NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 36 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Pontiac G6:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Pontiac G6 Owner Comments (Page 36 of 57)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #427

May 052010

G6

  • 55,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The power steering on the vehicle continued to fail intermittently. The contact stated that when the accelerate pedal was engaged excessively that the power steering light illuminated he lost control of the steering wheel. It does not occur while driving at slow speeds. The vehicle had not been inspected when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 55000 and the current mileage was 61000.

- Kailua-Kona, HI, USA

problem #426

Jul 092010

G6

  • miles
I bought a Pontiac G6 2006 recently and it seemed like a good buy but now its been giving me steering troubles were the power steering stiffens up and I can barely turn the wheel. I've done a little research and I found im not the only one with this problem.

- North Miami, FL, USA

problem #425

Jun 272010

G6

  • 67,000 miles
I have not been in any accidents (thankfully) however; within the past 4 months I have had to replace my steering module and just last week my ball joint and control arm. These are expensive and are very necessary to fix right away. I have a hard time turning my steering wheel at times and when I seem to turn it makes an odd noise. The dealership said it was fixed but at times I still feel something is wrong and it scares me because I don't want anything bad to happen. I have talked to the Pontiac dealership and they say there isn't anything that can be done. This to me isn't right and I do not feel safe with my steering seeming to go bad often.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #424

Dec 302009

G6

  • 19,000 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 10 mph and making a left or right turn there was a loud noise. The failure became progressively worse over time. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the rack and pinion and the pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced and they would pay 50% of the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000. The current mileage was approximately 23,000.

- Palm Bay , FL, USA

problem #423

Mar 102010

G6

  • 79,000 miles
The contacts owns 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the power steering failed intermittently and that the vehicle had to be restarted in order for the steering wheel to work. When the power steering light came on the vehicle made a beeping sound. The vehicle had not been inspected when the complaint was filed. The VIN was rejected from the system. The failure mileage was 79,000 and the current mileage was 83,000.

- Elcajon, CA, USA

problem #422

Jul 042010

G6 6-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
My 2006 G6 has had issues with power steering since I got it. I purchased the car with only 30,000 miles on it 2 years ago. It was during the summer and I'd had the car two week and power steering came across the dash. I was told that it was nothing and to ignore it. Now two years later its doing the same thing, it normally does this during the spring and summer months. At times it can be hard to turn but this is usually when I first crank the car up. Once again I was told this is because you have to give the power steering time adjust. I don't know what it is but after reading all of the complaints, I'm contemplating whether or not I should keep this car. Im really concerned for my safety. I also hear the clinking noise when I break and thump noise when I turn. I love my car but if this is a persistent issue with the car even after its been repaired then it doesn't seem like its worth keeping. The current mileage on my G6 is 53,000.

- Raeford, NC, USA

problem #421

Oct 092009

G6

  • 45,000 miles

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

Problems with car started in June of 06, for abnormal noise, from underneath car, condensation was constant in headlights even after replaced. Car disc player would constantly malfunction and was replaced - steering was always seemed not just right. Car would accelerate for short spurts, trunk filled with water after a rain really feel the whole stability of the car needs to be seriously looked at. Husband received brain injury from what looked like he just plowed into a block wall for no reason. He held a clean driving record with a current cdl license.

- Saint George, UT, USA

problem #420

Jul 022010

G6

  • 58,000 miles
A few months back I took my car in for a popping sensation when turning and nothing could be found. Today I was backing out of my drive way the car started to ding and across the radio read screen power steering. I lost power steering to the car and it was very very hard to turn.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #419

Mar 222010

G6

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 5 mph and making a left or right turn the front end of the vehicle had began making a popping noise. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the failure could not be determined. There were no prior warnings. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 58,000.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #418

Jun 072010

G6

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While making a left turn at approximately 5 mph the steering wheel became very difficult to turn and the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle onto the emergency lane and after she turned it off and then on, the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was difficult to diagnose in her year, make and model vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued to occur and became more frequent while making a left or right turn. The failure and current mileages were 86,000.

- Rainsville, AL, USA

problem #417

Jun 212010

G6

  • 52,480 miles

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

Power steering fails in 2006 Pontiac G6 while the car is being driven.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #416

Jun 292010

G6

  • 53,615 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the power steering became extremely hard and stiff. The contact decreased speed and was able to drive to his destination without incident. Neither the dealer or manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 53,615 and the current mileage was 53,627.

- Corydon, IN, USA

problem #415

Jun 282010

G6

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated the power steering was inoperable each occasion the vehicle was started. The power steering warning light would illuminate, followed by a warning chime. The dealer advised having a diagnostic test performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was left with the dealer where the contact was awaiting the results of the diagnostic. The failure and current mileages were 63,000.

- Rick Meadows, NJ, USA

problem #414

Jun 012007

G6

  • 18,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated the power steering would continuously fail and the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times in regards to the failure. The dealer replaced the tie rod and the intermediate drive shaft several times under the warranty, but the failure was not corrected. While driving at approximately 40 to 60 mph, the failure occurred again, almost causing the contact to crash. The dealer stated there was nothing more they could do to attempt to repair the failure and advised trading the vehicle. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Massapequa , NY, USA

problem #413

Jun 242010

G6

  • 55,000 miles
I own a 2006 Pontiac G6 GT. I have been experiencing intermittent problems with the power steering unit. The electric power steering goes out with no warning. It has happened to me several times and seems to occur more frequently in warmer temperatures. I was nearly involved in a head on collision when this happened to me while making a left hand turn at an intersection. I took the car to my local dealer and they informed me it could be in excess of $1000 to repair. I have investigated this problem and have found hundreds of complaints about this year and model of Pontiac, all of which occur between 55,000 and 60,000 miles. My car has 57,000 miles on it. Still GM refuses to acknowledge the seriousness of this defect by issuing a recall. One would think with $52 million dollars of americans tax dollars in their pockets that they could take care of their customers. This isn't about bailouts though. This is about putting families, mothers and childrens lives in danger. I am sending this in hopes of this Agency being able to do something with GM to hold them accountable and force them to rectify this situation before more people get hurt or killed. This isn't a matter of a poor paint job here, this is a very serious safety issue involving the steering components of a car. I appreciate your attention to this matter.

- Cottager Grove, MN, USA

problem #412

Jun 232010

G6

  • 58,000 miles
The power steering went out in my car and I lost control trying to turn into an intersection. The light came on prior to my turning and this was the first time it had ever happened. I noticed the steering was off a bit the week prior, however, I had the tires rotated that week and they said that the car may pull to the left after. When trying to check the power steering fluid in the car, I found there isn't a spot for this and they are electric. Thankfully I did not cause an accident.

- Bristol, IN, USA

problem #411

Jun 212010

G6

  • 78,000 miles
Power steering light comes on and off. Power steering just cuts out and makes the car impossible to turn.

- Pepperell, MA, USA

problem #410

Oct 142009

G6

  • miles
The Pontiac G6 2006 has a problem with its steering. The driver has to have muscles in order to make a turn. If it is a sharp turn you will be up on the curb. This problem is constant and is a severe safety issue. One would think the car company would recall this problem since they did recall for this issue up until the year of 2005!!! please help!!

- Millry, AL, USA

problem #409

Sep 152009

G6

  • 4,900 miles
My Pontiac G6 2006 power steering goes out at first I was told my battery wasn't strong enough so, brought a new battery and it still goes out took back to dealership told me the power steering would cost me 1,200 and it wasn't under recall I think GM need to pay for this who wants a car that doesn't have a power steering pump atleast I could see if it needed a belt or fluid this is a mess.

- Newton, NC, USA

problem #408

Mar 062010

G6

  • miles
2006 Pontiac G-6 I-steering shaft needs to be recalled. I have had mine replaced to fix a thud in the steering of the car. Also I have not had this issue but many others and people I know have and this issue and it should def. Be recalled. The Chevy cobalts and Pontiac G5's were recalled for this why not the G6? the power steering can be faulty on this car going out and can cause a car accident. Think about it if your driving doing 60 to 70 mph on the highway and you can't control or steer your car not only is that scary, but a car accident can happen!!

- Milford , CT, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?