Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Pontiac G6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
A few months ago, I was pulling out of a parking lot and started to brake , but my car was not stopping. I quickly pumped my brakes and then my brakes worked. All my brake lights came on; ABS, BRAKE, TC, Check engine; and car maintenance light all came on. They periodically would go away but would return when it rained, or if the brakes gave out. Brakes have gone out twice, once while driving on freeway. Before this issue, I had taken it to a mechanic as the brake light was on, and the 'brake fluid' message was on my dash- the mechanic scanned it and said the BCM was malfunctioning, to take it to the dealership. I knew who bought the car originally off the lot, so I knew the specific dealership it was bought from (gmc dealership). When I called and told them the issue, they said they will not touch my car (exact words). …
While driving on the highway and approaching her exit, the electronic power steering failed and completely locked on my client's car. This is a downhill exit ramp off the highway. Her car pulled to the right and she was unable to steer her car left to follow the curvature of the exit ramp. As a result the car veered off the exit ramp, struck a pole and began to spin out of control. The car continued to spin down into the embankment and came to rest after landing on its side. The car stopped on the driver's side wheels as if it was about to roll over. The car eventually fell down on all four wheels and was facing oncoming traffic. There was a recall issued on the electronic power steering but parts to correct the problem were not made available to my client.
When driving on city streets, highways and the interstate, my power steering just goes out. Completely stops working. Also, sometimes my cruise control won't work because my brake lights go on without my pressing the brake. When I do press the brake the lights go off. (also on city streets, highways and interstate). And sometimes I cannot move the shifter from park without a lot of work. Like pressing and releasing the brake, wiggling or tapping of the fuses inside the vehicle and in the trunk or under the hood. Currently they say no open recalls on this car, but service providers say to check further. Found GM rebate # n140115 for the power steering issue. Apparently there May be a steering shaft problem too.GM rebate # 80317 or # 13036 for the brake/shifter problem. But Pontiac says "nothing confined to this vehicle". These are safety issues that I feel they should cover. …
The evening of January.24th,2017 I was traveling on the highway heading home and when I went to slow down because a semi pulled out in front of me I noticed the cars behind me were not reducing their speed & the car behind me almost hit me but swerved to avoid it then laid on their horn cussing me because my brake lights were not working until I let off the brakes they came on and stayed on, so I pulled over put car in park my husband got out and was checking things out and sure enough it was like they had a mind of their own. So I called for my father in law to come follow me home so that I would not cause an accident and when I went to put the car into gear my gear shift would not come out of park! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10-15 MPH, the steering wheel ceased. The vehicle was towed to randy marion Buick GMC (13701 statesville rd huntersville, nc 28078) where the failure was diagnosed as steering gear assembly failure. The contact previously received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) but was informed by the dealer that the failure was not associated with the recall. The contact was informed that would provide repair for open recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
I leased a brand new Pontiac G6 in September 2005, on January 29, 2005 the ABS module burnt up and caught on fire, burnt the ABS system and half of the cars electrical wiring in the wiring harness. The fire department had to be called to put the fire out, they stated if I waited any longer the car would have been totaled. The dealership has had the car for a month now, they tell me they can fix the car but parts are and to quote the service department, " the part is on super galactic back order". My 16 year old is now afraid to drive the car, and frankly so am I. GM will not replace the car, or extend the warranty for the life of lease. I am considering contacting the bbb, and a lawyer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While driving 60 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the steering and brake pedal shook violently. In addition, while driving, the vehicle stalled without warning and the ignition switch beeped as if the key was inserted in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V153000, 14e044000 (steering) and 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,598.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. While inspecting the undercarriage of the vehicle, the contact noticed that the parking brake cables fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Too many complaints to write them all up, here are a few: engine makes metal grinding "whooshing" noise independent from acceleration-dealer cannot replicate, warped rotors-dealer wanted over $1,000 to fix, have had radio replaced 5 times due to disc errors-dealer keeps replacing, had steering rack and water pump replaced at 30,000 miles-dealer covered, sensor that turns on lights went-dealer replaced, power steering problems, hard to turn and rough, but no "lock-ups" like others have had(thankfully)-dealer cannot replicate, had drivers side front panel sunroof drain clog, water soaked front carpet(3 inches of water)-dealer fixed but left me with a moldy carpet!, engine flutters/stutters to a start on random-dealer has no answer for me, trunk lid was scraping rear bumper due to latches being tightened wrong-dealer fixed, headlamp full of condensation-dealer fixed, car ridiculously bad …
I bought my car on June 2, 2008, when we left the dealership we could smell oil burning, we thought they just overfilled the fluids, on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 while going to lunch, my transmission gave out in my car, it went back to the dealership for eleven (11) days while they replaced the transmission. When we got it back from the transmission repair the air conditioner was no longer working and the brakes were squealing. We took it back to the garage a week and a half later for this and they said everything was fine. In the beginning of August, we noticed that the oil kept going low. On August 14th, 2008 we had to take it back to the garage because there was horrendous, mass amount of oil collecting under the motor. The garage kept my car again, because the rear main crank shaft seal went in the engine. …
Brake complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Pontiac G6, 10% of the model year's 679 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Pontiac G6 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Pontiac G6, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Pontiac G6 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.