Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Pontiac G6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Midas. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was then towed to an undisclosed dealer and the contact was informed that the engine failed due to the timing belt and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
While driving I'm going around a corner and the steering was grabbing and getting tight I had to mussel the car home then it stopped doing it the again and again now my steering has not power steering and when I back up it grabs sometimes out of my hands and almost breaks my arm. This car is a death trap. There were no warnings till it happened
The transmission shifter cable broken on this car. To repair the car, it had to be towed as it was not drivable. GM later issued a recall for this problem. It is GM safety recall 14152 issued in July 2014, but noted there were no parts available for this recall notice. A follow-up notice was issued by GM in September 2014. I completed the customer reimbursement request form for the repairs completed on May 5, 2014 and submitted to GM on 10/15/2014. The total bill for repairs was $451.61. GM has refused to pay for the tow bill of $158.00. The car was not drivable with the shifter cable broken and towing the car was the only was to get it repaired. The GM customer reimbursement form states that all "reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described will be considered for reimbursement". …
My car was running just fine. All of a sudden on a very rainy night, the car would not catch gear it would take about 5 seconds to run smoothly. About 8 minutes later when I got to the freeway it drove smoothly. The next day after driving the car about 20 minutes it started doing the same thing again, but this time it started burning. I stopped to let it cool and checked all the fluids, everything was OK. I tried to drive my car 10 minutes to make it to my house. While reversing a lot pop happened. I stopped and looked and pink fluid was running down the parking lot. I tried to move the car out the way but the steering wheel was hard to turn. After an hour I was able to take it to a relatives house after refilling the car with power steering fluid. After 2 hours of sitting we tried to take it to my house and as we left the car locked up. …
Tl* - the contact owns a Pontiac G6 which was involved a crash in July 2006. The current and failure mileage were 900. The cv joint failed while driving at 40 MPH. The contact heard a noise, and while driving the vehicle to the dealer, less than 5 minutes away, the contact lost control, hit another vehicle, and drove into a ditch. GM stated that the failure did not occur due to the cv boots, and that it could have been the tie rod end. The contact has a police report and photos. The police report was incorrect in stating that it was a head on collision. The contact and the other driver involved in the crash disagreed with the report. The vehicle hit a curb before going into the ditch. The impact was on the driver's side, there were 2 sets of skid marks. The insurance company stated the contact was at fault and cancelled her policy ,stating that she lost control of the vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that after the vehicle being repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (power train), three months later the vehicle was stuck in reverse after reversing the vehicle. The contact mentioned the vehicle failed to shift into park as well. The vehicle was taken to duplessis Buick GMC at 2522 s burnside ave, gonzales, la 70737 where the failure was duplicated diagnosed from the recall. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was repaired multiple times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,450.
Transmission isn't shifting, and shift cable came apart somewhere. Several cars just like mine have been recalled due to this same thing happening, but mine isn't?? Car doesn't have even 135,000 miles. Electrical system is shorting out somewhere, and is draining my battery. Power steering is working against me or not working at all. This all happened around the same time... Please help me get this figured out, I'm not the only one having this issue, it is definitely an issue with several thousand of these cars just like mine and mine doesn't fall under the recall notice??? Tell me why not??
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH during inclement weather, the traction control system failed causing the contact to crash into a wall. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel and was difficult to maneuver. The contact also stated that while parked, the vehicle shifted out of gear. Additionally, the front passenger tie rod, ball joint, and the hub wore out prematurely. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000.
My vehicle was recently taken to the dealership for a recalled part (brake lamp malfunction) and my vehicle is still locking up. After fixing the recalled part I have purchased a battery, a caliber, starter, and two hubs. My car is still not working it will function for a couple of miles perfectly, and then it returns to the same problems. First it will not gear up the car will be on drive and it will take a couple of minutes to catch, then the car will lock up and not be able to move. So I will have to get a tow service because the ABS system will lock the car and I cannot push it to a safe area.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. While driving various speeds, the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. In addition, the power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn left or right, although the power steering fluid was full. Futhermore, the transmission shifted hard when placed in gear. Summit Chevrolet Buick GMC in auburn, new york was made of the failures and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 122,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Transmission complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Pontiac G6, 5% of the model year's 1,910 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Pontiac G6 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Pontiac G6 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.