2006 Pontiac GTO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
216 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
1,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 198 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front is the most frequently named component, appearing in 72 of 216 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 4.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front | 72 |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 70 |
| Suspension | 54 |
| Tires | 17 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar | 3 |
| Equipment | 2 |
Suspension:Front: 72; Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut: 70; Suspension: 54; Tires: 17; Electrical System: 5; Steering: 3; Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar: 3; Equipment: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 170 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 170; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (170). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 132 |
| 2007 | 25 |
| 2008 | 26 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2006: 132; 2007: 25; 2008: 26; 2009: 11; 2010: 11; 2011: 5; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10161632 · 2006-07-06 (July 6, 2006)
1) PURCHASED A NEW 2006 PONTIAC GTO. 2) FRONT STRUTS LEAKED ALL OF THEIR OIL CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE WHILE TURNING OVER BUMPS OR WHILE BRAKING. 3) THE CAR WILL HAVE THE STRUTS REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161730 · 2006-07-06 (July 6, 2006)
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL STARTED TO HOP, LIKE THERE WAS NO SHOCK IN IT AND SHAKING THE STEERING WHEEL. PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY FRONT STRUTS (SHOCKS) WERE LEAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE. SHOCK OIL WAS ALL OVER THE FRONT BRAKES AND THE ROTORS. ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 DAY BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER. 1 DAY OLD *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 132 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164603 · 2006-08-05 (August 5, 2006)
FAULTY FRONT STRUTS FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 1200 MILES ON NEW VEHICLE PURCHASED 12 JUNE 2006. STRUT FAILURE CAUSES OTHER SUSPENSION/STEERING PROBLEMS AND RENDERS THE VEHICLE INHERENTLY UNSAFE. THIS PROBLEM WAS KNOWN TO GENERAL MOTORS AND TO STRUT MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO THE SALE OF THIS VEHICLE TO ME. FAULTY STRUTS WERE NOT REPLACED BY DEALER, NOR WAS I INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER VEHICLE PURCHASE BY DEALER (HARDIN PONTIAC ANAHEIM, CA), BY GENERAL MOTORS OR BY THE STRUT OEM (MONROE). HAD TO DISCOVER MYSELF. SINCE DISCOVERY HAV…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154630 · 2006-04-05 (April 5, 2006)
6 SPEED TRANSMISSION MANUAL WILL NOT GO INTO ANY GEARS. 770 MILES ON CAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 770 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10322898 · 2010-03-30 (March 30, 2010)
I BOUGHT MY 2006 PONTIAC GTO END OF JULY 2006, AND SINCE THEN THERE HAS BEEN A CLICKING NOISE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS IT WAS THE STRUT MAKING THE NOISE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN OVER 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME NOISE, BUT THE NOISE STILL REMAINS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT STRUT BECAUSE IT COMPLETE CAME OUT. SHORTLY AFTER THE STRUT WAS REPLACED I HAD A TIRE COMPLETELY POP. I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES (NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE). SECOND PROBLEM, THE SWAY BAR HAD TO BE REPLACE. IT S…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322898 at NHTSA ↗