What year Pontiac G6 should I avoid?

Avoid the 2006 and 2007 model years. The 2006 G6 has a complaint index of 100, the highest of any G6 year, and the 2007 G6 has an index of 83, both driven mainly by steering complaints.

What is the best year for the Pontiac G6?

The 2010 Pontiac G6 is the best year based on NHTSA data, with only 272 complaints and a complaint index of 17, the lowest of any covered year.

Is the 2008 or 2009 Pontiac G6 reliable?

Both are rated Caution relative to other G6 years. The 2008 has a complaint index of 50 and the 2009 has an index of 67, both lower than the 2006 and 2007 Avoid years but higher than the 2010 Best year.

What is the most common problem with the Pontiac G6?

Steering is the top problem area across all G6 years, accounting for 53% of the 5,884 total complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 27%.

Does the Pontiac G6 have steering recalls?

Yes. NHTSA recall 15V064000 covers a steering torque sensor issue on 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles, one of 10 total recall campaigns recorded across all G6 model years.

Pontiac G6 Best and Worst Years (2005–2014)

Avoid the 2006 and 2007 Pontiac G6: 2006 has a complaint index of 100 (the highest of any year) with 1,910 complaints, 90 crashes, 11 fires and 2 deaths, and 2007 follows with an index of 83. The 2010 model is the best year, with only 272 complaints and an index of 17.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006 Avoid 2007 Best 2010

Model years: 7; 2005–2014
NHTSA complaints: 5,884
Recall campaigns: 10
Crashes reported: 242
Fires reported: 79
Top problem area: Steering

G6 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Pontiac G6 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Good	33	679	26	4	5	Steering	22	—
2006	Avoid	100	1,910	90	11	6	Steering	20	—
2007	Avoid	83	1,231	54	24	4	Steering	21	—
2008	Caution	50	1,079	37	19	4	Steering	20	—
2009	Caution	67	712	25	20	4	Steering	22	—
2010	Best	17	272	10	1	2	Steering	24	—
2014	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Electrical System	—	—

G6 years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Pontiac G6 Index 100 · 1,910 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2006 G6 has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 1,910 complaints tied to 90 crashes, 11 fires, 61 injuries, and 2 deaths. Steering accounts for 64% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 74,152 miles; owners describe sudden loss of power steering, including one case where steering fluid leaking onto the engine led to an under-hood fire. Electrical System issues made up 20% of complaints, including reports of burning odors and smoke near the center console. NHTSA lists six recalls for this year, including a steering torque sensor campaign and a brake wiring harness fix shared with related GM models.

2006 steering problems →2006 electrical system problems →2006 brakes problems →

2007 Pontiac G6 Index 83 · 1,231 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2007 G6 carries a complaint index of 83, the second worst of any year, with 1,231 complaints, 54 crashes, 24 fires, 32 injuries, and 1 death. Steering problems make up 44% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 99,771.5, while Electrical System issues account for 29%, including a reported engine-compartment electrical fire. Brakes make up 20% of complaints, with owners describing brake pedals that failed to stop the vehicle. Four recalls apply to this year, including the same steering torque sensor and brake wiring harness campaigns issued for the 2006 model.

2007 steering problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 brakes problems →

Most common Pontiac G6 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Steering3,106 (53%)
Electrical System1,612 (27%)
Brakes885 (15%)
Engine514 (9%)
Airbags409 (7%)
Transmission & Powertrain378 (6%)
Fuel System356 (6%)
Structure & Body194 (3%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires190 (3%)
Other159 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Pontiac G6 should I avoid?: Avoid the 2006 and 2007 model years. The 2006 G6 has a complaint index of 100, the highest of any G6 year, and the 2007 G6 has an index of 83, both driven mainly by steering complaints.
What is the best year for the Pontiac G6?: The 2010 Pontiac G6 is the best year based on NHTSA data, with only 272 complaints and a complaint index of 17, the lowest of any covered year.
Is the 2008 or 2009 Pontiac G6 reliable?: Both are rated Caution relative to other G6 years. The 2008 has a complaint index of 50 and the 2009 has an index of 67, both lower than the 2006 and 2007 Avoid years but higher than the 2010 Best year.
What is the most common problem with the Pontiac G6?: Steering is the top problem area across all G6 years, accounting for 53% of the 5,884 total complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 27%.
Does the Pontiac G6 have steering recalls?: Yes. NHTSA recall 15V064000 covers a steering torque sensor issue on 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles, one of 10 total recall campaigns recorded across all G6 model years.