Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel started vibrating and became difficult to turn. Additionally, the steering wheel was turning to the left independently. The contact stated that the power steering warning light and the power train warning light were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contact stated that the steering wheel was stuck in a left turn position and would not return to center. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the recall was previously completed on the vehicle. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
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). …
I was driving with my kids from Ohio to wv. Halfway there my steering got super stiff and it was very hard to turn the wheel. Then a light on dashboard of a car with wrench in it came on then the car made ding noise and across radio message center said power steering. I read there was a recall in 2014 for my year make and model of car a 2005 Pontiac G6 but since it's been so long I can't check to see if my vehicle was ever fixed or not. If it was fixed and now has failed again what do I do. When I check Vin it says 0 unfixed I think. I'm at a loss. We could have caused an accident or wrecked ourselves because it just suddenly went out and it took everything I had in me to turn the steering wheel and to get off the road.
Vehicle: 2005 Pontiac G6 VIN: [your VIN] Mileage: 185,000 Issue: Sudden **total loss of power steering assist** - **same symptom as NHTSA Recall 14V153000 (GM 14116)**. Recall **was completed years ago**. **Replacement part installed by GM failed in under 5 years**. GM Customer Assistance **refused coverage** under **Special Coverage #14299 (repeat failure after recall)**. Told me "warranties stopped in 2020" - **incorrect**. #14299 covers **repeat failures of recall parts** with **goodwill/safety extensions** beyond 150k miles. This is a **known safety defect** - steering is extremely heavy, nearly caused crash. GM must repair under **federal safety recall obligations**.
The problem hasn't been happening nearly as much in the cold temperatures. I'm experiencing the same issue that was supposed to be recalled. The power steering goes out while I'm driving. I can pull over, restart it and it usually goes away the first start (sometimes more "restarts" are necessary). The steering wheel also twitches or shakes while the car is just idle. I don't move it... just moves while in park. There was a recall for my car for this issue (power steering torque sensor I believe?) and I'm curious why my car is experiencing it now.
My steering wheel started twitching and there's Minimal steering. While driving down the road, the steering wheel twitches with lots of slack and no really control. When you turn the car off and back on power steering comes on in message center on radio and car with wrench on dash comes on and steering wheel gets extremely hard to turn. But if you turn the car on and off again then steering wheel gets loose and twitchy again with no control. Electrical, all my relays and curcuits Have low voltage or high voltage showing on a computer scanner.
I was driving down the street And I'm about to take that right turn. On The Verge of taking a turn My steering became very hard and I could barely turn the wheel. Luckily that wasn't any uncommon traffic because I had to take the turn wider than expected But was able to pull over. When I got safe to the side of the road, "power steering" was illuminated on my dash. I turn the car off that cracker back up and I was able to get home
I had called GMC and there was a recall on the power steering but that was opened back in 2014 and was closed the same year I am having problems with mine I had just bought the car from someone else and the car had not been took care of and I have a new born baby that rides n the car and I'm really worried about this
On 5-8-22, I, along with my 3 children, were driving from Ohio to west Virginia to visit my mother for mother's day. We were about 5 minutes away from getting on the highway where speed limit would've been 70 mph and multiple vehicles. The road we were on the speed limit was 55 mph but I was coming up to a sharp left turn so I was slowed down to about 35 mph. Before I started to go into the sharp left turn, my steering wheel became very hard to turn and I was like what the heck just happened. As I said that out loud a car symbol with a wrench inside of it popped up on my dash and directly after that light came on there was a ding (like when your trunk is open and you try to drive) and my radio message center said power steering. …
I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 that we purchased for our daughter about 4 or 5 years ago. The car has been a great first car and an emergency spare for our family, until recently. I was driving in Oklahoma City in 5 pm rush hour and without any type of warning I had zero and I mean zero power steering, I could not get the car off the highway at all, the steering wheel started shaking rapidly, and jearking from left to right. And as quick as it happened it stopped, I was able to pull over and call my husband back home 5 hours away to come get me and the car. Once I was pulled off the highway, I turned the car off and let it set for about 5 minutes then strated it back up, to witch the steering wheel went back to jerking and shaking, I thought well I have to get this thing off the major interstate worse case it goes crazy and I go down the ditch. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of power steering assist
During this investigation, general motors (GM) indicated that approximately 15,600 model year (my) 2005 Pontiac g6 vehicles built from November 3, 2004 through January 5, 2005 May experience a loss of power steering assist due to an insufficient crimp at the torque and position sensor transducer located in the steering column assembly.
Steering complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 459 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Pontiac G6, 68% of the model year's 679 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Pontiac G6 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-153 (electric power assist system, Mar 31, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Pontiac G6 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries to steering 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.