2006 Pontiac GTORecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 216 owner complaints for the 2006 Pontiac GTO. Most complaints involve suspension (191) and tires (23). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Suspension191
- Tires23
- Electrical system6
- Power train4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Steering3
- Equipment2
- Air bags1
- Wheels1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Suspension
“I HAVE A 2006 GTO THAT WAS MAKING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE BETWEEN 20 AND 50 MPH AFTER A 5,600 MILE ROAD TRIP WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE PREMATURE TREAD WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE (APPROX. 2" WIDTH) OF EACH TIRE, WITH THE REMAINING TREAD ON EACH TIRE EXHIBITING NORMAL WEAR. THESE WERE STOCK-SIZE, 2 YEAR-OLD DUNLOP DIREZZA DZ101 TIRES ON THE STOCK 17" WHEELS WITH 18,276 MILES ON THEM. AFTER SEEING THIS I CHECKED THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR THAT I KEPT FOR ORIGINALITY AND THEY EXHIBITED WEAR ON THE INSIDE TREAD AS WELL; IT WAS JUST NOT AS NOTICEABLE. I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, HAD THE DEALER PERFORM A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND EVERYTHING WAS IN SPECIFICATION. SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION I STARTED CHECKING ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I THEN EMAILED GM PRIORITY CARE AND THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING THE TIRES WERE AT FAULT SINCE THEY WERE NOT ORIGINAL TO THE CAR AND THAT GM WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH I GAVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FROM OTHER PEOPLE, ALONG WITH EVIDENCE OF THE SAME WEAR ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION ON THESE CARS HAVE QUITE A BIT OF NEGATIVE CAMBER…”
Tires
“BLOW OUT OF RIGHT REAR TIRE ON 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH FACTORY BRIDGESTONE POTENZA 18 TIRES WITH 22,000 MILES ON THEM. INSIDE TREAD SEVERELY WORN BEFORE THE REST OF THE TIRE CAUSING A TEAR ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. THIS WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL AFTER THE BLOW OUT. *TR”
Electrical system
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FRACTURED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRILLED TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR WEEKS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 6.0L 8-cyl
- Transmissions
- Manual 6-spd · Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTO Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| GTO Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $5,000 | 555 |
- 18mpg comb.
- 16mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
2006 GTO questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Pontiac GTO have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.
What are the most common 2006 Pontiac GTO problems?
Owners filed 216 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (191), tires (23), electrical system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2006 Pontiac GTO get?
The EPA rates the 2006 Pontiac GTO at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).