Pontiac

G6 (1st)

2005-2010 · Midsize Sedan · 6 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.5)
5,863 NHTSA Complaints
11 Recalls
79 Fire Reports
242 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

LV6

1.8L 4-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.5)
220 complaints 55.0 per year
2 fire reports
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Complaint Breakdown

steering
147
electrical
27
exterior
22
transmission
21
brakes
17

Known Issues

Steering Issues (147 complaints)
Typical onset: 58,888–143,350 mi Est. repair: $250–$853 (11 reports)
Electrical System Issues (27 complaints)
Exterior Issues (22 complaints)

LZE

3.5L 4-cyl
Avoid (1.8)
56 complaints 28.0 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
5 fire reports
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Complaint Breakdown

electrical
22
exterior
19
transmission
8
steering
7
safety systems
7

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (22 complaints)
Exterior Issues (19 complaints)
Transmission Issues (8 complaints)

LE5

2.4L 4-cyl / 155 hp
Avoid (1.4)
2,009 complaints 313.8 per year Gasoline
17 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1274
electrical
366
exterior
284
brakes
207
safety systems
117

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1,274 complaints)
Typical onset: 67,000–141,000 mi Est. repair: $495–$1,029 (105 reports)
Electrical System Issues (366 complaints)
Typical onset: 60,000–116,000 mi Est. repair: $248–$888 (30 reports)
Exterior Issues (284 complaints)
Typical onset: 60,000–101,756 mi Est. repair: $132–$304 (16 reports)

LZ9

3.9L 6-cyl
Avoid (1.4)
208 complaints 52.0 per year Gasoline
7 fire reports
View details

LX9

3.5L 6-cyl
Avoid (1.0)
2,307 complaints 355.5 per year Gasoline
30 fire reports 3 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
1079
electrical
427
exterior
410
brakes
348
safety systems
192

Known Issues

Steering Issues (1,079 complaints)
Typical onset: 56,000–139,898 mi Est. repair: $556–$929 (69 reports)
Electrical System Issues (427 complaints)
Typical onset: 63,500–131,000 mi Est. repair: $165–$642 (19 reports)
Exterior Issues (410 complaints)
Typical onset: 61,000–107,950 mi Est. repair: $201–$450 (15 reports)

9 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Pontiac G6 regardless of engine variant.

Steering Issues (2,580 complaints)
steering critical
Electrical System Issues (910 complaints)
electrical critical
Exterior Issues (784 complaints)
exterior critical
Brakes Issues (583 complaints)
brakes critical
Safety Systems Issues (315 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (11)

15V064000Apr 1, 2015serious
Steering

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 vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

14V153000Mar 30, 2014serious
Steering

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.

14V224000Apr 29, 2014serious
Powertrain

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.

14E044000Jul 20, 2014serious
Steering

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.

14V252000May 13, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

12V460000Sep 17, 2012serious
Powertrain

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 fracture and separate.

09V036000Jan 29, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

09V073000Jun 2, 2009serious
Powertrain

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, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

07V146000Mar 29, 2007serious
Air Bags

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 A REPRESENTATIVE, UNRESTRAINED SIX YEAR OLD CHILD, THE SYSTEM IS REQUIRED TO TURN OFF THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S AIRBAG. INTERFERENCE DURING SYSTEM CALIBRATION CAUSED THE SEATS TO BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION.

06V417000Oct 30, 2006serious
Air Bags

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 COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

05V098000Mar 13, 2005cosmetic
Equipment

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 problems?

The 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 has accumulated 5,863 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Electrical System, Exterior. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Pontiac G6 engine is most reliable?

The 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 was offered with 15 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 a good used car?

The 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 5,863 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 have?

The 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 has 5,863 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6?

There are 11 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Pontiac G6?

Before buying a used Pontiac G6, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Electrical System, Exterior, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the G6 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 5,863 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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