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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering296
  2. Exterior lighting190
  3. Electrical system178
  4. Service brakes63
  5. Power train46
  6. Air bags40
  7. Fuel/propulsion system36
  8. Vehicle speed control35
  9. Engine24
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)18
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  12. Wheels12
  13. Seats12
  14. 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
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
20092
201010
201112
201233
201377
2014145
2015110
201656
201764
201856
201959
202026
202122
202211
202313
20247
20253
20267

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

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2026SteeringCrash reportedODI 11768391

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?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11557821

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2026Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11763947

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2025Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11701284

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2026Steering, Service brakes, hydraulic, Power trainODI 11721370

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11432121
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.