VehicleVerdict

2006 Pontiac G6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 2,601 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median G6 year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 9 G6 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 105 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: steering issues account for 47% of all reports (1,234 of 2,601), far ahead of electrical system at 286.

2,601

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

4

Investigations

141

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

105

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other G6 years?

G6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted2,601 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 932 complaints2006: 2,601 complaints2007: 1,825 complaints2008: 1,606 complaints2009: 1,044 complaints2010: 429 complaints2014: 1 complaints
G6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all G6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Pontiac G6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1,23447%
Electrical System28611%
Lighting2088%
Brakes1927%
Airbags1174%
Fuel System1104%
Engine883%
Transmission883%
Speed Control693%
Suspension602%
Other462%
Body & Structure271%
Visibility & Wipers241%
Tires & Wheels161%
Seat Belts130%
Seats110%
Latches & Locks80%
Driver Assistance20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 2006 Pontiac G6 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V064000SteeringFebruary 4, 2015 · 69,633 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.

14E044000SteeringJuly 21, 2014 · 7,304 units

Defect

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.

Consequence

A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

14V252000Electrical SystemMay 14, 2014 · 2,440,524 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence

Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

14V224000TransmissionApril 30, 2014 · 1,131,113 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.

Consequence

If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

14V153000SteeringMarch 31, 2014 · 1,373,177 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

09V036000LightingJanuary 30, 2009 · 8,012 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 8,012 MY 2005-2006 PONTIAC G6 VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY BECAUSE OF CORROSION IN A WIRING CONNECTOR. CORROSION IN THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS NOT BEEN DEPRESSED, OR THE LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT ENGAGE, AND GREATER BRAKE PEDAL FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK.

Consequence

BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY MAY NOT WARN A DRIVER IN A FOLLOWING VEHICLE OF THE BRAKING STATUS AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL APPLY A DIELECTRIC LUBRICANT TO THE CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CORROSION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1- 800-620-7668 OR OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

06V417000AirbagsOctober 31, 2006 · 794 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence

IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy

BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE POWERSTEERING ON THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN TO BRING IT TO A SAFE PARK ON THE SIDE OF ROAD. INSTEAD I HIT AN EMBANKMENT. THE WITNESS AND POLICE WERE NOT SURE WHY MY CAR DID NOT FLIP OVER IN OTHER WORDS I LOST STEERING AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 15, 2011 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 18, 2013 · fire

WE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH OUR 2006 G6. OUR EXTERIOR LIGHT SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK, THE CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK. WE HAD TO REPLACE AT OUR OWN EXPENSE THE BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO INFERIOR QUALITY. WE WERE HAVING THE VIBRATION ISSUE SOME MENTIONED. MY WIFE COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 22, 2009 · crash

DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE POWERSTEERING ON THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN TO BRING IT TO A SAFE PARK ON THE SIDE OF ROAD. INSTEAD I HIT AN EMBANKMENT. THE WITNESS AND POLICE WERE NOT SURE WHY MY CAR DID NOT FLIP OVER IN OTHER WORDS I LOST STEERING AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 15, 2011 · crash

TL* - WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD AT 30 MPH, HER 2006 PONTIAC G6 SKIDDED ON BLACK ICE, CAUSING HER VEHICLE TO COLLIDE INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGED TO THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE, BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND, COPIES OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 17, 2007 · crash

2006 Pontiac G6 — common questions

Is the 2006 Pontiac G6 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 2,601 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 9 G6 years. It is one of the G6 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 G6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (1,234 complaints), electrical system (286 complaints), lighting (208 complaints).

Does the 2006 Pontiac G6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Pontiac G6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Pontiac G6 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac G6 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the G6 years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among G6 years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.