2008 Pontiac G6: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,078 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
79,233 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 890 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 415 of 1,078 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 405 | 37.6% |
| Braking behavior | 239 | 22.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 130 | 12.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 63 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 42 | 3.9% |
| Engine operation | 29 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 415 |
| Exterior Lighting | 228 |
| Electrical System | 218 |
| Service Brakes | 121 |
| Air Bags | 97 |
| Power Train | 77 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 62 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 52 |
Steering: 415; Exterior Lighting: 228; Electrical System: 218; Service Brakes: 121; Air Bags: 97; Power Train: 77; Vehicle Speed Control: 62; Fuel/Propulsion System: 52
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 57 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 133 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 217 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 176 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 218 |
| 150,000 and above | 89 |
Under 25,000: 57; 25,000 to 49,999: 133; 50,000 to 74,999: 217; 75,000 to 99,999: 176; 100,000 to 149,999: 218; 150,000 and above: 89
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (218). 188 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 59 |
| 2012 | 85 |
| 2013 | 158 |
| 2014 | 191 |
| 2015 | 137 |
| 2016 | 79 |
| 2017 | 72 |
| 2018 | 64 |
| 2019 | 52 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2008: 13; 2009: 28; 2010: 59; 2011: 59; 2012: 85; 2013: 158; 2014: 191; 2015: 137; 2016: 79; 2017: 72; 2018: 64; 2019: 52; 2020: 30; 2021: 15; 2022: 11; 2023: 7; 2024: 7; 2025: 5; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 405 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 239 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 130 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10226001 · 2008-04-29 (April 29, 2008)
PONTIAC 2008 G6 3,368 MILEAGE POWER STEERING ERROR, THEN TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. 4/25/08 PHONED DEALERSHIP AND SCHEDULED REPAIR FOR 4/28/08. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ON 4/27/08. 4/28/08 DEALERSHIP DISCOVERED TWO BROKEN WIRES IN THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR HARNESS. THEY INDICATED THAT SOMETHING HAD SEVERED THE WIRES AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. WHY WOULD TWO WIRES BE LEFT UNSHIELDED FROM THE ELEMENTS? THE DEALERSHIP VIA MY REQUEST RECEIVED AN ONE …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,368 miles reported. Look up ODI 10226001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230021 · 2008-06-05 (June 5, 2008)
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ENTERING AN EXIT RAMP AT 50 MPH. THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'VE NOW PARKED MY VEHICLE AND HAVEN'T BEEN DRIVING IT. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN UNDER AGE 4 AND CANNOT ALLOW THEM TO BE IN THAT DEATH TRAP. AFTER I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE AREA, I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND ABOUT 10 MIN LATER ON AGAIN. AFTER THAT, MY STEERING WAS FINE. I'VE ALSO HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED 3 TIMES FOR A CLICK SOUND THAT IS MADE ANYTIME I TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I'VE BEEN TOLD…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,216 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236397 · 2008-07-30 (July 30, 2008)
I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW WITH 5 MILES IN APRIL WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. AT AROUND 5500 MILES, THE CAR FIRST STALLED. IT STARTED BACK UP THAT DAY WITHOUT ISSUE AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. AFTER THAT, IT WOULD STALL MAYBE ONCE A WEEK. THIS HAPPENED UP UNTIL ABOUT 6200 MILES. AFTER THAT, I WAS GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS, REDUCED ENGINE POWER(WHICH WAS VERY SPORADIC), SERVICE TRACTION, AND ENGINE LUGGING. IT CONTINUED TO STALL 3 TIMES A WEEK OR SO. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWICE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME THEY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10236397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239105 · 2008-08-20 (August 20, 2008)
I AM A CURRENT OWNER OF AN 2008 PONTIAC G6 WITH THE V6 OPTION. IT SEEMS FOR ONLY HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 15000 MILES THE ROTORS ARE BEGINNING TO WARP, AS READING FORUMS I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND WOULD FORTH HENCE LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241145 · 2008-09-06 (September 6, 2008)
VEHICLE HAS STALLED 3 TIMES,TOOK TO DEALER,THEY PULLED A CRUISE CONTROL TC OUT OF COMPUTER. UNABLE TO MAKE IT REPEAT SO NOTHING DONE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241785 · 2008-09-10 (September 10, 2008)
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2007 PONTIAC G-6. SHE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE ENTERING THE EXPRESS WAY AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO HER TURNING THE WHEEL THEREFORE THE CAR WENT INTO THE DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSIQUENTLY SHE FRACTURED HER BACK. SEPTEMBER 2007 IN NOVEMBER 2007 MY SON WAS DRIVING A 2008 PONTIAC G-6. HE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. THE CAR ROLLED OVER HIT A TREE AND KILLED MY SON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 125 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243650 · 2008-09-18 (September 18, 2008)
2008 PONTIAC G6 HAS ISSUES WITH POSSIBLE DEFECTS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WANDERED. AT 60 MPH, THE WANDERING INCREASED AND CONSTANT CORRECTIONS HAD TO BE MADE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOO HIGH AND TOO FAR FROM THE GAS PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS FOOT DID NOT COME TO REST EVENLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, RATHER HIS FOOT CAME TO REST UNEVENLY ON THE PEDAL. THE STEERING WAS INADEQUATE. WHEN THE RATIO BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT DRIVING SUSPENSION WAS TOO …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10243650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243850 · 2008-09-29 (September 29, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT LEASES A 2008 PONTIAC G6. WHILE TURNING A CORNER IN THE VEHICLE, THE GAS TANK HOLDER DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADDED MORE BOLTS TO SUPPORT THE GAS TANK. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,400.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243850 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V460000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 2012-09-18 (September 18, 2012)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Consequence: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V153000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V224000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | Power Train:Automatic Transmission
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V252000 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Electrical System:Wiring
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗