Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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 while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was turned off, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The failure became more persistent over time, and several attempts were needed for the power steering feature to become operable. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the vehicle had experienced Mass Air Flow Sensor, Power Train System, Catalytic Converter Efficiency, ABS, Wheel Speed Sensor, Wheel Hub, Wheel Bearing, and TPMS failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and became aware of several recalls related to the year, make, and model vehicle; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,737
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Stability Control, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control); however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the transmission gear shifter failed to shift between gears and ceased. The air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake stop lights failed to illuminate upon depressing the brake pedal. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
My brake lights are malfunctioning. It has not worked correctly in years. When you press on the brake, the brake lights turn itself off. When not pressing on the brake, my brake lights are on. I reached out to the GM dealership and I told them that the recall was fixed, but the issue is ongoing and poses extreme safety issues. I have gotten pulled over for this. No lights are on my dashboard. I have owned the car since the beginning of COVID and the issue has happened since.
Tl* the contact owed a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while his son was driving the vehicle approaching a stop sign, when he started to depress on the brake pedal, the vehicle jerked to turn left and crash into an oncoming vehicle on the opposite side of the road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a head injury on the right side of his head and seek medical attention at the emergency room, where he had 15 stitches inside and 10 stitches outside of his head. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The insurance adjuster deemed the vehicle a total loss. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering) however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 202,000.
Clear day, dry, straight, flat road, no obstructions. Saw 2 vehicles stopped at red light, well ahead of me. Removed foot from gas pedal for normal braking and stop. When applied brakes, they did not slow my car down. Tried more pressure on brakes, but they were so "stiff", car still did not respond. When impact obvious, tried to steer toward clear lane on left to avoid straight-on impact. Thought might cause less injury to all and less damage. Steering wheel would not move. Struck the vehicle straight-on from rear at about 35 MPH. Air bag deployed. Wearing seat belt. Taken from car by emergency medical technicians, then by ambulance to hospital emergency room. Several x-rays taken, plus either cat scan of head. Told no bones broken, given shot of morphine and prescription for norco. Driven home and went to sleep. Remember nothing of next day or fact I was given discharge instructions. …
The solution GM has for recall #14V252000 does not work. The recall was fixed 9/2014 and on 10/31/15 the same problem was noticed. This has been noticed when the vehicle is in motion. Brake lights come on when brakes are not applied, go off when brakes are applied. I brought vehicle into a Chevy dealership on 11/09/15. They replaced a brake pedal position sensor. Noticed on 11/09/15 in pm that the brake lights remain on and do not change when the brake is pressed. A service traction came on 11/10/15 and again on 11/17/15. I have not had an opportunity to drive behind the vehicle while this service traction light is on. I have taken a picture of the service traction light twice showing the mileage and time. I have read similar complaints regarding this NHTSA recall #14V252000 (GM recall #13036) on this website! …
I had power steering lose about a year ago and then it just happened again yesterday. When I shut the car off it like resets and then it's fine I also had a friend of mine text me and told me that my brake lights were backwards when I when I was breaking the lights were off when I was driving and my brake lights were on. I have also always noticed that my car shifts weird sometimes when I'm passing it doesn't seem like I can get up to speed. I have also had trouble with my passenger front airbag sensor since I've had the car. I bought my car and 2010 it was only a year old with very few miles. Right now I only have about 81,000 miles on it. With all of my incidents with the power steering and brake lights I have been in town driving all were in motion. In town driving has probably been about 35 mile an hour I would never want to experience or have any of these on the highway.
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.
My G6 was recalled last year because of a problem with the BCM. The problem caused loss of traction control, cruise control and the lights to malfunction. Since my vehicle was fixed, I have experienced the same problem several times. A switch was replaced a few weeks ago and this took care of the problem temporarily. I am now being told the BCM needs to be replaced and will cost $800. The reason for the recall was "increased resistance in the bmc May result in voltage fluctuations". I do not understand why the recall did not include replacing the BCM. It is very scary and upsetting when the "service traction" warning appears while driving 70 MPH on the interstate at night and not knowing if the brake lights are on or not.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a deer and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was taken to the a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brakes and the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system , electronic stability control , exterior lighting , service brakes, hydraulic , vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 48,000.
Brake complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Pontiac G6, 11% of the model year's 713 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Pontiac G6 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2009 Pontiac G6, though it has 4 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 2009 Pontiac G6 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.