2005 Pontiac G6 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Pontiac G6 most often report losing electric power steering assist while driving, usually with a 'Power Steering' message on the display and the wheel suddenly requiring heavy effort; turning the car off and restarting often restores assist temporarily. Reports of this kind span low and high mileage, with many filed between roughly 60,000 and 150,000 miles. Brake lights that stay on or fail to light, sunroof leaks, and occasional electrical and transmission complaints are also described.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out, wheel becomes hard to turn

   • 447 complaints (66%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (383 state mileage)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $772 (median of 38 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2025

   Complaints describe the electric power steering assist dropping out at random, often while turning at intersections or at low speed, with the wheel suddenly requiring much more effort and a 'Power Steering' message appearing on the driver display. Many owners say switching the ignition off and back on restores assist, at least for a while, and the problem then returns. Some reports mention the wheel locking or pulling to one side, and dealers variously replaced the steering column, steering gear or assist motor, or told owners the vehicle was not covered under a recall. Reported from a few thousand miles up past 150,000 miles, with many complaints between roughly 60,000 and 150,000 miles and no clear seasonal pattern.

   Recall 14V1530001 related service bulletin

   What to check: During a test drive, watch for a 'Power Steering' message on the display and check whether steering effort changes between left and right turns. Ask whether the electric power steering assist recall (14V153000) was performed and whether the assist motor or column has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle began making a noise and the steering was sluggish/labored. The mechanic I use test drove and stated it was probably the electronic power steering assist motor. He then went on the say there was a GM recall on this problem and my vehicle should be included. How do I know if and when I should be notified about the recall? Thank you”

   NHTSA complaint #10596276, filed 2014-06, 76,777 miles

   “Ever since I bought my car from a small private owned dealership it's had the power steering light on. It locks up from time to time when I turn my car on and sometimes while im driving. To get it to release I have to turn my car off then back on to get it to work. It usually only happens when im stationary but ive had it happen while trying to make a turn in the city.”

   NHTSA complaint #11310877, filed 2020-02, 170,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Brake lights stay on or fail to light

   • 76 complaints (11%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (63 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2024

   Owners describe rear brake lamps that illuminate without the pedal being pressed or that do not light when braking, sometimes intermittently, which also affected cruise control engagement. Dealers replaced the brake light switch or cleaned and lubricated the body control module connector, and several owners report the symptom returning after those repairs. Some complaints link the behavior to a wiring connector corrosion issue covered by a recall. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 160,000 miles, in everyday driving and at stops.

   Recall 09V036000Recall 14V252000

   What to check: Have someone watch the rear lamps while you press and release the brake pedal, and check cruise control engagement. Ask whether the brake light switch and wiring connector recall work have been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 gt. The brake lights,with no known cause,began to stay on when accelerating and turn off when the brake was hit. This occurred day and night without any known cause. The bigger problem was that the lights worked sometimes,making it hard to diagnose a problem. I have yet to find a mechanic who has been able to determine and correct the brake lights.”

   NHTSA complaint #10246251, filed 2008-10, 34,000 miles

   “When I press the brakelight the light does not come on, however when I accelerate the light remains on. I have taken my car to a GM dealership in2012and paid ($220) to have it fixed . I was told by GM that this is the only fix(lubricate the bcm control). The problem has since come back and no mechanic knows how to fix it. I am afraid that while driving someone will smash into me when I brake because my lights do not come on to warn them to stop.”

   NHTSA complaint #10566632, filed 2014-03, 145,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults, stalling and dead-car episodes

   • 106 complaints (16%)
   • median 97,035 mi at 6.6 yrs old (88 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $806 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2024

   Complaints describe the car losing all power at a stop, refusing to start, or accessories cycling on their own, sometimes recovering after several minutes. Others describe water from a leaking sunroof reaching wiring in the dash and causing corrosion, check-engine codes, reduced-power mode and stalling. A separate group reports power window switches that stop responding or windows that move on their own. Reported across a wide mileage range, commonly above 100,000 miles, and often after long-term water intrusion.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the headliner, floor carpet and A-pillar for water stains and musty smells, and confirm all windows and the sunroof operate smoothly. Ask whether any electrical repairs or module programming have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine light came on now my transmission is shifting hard when putting it into drive reverse engine light does not go off my windows stopped working only passenger window works the car is stationary when putting it in gear.”

   NHTSA complaint #11327042, filed 2020-06, 199,000 miles

   “1- the car was coming to a stop at a red light when it just completely turned off. Lights, power locks, windows, radio, the car, everything. Would not start after that. After about 5 minutes of sitting at the red light with a completely dead car (with my keys in my lap) the car started on its own. 2- went to get into my car after coming out of the store - the car was trying to reboot itself. All the accessories would turn on, but the car remained dead and would not start. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10582905, filed 2014-04, 101,000 miles

Buying note. Because most complaints center on the electric power steering, drive the car long enough to see whether assist is consistent and confirm recall 14V153000 was completed. Also verify brake lamp operation, sunroof sealing and starting in Park before buying, since these are the areas owners report most often.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.