Pontiac G6 Headlight Problems

Owners have filed 964 complaints about lights problems with the Pontiac G6 — 16% of all G6 complaints. The worst model years are 2008 (243), 2007 (232) and 2006 (199). Problems typically start around 76,000 miles. One related recall has been issued.

964complaints
2008worst year
76ktypical miles
1related recalls
8crashes
31fires

Headlight complaints by model year

2005200620072008200920106319923224319037
Headlight complaints per model year, Pontiac G6.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
20103714%77,000 miles
200919027%75,000 miles
200824323%74,000 miles
200723219%77,000 miles
200619910%80,000 miles
2005639%75,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Brake lights
    119
  • Headlights
    21
  • Brake lights › Switch
    9
  • Fog lights › Switch
    1

Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    496%
  • 25k–50k
    11114%
  • 50k–75k
    23229%
  • 75k–100k
    19124%
  • 100k–150k
    17322%
  • 150k+
    476%

What owners report

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. …

2010 G6 · 102,000 miles · Aug 2018 · fire

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. …

2010 G6 · Brake lights · 150,000 miles · Aug 2016

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. …

2009 G6 · 160,000 miles · Mar 2020

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear brake lights stayed on continuously even when the brake pedal was not depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an unknown switch underneath the dashboard was replaced however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

2009 G6 · 126,000 miles · Jun 2020

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while her fianc ' was driving behind her, he notified her that her rear driver's and passenger's side brake lights remained illuminated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rear passenger's and driver's side brake light bulbs were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact then received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number 14V252000 (Electrical system, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical Stability Control). Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

2008 G6 · 159,000 miles · Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 mph the cruise disconnected had erroneously deactivated and the brake lights had remained illuminated . The contact replaced brake sensors, emergency brake sensors and ABS Module but the failure continued to occur. The local dealer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact was informed of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 94,000.

2008 G6 · 94,000 miles · Feb 2026

The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed; however, the brake lights failed to illuminate while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 225,000.

2007 G6 · 225,000 miles · Dec 2023

The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the cruise control became inoperable. The contact stated that the cruise control inadvertently disengaged. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake light failed to illuminate. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,653.

2007 G6 · Brake lights · 106,000 miles · Jan 2025

Related recalls (1)

Exterior lighting › Brake lights

NHTSA recall 09V-036 · Jan 30, 2009 · 8,012 vehicles

GM is recalling 8,012 my 2005-2006 Pontiac g6 vehicles. The brake lamps May not operate properly because of corrosion in a wiring connector. Corrosion in the connector could cause the brake lamps to illuminate when the brake pedal has not been depressed, or the lamps May not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed.

Remedy: Dealers will apply a dielectric lubricant to the connector to prevent corrosion. This service will be performed for you free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2009.

NHTSA investigations

Brake Light Malfunction

NHTSA investigation RQ13001 · opened Feb 4, 2013 · closed Jun 6, 2013

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-001 on February 4, 2013 in response to complaints alleging that the brake lights do not operate properly on model year (MY) 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles. Complainants allege that the brake lights illuminate when the brake pedal is not depressed, and turn off once the brake pedal is applied.

Brake Light Switch/Sensor Malfunction

NHTSA investigation EA13005 · opened Jun 6, 2013 · closed Jul 1, 2014 · led to recall 14V-252

On May 14, 2014 General Motors (GM) announced a recall action (14V-252) involving model year (MY) 2004-12 Chevrolet Malibu, MY 2004-07 Malibu Maxx, MY 2005-10 Pontiac G6 and MY 2007-10 Saturn Aura vehicles.An increased resistance can develop in the Body Control Module connection systems and result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS, or brake light switch) circuit that can cause the brake lamps to…

Frequently asked questions

Which Pontiac G6 years have headlight problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (243), 2007 (232), 2006 (199), 2009 (190) and 2005 (63) model years. Headlight complaints make up 23% of all complaints for the 2008.

Is there a recall for Pontiac G6 headlight problems?

Yes — 1 recall, including 09V-036 (brake lights, Jan 30, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Pontiac G6 headlight problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the brake lights (119 mentions), followed by the headlights (21).

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.