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2005 Pontiac G6: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Steering is the biggest complaint area on the 2005 Pontiac G6, with 459 of its 679 NHTSA complaints naming it[1][2]. Five recalls are on file, so check which ones a specific car has had done[3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 679 owner complaints on file for the 2005 G6[1]. Twenty-six mention a crash and 4 a fire, and 17 injuries are reported[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. Here are the groups with the most complaints.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Steering[2] | 459 | 81,566 |
| Electrical system[5] | 86 | 88,500 |
| Exterior lighting[6] | 62 | 71,000 |
| Brakes[7] | 61 | 62,000 |
| Power train[8] | 48 | 100,000 |
| Engine[9] | 30 | 91,150 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[10] | 20 | 105,055 |
| Speed control[11] | 19 | 75,000 |
Steering. This group has 19 crashes and 9 injuries tied to it[2]. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, all 12 describe the steering locking up or the power assist failing[2]. Five of the 12 also describe repeated dealer visits or repairs without a lasting fix[2].
Brake lights. In a sample of 12 exterior lighting complaints, 11 describe brake lights that come on without the pedal pressed or do not light when it is pressed[6]. Two of those also mention cruise control trouble[6]. See the recalls below, because two of them cover this kind of fault.
Starting and electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 5 describe slow, rough or failed starting and 3 describe radio or display glitches[5].
Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 6 describe warped rotors, shaking or pulsing when braking, often with repeated resurfacing or replacement[7]. Two of those 6 look like the same report[7].
The other groups are much smaller. Power train has 48 complaints, engine 30, fuel and propulsion 20 and speed control 19[8][9][10][11]. We did not read samples for those groups, so we cannot say what owners describe in them.
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls for this car, newest first. A recall only helps if the work was done on the car you are looking at, so ask a dealer to confirm the recall work was done on the car you are looking at.
- Brake pedal sensor wiring (14V252). Poor contact in a control module connection can make voltage jump in the brake pedal sensor circuit. Brake lights can stay on or fail to light, cruise control can be hard to turn off, the shifter can move out of Park without the brake pressed, and stability and traction control can switch off. That raises crash risk. Dealers attach the wiring with a spacer, apply grease to the connectors and reset the brake pedal position, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2014, and covers G6 cars built from May 26, 2004 through January 4, 2010[12].
- Shift cable (14V224). On G6 cars with 4-speed transmissions[13], the shift cable can break. The gear shown may not match the actual gear, and the car may not be in Park when it should be, so it could move or roll away. The fix is a new shift cable assembly and bracket, free of charge. When the record was written, the maker had not yet given a notification schedule[13]. The recall covers 2005 to 2008 G6 cars[13].
- Electric power steering (14V153). Power steering assist can suddenly be lost while driving. Steering then takes more effort at low speeds, which raises crash risk. The repair depends on the build date and means replacing parts such as the torque sensor assembly or the steering motor controller. The record says parts were not available at that time, so do not assume the fix can be done today. The recall began on July 17, 2014[14].
- Brake light corrosion (09V036). Corrosion in a wiring connector can make brake lights stay on, or not light when the pedal is pressed. Cruise control may not engage and the shifter may be harder to move out of Park. A following driver may not get a warning that you are braking. Dealers apply a protective lubricant to the connector, free of charge. It covers 8,012 cars from model years 2005 and 2006 and began on February 17, 2009[15].
- Child seat anchors (05V098). The lower anchors for a child seat in the center rear position did not meet a federal standard, and the owner's manual only mentions anchors at the outer seats. Owners were to be mailed a manual supplement. It began on March 20, 2005[16].
Fuel economy
The EPA lists two ratings for the 2005 G6, both with a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine, regular fuel and front-wheel drive[4][17].
| Transmission as listed | City | Highway | Combined | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic 4-spd[4] | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 23 MPG | $2,900 |
| Automatic (S4)[17] | 19 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | $3,200 |
The EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 4-door 2005 G6 as not rated[18][19]. That means there are no star scores to compare, not that the car did poorly.
Engine and size
The fuel economy ratings above are for a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine[4][17]. The size figures below are for the G6 4-door sedan, front-wheel drive V6/GT, and are Canadian-market specifications that can differ slightly from US cars[20].
How 2005 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 679 | 5 |
| 2006 | 1,910 | 6 |
| 2007 | 1,232 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1,080 | 4 |
| 2009 | 713 | 4 |
| 2010 | 272 | 2 |
NHTSA complaint counts for each G6 model year are 679 for 2005, 1,910 for 2006, 1,232 for 2007, 1,080 for 2008, 713 for 2009 and 272 for 2010[3]. Only 2010 has fewer complaints than 2005. Recalls on file are 5 for 2005, 6 for 2006, 4 each for 2007, 2008 and 2009, and 2 for 2010[3]. Only 2006 has more recalls than 2005.
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so a lower count does not prove a better car.
Should you buy a used 2005 G6?
The 2005 G6 has fewer complaints than four of the other five G6 years, but its complaints lean heavily toward steering, with 459 of 679 naming it[2][3]. Owners in the sample we read describe the wheel locking up or assist failing, and some repairs did not hold[2]. Before buying, ask for the VIN and have a dealer confirm which of the five recalls were completed, especially the power steering one, where parts were not available when the record was written[14]. Brake lights, starting and brake rotors also come up in owner complaints, and the EPA lists 21 to 23 MPG combined[5][6][7][4][17]. A test drive that checks steering at low speed and a pre-purchase inspection are reasonable steps.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac G6?
- Steering leads the complaints, with 459 of 679 on file naming it[1][2]. Owners in the sample we read describe lock-ups or lost power assist[1][2]. Brake lights, starting and brake rotors also appear in owner complaints[5][6][7].
- Does the 2005 Pontiac G6 have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists five: brake pedal sensor wiring (14V252), shift cable (14V224), electric power steering (14V153), brake light corrosion (09V036) and child seat anchors (05V098)[12][13][14][15][16].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Pontiac G6?
- The EPA lists 20 city, 29 highway and 23 combined MPG for one version, and 19, 26 and 21 for the other[4][17].
- Is the 2005 Pontiac G6 a good year compared with others?
- It has 679 complaints, the second fewest of the six model years, but complaints are not adjusted for sales[3].
- How big is the 2005 Pontiac G6?
- The 4-door sedan is listed at 189 inches long and 3,380 lb, in Canadian-market specifications[20].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 679 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Pontiac G6 (26 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 459 complaints name the steering component group (19 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,566). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac G6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for G6, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 86 complaints name the electrical system component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 62 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 61 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 48 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,150). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,055). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V252, filed May 14, 2014: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V224, filed April 30, 2014: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Floor Shift. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V153, filed March 31, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V036, filed January 30, 2009: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 05V098, filed March 14, 2005: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for G6, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 4DR SEDAN FWD V6/GT: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,380 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov