VehicleVerdict

2009 Pontiac G6 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Pontiac G6 sits mid-pack among G6 years: 1,044 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 932, with 5 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 24 injuries in total across these filings.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 294 reports (28% of the total).

1,044

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

29

Fires reported

24

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other G6 years?

G6 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all G6 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Pontiac G6 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering29428%
Electrical System20219%
Lighting19118%
Brakes787%
Fuel System464%
Transmission454%
Airbags404%
Speed Control353%
Engine323%
Other232%
Tires & Wheels151%
Seats121%
Latches & Locks91%
Visibility & Wipers71%
Body & Structure71%
Suspension61%
Seat Belts20%

Does the 2009 Pontiac G6 have recalls?

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

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.

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.

12V460000TransmissionSeptember 18, 2012 · 426,240 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.

Consequence

If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

09V073000TransmissionMarch 6, 2009 · 276,729 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

ON 4/19/2016 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT AROUND 35MPH IT STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT AND WHEN TRIED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION THE STEERING WAS UNRESPONSIVE AS IF LOCKED UP CAUSING A COLLISION WITH AN ON COMING VEHICLE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON A TWO LANE STRAIGHT CITY STREET ON A CLEAR DAY AND NEARLY WAS A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 19, 2016 · crash

I WAS DRIVING MY CARE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I LOOKED AT MT TEMP AND IT WAS FINE. THE SMOKE STAR6COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASH. I TURNED CAR OFF THEN FLAMES STARTED BURNING THROUGH DASH AND UNDER THE HOOD. THIS TOOK PLACE IN MY DRIVEWAY

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 22, 2021 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BEING REPLACED, IT WAS DETECTED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS WERE BURNT AND MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 1, 2017 · fire

AS I WAS DRIVING AROUND A CURVE ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS ON MY LANE HEADING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AS ME SO I TURNS QUICKLY TO AVOID COLLISION AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE BRAKES AND WHEELS. UPON IMPACT WITH A LIGHT POST NO AIR BAGS ON MY SIDE CAME OUT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 6, 2013 · crash

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE NOTICEABLE FROM 10 OR MORE FEET AWAY FROM VEHICLE WHEN PARKED OR RUNNING. CANNOT PARK IN GARAGE DUE TO STRONG FUEL SMELL. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OVERFILLED. SMELL HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE FOR MANY MONTHS BUT IS GETTING STRONGER LATELY. RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET YIELDS MANY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 10, 2015

2009 Pontiac G6 — common questions

Is the 2009 Pontiac G6 reliable?

It is close to typical for the G6: 1,044 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2009 G6 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (294 complaints), electrical system (202 complaints), lighting (191 complaints).

Does the 2009 Pontiac G6 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Pontiac G6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Pontiac G6 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.