YearToAvoid

2009 Pontiac G6 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2009 Pontiac G6 ranks 3rd worst of 7 model years, with a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict. Steering (41% of complaints) and electrical system issues (40%), including headlight harness melting, are the top concerns.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
67/100
#3 of 7 G6 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
712
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
25
reported in complaints
Fires
20
Injuries
20
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
18 city / 29 hwy
Injuries / deaths
20 / 0

Top 2009 Pontiac G6 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering295 (41%)
  2. Electrical System282 (40%)
  3. Brakes91 (13%)
  4. Engine66 (9%)
  5. Fuel System46 (6%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain46 (6%)
  7. Airbags40 (6%)
  8. Structure & Body27 (4%)
  9. Other23 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (3%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners describe headlight bulbs repeatedly blowing out because the wiring harness or bulb socket melted, sometimes recurring every few weeks.
  • Some drivers report intermittent hard upshifts, a stalling cruise control, a flickering speedometer, and a power steering warning appearing together.
  • One owner reported a rear wheel separating from the vehicle after lug bolt studs sheared off, leading to a loss of control.
  • A heated seat reportedly burned severely and would not cool down quickly after being shut off.
  • A driver reported a rear tire failing at around 35 mph, causing a loud popping noise and the vehicle to veer off the road.
2009 Pontiac G6 complaints: complaints filed per quarter622009 Q12012 Q12014 Q12016 Q12018 Q12020 Q12022 Q12024 Q2
712 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q1 (62).

2009 Pontiac G6 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 12V460000Sep 18, 2012Transmission & Powertrain426,240 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2009 Pontiac G6 →

2009 Pontiac G6 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
29 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.

2009 compared with other G6 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200620072008200920102014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid831,231421
2008Caution501,079420
2009Caution67712422
2010Best17272224
2014No verdict010—

All Pontiac G6 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Pontiac G6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 G6 carries a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst among the 7 model years with data.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Pontiac G6?
Steering complaints make up 41% of reports and electrical system complaints make up 40%, with brakes at 13%. Electrical complaints often involve headlight wiring that melted.
Does the 2009 Pontiac G6 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 G6, covering brakes, steering, and transmission shift cable issues, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Pontiac G6 should I avoid?
NHTSA data shows 2006 and 2007 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83. The 2009 model is rated Caution, a step below those two years.
What is the best year Pontiac G6 to buy?
Among the 7 model years with data, 2010 has the lowest complaint index at 17 and is rated Best, while 2005 is rated Good.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.