NHTSA — Steering Problems

2006 Pontiac G6 (Page 7 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 7 of 58)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1022

Dec 132018

G6

  • 126,000 miles

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

While driving home from a shopping trip on a major highway, my power steering went out and a light flashed on the dashboard indicating my power steering was at fault. I was driving around 45 mph and had difficulty steering. I slowed down and pulled off the road to check what happened. It then occurred to me that this was electronic steering and not hydraulic. I was able to get home with out any additional issues.

- Clinton Twp., MI, USA

problem #1021

Dec 132018

G6

  • 126,000 miles
While driving back home from shopping, my power steering fault light came on and my power steering went out. I had steering, but it was very difficult to steer. I was moving and on a highway.

- Clinton Twp., MI, USA

problem #1020

Dec 012018

G6

  • 135,600 miles
Power steering is going in and out during driving

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #1019

Oct 292018

G6

  • 160,000 miles

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

I am writing about our 2006 Pontiac G6. It had already had the recall (#14772-electric power steering) work completed in 2016 when we experienced some steering issues. On October 29, 2018, the very same part that had been replaced in the recall failed again, pulling my husband into oncoming traffic as he was returning home from work. Fortunately, he avoided causing an accident. We have talked with two different dealerships, the one that did the original recall repair, and one we trusted to better deal with the issue, and also with GM, who I first tagged in a tweet, then through messaging on twitter. They opened case #8-4778293416. I had some medical work done recently, so the work has had to be put off longer than we prefer, but once we took the car to dinsdale Chevrolet in grand island, Nebraska, it was determined that the very same part that was replaced per the recall was what needed to be replaced again, and it will cost us $715 to get the repair. We have researched online, and learned that many people have also had the recall done properly, and had the part fail again, only to learn that GM will not honor the recall a second time. Now, if this is a known problem that required a recall, but the 'fix' is only temporary, they are not really 'fixing' the problem, are they? that's like more of a bandage, not a repair, if you ask me, and every other person who has been placed into a potentially highly dangerous situation. It would be interesting to find out whether people have lost their lives as a result of this 'temporary' repair. I'm angry that GM is making a conscious choice to not honor this recall repair, and I feel they should be held accountable for a failure of one of their parts, especially since it was already found to have a defect. I am attaching the service order for the first recall work that was done. I can provide the tweet messages if requested.

- Kearney, NE, USA

problem #1018

Dec 012018

G6

  • 180,000 miles
While driving on the highway, my sensor came across the radio and stated 'power steering'. when I put my foot on the gas and began to turn the car, the steering wheel was very stiff as if it was locked. My steering was unable to lock, therefore my car had to be towed home because it wasn't drivable.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #1017

Nov 162018

G6

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 40 mph, the steering ability malfunctioned. The contact was able to drive to work, but the failure recurred on her way home. The dealer (J.D. byrider, 575 sagamore pkwy S, lafayette, in 47905, (765) 449-8200) scheduled a diagnostic appointment for next week. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Lafayette, IN, USA

problem #1016

Nov 122018

G6

  • 128,000 miles

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

Sudden loss of power steering while driving on a city street. There is a recall for this issue when I checked my VIN online it was not apart of the recall.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #1015

Sep 282018

G6

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 60 mph, the power steering failed without warning and the vehicle became very difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electric power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V064000 (steering). Union park Buick GMC (located at 1704 Pennsylvania ave, wilmington, de 19806, (302) 658-7245) and the manufacturer were notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #1014

Nov 232018

G6

  • 173,000 miles
Electronic power steering pump is going out. When backing out from a parked position the steering is tight. Randomly while driving on the highway the steering is so loose that I can hardly control the vehicle.

- Neillsville, WI, USA

problem #1013

Oct 222018

G6

  • 72,000 miles
I was driving on my way to work this morning, and all of a sudden it was becoming impossible to turn my steering wheel. The mechanic hooked it up to the machine and told me that it has a bad sensor which is located in the steering column.

- Federalsburg, MD, USA

problem #1012

Sep 302018

G6

  • 150,000 miles

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

Power steering went out

- Wets Covina, CA, USA

problem #1011

Apr 112017

G6

  • 193,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving 55 mph, the steering wheel shook uncontrollably. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and turned off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and able to drive normally; however, sometimes the failure would persist. The contact also stated that the engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 193,000.

- Buffalo Junction, VA, USA

problem #1010

Jul 232018

G6

  • 100,000 miles
Driving down the road the power steering error came on the radio screen. At this point I can't drive because the power steering won't allow the wheel to turn and constantly shakes

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #1009

Jul 172018

G6

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While reversing from a parking space, the vehicle lost steering ability and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the power steering module failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #1008

Jul 062018

G6

  • miles
My transmission is going on me, ive had several occasions where I went to shift into reverse waited almost a minute for it to shift pressed the gas & it wouldn't go anywhere then it kicked real hard. Took it to a shop & they told me that it's failing I'm afraid I'm going to take a chance & get into an accident or have my car rollaway when it's parked. Another issue I have is with my steering, took it to the same shop for a left control arm & they told me the reason for the cracking when I turn the wheel is that I need a U joint. Again I'm afraid I'm going to get into an accident with these issues I have with this car.

- Daisytown, PA, USA

problem #1007

May 292018

G6

  • 108,000 miles
Performed recall now have power steering light coming on and off constantly. Worried the steering might go out.

- Berea, KY, USA

problem #1006

Aug 172017

G6

  • 160,000 miles
The first event happened while driving the vehicle on a Texas highway going about 60 mph the steering wheel immediatly went stiff and a chime and warning light went off in the car indicating that the power steering assist was faulting and had shut off. The event caused distress as I had my family in the vehicle. I had to pull to the side of the highway in heavy traffic using great effort in order to avoid an accident. I shut the car off and then turned it on and the error went away. I took the vehicle to get checked at a local General Motors dealership and I was told about the recall affecting power steering assist in these vehicles. The dealership told me that my VIN number did not qualify with GM safety recall even though my vehicle had the same issue and they told me that I would have to pay upwards of 1600 dollars to get the issue repaired. I then contacted GM corporate regarding the incident. They stated via email that the vehicle did not qualify for the safety recall even though the vehicle exhibited the same issues as those vehicles GM acknowledged. They informed us that they would do nothing to repair this safety issue and we were left with no other avenues. The issue has come and gone a couple of times since then luckily in less dangerous situations with the worst one even leading the vehicle to steer towards the side of a street striking the sidewalk. This incident did not injure anybody but did cause damage to the suspension system. The damage has been repaired out of pocket, however it still raises major concerns towards the safety of myself and that of my family's. I have been lucky thus far that none of the incidents with GM faulty steering control assist have caused direct harm to myself or others.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #1005

Jun 072017

G6

  • 130,009 miles
We had a Pontiac G6 that had a recall on brakes and power steering and my mother was in a wreck and had to have brain surgery thank god she made in we had a Pontiac G6 2006 I have it on video were it almost rolled over both of us when it was in park and we got out of it. I have never been through so much and my mother has not been the same since her brain surgery. So please check you vehicle you never know what tomorrow will bring!!!

- Moulton, AL, USA

problem #1004

Apr 102018

G6

  • 195,336 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated before the failure. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and then taken to lambert Buick GMC (2409 front St, cuyahoga falls, oh 44221). The dealer was unable to diagnosis or repair the vehicle due to the high mileage. The vehicle was then taken to vandevere Chevrolet (1490 vernon odom blvd, akron, oh 44320) where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist and torque sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 195,336.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #1003

Apr 162018

G6

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Pontiac G6. While the vehicle was stuck on a snow embankment, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact was shifting the gear from drive and reverse numerous times while her son was attempting to push the vehicle out of the snow embankment. A burning odor was detected and, a short time later, the vehicle caught on fire. The police and fire department were contacted and the fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer (jd byrider, (260-209-5071) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were not liable due to the vehicle being deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

- Sheboygan, WI, USA

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