Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Pontiac G6 problems

Owners filed 1,910 complaints about the 2006 Pontiac G6 with NHTSA between Dec 2005 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is steering (1,220).

Complaints
1,910
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
90
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
61
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering1,220
  2. Electrical system245
  3. Exterior lighting198
  4. Air bags117
  5. Service brakes116
  6. Power train89
  7. Fuel/propulsion system76
  8. Vehicle speed control69
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic63
  10. Suspension56
  11. Engine55
  12. Engine and engine cooling33
  13. Fuel system, gasoline32
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)31

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20052
200629
200765
2008127
2009226
2010294
2011150
2012110
2013144
2014259
2015106
201671
201773
201872
201952
202038
202129
202213
202318
202412
202512
20268

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

1,220 reports58 crashes4 fires3 related recalls
“While driving I'm going around a corner and the steering was grabbing and getting tight I had to mussel the car home then it stopped doing it the again and again now my steering has not power steering and when I back up it grabs sometimes out of my hands and almost breaks my arm. This car is a death trap. There were no warnings till it happened”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11761483

Electrical system

245 reports7 crashes4 fires1 related recall
“The electronic stability control has failed, due to sway bar links are worn out and causing wheels to vigorously wobble causing the Eps input circuit to shut down the system to avoid overloading the circuit and burning up the module , I believe the recall hasn't been fixed , Can you please consider the issue as dangerous and repair my car ... I am not trying to say this but I am homeless and dependent on the car for shelter as well as transportation... Please note don't use last statement to show sympathy on me ... I am doing ok today, Thank you, have a blessed day”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2025Steering, Suspension, Electrical systemODI 11707266

Exterior lighting

198 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“While driving the vehicle, the break lights are on, when you stop, or press the break peddle, the break lights go out, therefore giving no warning to the vehicles behind you.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2024Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11621622

Air bags

117 reports21 crashes1 related recall
“my son was driving the car and had a friend with him. they were involved in an accident which he tboned anoehr car. the driver air bad deployed but that was the only one. no other bad deployed and caused injury to windshield of passenger and caused injury to my son from drivers door.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11722807

Service brakes

116 reports12 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while attempting to make a right turn, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stopped independently. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment: N162075260 (Brake Lamp Malfunction); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the program, and to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2025Steering, Service brakesODI 11696329

Power train

89 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Midas. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to an undisclosed dealer and the contact was informed that the engine failed due to the timing belt and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2023Engine, Power trainODI 11530745
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.