2005 Pontiac G6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Pontiac G6 has a complaint index of 33, ranking 5th of 7 model years, with a Good verdict. Steering complaints dominate, making up 68% of the 679 complaints filed, with 5 recalls including a steering-related campaign.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 G6 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 679
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 26
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19.5 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2005 Pontiac G6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering459 (68%)
- Electrical System134 (20%)
- Brakes75 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain48 (7%)
- Engine47 (7%)
- Fuel System33 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (4%)
- Other21 (3%)
- Structure & Body19 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers16 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can suddenly lock up while turning, sometimes at highway speed, leading to loss of control.
- Power steering intermittently tightens or stiffens, making the wheel hard to turn, especially to the left.
- Electrical shorts have occurred in the sun visor and ABS module, in some cases producing smoke or fire.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple moderate-speed rear-end and front-end collisions, resulting in injuries.
- Water has leaked from interior light fixtures onto the cabin and driver during use.
2005 Pontiac G6 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V252000May 14, 2014Brakes2,440,524 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V224000Apr 30, 2014Transmission & Powertrain1,131,113 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
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.
Risk: 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 ÂPARK position, the transmission may not be in ÂPARK. 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.
- NHTSA 14V153000Mar 31, 2014Steering1,373,177 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: 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.
2005 Pontiac G6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Pontiac G6 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 G6 carries a complaint index of 33, the second-lowest among the 7 model years with data, and earns a Good verdict relative to other G6 years.
- What is the main problem with the 2005 Pontiac G6?
- Steering issues dominate, accounting for 459 of 679 complaints (68%), including reports of the steering locking up, with a median failure mileage of 81,916 miles.
- Does the 2005 Pontiac G6 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 G6, covering steering, electrical system (brake lamp wiring corrosion), transmission, brakes, and a child restraint anchorage issue.
- How does the 2005 G6 compare to other G6 years?
- The 2005 G6's complaint index of 33 is well below the 2006 model's index of 100 and the 2007 model's index of 83, both rated Avoid, though the 2010 G6 scores lowest at 17 and is rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Pontiac G6?
- EPA rates the 2005 G6 at 22 mpg combined (19.5 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.