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 2008 Pontiac G6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced for the recall of NHTSA Campaign Number:14V224000: (Power Train), the transmission shift cable failed causing the vehicle to roll back and hit the contact. During the incident, the contact sustained a severe abdominal injury and a fractured left knee. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the shift cable for a second time. The contact indicated that the shift cable recently had failed again. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
No SE lights on dash. Shudder shifts intermittently between all gears both in automatic and manual driving mode. No shops have been able to diagnose what the actual problem is. Huge safety risk as there is no telling when it will actually happen and "stall" the car out in traffic when shifting. In searching the internet this is a common problem for 5+ years and there has not been a solution identified by GM.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. While the vehicle was parked with the emergency brake applied, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into a tree stump. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the gear shifter was replaced five times; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
On accelerating from 0 to 20 MPH the transmission will not shift into 2nd gear, when letting off of the accelerator, the transmission will not shift, when re-accelerating the transmission will not engage and the engine races to 7000 RPM, then the transmission engages at about 5000 RPM and causes the vehicle to jerk forward. I have taken the vehicle into the dealership on 10/30/12, 3/5/13, 8/19/13, 9/12/13. Diagnosis cannot find any problem and the technician tells me I am "tricking" the transmission when I de-accelerate and accelerate again. This has been a constant problem from 30,000 miles to current mileage of 47,000 miles. Recently, I was approaching a red light at about 25mph and the light turned green. I accelerated and the transmission did not engage and the engine raced to 7000 RPM. I was almost hit from the rear. …
I filed a report yesterday after my sons car would not accelerate while in drive after he had been stopped at a red light in the turning lane on the city street. He pressed the gas pedal, the engine revved up,but the car wouldn't move forward, only reverse and park. I had it towed to my mechanic and after they pulled my tranny, took off the filter and pan, they found some kind of 4 way metal tube that had broken, and that's what caused the car to not drive forward. I had to have a transmission filter and gasket, they had to drain and replace the fluid, a transmission tube assembly, and new transmission fluid which cost me $602.25. Also, my mechanic said that the transmission shift cable needs to be replaced because it's screwed up. After all the money I spent today, I couldn't afford to get it fixed and I was informed that there was a recall on this issue on my sons car. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. While driving 35 MPH, the battery indicator illuminated, the steering lost power, and the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was restarted after a couple of hours, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to classic Chevrolet [phone], located at 6877 center st, mentor, oh 44060) where it was repaired per NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control), 12V460000 (power train), and 14V153000 (steering). The failure recurred the next morning. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
My car rolled backward while in park when being removed from the back of a tow truck. I parked my car and when I return the car wouldn't start. I had it towed and that is when it rolled off the tow truck while the gear shift was in park. I believe for some reason the car was in gear (reverse). The car then start and appears to function without issue. I searched the internet and found 2009 G6 were recalled for a similar issue as well as Saturn aura. These cars use the same components as the 2008 G6. Fortunately my experience had no consequence mainly because I parked my car on level ground. I now consider that this is a serious safety issue and I will not use the car until I have someone inspect the car.
My son was driving my car tonight. He called me from his friends house and said that the car was stuck in neutral, car was off, but couldn't remove ignition key. I got there, car was parked in friends driveway, I started the car, was able to move the shifter, even though I couldn't feel it shifting into any gear. I then shifted it into what I "assumed" was park, shut car off, removed key, and car started rolling backwards. I applied the e-brake, but the car kept rolling. I went ahead and rolled it backwards out of the drive since I knew it had to be towed from the front end. I had to back my other car up to it, bumper to bumper to stop it from rolling backwards until the tow truck arrived.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while in park with the gear shifter shifted into the park position, the vehicle rolled away in reverse. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the gear shifter was loose and that the shift cable had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who attached a clip to the shift cable as a temporary remedy and advised that the vehicle be taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V224000 (power train) the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. After the vehicle had been parked on a hill for three hours, it rolled backwards once the vehicle was started and the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission cable detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was repaired previously under NHTSA campaign number: 12V460000 (power train); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was good for only twelve months. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012.
Transmission complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Pontiac G6, 8% of the model year's 1,080 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Pontiac G6 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014); NHTSA recall 12V-460 (gear position indication (prndl), Sep 18, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Pontiac G6 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.