2009 Pontiac G6 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Pontiac G6, most often about steering. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
89
Recalls
3
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
6
Median mileage
140,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Steering is the most-reported problem area, named in 59 of 89 complaints (66%).
  • Electrical System (27) and lighting (9) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 140,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 3 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries.
  • The 2009 Pontiac G6 has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 2nd of 6 Pontiac G6 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 9% more complaints than the 2008 model year (82).

2009 Pontiac G6 problems by category

  • Steering · 2 crashes
    59 complaints
  • 27 complaints
  • Lighting
    9 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    7 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Engine
    5 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    5 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    4 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    4 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    3 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Steering59
Electrical system27
Exterior lighting9
Power train7
Fuel/propulsion system5
Engine5
Service brakes5
Unknown or other4

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k860k–100k24100k–150k20150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2009 Pontiac G6 complaints that list mileage.

2009 Pontiac G6 recalls (3)

  • Recall 14V252000May 14, 20142,440,524 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 14V153000Mar 31, 20141,373,177 vehicles
    STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 12V460000Sep 18, 2012426,240 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

    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.

    Risk: 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 ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

    Remedy: 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 on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • AQ10001Opened Nov 18, 2010Closed Dec 28, 2015

    Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

    On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this…

Recent 2009 Pontiac G6 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 1, 2026MOCrash1 injuredTowedSteering
    The cars power steering went out on my son after a power surge going around a slight turn. He went head on with a box truck an been in the hospital for 3 weeks now with multiple compound fractures to his leg, ribs, tibia, fibia, and femur. Never received a recall notice for this recall. I would never of risked my sons life over a recall.
    NHTSA complaint #11768391 · source
  2. Filed Sep 13, 2026OH2 injuredElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
    I purchased a used 2009 Pontiac G6 for my son less than 7 days ago (3 ). While driving on the highway attempting to exit the ramp, the steering wheel began to get very hard to turn. We nearly crashed! Just yesterday placed the car in park. Although the shifter showed it was in P for park as well as on the dash, the car began consistently moving in reverse. This vehicle is a safety hazard for my child and due to it being a used vehicle Im not protected by a warranty. The 2009…
    NHTSA complaint #11763947 · source
  3. Filed Sep 11, 2026RISteering
    Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): [XXX] Component Affected: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Description of Defect: My 2009 Pontiac G6 (VIN: [XXX]) with a manufacturer build date of XXX suffered a sudden, total loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist while driving. The dashboard displayed a power steering warning message and sounded a chime, and the vehicle immediately reverted to heavy manual steering. This sudden loss of power assist heavily increased steering…
    NHTSA complaint #11763560 · source
  4. Filed Mar 2, 2026107,737 miINBrakesSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was turned off, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The failure became more persistent over time, and several attempts were needed for the power steering feature to become operable. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the vehicle had experienced Mass Air…
    NHTSA complaint #11721370 · source
  5. Filed Feb 23, 2026110,800 miILSteering
    The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. While driving 20 MPH or slower, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and restarted for the power steering assist to become operational. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately…
    NHTSA complaint #11719815 · source
  6. Filed Feb 16, 2026OHSteering
    The power steering keeps going out causing turning to become incredibly hard. This started in Dec of 2025. I replaced the column in 2022 because of the same issues and it is happening again now. I see some 2009 VINS have been recalled but my vin isn’t apart of that.
    NHTSA complaint #11718358 · source
  7. Filed Feb 12, 2026PASteering
    Vehicle looses power steering sometimes, the last time I was in traffic on a bend and went up onto the sidewalk. It's almost impossible to steer when it happens.
    NHTSA complaint #11717511 · source
  8. Filed Dec 6, 2025MIElectrical SystemSteering
    There is an immediate loss of steering while driving a 2009 Pontiac G6. The steering wheel locks up making it difficult, at times impossible, to steer the vehicle left or right. The only way to unlock the steering wheel is by placing the vehicle in 'Park' and turn the ignition off to restart the vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11703468 · source

Compare the 2009 Pontiac G6 with another vehicle →

Other 2009 Pontiac models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology