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2006 Pontiac G6: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2006 G6 has 1,910 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls, more of both than any other G6 year in our data[1]. Steering is the biggest complaint group, so check a car's recall history before you buy[2].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 1,910 owner complaints for the 2006 G6[3]. Of those, 90 mention a crash and 11 a fire, and 61 injuries are reported[3]. These are owner reports on file with NHTSA[3].
Steering is the biggest group by a wide margin, with 1,220 complaints, 58 crashes, 35 injuries and a median mileage at failure of 74,000[2]. In a sample of steering complaints we read, owners describe power steering assist cutting out, sometimes with a dashboard warning, and a wheel that gets stiff or locks. Some say it led to a crash or loss of control, and some say a repair did not stop it from coming back[2].
The next groups are smaller:
- Electrical system: 245 complaints, 4 fires, median 88,997 miles[5]. Owners describe a mix of things, including burning smells, smoke, warning lights and hard starting[5].
- Exterior lighting: 198 complaints, median 79,500 miles[6]. In the sample we read, owners describe brake lights that stay on or fail to light, often with cruise control not working, and several dealer visits without a lasting fix[6].
- Brakes: 181 complaints, 15 crashes, median 72,436 miles[7]. Owners in our sample describe warped or worn rotors, shaking when braking and hub noises[7].
- Air bags: 117 complaints, 21 crashes, 19 injuries[8].
- Power train: 89 complaints, median 105,000 miles[9].
- Engine: 88 complaints, 3 fires[10].
- Fuel and propulsion: 76 complaints, with no crashes, fires or injuries[11].
Because we only read a small sample of complaint texts, these themes show what some owners describe. They do not show how common a problem is.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2006 G6[1]. Newest first:
- Electric power steering (15V064). Some 2006 and 2007 G6 cars built from April 18 to June 30, 2006 may suddenly lose power steering assist at any time while driving[12]. The car can still be steered, but it takes more effort at low speeds, which raises crash risk[12]. Dealers replace the torque sensor assembly for free[12]. The recall began February 24, 2015[12].
- Stability control and brake sensor (14V252). Extra resistance in a body control module connection can make voltage swing in the brake apply sensor circuit[13]. Brake lights may come on without the pedal or fail to come on when it is pressed. Cruise control may be hard to turn off, the shifter may move out of PARK without the brake pedal pressed, and traction control, stability control and panic braking assist may shut off[13]. Any of these raises crash risk[13]. Dealers add a spacer to the harness, apply dielectric lubricant to the connectors and relearn the brake pedal position, for free[13]. The recall began August 18, 2014[13].
- Shift cable (14V224). This covers G6 cars with 4-speed transmissions[14]. If the shift cable breaks, the gear you select may not match the gear the car is in, and the car may not be in PARK when you think it is[14]. That can mean unexpected movement or a rollaway[14]. The fix is a new shift cable assembly and bracket, but the recall record says GM had not yet given a notification schedule[14].
- Remedy pending
Electric power steering (14V153). Same kind of sudden loss of steering assist as above, with more cars covered[15]. Remedy not yet available at the time of the record[15]. Parts were not available, and owners were to get a second letter when they were[15]. For 2005 and 2006 G6 cars the planned fix is a new torque sensor assembly[15]. The recall began July 17, 2014[15]. - Brake lights (09V036). This covers 8,012 G6 cars from 2005 and 2006[16]. Corrosion in a wiring connector can make brake lights stay on or fail to light, stop cruise control from engaging, and make it harder to shift out of PARK[16]. Dealers apply dielectric lubricant to the connector for free[16]. The recall began February 17, 2009[16]. Some complaint texts say owners were told their car was not included[6].
- Passenger air bag sensor (06V417). This covers 794 cars that came with cloth seats and were later fitted with aftermarket leather seat covers[17]. The covers can make the passenger sensing system disable the air bag when it should work, or enable it when it should not, which could raise injury in a crash[17]. No compatible cover was available, so GM offered to repurchase these cars[17]. The recall began November 6, 2006[17].
Recalls apply by build dates and equipment, so check with the manufacturer or NHTSA whether a specific car is covered.
Fuel economy
EPA lists several versions of the G6[4]. All use regular gas and front-wheel drive.
| Engine and transmission | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[4] | 21 / 31 / 24 | $2,800 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[18] | 20 / 29 / 23 | $2,900 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[19] | 19 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl, Convertible, Automatic (S4)[20] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | |
| 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd[21] | 16 / 26 / 19 | $3,550 | |
| 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[22] | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | |
| 3.9L 6-cyl, Convertible, Automatic (S4)[23] | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 |
Annual fuel cost is the EPA estimate as listed.
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists the 2-door front-wheel drive version and the 4-door front-wheel drive version as not rated in its 5-Star program[24][25]. So there is no star rating to compare.
Size
Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada. Every listed version is 189 inches long, 70 inches wide and 57 inches tall, with a 112 inch wheelbase[26][27][28][29][30]. Only curb weight differs:
How 2006 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 |
Among the G6 model years from 2005 to 2010, 2006 has the most complaints and the most recalls on file with NHTSA[1].
| 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 |
All values are from[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they say nothing about how common a problem is.
Should you buy a used 2006 G6?
This is the G6 year with the most complaints and recalls in our data, and steering leads the complaints with 1,220[2][1]. Several recalls involve steering assist, shifting or brake lights, so a car's recall history matters more than usual[12][13][14][15][16]. Before buying, check with the manufacturer or NHTSA whether a specific car is covered, and ask whether the steering and brake light work was done. One steering recall record said remedy not yet available at the time, so confirm the current status[15]. The complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a reason to check, not as proof about any one car[3].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac G6?
- Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 1,220 of 1,910 total, followed by electrical (245), exterior lighting (198) and brakes (181)[3][2][5][6][7]. These are owner reports on file with NHTSA[3].
- Has the 2006 Pontiac G6 been recalled?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, covering power steering assist, stability control wiring, a shift cable on 4-speed cars, brake light wiring, and passenger air bag sensing with aftermarket seat covers[1][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Check with the manufacturer or NHTSA whether a specific car is covered.
- What gas mileage does a 2006 Pontiac G6 get?
- EPA lists 24 combined MPG for the 2.4L 4-cylinder, 20 to 23 for the 3.5L 6-cylinder, and 19 for the 3.9L 6-cylinder[4][18][19][20][21][22].
- Is the 2006 Pontiac G6 safer than other years?
- NHTSA lists the 2006 G6 as not rated in its 5-Star program, so there is no star rating to compare[24][25]. It does have the most complaints and recalls of any G6 year from 2005 to 2010[1].
- Which Pontiac G6 year has the fewest complaints?
- Of the years from 2005 to 2010, 2010 has the fewest, at 272 complaints and 2 recalls[1]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac G6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 1,220 complaints name the steering component group (58 crashes, 4 fires, 35 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA has 1,910 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Pontiac G6 (90 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 61 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for G6, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 245 complaints name the electrical system component group (7 crashes, 4 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,997). NHTSA vehicle records
- 198 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 181 complaints name the brakes component group (15 crashes, 1 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,436). NHTSA vehicle records
- 117 complaints name the air bags component group (21 crashes, 0 fires, 19 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 89 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 88 complaints name the engine component group (6 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 76 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V064, filed February 4, 2015: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
- 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 06V417, filed October 31, 2006: Air Bags › Frontal. 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
- 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
- EPA rating for G6 GT/GTP Convertible, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for G6, 3.9L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for G6, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for G6 GT/GTP Convertible, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 2DR CONV FWD GT/GTP: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,818 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 2DR COUPE FWD GT/GTP: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,413 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 4DR SEDAN FWD /V6: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,276 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 4DR SEDAN FWD GT: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,400 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 4DR SEDAN FWD GTP: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,534 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov