Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 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. …
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. …
My headlight assembly keeps melting and then the headlights (low & high beam) do not come on. I replaced the headlights about 6x until I called the GM dealership and they explained this is due to a manufacturing defect. There has been no recall from GM for this specific issue. I did file a complaint with GM but they said there is nothing they will do and I need to pay to have it repaired myself. The lights go out completely when driving and this is a serious issue, especially at night. I don't want to hurt myself or anyone due to having no headlights. There are many complaints on google for this exact issue yet GM will not issue a recall. Please help. I am on a budget and simply cant afford to have this repaired when it should be GM's responsibility.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac G6. While driving at various speeds, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel would become very difficult to turn. The contact indicated that when the failure occurred, the ESC off and power steering warning sensors would illuminate and the steering wheel would vibrate. The contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the low beam headlights would suddenly shut off and only the high beam headlights could be used. The head lamps were replaced on several occasions, but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 100,000.
My headlights (both) will go out from time to time. I can start my car and one of the lights will be out. I can get out and hit above the light and it comes back on. Then I can be driving down the road, hit a bump and one of them go out. You never know when one or both May go out. I have replaced the lights 2 times since owning the car in December 2012. They have never both gone out at the same time, but I am worried about it happening. Then what will I do? This problem really needs to be addressed. My husband and I both have been pulled over for having a headlight out. We then show the cop that all we have to do is hit it. Thankfully we have not gotten a ticket yet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the ESC, traction and the cruise control warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the brake warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Updated 09/29/16 updated 10/04/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac G6. While driving various speeds, the brake lights failed to engage. When the vehicle was being driven, the brake lights illuminated; however, when the brake pedal was depressed the brake lights did not illuminate. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. Shortly after, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the cruise control had not functioned properly since the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
I noticed I had a low-beam headlight out around christmas but didn't get around to replacing it until 1/19/15. Once it was replaced, it was again not working within less than 24 hrs after the replacement. I returned it to the shop, where the technician found that the headlight harness around the new bulb had melted. I am now awaiting parts to have that replaced. I understand this is a continuing problem with GM cars of that year, and that they tend to keep blowing bulbs and needing harness replacements.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac G6. While attempting to make a turn, the front and rear lights failed to signal. The lights on the instrument panel illuminated. In addition, the front driver door failed to open or close. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.
My brake lights will occasionally turn on when my foot isn't on the brakes whethr the car is moving or not, and then they turn off when I do put my foot on the brakes. Sometimes it seems to be caused by applying the brakes hard or if the ABS are needed. Cruise control will sometimes not engage at all or will shut off in the middle of driving.
Headlight complaints in other G6 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2010 Pontiac G6?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the lights of the 2010 Pontiac G6, 14% of the model year's 272 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Pontiac G6 headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.