Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Pontiac G6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that a friend had alerted him that his brake lights remained illuminated while driving. The contact also stated that the brake lights would go out upon the depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact then placed some dielectric grease on the brake wiring harness which repaired the brake light connection. The contact also stated that the front driver's side headlight also failed to operate without warning. The contact applied dielectric grease to the wiring harness however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The contact had spoken with the manufacturer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. …
The power steering mechanism stopped working, therefore I cannot turn the wheel. The gear shifter/drive train stopped working, therefore I cannot go into reverse, I am stuck in 3rd gear. It is unsafe because when I go to turn I cannot turn the wheel at times. I have issues braking. All of these issues are recalls on the vehicle. GM states that the recalls were performed seven years ago in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I have no way to verify that information nor any assurances that the parts used weren't faulty. I request new repairs under the recall warnings.
Timing Chain making noise...voltage fluctuations throughout all the car...cruise control will shut off if I got to use wipers or blinkers or even turn on the air system and lights will dim if you use power windows or have the radio up loud.
A friend following me 09-21-2016 noticed my brake lights were on constantly. Driving home that night I could tell the brake light stayed on, unless I was applying the brake and they would go off. Also cruise control would not work. Made an appointment with the local GM dealership where the car was purchased new for 09-27-2016. Dealership diagnosed car with a bad brake switch. Car was repaired and picked up on 09-30-2016 (brake switch replaced) cost 194.81. Drove the car on a 300 mile trip on 10-13-2016. Traction warning light would come on intermittently and when the light was on cruise control would not work. Also checked on brake lights and now they stay constantly. Traction warning light stays on constantly also now.. The car did go on for the recall notice back in 2014. We were not experiencing any problems prior to the last couple of months.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. While driving 45 MPH, the service traction and service ABS. Traction control, ESC and stability control warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000. Updated 07/12/16 updated 08/03/16.
1.when driving with the cruise control on it will turn off for no reason. 2. When the car is on the driver's seat gets really warm and the seat is not on. 3. The traction controller coming on while driving.
I purchased this car in summer 2013. It was fine for a couple months then the cruise control started going out and the ESC and traction control would code at the same time. I searched on the internet and found the GM service bulletin that said to remove the connectors from the computer and apply dialectic grease due to corrosion. This would work 30 to 60 days then I would have to apply more grease. Before christmas I was driving home at night and noticed that my brake lights were stuck on. I found that this would often happen at the same time that the other problems would code and other times the brake lights would just come on. I have applied grease several times this winter and it doesn't work anymore. The ESC and traction control code at random times, and the cruise control becomes inoperable. The air bag light is now on and stays on. …
2009 Pontiac G6 I got on the highway and tried to switch on the cruise control and it wouldn't work so I pulled over to the side of the road to see what's wrong. When I got out of my car I noticed that the brake lights were on so I went back and pressed the brakes then they turned off. I started driving again but soon as I turned on the cruise control it comes on but turns right back off. But if I hit the brakes the cruise control will work again for a second then turns right back off that's when I realized that the brake lights come on when I drive but when I hit the breaks they turn off. Im only writing this because my car doesn't have 100,000 miles yet and I saw that your company started an investigation regarding this issue. I would like to know how this can be fixed because it's not just on the highway it's happening now all the time. …
While driving, the gas gage and MPH needles dropped to zero and the car could not drive forward. There was also an "error" notice flashing on the dashboard. It lasted for a fraction of second but kept doing it about every 20-30 seconds. I realized the theft protection light stayed on after startng the vehicle but when I went out yesterday the theft protection light was not on after starting the car. It came on suddenly while driving and I was unable to get the gas gage to work. It is lasting longer now also. I also noticed the traction control words showed up on the dash board this last time. Conditions were clear and dry. I did read the manual and checked the fuse as recommended. The fuse looks fine and for one whole day after removing and replacing the fuse I did not have the problem but the next time I drove, it was much worse as I mentioned above.
2009 Pontiac G6 gt sedan. Intermittent problems with the following for the last year: brake lights come on when accelerating and turn off when braking (doing opposite of what they should be doing). Cruise control and traction control system both keep going out. Sometimes it's just the cruise control, other times the traction control system turns off first which in turn disables the cruise control. Whenever the cruise control starts going out, the brake lights start malfunctioning soon after. I suspect this is an issue with the BCM (body control module). Front drivers side headlight keeps going out, but the bulb isn't burned out. Replaced bulb twice. If I smack the plastic headlight cover, the light comes back on. The wires don't look damaged, so I'm not sure what is causing the problem with the headlight.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake…
Acceleration complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2009 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2009 Pontiac G6, 5% of the model year's 713 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Pontiac G6 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-252 (cruise control, May 14, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Pontiac G6 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.