Pontiac G6 2005–2010 problems by year and mileage
1st generation (only generation) · GM Epsilon (GM6)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20265,886 complaints, 4,873 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2005 Pontiac G6
Close- Median failure report
- 80,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 679
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2005
- Steering459 reports · median 82,000 mi
- Electrical system86 reports · median 88,000 mi
- Exterior lighting62 reports · median 74,000 mi
Recall areas Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Pontiac G6
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,910
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2006
- Steering1,220 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Electrical system245 reports · median 89,000 mi
- Exterior lighting198 reports · median 80,000 mi
Recall areas Steering — electric power assist system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Pontiac G6
Close- Median failure report
- 84,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,232
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2007
- Steering541 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Exterior lighting232 reports · median 77,000 mi
- Electrical system197 reports · median 85,000 mi
Recall areas Steering — electric power assist system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Pontiac G6
Close- Median failure report
- 79,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,080
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Steering420 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Exterior lighting243 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Electrical system225 reports · median 80,000 mi
Recall areas Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Pontiac G6
Close- Median failure report
- 86,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 713
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2009
- Steering296 reports · median 110,000 mi
- Exterior lighting190 reports · median 75,000 mi
- Electrical system178 reports · median 74,000 mi
Recall areas Electronic stability control (esc) · Steering — electric power assist system · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Pontiac G6
Close- Median failure report
- 97,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 272
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2010
- Steering173 reports · median 110,000 mi
- Electrical system61 reports · median 85,000 mi
- Electronic stability control (esc)55 reports · median 102,000 mi
Recall areas Electronic stability control (esc) · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2010; earliest: the 2006, and the 2006 is 4 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2005–2010 Pontiac G6 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 80,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 156,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 4,873
- Recalls
- 10
Most reported
- Steering52.8% of complaints · median 87,000 mi
- Electrical system16.9% of complaints · median 81,000 mi
- Exterior lighting16.3% of complaints · median 75,000 mi
Documented problems
Owners filed 5,886 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2010 Pontiac G6; the steering leads with 52.8% of them, and half of the 4,873 that record an odometer reading came by 80,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 51,000 to 120,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2005–2010 Pontiac G6 last?
On the 2005–2010 Pontiac G6, half of the 4,873 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 80,000 miles and 90% by 156,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
588 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 118 past 200,000 — each one proof that a G6 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Pontiac G6 2005–2010 · 4,873 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 228 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 118 complaints (2.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 29,000
- 25%
- 51,000
- Median
- 80,000
- 75%
- 120,000
- 90%
- 156,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 131 | 2.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 60 | 1.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 63 | 1.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 72 | 1.5% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 81 | 1.7% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 95 | 1.9% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 138 | 2.8% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 133 | 2.7% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 169 | 3.5% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 160 | 3.3% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 224 | 4.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 198 | 4.1% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 228 | 4.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 181 | 3.7% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 208 | 4.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 210 | 4.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 226 | 4.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 182 | 3.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 186 | 3.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 163 | 3.3% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 171 | 3.5% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 118 | 2.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 139 | 2.9% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 115 | 2.4% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 137 | 2.8% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 106 | 2.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 110 | 2.3% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 103 | 2.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 105 | 2.2% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 73 | 1.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 84 | 1.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 60 | 1.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 71 | 1.5% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 43 | 0.9% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 54 | 1.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 39 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 47 | 1.0% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 19 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 36 | 0.7% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 17 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 118 | 2.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common G6 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Pontiac G6 2005–2010
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Exterior lighting962 reportsmedian 75,000middle half 54,000–101,000
- Throttle and speed control276 reportsmedian 76,000middle half 54,000–100,000
- Brakes511 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 60,000–116,000
- Electrical system992 reportsmedian 81,000middle half 55,000–117,000
- Airbag system409 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 49,000–120,000
- Steering3,109 reportsmedian 87,000middle half 53,000–130,000
- Transmission and driveline378 reportsmedian 90,000middle half 60,000–125,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3,109 | 52.8% | 87,000 | 53,000–130,000 |
| Electrical system | 992 | 16.9% | 81,000 | 55,000–117,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 962 | 16.3% | 75,000 | 54,000–101,000 |
| Brakes | 511 | 8.7% | 80,000 | 60,000–116,000 |
| Airbag system | 409 | 6.9% | 85,000 | 49,000–120,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 378 | 6.4% | 90,000 | 60,000–125,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 276 | 4.7% | 76,000 | 54,000–100,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 273 | 4.6% | 94,000 | 69,000–128,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 193 | 3.3% | 100,000 | 75,000–146,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 181 | 3.1% | 40,000 | 20,000–72,000 |
Known problems with the 2005–2010 G6
Steering (electric Power Assist) 2005–2009
Sudden loss of electric power steering assist while driving, caused by a fault in the EPS torque sensor assembly; steering reverts to unassisted manual effort, worst at low speed. Remedy was replacement of the torque sensor assembly. NHTSA campaign 14V-153; expanded by 15V-064 for a further build window.
Electrical / Body Control Module 2005–2010
Increased electrical resistance at the Body Control Module connection produces voltage fluctuations that can disable brake lamps, cruise control, traction control/StabiliTrak and other crash-avoidance functions. NHTSA campaign 14V-252.
Transmission Shift Cable 2008–2010
The tabs on the automatic transmission shift cable end can fracture and separate, so the shifter position no longer matches the gear actually engaged — the car can be shifted to PARK and the key removed while the transmission is still in gear, allowing rollaway. NHTSA campaign 12V-460.
Transmission Shift Cable Adjustment Clip 2009
Shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully seated, producing a mismatch between indicated and actual gear position. NHTSA campaign 09V-073.
Engine (2.4L Ecotec LE5) 2007–2010
Timing chain wear/stretch producing cold-start rattle and cam/crank correlation codes, and elevated oil consumption; aggravated by extended oil change intervals.
Before you buy a 2005–2010 G6: the 3-minute check
Generated from 4,873 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 5 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check steering (electric power assist) on 2005–2009 (15V–064 expansion covers 2006–2007 units built Apr–Jun 2006) cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check electrical / body control module on 2005–2010 cars.
- Check transmission shift cable on 2008–2010 cars.
- Years differ here: from 272 to 1,910 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
G6 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi31% below | At 90k mi57% below | At 120k mi75% below | At 150k mi88% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 53,000–130,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 55,000–117,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 54,000–101,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 60,000–116,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 49,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 60,000–125,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 54,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Pontiac G6 2005–2010 · 4,873 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 31% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 57% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2005–2010 Pontiac G6 recalls (10)
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (3), the steering (2), the airbag system (2) (why one area can repeat).
Feb 2015 · 2006–2007 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or…
May 2014 · 2005–2010 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2014 · 2005–2008 · Power TrainIf the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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…
Mar 2014 · 2005–2006, 2008–2009 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Sep 2012 · 2008–2010 · Power TrainIf the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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…
Mar 2009 · 2009 · Power TrainThe driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited…
The defect. General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, HHR, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is…
Jan 2009 · 2005–2006 · Exterior LightingBrake lamps that are not operating properly may not warn a driver in a following vehicle of the braking…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Brake lamps that are not operating properly may not warn a driver in a following vehicle of the braking status and could lead to a crash without prior warning.
The free fix. 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…
Mar 2007 · 2007 · Air BagsThis can increase the risk of injury to a child seat occupant during certain crash conditions.
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'Occupant crash protection.' The right front passenger seats in these vehicles are built with a passenger air bag sensing system. When tested with…
What can happen. This can increase the risk of injury to a child seat occupant during certain crash conditions.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. The recall will begin on april 17, 2007. Owners may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Oct 2006 · 2006 · Air BagsIf the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it…
The defect. Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat…
What can happen. If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of…
The free fix. Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated…
Mar 2005 · 2005 · EquipmentWithout additional and corrected owner's manual information, an owner may encounter difficulty in installing…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Without additional and corrected owner's manual information, an owner may encounter difficulty in installing child restraints with rigid attachments in the center position.
The free fix. 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.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 5,886 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 243 (4.1%)
- Fires
- 79
- Injury reports
- 125
- Fatality reports
- 6
G6 problems by model year
The 2006 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,910, most of them about the steering, and the 2010 the fewest, 272. A typical year drew about 896.
That makes the 2006 stand out at roughly 2.1 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 679 | 572 | 80,000 | Steering (459) | 5 |
| 2006 | 1,910 | 1,582 | 75,000 | Steering (1,220) | 6 |
| 2007 | 1,232 | 1,001 | 84,000 | Steering (541) | 4 |
| 2008 | 1,080 | 887 | 79,000 | Steering (420) | 4 |
| 2009 | 713 | 588 | 86,000 | Steering (296) | 4 |
| 2010 | 272 | 243 | 97,000 | Steering (173) | 2 |
What G6 owners reported
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to start and the vehicle was smoking. There was an abnormal burning odor after the failure. The power steering and brakes became inoperable. The steering wheel was difficult…
2007 · 137,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 MPH the cruise disconnected had erroneously deactivated and the brake lights had remained illuminated . The contact replaced brake sensors, emergency brake sensors and ABS Module but the failure continued to occur. The local…
2008 · 94,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2010 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost electric power steering assist. The electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the…
2010 · 190,000 miles · Electronic stability control (esc)
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized, with the air bag warning light and check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and the vehicle was nearly involved in a T-bone…
2007 · 251,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 4,873 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built