Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I am the owner of a 2010 Pontiac G6 with a 4-speed automatic. My car was serviced for a recall in for the transmission shifter cable. To cure the fix the recall(12106) called for a retainer to be added to the cable to prevent the breakage from occurring. Recently not even two years later as I was pulling into my apartment complex driveway the shifter cable broke causing the my steering and drivability to be impaired. I was able to apply the brakes, but I could not drive the vehicle any further. I put the car in park and exited my vehicle to check out the problem as my car started to roll away. I ran to catch the car trying to prevent my car from running into another car, pedestrians and a nearby items. I was injured in the process. The injuries were not life threatening, but they consisted of bruising, back injuries and my foot being ran over. My car also has scrapes. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac G6. While the cruise control was activated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the ESC, traction control, and engine warning indicators illuminated. The cruise control deactivated independently. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the engine was turned off. The vehicle was restarted and the gear lever failed to shift from park into the drive position until after several attempts. The vehicle resumed normal operation; however, the warning indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was serviced previously per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The recall remedy was insufficient and the failure recurred. …
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 while in reverse, the vehicle continued to reverse and failed to stop. The gear shifter failed to shift to the intended gear, causing the contact to use the parking brake while depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the gear shifter cable had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train) there was a delay in retrieving the part for the repair. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced for the recall of NHTSA Campaign Number:14V224000: (Power Train), the transmission shift cable failed causing the vehicle to roll back and hit the contact. During the incident, the contact sustained a severe abdominal injury and a fractured left knee. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the shift cable for a second time. The contact indicated that the shift cable recently had failed again. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
No SE lights on dash. Shudder shifts intermittently between all gears both in automatic and manual driving mode. No shops have been able to diagnose what the actual problem is. Huge safety risk as there is no telling when it will actually happen and "stall" the car out in traffic when shifting. In searching the internet this is a common problem for 5+ years and there has not been a solution identified by GM.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. While the vehicle was parked with the engine turned off, it began to reverse out of the driveway and rolled into a lake. There were no warning indicators illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the police department to the contact's home. Bradley Chevrolet of parker (2500 industrial park place, parker, az 85344, [phone]) was contacted to schedule a diagnostic appointment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to bring the vehicle in to be repaired per two unknown recalls. The failure mileage was 136,000.
Replacement part (cable kit # 23238001) under recall 14152 has subsequently failed and as a result has not remedied the original safety concern which states, "if the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection May not match the indicated gear and the vehicle May move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'park' position, the transmission May not be in 'park.' if the vehicle is not in the "park" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. …
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac G6 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (98), 2006 (89), 2008 (83), 2005 (48) and 2009 (46) model years. Transmission complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Pontiac G6 transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 14V-224 (floor shift, Apr 30, 2014); 12V-460 (gear position indication (prndl), Sep 18, 2012); 09V-073 (column shift, Mar 6, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Pontiac G6 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles; 18% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (35 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (5).
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.