, many people have had this problem with their G6's. this is a serious and very dangerous problem considering the steering wheel of the car locks completely and will not turn while driving it. I don't have $700+ to get this issue fixed and I refuse to pay for an issue on my car that is clearly the manufacturer's mishap considering many, many people have faulty power steering. This is an issue that needs to be resolved before Pontiac is the new Toyota and begin causing deaths because of it's faulty vehicles.

- Anderson, IN, USA

problem #503

Jan 252011

G6 6-cyl

  • 100,045 miles
Power steering failure.

- Belen, NM, USA

problem #502

Oct 102010

G6

  • 78,982 miles
2006 Pontiac G6 base 4 cyl had stiff steering and eventually locked up while turning going 35mph. Had to pull over. Radio computer informed me that the power stereing had failed. Took to dealership where they replaced the steering motor. 3 months later, the same problem only worse. Steering completely locked up while going 60mph on the highway. Hit a median, nearly caused a pile up on I-69, had to have the vehicle towed where they were unable to determine the cause.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #501

Jan 142011

G6 4-cyl

  • 54,000 miles

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

Power steering failure. This is not right when Pontiac knows that there is a problem. Will we need deaths of will this be fixed under recall.

- Lewiston, NY, USA

problem #500

Jan 202011

G6

  • 91,000 miles
I own a 2006 Pontiac G6. I lost my powersteering on the way to work this morning and it was very difficult to control the vehicle. I feel that this is very dangerous, and could have resulted in an accident. After doing some research I have learned that there have been ongoing issues with the power steering in these vehicles.

- Littleton, NC, USA

problem #499

Jan 052011

G6 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
Electrical steering switch is going bad, making car unable to steer.

- Franklin, IN, USA

problem #498

Dec 142010

G6 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
While driving about 55 mph, I approached a curve and put on brakes slightly. While entering the curve the power steering froze, and I could not turn momentarily. The power steering came back on and I over compensated for the loss of steering. I spun out of control, hitting an embankment with my rear wheel. The car flipped and landed on its wheels. I went to the hospital with a partially collapsed lung, bruised ribs, bruised sternum, back injury, and neck injuries.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #497

Jan 102011

G6

  • 16,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 GMC Pontiac G6. The contact was driving approximately 60 mph when the power steering assist failed intermittently without warning, causing limited steering capabilities. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the power steering assist motor would need to be replaced after performing a diagnostic. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer in regards to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

- Sturtevant, MI, USA

problem #496

Jan 062011

G6

  • 51,753 miles
Power steering failure, randomly shuts off, vehicle difficult to steer, causes car to veer out of control.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #495

Jan 012011

G6 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Power steering stops working while driving with no warning and does not work again until I stop the car, turn off and restart the engine.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #494

Sep 152010

G6

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While parking the vehicle and driving between 2 and 5 mph the power steering failed. She stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and that it began to shake. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer for the failure. The failure was constant and was on going for the last three to four months. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 53,000 and the current mileage were 57,000.

- East Boston, MA, USA

problem #493

Dec 272010

G6 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
Power steering malfunction with onboard computer notification.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #492

Dec 152010

G6 4-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
During the last couple of weeks, my steering in my G6 has been getting tight. On Wednesday Dec. 15, 2010 while in the driveway, it complete froze up. I could not turn the wheel left or right and when I attempted, the lights dimmed on the car as thought a electrical problem was occurring.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #491

Dec 152010

G6

  • 68,000 miles
Power steering locks up while driving down the freeway.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #490

Dec 132010

G6

  • 86,000 miles
Electric power steering has gone out in car.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #489

Dec 092010

G6

  • 135,000 miles
I'm a owner of a 06 G6 in my vehicle has been having so many front end problems I have been out of so much money. Recently while on my way to work the power steering fail. It was hard for me to turn but I pulled on the side of the road and restarted my car. Several time in one day I had to restart it. I received a letter about a month ago with "special coverage" not a recall. My car is over the mileage so im not able to get it fix. It should be something GMC should be able to do because I just cannot afford to get this fix. GM is at fault im praying for something to happen for us(G6 owners) before something bad transpire from this. I don't not what to do at this point.

- Charleston, MS, USA

problem #488

Nov 192010

G6

  • 59,980 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving approximately 60 mph the contact turned the steering wheel toward the left in order to merge into the left lane to prevent a crash. The steering wheel locked and the contact could not control the vehicle which caused the vehicle to crash into the median on the highway. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 59,980.

- Alsip, IL, USA

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