2006 Pontiac G6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Pontiac G6 ranks worst of 7 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 1,910 complaints, and 6 recalls. Steering issues dominate, making up 64% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 74,152 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 7 G6 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,910
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 90
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 61
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 61 / 2
Top 2006 Pontiac G6 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering1,220 (64%)
- Electrical System389 (20%)
- Brakes216 (11%)
- Engine153 (8%)
- Airbags117 (6%)
- Fuel System107 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain89 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires71 (4%)
- Other49 (3%)
- Structure & Body46 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Loss of power steering while driving at moderate speed, sometimes followed by smoke or fire near the firewall and engine.
- Burning smell and smoke from the center console or dashboard area, occasionally with no visible fire found on inspection.
- Steering wheel locking up suddenly during a turn, making it impossible to straighten the wheel and leading to a collision.
- Front airbags failing to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes, including collisions with deer and parked vehicles.
- Sudden suspension drop on one side while driving on the highway, causing loss of control and a crash into a fixed object.
- Electrical short circuits triggering the horn or dashboard smoke during storms, in one case melting interior components.
2006 Pontiac G6 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V064000Feb 4, 2015Steering69,633 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
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 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.
- 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.
2006 Pontiac G6 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2006 compared with other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Pontiac G6 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 G6 ranks worst of the 7 model years with data, carrying a complaint index of 100 and rated Avoid. Steering complaints account for 64% of all reports.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Pontiac G6?
- Steering is the top problem area, with 1,220 complaints (64% of the total), 58 crashes, and 4 fires reported. Median mileage at failure was 74,152 miles.
- Does the 2006 Pontiac G6 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2006 G6, covering steering, brakes, transmission, electrical, and airbag components, none marked do-not-drive.
- What year Pontiac G6 should I avoid?
- The 2006 and 2007 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83. The 2010 model year is rated Best with an index of 17.
- How does the 2006 G6 compare to other years?
- The 2006 G6 has the highest complaint index (100) among the 7 years with data, followed by 2007 at 83. The 2005 model, at index 33, is rated Good, and 2010, at index 17, is rated Best.