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 2009 Pontiac G6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the message "Power Steering" was displayed, and then there was a faint clicking sound before the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the residence; however, the failure recurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that only after restarting the vehicle with the steering wheel turned, the steering wheel would turn without difficulty for a short while, causing the contact to restart the vehicle with the steering wheel turned several times. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the recall had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
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 who is an independent mechanic, called on behalf of his client who owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while the vehicle was being driven at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering motor controller unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the independent mechanic awaiting the repair. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at slow speeds, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning light illuminated, and the contact's wife veered the vehicle off the road and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the battery and the torque sensor assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was previously included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the power steering warning system would chime and illuminate then the power steering would fail intermittently. The contact had to use excessive force to maneuver the vehicle. The contact would then turn off and restart the vehicle for the power steering to function as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred soon after turning off the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,639.
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering became inoperable. The contact restarted the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the torque sensor was faulty. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 14V153000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to turn. The power steering warning light, check engine warning light, and the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife then turned the vehicle off and restarted the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. While driving 20 MPH or slower, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and restarted for the power steering assist to become operational. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,800.
The cars power steering went out on my son after a power surge going around a slight turn. He went head on with a box truck an been in the hospital for 3 weeks now with multiple compound fractures to his leg, ribs, tibia, fibia, and femur. Never received a recall notice for this recall. I would never of risked my sons life over a recall.
I purchased a used 2009 Pontiac G6 3.9L almost 4 years ago. I have experienced white smoke pouring from under my hood 3 times so far. I've taken it to the dealership and first time was informed it was a bad power steering hose leaking onto the exhaust- preCat area. The second repair dealership said it was a faulty hose. The third time dealer said it was a bad motor mount. After extensive research online, found out several years of G6 cars have the high pressure power steering hose about 1 inch from the exhaust pipe. This is causing the hose to melt due to the heat. GMC started making heat protective wrap around these hoses which still does not solve the problem-still burns thru. With a simple online search 2006-2010 G6 with the v-6 engines are still having this problem, costing owners money/time and safety issues. …
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.
Steering complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 296 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Pontiac G6, 42% of the model year's 713 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 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 2009 Pontiac G6 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 4 fires and 11 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.