YearToAvoid

2009 Pontiac G6 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 46 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2009 Pontiac G6, 6% of all 712 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest transmission complaint count among 7 G6 model years. These complaints report 3 crashes and 3 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 78,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
46
6% of 712
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
78,000 mi
Related recalls
2

When 2009 Pontiac G6 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 27, 2009, latest Sep 13, 2026.

2009 Pontiac G6 transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2009Sep 2012Jun 2013Sep 2014Jul 2015May 2017Aug 2018Mar 2023
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2009 to Sep 2026; peak May 2013 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2009 Pontiac G6

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 09V073000Mar 6, 2009Transmission & Powertrain276,729 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift

    General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and fmvss 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. With this condition, the drive could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park".

    Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2009. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 and saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by G6 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200548 (7%)
  2. 200689 (5%)
  3. 200798 (8%)
  4. 200883 (8%)
  5. 200946 (6%)
  6. 201014 (5%)
  7. 20140 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Pontiac G6 have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 46 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2009 Pontiac G6, 6% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 78,000 miles.
Which Pontiac G6 year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2007 Pontiac G6 has the most transmission complaints (98), compared with 46 for the 2009.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2009 Pontiac G6?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Pontiac G6 concern the transmission: 12V460000 and 09V073000.

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.