2005 Pontiac G6: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 679 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (60% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 679 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving car and went to turn and the steering wheel was very hard to steering. It was as if I had no power to steering. This happed several times without any accidents.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2025
“The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the brake lights had remained illuminated after braking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The VIN was included but had already been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2024
“My steering wheel started twitching and there's Minimal steering. While driving down the road, the steering wheel twitches with lots of slack and no really control. When you turn the car off and back on power steering comes on in message center on radio and car with wrench on dash comes on and steering wheel gets extremely hard to turn. But if you turn the car on and off again then steering wheel gets loose and twitchy again with no control. Electrical, all my relays and curcuits Have low voltage or high voltage showing on a computer scanner.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving down the street And I'm about to take that right turn. On The Verge of taking a turn My steering became very hard and I could barely turn the wheel. Luckily that wasn't any uncommon traffic because I had to take the turn wider than expected But was able to pull over. When I got safe to the side of the road, "power steering" was illuminated on my dash. I turn the car off that cracker back up and I was able to get home”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2023
“I had called GMC and there was a recall on the power steering but that was opened back in 2014 and was closed the same year I am having problems with mine I had just bought the car from someone else and the car had not been took care of and I have a new born baby that rides n the car and I'm really worried about this”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2022
“The problem hasn't been happening nearly as much in the cold temperatures. I'm experiencing the same issue that was supposed to be recalled. The power steering goes out while I'm driving. I can pull over, restart it and it usually goes away the first start (sometimes more "restarts" are necessary). The steering wheel also twitches or shakes while the car is just idle. I don't move it... just moves while in park. There was a recall for my car for this issue (power steering torque sensor I believe?) and I'm curious why my car is experiencing it now.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2022
“Steering wheel rattle, steering moving back & forth, locks on startup and and audible chime is heard. I believe it has something to do with the original recall repair on the steering. Feels unsafe.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2021
“I was driving home from work on the highway and I noticed my turn was very easy to the left but hard to turn to the right. A few miles later down the road I could barely move my steering wheel at all and then the message power steering popped up on my information center as my steering wheel locked up as I attempted to make a turn. Unfortunately I had to go over a curb and into a parking lot because of the mishap. I turned the car off and back on and my steering was okay for a while but then it would lock up later again. I did this process twice paying attention to steering to make it home since I was only a mile and a half away.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 pontiac g6. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel seized with several unknown warning lights illuminated and blinking. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway, waited for a while, and was able to drive normally. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to jensen motors inc (2525 s broadway st, new ulm, mn 56073) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under a recall. The vehicle was rejected to be serviced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2020
“My car be driving fine then I hear a dingy song like doors open and shortly after my steering wheel locks up and I am unable to steer my car. I turn engine off and restart it amd most time the steering loosens up amd sometimes it's good for a couple blocks and sometimes it locks up immediately. It's the eps that keeps going off. It's very dangerous happens anytime almost got rearend because of it.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 26 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORS IN THE CENTER REAR SEATING POSITION ARE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 90MM BEHIND THE CORRESPONDING Z-POINT OF THE CHILD RESTRAINT FIXTURE (CRF). THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT ANCHORS ARE AT THE OUTBOARD SEATING POSITIONS ONLY.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT. THE RECALL IBEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact G6 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Pontiac G6 reliable?
NHTSA has 679 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Pontiac G6. The most complained-about area is steering (60% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Pontiac G6 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Pontiac G6 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.