G6 (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LE5
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LX9
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Pontiac G6 Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
LZ4
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZ9
3.9L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LE9
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LY7
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZE
3.5L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 14 additional engine variants with limited data
L32
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L26
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L61
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
LN2
2.2L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LA1
3.4L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LAX
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LAT - MFI, DOHC, Bas Hybrid, Ecotec
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.4-V6-Gas
3.4L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
1.8-I4-Gas
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LU3 90 Degrees
4.3L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L76
6.0L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LAY
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LUU - E-FLEX, FAM 0
1.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LR4
4.8L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Pontiac G6, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2005-2010 Pontiac G6
On a used 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (3,105), the electrical system (1,111) and the exterior lighting (962). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 3,105 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 about the steering.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,111 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 about the electrical system.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 962 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 about the exterior lighting.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 729 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 about the brakes.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 414 owner complaints on the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Recalls (11)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Show 6 older recalls
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 complaints?
Owners have filed 5,881 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6. The systems they name most often are the steering, the electrical system and the exterior.
Is the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 5,881 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 have?
NHTSA has 5,881 owner complaints on file for the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls covering some 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Pontiac G6?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the electrical system and the exterior, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and 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. 5,881 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.