2006 Pontiac G6: complaints, problems and recalls

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE. WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD, BELOW 30 DEGREES F, STABILITRAK DOES NOT WORK AND MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED IN MESSAGE CENTER. WHEN TEMP IS ABOVE 30, STABILITRAK WORKS FINE. WITHOUT TRACTION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SLIDES OVER THE ROAD, LOSING TRACTION VERY EASILY. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144604 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, WOULD NOT START, WOULD NOT STEER TO SAFETY. EXTENSIVE SMOKING, BURNT SMELL. VEHICLE WAS WIRED INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED A FUSE TO BLOW. INSULATION TO THE A/C DESTROYED AND STARTER BLEW. NEW WIRES ROUTED CORRECTLY, NEW FUSE AND NEW STARTER. PLEASE NOTE I WAS ON A SIDE STREET WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IF BY CHANCE I WAS ON A BUSY STREET, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. I WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC, MY G6 WAS THE SECOND IN TWO DAYS WITH THE INCORRECT WIRING. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 6,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145446 at NHTSA ↗

2006 PONTIAC G6 GTP RENTAL CAR WITH APPROX 2,200 MILES DRIVING 25-35 MPH FOR APPROX 30 MIN., LOST POWER STEERING. PULLED OFF ROAD, SMOKE FROM GRILLE, OPENED HOOD TO FIND FIRE BETWEEN FIRE WALL AND ENGINE. DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING, I PRESUME POWER STEERING CONNECTION BROKE OR HOSE SPLIT SENDING FLUID ON HOT ENGINE CAUSING FIRE. FIRE WAS PUT OUT BEFORE IT GOT BIG BY PASSERBY'S SODA. CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE (ENGINE HAD COOLED - FIRE OUT), BUT HAD RENTAL COMPANY PICK IT UP JUST IN CASE THE FLUID HAD NOT EVAPORATED/BURNED OFF. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150375 at NHTSA ↗

GRINDING NOISE WHEN CHANGING GEARS ON 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. CLICKING OR POPPING NOISES FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF OF GAS. TRANSMISSION HAS A VERY POOR FEEL GENERALLY AND GENERALLY FEELS DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. GRINDING IS MORE APPARENT WITH LOW SPEED SHIFTS OR WHEN TURNING. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS THAT THE FOG LIGHT BUTTON AND THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH GET NOTICEABLY HOT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON. THE THIRD COMPLAINT IS THAT THE DASH LIGHTS DO NOT GO ON WHEN YOU PUT THE LIGHTS ON MANUALLY DURING THE DAY. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151085 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE GOING 5 MPH THE PLASTIC PIECE OF THE CONSOLE THAT IS NEXT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DROPPED DOWN. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST ON A SNOW BANK. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS FOOT BECAME CAUGHT IN THE CONSOLE COVER. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151419 at NHTSA ↗

F40 (GTP COUPE G6) 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION 2ND AND 3RD GEARS ARE VERY HARSH TO SHIFT, SOME GRINDING. EVEN WORST UNDER SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURE. CANNOT SHIFT BACK TO 1ST GEAR IF FREEZING UNTIL OIL IS WARM.. MAKE THE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT VERY LOW SPEED AND UNDER SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. HAVE TO GO TO COMPLETE STOP WHEN TRAFFIC STILL MOVING SO TO GET 1ST GEAR IN. GM HAS A REPLACEMENT PROGRAM BUT REFUSES TO APPLY IT TO MY CASE. DEALER CHANGED FAULTY LINKAGE CABLE AND TRIED TO ADJUST SHIFTER 6 TIMES WITH NO RESULTS. GM'S DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGERS, DEALER…

Owner-reported narrative. 14 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151759 at NHTSA ↗

(1) HIGH SPEED DRIVING (50 MILES PH) AND CAR WASH (2) LOT OF AIR NOISE THROUGH SUN ROOF AND WATER LEAKAGE IN THROUGH SUN ROOF IN CAR WASH (3) DEALER MENTIONED LOT OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED FROM OTHER CUSTOMER. WHEN THEY CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER (GM) THEY REQUEST TO CONTACT THE COMPANY THAT DESIGNED IT. THE COMPANY'S PHONE GOES TO THE ANSWERING MC AND NO RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. NOTHING IS DONE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151825 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL COME ON, DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WILL SHOW MESSAGE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND CAR WILL SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY AND NOT GO OVER 45 MPH. ADDITIONALLY CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. IF TURNED OFF REMOTE START WILL NOT WORK AND VEHICLE RESTARTS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND RUNS ROUGH. USUALLY NEXT RESTART CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL BE OFF AND WILL RUN BETTER. VEHICLE WILL HAVE BURNT SMELL WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE AFTER INCIDENT. COMPUTER IS STORING ERROR CODES BUT DEALER CAN NOT DIAG…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152340 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-10-31 (October 31, 2006)

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

Reported: 2009-01-30 (January 30, 2009)

GM IS RECALLING 8,012 MY 2005-2006 PONTIAC G6 VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY BECAUSE OF CORROSION IN A WIRING CONNECTOR. CORROSION IN THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS NOT BEEN DEPRESSED, OR THE LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT ENGAGE, AND GREATER BRAKE PEDAL FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK.

Consequence: BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY MAY NOT WARN A DRIVER IN A FOLLOWING VEHICLE OF THE BRAKING STATUS AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY A DIELECTRIC LUBRICANT TO THE CONNECTOR TO PREVENT CORROSION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FOR YOU FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1- 800-620-7668 OR OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Reported: 2014-03-31 (March 31, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

Reported: 2014-04-30 (April 30, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.

Consequence: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

Reported: 2014-05-14 (May 14, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Reported: 2015-02-04 (February 4, 2015)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.