2009 Pontiac G6 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Pontiac G6 most often write about the electric power steering cutting out, usually at low speed or while turning, with the assist often returning after the car is shut off and restarted. Complaints also cover brake lights that stay on or fail to light, and burned or melted headlight wiring. Reports span a wide mileage range, and most describe the steering problem as intermittent rather than a one-time failure.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out (EPS loss)

   • 283 complaints (40%)
   • median 110,171 mi at 7.9 yrs old (233 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 17 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2026

   Complaints describe the power steering warning message appearing and the wheel suddenly becoming very hard to turn, sometimes while cornering at low speed and sometimes at highway speed. Many owners say shutting the car off and restarting restores assist, at least for a while, and some report it cutting out repeatedly on a single drive. Dealers and mechanics variously diagnosed a failed torque sensor, power steering motor control module, or battery according to the complaints; several owners say they were told their VIN was not covered by a prior steering recall. Reported from roughly 65,000 to over 200,000 miles, with many complaints clustered between about 75,000 and 150,000 miles and often at low speed or during turns.

   Recall 14V153000

   What to check: Ask whether the electric power steering recall work was done and whether the torque sensor or steering motor control module has been replaced. During a test drive, check that the power steering message does not appear and that assist is present from a cold start and after a few slow turns.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The electric power steering system failed while driving the car on the highway at 65 miles per hour. After checking, I found that there is a recall concerning problem. Recall date 3/31/14 with the 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. I contacted the GM representative at the 1800 number and was told that this recall doesn't pertain to the particular 09 G6 that I have purchased.”

   NHTSA complaint #11389070, filed 2021-01, 140,000 miles

   “Problems with my electric assist power steering it keeps going in and out I've almost wrecked several times because of it GM offer to recall but says my VIN number doesn't cover the recall for the electric assist power steering for my car. My car was clearly effected by the problems with this part. It's a saftey issue and almost killed my self my son and my unborn child. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11387270, filed 2021-01, 142,990 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Brake lights stay on or fail to light

   • 100 complaints (14%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (86 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2025

   Owners describe brake lights that stay illuminated when the pedal is not pressed, or that do not come on when braking, sometimes noticed by other drivers or after being pulled over. Some link it to cruise control not working or to a switch near the pedal, and a few report the problem returning after a switch or recall repair. Some also mention turn signal and wiring connector problems in the same area. Reported from under 30,000 miles up to about 190,000 miles, often noticed during ordinary driving rather than in specific weather.

   Recall 14V2520001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have someone watch the rear lights while you press and release the brake pedal, and confirm the cruise control engages. Ask whether the brake light switch or related recall repair has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Got pulled over for brake lights not acting when engaged, and viceversa. Officer noticed I was driving fine, but my lights were not. Issues with steering, jerky motions at low speed can't disengage parking or parking brake without braking engaged shift stick when changing to drive constant steering and tire sensor service sensor”

   NHTSA complaint #11375188, filed 2020-11, 171,000 miles

   “Brake lights are on when driving down the road and the foot is not on the brake and then the brake light goes off when braking. Also the electronic power steering is not working sometimes when starting the car. I turn it off and restart and it works. It has also kicked off a couple of times when driving down the road. Based on your website the issues are listed for the Pontiac G6 saab and chevy malibu. But based on my VIN # it's not included. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11406873, filed 2021-04, 191,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Gear shifter cable failure / wrong gear selection

   • 58 complaints (8%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners describe the shifter failing to move into the intended gear, or the car continuing to move in reverse after selecting a gear, requiring the parking brake to stop it. Some complaints say a mechanic found the shift cable end broken or separated and needed replacement. A few mention the repair being delayed by parts availability tied to a transmission recall. Reported between roughly 110,000 and 170,000 miles, sometimes while maneuvering at low speed.

   Recall 12V460000Recall 09V073000

   What to check: With the engine running and the brake applied, move the shifter through each position and confirm the indicator matches and the car holds in park; ask whether the shift cable or linkage recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle continued to reverse and failed to stop. The gear shifter failed to shift to the intended gear, causing the contact to use the parking brake while depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the gear shifter cable had failed and needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11491027, filed 2022-10, 141,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Stability Control, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control); however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the transmission gear shifter failed to shift between gears and ceased. The air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake stop lights failed to illuminate upon depressing the brake pedal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11514073, filed 2023-03, 107,000 miles

Buying note. On a 2009 G6, the electric power steering is the item to check most carefully: confirm the steering recall status by VIN and test that assist works from cold and through slow turns. Also verify the brake lights, headlight connectors, and shifter operation before purchase, since these are common owner complaints on this model year.

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.