CarBrief

The 2009 Pontiac G6 has 713 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1], and steering is the largest group[2]. It also has four recalls[3], and the notice for the power steering recall said parts were not yet available[4].

713owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
18–26MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 713 owner complaints for the 2009 G6[1]. Of those, 26 mention a crash, 20 a fire and 21 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Steering[2] 296 110,171
Exterior lighting[6] 190 74,500
Electrical system[7] 178 74,000
Brakes[8] 76 72,750
Power train[9] 46 78,000
Air bags[10] 40 86,500
Fuel/propulsion system[11] 36 88,000
Speed control[12] 35 84,000

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 9 describe power steering assist cutting out, often with a warning light and a wheel that becomes hard to turn[2]. Across all 296 steering complaints, 11 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 11 an injury[2]. In the sample, 4 owners call a steering repair expensive or costly[2].

Headlights and lighting. In a sample of 12 exterior lighting complaints, 8 describe headlight bulbs burning out repeatedly, often with a burned or melted socket or wiring harness[6]. Of the 190 lighting complaints, 10 mention a fire[6]. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 4 describe the same burned headlight connector problem[7].

Brake lights. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 8 describe brake lights that stay on without the pedal pressed or fail to light when it is pressed[8]. Several of those owners also say cruise control drops out[8]. Another 3 describe squealing brakes and 1 describes warped rotors[8]. Brake complaints total 76, with 5 crashes and 3 injuries[8].

Electrical. In the same electrical sample, 4 of 12 describe the car stalling, refusing to crank, losing dash gauges or draining the battery[7]. Of 178 electrical complaints, 4 mention a fire[7].

Air bag complaints are fewer (40), but 10 of them mention a crash and 8 an injury[10]. Fuel/propulsion and speed control complaints have no crashes, fires or injuries listed[11][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2009 G6[3], newest first.

Owners should check their own VIN with NHTSA, because one recall covers only cars with a 4-speed automatic[14].

Fuel economy

EPA lists seven versions of the 2009 G6, all front-wheel drive[5][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Ratings depend on the engine and transmission.

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6)[5] 22 / 33 / 26 $2,600
2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[16] 22 / 30 / 25 $2,700
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[18] 18 / 29 / 22 $3,050
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[17] 17 / 26 / 20 $3,350
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, gasoline or E85[21] 19 / 29 / 23 $2,900
3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6)[19] 17 / 26 / 20 $3,350
3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4)[20] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700

The best combined rating is 26 MPG with the 2.4L and Automatic (S6)[5]. The lowest is 18 MPG with the 3.9L[20]. All but the E85 version use regular gasoline[5][21]. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings are listed as not rated for all three 2009 G6 configurations: C FWD, 2 DR FWD and 4 DR FWD[22][23][24]. That means there is no star score to compare.

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US cars can differ slightly. Every listed version is 189 in long, 70 in wide and 57 in tall, with a 112 in wheelbase[25][26][27][28][29]. Only the weight changes.

Version Curb weight
2DR coupe GT/GTP[25] 3,413 lb
4DR sedan SE[26] 3,322 lb
4DR sedan GT[27] 3,400 lb
4DR sedan GXP[28] 3,534 lb
GT convertible 2DR[29] 3,856 lb

Engine sizes available are listed in the fuel economy section above.

How 2009 compares with other years

2005: 679 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 1,910 complaints, 6 recalls20062007: 1,232 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 1,080 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 713 complaints, 4 recalls71320092010: 272 complaints, 2 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each G6 model year. The 2009 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20056795
20061,9106
20071,2324
20081,0804
20097134
20102722

NHTSA's counts for each G6 model year are 2005: 679 complaints and 5 recalls, 2006: 1,910 and 6, 2007: 1,232 and 4, 2008: 1,080 and 4, 2009: 713 and 4, 2010: 272 and 2[3].

By complaints, 2009 has the third lowest total of the six years. Only 2010 (272) and 2005 (679) are lower[3]. By recalls, its 4 match 2007 and 2008, fewer than 2005 (5) and 2006 (6), and more than 2010 (2)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2009 G6?

Merge the recall and VIN sentences, drop the closing disclaimer, and say 2009 has the third lowest complaint count of six G6 years[3]. Look for power steering trouble[2], burned headlight connectors[6] and brake light faults[8]. Ask whether the work for recall 14V153 has been done, since the notice said parts were not yet available[4]. Check the VIN with NHTSA for all four recalls[13][4][14][15]. Fuel economy varies a lot by engine, from 18 to 26 MPG combined[20][5], so confirm which engine the car has. Compared with other G6 years, 2009 sits in the middle on complaints[3]. That is a general reading, not a promise about any single car.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Pontiac G6?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 296, followed by exterior lighting at 190 and electrical at 178[2][6][7]. In small samples we read, owners describe lost power steering assist, burning out headlights with melted connectors, and brake lights that stay on[2][6][8].
Does the 2009 Pontiac G6 have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists four: 14V252 for brake sensor wiring, 14V153 for power steering assist, 12V460 for the shift cable end and 09V073 for the shift cable clip[13][4][14][15].
How many miles per gallon does a 2009 Pontiac G6 get?
EPA combined ratings run from 18 MPG for the 3.9L to 26 MPG for the 2.4L with Automatic (S6)[20][5].
What is the best year for the Pontiac G6?
Our data cannot name a best year. By complaint count, 2010 has the fewest (272) and 2005 the next fewest (679), with 2009 third (713)[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Did the 2009 Pontiac G6 get a NHTSA safety rating?
NHTSA lists it as not rated in all three configurations[22][23][24].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 713 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Pontiac G6 (26 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 21 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 296 complaints name the steering component group (11 crashes, 4 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,171). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac G6 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 14V153, filed March 31, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for G6, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 190 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 10 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 178 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 76 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 46 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 40 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 36 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 35 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 14V252, filed May 14, 2014: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 12V460, filed September 18, 2012: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 09V073, filed March 6, 2009: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for G6, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for G6, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for G6, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 29 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for G6, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for G6, 3.9L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for G6, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. 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
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 4DR SEDAN FWD /SE: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,322 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. 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
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 4DR SEDAN FWD GXP: 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
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G6 GT CONVERTIBLE 2DR FWD: length 189 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,856 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.