2005 Pontiac G6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 6, 2025 · 679 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other G6 years
More complaints than other years 5th of 9 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 679 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac G6. That ranks 5th out of 9 G6 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (459 complaints, 68%), typically at around 81,832 miles. Complaints mention 26 crashes, 4 fires, 17 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.

Pontiac G6
2005-2007 Pontiac G6 photographed in USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2005 Pontiac G6 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Steering459 · ~81,832 mi
Electrical System86 · ~88,500 mi
Exterior Lighting62 · ~73,500 mi
Power Train48 · ~98,396 mi
Service Brakes31 · ~89,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic28 · ~37,272 mi
Fuel/propulsion System20 · ~105,055 mi
Vehicle Speed Control19 · ~75,927 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling18 · ~58,100 mi
Suspension18 · ~30,483 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Steering problems45968%81,832“steering column” (14%)$1,200
Electrical System problems8613%88,500“electrical electronic stability” (8%)—
Exterior Lighting problems629%73,500“cruise control” (31%)—
Power Train487%98,396——
Service Brakes315%89,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic284%37,272——
Fuel/propulsion System203%105,055——
Vehicle Speed Control193%75,927——
Engine and Engine Cooling183%58,100——
Suspension183%30,483——
Air Bags152%86,000——
Structure142%58,000——
Visibility142%72,464——
Fuel System, Gasoline132%102,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)122%135,149——
Engine122%122,622——
Unknown or Other112%108,000——
Equipment91%49,425——
Service Brakes, Electric51%34,764——
Wheels51%144,000——
Latches/locks/linkages41%45,250——
Tires41%20,998——
Interior Lighting20%57,500——
Seats20%80,000——
Visibility/wiper20%161,000——
Child Seat10%———
Electronic Stability Control10%1,000——
Parking Brake10%50,000——
Seat Belts10%101,000——
Service Brakes, Air10%1,000——
Traction Control System10%75,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2010, with 91 complaints
2005: 2020052006: 242007: 4520072008: 482009: 8520092010: 91912011: 5520112012: 422013: 4520132014: 812015: 2820152016: 302017: 1620172018: 152019: 1620192020: 162021: 520212022: 62023: 420232024: 42025: 32025

n = 679 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2005 Pontiac G6 recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electronic stability control (esc); vehicle speed control:cruise control; exterior lighting:brake lights:switch; electrical system:wiringMay 14, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · 2,440,524 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

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 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.

Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shiftApr 30, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V224000 · 1,131,113 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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 direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

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 General Motors at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

Steering:electric power assist systemMar 31, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V153000 · 1,373,177 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

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, 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.

Exterior lighting:brake lightsJan 30, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V036000 · 8,012 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

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 pontiac at 1- 800-620-7668 or owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Equipment:other:owners/service/other manualMar 14, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V098000 · 35,777 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Without additional and corrected owner's manual information, an owner may encounter difficulty in installing child restraints with rigid attachments in the center position.

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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Brake Light Switch/Sensor Malfunction (EA13005) — opened Jun 6, 2013, closed Jul 1, 2014, led to recall 14V252000.
  • Brake Light Malfunction (RQ13001) — opened Feb 4, 2013, closed Jun 6, 2013.
  • Stop lamp malfunction (PE08054) — opened Sep 15, 2008, closed Jan 30, 2009, led to recall 09V036000.
  • Loss of power steering assist (PE07023) — opened Apr 25, 2007, closed Sep 25, 2007.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Vehicle: 2005 Pontiac G6 VIN: [your VIN] Mileage: 185,000 Issue: Sudden **total loss of power steering assist** — **same symptom as NHTSA Recall 14V153000 (GM 14116)**. Recall **was completed years ago**. **Replacement part installed by GM failed in under 5 years**. GM Customer Assistance…

Steering · received Nov 6, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11697857

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.

Steering · received Sep 12, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11686959

My Transmission failed on me driving on the highway.

Power Train · received Feb 23, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11644379

SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT on and car has not been in any major accidents requiring an airbag. Also, causes the car horn to not work. Dangerous because if I should happen to get in a major accident the airbag may not deploy, I can not warn cars about to back into me because the horn doesn't work.

Air Bags · received Oct 28, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11622371

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…

Exterior Lighting · received Apr 22, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11584486

Other Pontiac G6 years

← 2004 G6 · 2006 G6 →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2014 G610
2010 G62722
2009 G67134
2008 G61,0804
2007 G61,2324
2006 G61,9106
20056795
2004 G620
2003 G610

See all Pontiac G6 problems by year, every Pontiac model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac G6?

Owners most often report steering, electrical system, exterior lighting problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 459 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Pontiac G6?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2005 Pontiac G6 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other G6 model years, the 2005 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.