Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at 70-75 MPH, the vehicle started misfiring. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and the failure was associated with the emissions and cooling system. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light illuminated two days later. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 174,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac g5, while driving had stopped at a stop light and noticed flames under the hood. Consumer pulled into a convience store and parked the car. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. Donovan Cadillac (5800 w. Kellogg dr, wichita, ks) was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal dinging noise and decelerated. After a few seconds, the vehicle rolled and restarted on its own when the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 161,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac G6. Upon entering the vehicle in the mornings, the windshield and side windows of the vehicle had excessive condensation. On one occasion, the vehicle was unable to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000. Updated 11/18/15
Making loud nosies when steering. Front end very wobblily feeling as thought the front part of the car feel like its going to detach from the car. When the car hit about 50 MPH it would shake real bad. Very uncomfortable ride overall
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. …
In late 2006 I purchased a 2005 Pontiac G6. In early 2007 I was driving and my steering locked up. After it locked up it became very loose, as in you could turn the steering wheel and the vehicle would not change direction. I took the vehicle to the closed dealer and was told that they had to replace the entire steering column, which they did at no cost to me. I have had numerous other problems with the vehicle, such as brake problems, catalytic converter went out, etc. I still owe $11,000 on this vehicle and it only has 60,000 miles on it. Just last Sunday, 2/28/10, I was driving on the freeway with my 18 month old son in the car and my steering failed. The car started beeping, the display read "power steering" and the steering completely failed. I turned the wheel to pull of the freeway but the vehicle would not turn. It was not hard to turn as GM claims but completely loose. …
I purchased my 2005 Pontiac G6 jan. 10, 2005. This car is having issues starting first thing. It will either over start like I held the ignition too long or it will keep trying to start once it has been started. In both cases, the engine will die. I have been notifying the dealership about this issue since the car was less than a month old. Each time, it was brought into the dealership, ran on the computer, and explained to me that there was nothing wrong and the technicians couldn't re-create the issue. I called gmac about the issue and they had their own technician come out. Their technician told me that a certain valve needed to be replaced and once it was fixed, it would solve all issues. Part was installed and to this day, the car still is overstarting. I stated 700 failures because this happens every time I start the car in the morning.
Dt: the contact stated that the vehicles power steering column locks up while driving 45 MPH or less. The warning sign prior to failure is the steering would pull to the left under normal road conditions. The vehicle was taken into the dealers but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The dealers replaced the steering column. The vehicle presented further problems with the steering column. The vehicle was taken back tot he dealer and they replaced the shaft and motor assembly. The contact called the manufacturer and file a complaint with a representative. Updated 8/21/2006 - the harmonic balancer was not seated properly.
Engine complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Pontiac G6, 4% of the model year's 679 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Pontiac G6 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.