Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Pontiac G6 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I lost my low beams about a year ago and also one high beam. Just one month ago that headlight went out also. I have read that there are wiring problems r/t the Pontiac G6. I am unable to drive my car at night without headlights. The fuses, bulbs and relay switches are intact and working. My mechanic says it's a wiring problem. Is the manufacturing company responsible for this kind of problem? Other electrical issues are present. When my seatbelt is on I get a message that it is not. Sometimes if I wiggle or reinsert it the light goes out, but more often than not it is on. I also get messages that says my airbag isn't working on drivers side. The check engine light goes on and off if I hit a good size bump. I also had a mechanic spray WD40 under my drivers seat and that made the check engine light go out for several months.
I bought this car from a dealership called drive now in lebanon tennessee. About 2 miles after signing and trading my vehicle for this one the ESC, tc off, check engine, low tire pressure sensor lights all came on on the dash. I took it to them 4 different times now and they stated to me it's an electrical problem and they claimed to have fixed it!! A month later it all began again. It starts with the driver side headlight going out then the passenger side headlight goes out and then all the lights come back on again. This time however once I replaced the light on the drivers side I noticed it had melted inside the wires. I drive home and seen the car was smoking from under the hood amd the battery cables were blazing with fire. Luckily I had a gallon of water that I put the fire out with. …
When starting my car, power steering service ESC was shown on my message center as my car beeped to alarm me of the message as well as I had no power steering and could not turn my wheel. I looked up on the internet what that message meant and saw that there have been recalls for the same issues on previous years of the same vehicle but that 2010 isn't covered under the recall. Online it stated to turn off the vehicle and take the key out of the ignition and then try again. I did so and my car started and the message was gone and my power steering was back (as normal). Every time I start my car the same message comes across. Although, it's been about a week since this originally started and it is happening more frequently now and takes 4 or 5 times for me to shut my car off and restart it before it "goes back to normal". …
GM issued a recall for the exact same issue I am having with my vehicle only for previous years they did extend special coverage but only up to 150,000 miles. This problem with the power steering cutting out at any given time should be considered a major safety issue, I have had to manually try and steer my vehicle when this has cut out, thank god I was pulling into my driveway and not out on the highway at 70mph with my child in the car!! I barely had the strength to steer it when I had to. This is a common issue with this design of electrical power steering and I feel GM should stand behind their product and fix it regardless of the mileage on a person's vehicle. …
About a year and a half ago, the power steering in my 2010 Pontiac G6 completely stopped working. Every time I would start the car, the power steering worked for a couple seconds and then I would hear a faint sound like a fuse or sensor going out, power steering and service ESC would begin flashing repeatedly on the dash and my power steering would stop working. Shutting the car off and restarting it only caused the power steering to return for a few seconds. At that time, there was roughly 105,000 miles on the car. I went to an auto shop and they told me it was something computerized/electrical within the steering column and would cost $900 to fix. I was unable to afford to get the car fixed so I continued driving the car without power steering. After months of this, randomly the power steering started working 100% of the time again. …
My 2010 Pontiac G6 has had recalls for electrical problems. Even after taking it to have those recalls corrected, we are still having electrical issues with out 2010 Pontiac G6. Headlights are not wanting to stay on, you hit it and it comes on, have been pulled over for headlight out due to this problem. Also having electrical problem issues when starting the vehicle. It does not want to start to bad connection in the fuse box in the trunk not kicking on the gas pump. Car actually shut off due to this issue on the route 68 a major highway that runs through cumberland, md. Very scary situation, just thanking god that there were no vehicles behind me at the time this occurred when there very well could have been, including tractor and trailers that drive that road. This situation needs addressed and corrected. …
While driving, unexpectedly, an error will appear stating there is an issue with the power steering. At this time, the power steering stops working which makes it very difficult to control the vehicle. At the same time, a "service ESC" code appears also and it automatically turns off the traction control system. This happens while driving down the highway at higher rates of speeds which poses a critical safety issue. There is no current recall information at this time for this vehicle. Some instances have included the brake lights not working properly or the tail lights not illuminating while the headlights are turned on. This is also a huge safety concern. The vehicle is paid off and expenses have been incurred by the owner to fix this problem, but the issue is recurring. The repair center cannot seem to fix this problem. …
There was an initial recall done to where Pontiac put a bandaid on the problem with the headlights instead of fixing the problem. The bandaid was to just replace the headlight bulb. If you do research on the internet on this make model and year of vehicle the actual problem is the wiring harness and corrosion. Several people have had the issue but for some reason no one is reporting it but I am due to the fact that mine has not just affected the headlights but also my fuel pump which it caused it to shut off in the middle of interstate 68 with traffic coming up behind me. Luckily they realize I was having a problem and went out around me before hitting me. I have since been pulled over 4 times within the last several months due to the headlight being out which was what they recall was for. If you hit the light it comes on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac G6. While driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the brake lights were not operating. Also, several warning indicators, including the service traction and electronic stability control, were illuminated. The contact also stated that the brake pedal could be difficult to depress at certain times. Furthermore, the brake lights illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to two dealers: lithia Chevrolet of redding (200 e cypress ave, redding, ca 96002, [phone] and growney motors (1160 main st, red bluff, ca 96080, [phone]). The contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for diagnostic testing. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. …
Bought new-used 2010 Pontiac G6 with only 59,000 miles on it (2 previous owners) and less than 7 months latee, I have had constant issues with the passenger side headlight shorting out. Replaced bulbs many times, only for it to go out again less than 2 weeks later. Then, the noticed the socket was corroded and melted. I looked online for any info and came across hundreds of complaints for the same issue for my make and model. Yet, no recall! Apparently these connectors were made with wires too close together, and so they get too hot and then short out. So even replacing the entire headlight harness will prove usless, as it will just continue to happen with the new one. At a loss as how to permanently fix this problem. I cannot drive at night or get my car inspected because of this . …
Electrical complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2010 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Pontiac G6, 22% of the model year's 272 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Pontiac G6 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2010 Pontiac G6, though it has 2 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 2010 Pontiac G6 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.