8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$700
Average Mileage:
73,900 miles
Total Complaints:
57 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (30 reports)
  2. steering column replaced (20 reports)
  3. more money (3 reports)
  4. replace sensor (3 reports)
  5. replace torque angle sensor (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Pontiac dealer.

problem #57

Dec 312017

G6 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 146,688 miles

For this to be a widely known problem, this and other product issues should ALWAYS be covered under recall and there should NOT be an expiration date on getting the repairs done. You would think that one of the largest automotive companies in the US would...

#1 produce cars without so many defects which result extreme safety issues and/or expensive repairs

#2 stand behind their product 100%

With the exception of my very first car (88' Chevy Cavalier), I've had nothing but problems with GM products. I'm so done with GM vehicles. I don't ever plan on buying another one.

- efuller09, Columbus, US

problem #56

Sep 202012

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

This is mainly to inform others that this issue should be covered by GM. In June I received a letter from Pontiac saying that this issue is recognized by GM as a possible issue with the 2005 G6. Any repairs due to this issue will be covered by GM as long as the mileage is under 150,000 if you have not received a letter contact the GM customer assistance center they will ask for your vin number. However if you have not had an issue with the power steering as of yet you may not ever have a problem.

Today my steering went out I contacted my local dealer who will have the part in next week. It will be billed directly to GM. Hopefully everyone will follow through...

- rhein, St Johnsbury, VT, US

problem #55

Dec 132011

G6 GT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

My daughter was at a stoplight getting ready to turn right and the steering wheel completely locked up on her. She couldn't turn it at all. She turned the car off and started it again and it seemed fine. The issue occurred a second time in February 2012. It was diagnosed at the dealer as having a power steering assist issue. The car had 120,000 miles on it at that time so was not covered under the 'special coverage' GM has for the steering issue. We did have the car fixed because we felt it was too dangerous for her to drive. I seriously can't believe there isn't a recall on this. I've read hundreds of complaints on this issue, which indicates it's a widespread problem. Most people can't afford to get it fixed so just take their chances on driving the car and not having a serious accident.

- Teresa H., Liberty, MO, US

problem #54

Mar 142012

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,579 miles

I had it diagnosis and was told to take it to the dealer to get it fixed. I think this should be on the recall list if so many has the same issue. I only have had this car 1 1/2 months and the steering has gone out on me twice. Once on a country road thank god I know how to steer a car without power. Then I was going not even 15 mph getting ready to turn right and it went out. I hope no one is killed in order to for a recall. I called the dealership I got it from and they told me you can over steer it ....How when you are going straight down a road and when I was going to turn right it went out before I made the turn.

- cmsteele3, Reynoldsburg, OH, US

problem #53

Dec 292011

G6 3500 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,100 miles

2005 Pontiac G6 3500 V6 power steering went out on my daughter as she drove down on driveway. Fortunately, she was not out on the road somewhere, at speed and in a turn, because she could not turn the wheel at all. Now I see that there is an issue with the electric power steering unit on this vehicle. She won't be allowed to drive the car now that I have read about the problem. Guess I will call the dealer. Any feedback or information about a GM recall or National Traffic Safety Board formal complaint?

Since this was probably a Saginaw Steering Gear component, has the new Nexsteer divison (spin-off from Delphi) been notified.

- Scott L., Mason, OH, US

problem #52

Nov 222011

G6 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,313 miles

Similar to what others have experienced, while I was driving down the highway to work this morning my car started dinging and the steering wheel jerked, POWER STEERING was flashing on the control center. I had very little control over the vehicle but got to work safely, although very frightened. I called my mechanic who said he was sure that this particular problem would be covered as it had been a major issue. I called GM and spoke to the service department- they took my VIN and then told me that my car did not meet the requirements and that to fix it would be out of my own pocket. It seemed this would be anywhere from $650-900. I was very upset and called my mechanic back- he insisted that it should be covered as he'd seen this happen before on my same make/model. I called GM back and spoke to the SAME person and low and behold they finally "found" the listing on the computer for this fix....funny how before they insisted that it would not be covered but once I said my mechanic was positive and he had encountered this previously that they managed to agree with me. So I guess I am satisfied that my car is going to be covered but I am not happy about GM and how they obviously tried to play me for a fool as I am a young woman and clearly I must be stupid??!! I hope other people have mechanics as good as mine who actually look out for their well being...by the way, I live in Canada and the requirements were to be under 10 yrs or 160 000 km which ever comes first

- mccabena, Sf, ON, canada

problem #51

Aug 022011

G6 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,800 miles

well here is my story, I was driving down the interstate at about 78 miles per hour and the power steering went out.....I could not turn or hardly control the car. I was unaware of any problem with my car until that moment....If this an problem with these cars why in Gods name has nothing been done?

- Kristi W., Clinton, IA, US

problem #50

Oct 222011

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

All I can say, is this is an everyday problem. And I'm not exaggerating. I mean everyday the damn steering goes out of this car. Sure my wife can shut it off and start it back to reset it but. how long does that fix the problem? Most of the time 2 to 5 miles down the road the steering wheel will start jerking on its own. Sometimes just sitting in a parking lot or under a red light. The steering wheel will move on its own like the damn thing is possessed. The main reason I am complaining is because, just today my wife and 5 year old daughter was driving to paintsville ky,and while she was driving around a curve the steering went out completely and thankfully there was no oncoming traffic at the time because it jerked her into the other lane and onto the shoulder on the other side of the road. To be honest I don't know how I could make it without my family if something were to happen to them. I know the problem needs fixed but, with the price of everything else in this world we just cant afford it right now. So for now she will be driving my truck while I ride with my buddy to work. So I'm asking GM if you have a heart at all please make this a recall before someone looses a wife,child,husband,mother or father. Wouldn't a recall be worth more to people than loosing a loved one.

- possum, Royalton, KY, US

problem #49

May 242011

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

While driving my children to school the power steering went out in my 2005 Pontiac G6, it said power steering on the radio head and the gauge. No warning or anything...I struggle to get the car back home. Well the 2005 Pontiac G6 has not been recalled only "special coverage's". Pontiac has recalled several other models and years. I contact the local Pontiac dealership and they were very helpful. I find out that my vin # for my car has what is called "Special Coverage's", there is a bulletin that my car falls under. 1st bulletin-issued by Pontiac-7 years or 70,000 miles and you can have the steering column replaced. Then they still have problems and issue bulletin #2-10 years or 100,000 miles. Guess what...my car has 130,000 miles. The dealership tells me to contact Pontiac and see if there is something they can do for me. I call Pontiac and speak to a gentleman who tells me-what special coverage's vs recalls mean, he locates a dealership that is certified, then tells me Pontiac will NOT be responsible for having my steering column replaced. I try to talk with him and tell him I had the car prior to 100,000 miles or 10 years but was not aware of any problems. He tells me that they understand but they were sorry they could not help me, he also says that it was the previous owners responsibility to take care of it since they had sent out letters. I have no clue who the previous owners are.

The gentleman continues to try and set up an appointment to have my car diagnosed, but insists that Pontiac will not pay for any work or the diagnostic fee. I tell him I can't even afford to have the car fixed, why would I go and pay for a diagnostic fee that tells me what I, Pontiac, the Pontiac dealership, and the intranet have already told me. He continues through the conversation to try and set me up an appointment, I continue to say no, he then says when can I get it done, again I say I don't know, he then says he will call me in 2 days to see if I've had the diagnostic done but Pontiac will not pay for any of it. I tell him that he can go ahead and call but I don't have the money to have it done plus this is our only car so I can not afford to be with out a car.

The entire time he tries to push for me to have the diagnostic done on the car! I have no more money to put into this car...I'm already hurting financially for replacing the transmission twice in 14 months and multiple other problems. I just think this is terrible of Pontiac! I plan to file a report against Pontiac wherever I can! I will tell you this...I have no means to get this car fixed or diagnosed or anything else, so I will continue to drive a car with no power steering and pray to God that he will keep me and my family safe.

- jacksont, Springfield, MO, US

problem #48

Mar 232011

G6 V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 114,000 miles

I have driving Pontiac's for the past 22 yrs,but my 05 model has been a car from Hell. There should be a recall based on the steering problem before someone get hurt. I was told by the GM dealer my whole steering column needs to be replace at a cost of 600. I put it in the shop to get it fixed want be driving this clunker long or any other GM products.

- stjohnson87, Wynne, AR, US

problem #47

Mar 172011

G6 ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

all i can say is this, the steering is crap on this car and should be a recall. i think that someone will have to be killed before it comes to that. it just chaps my ass that they can design something so poorly and then not stand behind it. i just hope my wifes car doesn't do it again.

i can say this, we went truck shopping the other day and i didn't come home with an American made. i came home with a TOYOTA TACOMA and if i can change my wifes mind i will trade her g6 to a Toyota Camry'

- jamieky, Royalton, KY, US

problem #46

Dec 312009

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I experienced an issue with the power steering on my G6 going out while I was driving. I would have to pull over and turn the car off to get the steering to work. I had paid for the extended warranty so I took it to the dealer. They stated that there was nothing wrong with the steering. Currently I have had it in to 3 separate dealers and no one wants to honor my warranty and fix it. I also received a letter from Pontiac however my car exceeded the mileage allowance. I sent a certified letter to GM with all of my documentation asking them to please honor my warranty and they basically told me to take a hike. Every single person that I spoke to treated me horrible and were extremely rude. They told me this is not a safety issue not worry about it however I have had it go out on the expressway, expressway ramps, ect and cant not safely steer the car off the road. Sometimes I have to restart my car 3 or 4 times before it will work. This happens several times a day mostly in colder weather. I can not afford to pay to have it fived because I spent all of my money on the extended warranty. Which at the time I thought was a good idea since I drive over 80 miles a day to and from work.They have recalled the G5 and G8 but not the G6 and their basically the same vehicle. HELP, please.

- Kathleen P., Allen Park, MI, US

problem #45

Jul 312010

G6 GT 3.5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

The problem started when the "service vehicle soon" light and "power steering" message in the DIC display came on. I was not sure what the problem was at the beginning because I did not notice any difference in performance. The alarm would come on and go away until I started having problems with the steering wheel locking up. I could unlock it by restarting the car several times. I took the car to a mechanic shop and they were unable to identify the problem using their super duper $27,000 data scanner. They told me that they could access all the codes except for the EPS (electronic power steering) system. Will, this is funny. Why would GM block communication for the EPS.

I contacted GM and they told me that the problem was considered a recall on the G5 and not the G6. What the heck is the difference? Isn't it the same EPS system having same problem? They told me that I have to pay for the repairs myself. I don't think this fair and I'm extremely disappointed with how GM is handling this problem.

- omari, Cottage Grove, MN, US

problem #44

Jun 042010

G6 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,536 miles

The power steering went out on my car a couple of months ago and I took it in to get a diagnostic done. They found that the sensors in the steering column are faulty and would have to change the whole steering column (they can't just change the sensors). The cost of the repair would be around $700.

I recently received a letter from General Motors of Canada stating that my car may have a condition where there is a 'loss of power steering assist caused by electrical input signals within the steering column assembly'. They go on to say GM will fix my problem at no charge.

That's all fine and dandy but when I took my vehicle in to a GM dealer they had no idea what this letter meant and said the only recall they have for this car is the steering gear box. That recall is completely seperate from the recall I just received in the mail.

After going in and calling the dealer back three times and getting nowhere, I called GM themselves. After spending almost an hour on the phone with GM and explaining the letter I received from them, they tell me they don't know anything about it either!!! They are going to do an investigation and get back to me. How messed up is that??? How does GM not know anything about the letter they sent me?

- cadam, Nanton, AB, Canada

problem #43

Jun 042010

G6 GT 3.2lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

I paid $17,000 for my Pontiac G6 GT 3 years ago. It has 63,000 miles on it and I am looking at over $1,000 in repairs. They told me I needed a Power Steering Position Censor and also a Power Steering I Shaft. I have had vehicles 10 and 12 years and never had Power Steering problems, at best maybe had to add a little Power Steering Fluid. GM just tells me "well there has been recalls on the G 5's and Cobalts??, but not on the G 6's. WHY?????????????????? The G 6's are having the same problems as the G 5's and Cobalts??.

I am just about to the point that I am not even going to buy an American made car anymore. I am so sick of the prices and them not standing behind their product. It is pretty sad when you buy a car you have to go and study each and every car you attempt to buy to see what problems they have had with them???? I take very good care of my car and I don't consider a $1,000 Power Steering problem a minor repair. AND GMC DOESN'T EVEN CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The least they could do is stand behind their JUNK????????????? That is all I ask.

- Cheryl H., Durand, WI, US

problem #42

Oct 102008

G6 GT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,852 miles

I have had my car in the shop 4 times and am having to take it again this week for the steering problems. I have taken it to 3 different Pontiac dealers. Has been ok for 19 mo. now messed up again. GM we need a recall before someone gets KILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!

- lauraal, Tuscumbia, AL, Pacific Islands (US)

problem #41

Jun 212010

G6 GT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

our g6 power steering took a crap on us, called gm about the numerous complaints for the Pontiac g6 power steering, they have a recall for the g4 and g5 because they produced so many of them that a recall would be cheaper than the lawsuits, whereas the g6 doesn't have the numbers of the g4 and g5 the lawsuits are cheaper than the recall. in short GM SAYS GET SCREWED

- darrinf, Columbus, WI, US

problem #40

Feb 232010

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

This was the first time it ever happened to me. I was pulling out of the parking lot from work and got about 5 feet and my power steering locked up. I had to get a male coworker to move the car back in the parking spot. We waited a few minutes after turning the car off and restarted it but it still was locked up. AFter a few tries, it finally worked. I dropped the car off the next day but I was so frightened and paranoid about driving that the 20 mile drive to the dealer was awful.

- LaVeitra G., Dacula, GA, US

problem #39

May 282010

G6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,360 miles

Complant number #31 payed $1000.00. Went 3,000 more miles and had to put in a power steering column at $698.00. Doesn't make any sense. Why has this not been recalled???????

- Diane D., Richmond, VA, US

problem #38

May 222010

G6 GT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,351 miles

click to see larger images

electric power steering going out

Please look over and read my picture as it explains the accident, overall an extremely frightening experience. although my power steering has locked about 5 times before. I am extremely sick of this, i even went to my dealer ( not gm ) and told him i needed the power steering looked into as it was locking up HE TOLD ME IT WAS A RECALL, of course no one wants to come forward and say it was there fault in this whole matter, im also wondering what i can do to get this recalled, as GM refused to give me a claim number untill i had it diagnosed by gm (and yes they want me to pay for the diagnoses) on it, what a freaking load of crap!

- Travis S., Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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