Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Pontiac G6 problems
Owners filed 713 complaints about the 2009 Pontiac G6 with NHTSA between Mar 2009 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (296).
Complaints
713
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
26
Reported by owners
Fires
20
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering296
- Exterior lighting190
- Electrical system178
- Service brakes63
- Power train46
- Air bags40
- Fuel/propulsion system36
- Vehicle speed control35
- Engine24
- Electronic stability control (esc)18
- Service brakes, hydraulic12
- Wheels12
- Seats12
- Fuel system, gasoline10
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
10
12
33
77
145
110
56
64
56
59
26
22
11
13
7
3
7
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 77 |
| 2014 | 145 |
| 2015 | 110 |
| 2016 | 56 |
| 2017 | 64 |
| 2018 | 56 |
| 2019 | 59 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 7 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
296 reports11 crashes4 fires2 related recalls
“The cars power steering went out on my son after a power surge going around a slight turn. He went head on with a box truck an been in the hospital for 3 weeks now with multiple compound fractures to his leg, ribs, tibia, fibia, and femur. Never received a recall notice for this recall. I would never of risked my sons life over a recall.”
Exterior lighting
190 reports10 fires
“Headlights are burning, melting and charged connections and causing dim lights. These headlights were recently replaced with new OEM healing’s for the second time and each replacement is burning out the connection. Please advise?”
Electrical system
178 reports1 crash4 fires1 related recall
“I purchased a used 2009 Pontiac G6 for my son less than 7 days ago (3 ). While driving on the highway attempting to exit the ramp, the steering wheel began to get very hard to turn. We nearly crashed! Just yesterday placed the car in park. Although the shifter showed it was in P for park as well as on the dash, the car began consistently moving in reverse. This vehicle is a safety hazard for my child and due to it being a used vehicle Im not protected by a warranty. The 2009 Pontiac G6 recall list states that these issues are known, yet his VIN was not listed I believe it should’ve been. We need contacted ASAP.”
Service brakes
63 reports5 crashes
“My brake lights are malfunctioning. It has not worked correctly in years. When you press on the brake, the brake lights turn itself off. When not pressing on the brake, my brake lights are on. I reached out to the GM dealership and I told them that the recall was fixed, but the issue is ongoing and poses extreme safety issues. I have gotten pulled over for this. No lights are on my dashboard. I have owned the car since the beginning of COVID and the issue has happened since.”
Power train
46 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was turned off, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The failure became more persistent over time, and several attempts were needed for the power steering feature to become operable. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the vehicle had experienced Mass Air Flow Sensor, Power Train System, Catalytic Converter Efficiency, ABS, Wheel Speed Sensor, Wheel Hub, Wheel Bearing, and TPMS failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and became aware of several recalls related to the year, make, and model vehicle; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,737”
Air bags
40 reports10 crashes
“The contact owned a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at 30-35 mph, the contact was in the right turn lane when making a turn a vehicle in front of them was making a left turn but did not see the contact which caused the contact to crash into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact did not have time to stop. The contact was concerned that no air bags deployed. There was no medical treatment at the scene. No one was injured. A police report was filed. There was damage on the contact front bumper and grill and pushed metal into the radiator. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where the contact insurance inspected the vehicle and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 120,000.”
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.