IllustrationELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT WENT OUT AND MY STEERING IS IN MANUAL MODE ALL THE TIME
2010 Pontiac G6
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Pontiac G6 are lower than the model-year median of 679.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all G6 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
1225–50K
4550–75K
6475–100K
67100–150K
46150K+
243 reports with mileage · 29 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 173 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
272 reportsWHILE DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN, ON THE DASH IT SAID POWER STEERING CHECK EVC. I COULD MOVE THE WHEEL AT ALL, AND ALMOST WRECKED MY CAR.
REPEATED LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DISPLAYING "SERVICE ESC" MESSAGE ON DASH WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ONCE ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD. OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO HELP AT GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.
MIDWAY INTO A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE DRIFTING INTO ADJACENT LANE UNTIL DRIVER REGAINED CONTROL. THIS WAS A LOW-SPEED EVENT WITH NO COLLISION INVOLVED AS TRAFFIC IN ON-COMING LANE WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AF…
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MIDWAY INTO A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE DRIFTING INTO ADJACENT LANE UNTIL DRIVER REGAINED CONTROL. THIS WAS A LOW-SPEED EVENT WITH NO COLLISION INVOLVED AS TRAFFIC IN ON-COMING LANE WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED. PRESUMABLY THIS EVENT IS LIKELY TO RE-OCCUR UNTIL DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE REPLACED.
CAR TURNS OFF WHEN IDLING AND POWER STEERING AND BRAKES DON'T WORK WHEN IDLES. *TR
THE POWER STEERING JUST FAILED ON ME WITH NO WARNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THE DASH SAYS SERVICE ESC. *TR
MY VEHICLES POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL STRUTS OFF AT RANDOM EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE POWER STEERING UNIT THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A WHILE AND I CANT SEEM TO GET IT FIXED. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHILE IN IDLE OR FIRST OR SECOND GEAR AND REQUIRES ME TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. ITS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND I AM LOCATI…
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MY VEHICLES POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL STRUTS OFF AT RANDOM EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE POWER STEERING UNIT THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A WHILE AND I CANT SEEM TO GET IT FIXED. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHILE IN IDLE OR FIRST OR SECOND GEAR AND REQUIRES ME TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. ITS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND I AM LOCATING A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER G6 OWNERS AND A RECALL BACK IN 2014 BUT I NEVER DECIDED A LETTER AND I GOT MY CAR IN 2013. *TR
THE POWER STEERING WARNING AND SERVICE ESC LIGHTS COME ON AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, IT IS A VERY CONCERNING ISSUE. IT STARTED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST LOCKED, ESP WHEN USING THE AUTOSTART. WE WOULD HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND THEN USE THE KEY TO TURN BACK ON. SOMETIMES THIS WOULD ALLO…
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THE POWER STEERING WARNING AND SERVICE ESC LIGHTS COME ON AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, IT IS A VERY CONCERNING ISSUE. IT STARTED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST LOCKED, ESP WHEN USING THE AUTOSTART. WE WOULD HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND THEN USE THE KEY TO TURN BACK ON. SOMETIMES THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO DRIVE IT FOR A SHORT TIME, OTHER TIMES IT WOULD STAY LOCKED. THE MOST SCARY PART IS IT LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. MY 18 YEAR OLD DRIVES THIS CAR AND I AM CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY.
THE TRACTION LIGHT IS COMING ON AND GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING. SENSOR CODES ARE INTERMITTENTLY COMING UP WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT. PROBLEM WITH THE EVAC SYSTEM. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER ENGAGING LONGER THAN IT SHOULD. THE IGNITION SWITCH MOVES MORE …
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THE TRACTION LIGHT IS COMING ON AND GOING OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND REVERTED TO MANUAL STEERING. SENSOR CODES ARE INTERMITTENTLY COMING UP WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT. PROBLEM WITH THE EVAC SYSTEM. THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE STARTER ENGAGING LONGER THAN IT SHOULD. THE IGNITION SWITCH MOVES MORE THAN IT SHOULD. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO STATIONARY. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE MY TEENAGE SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHICH WAS DANGEROUS.
AFTER STARTING THE CAR , THE ESC LIGHTS THE POWER STEERING AND THE GAUGES STOP WORKING INCLUDING THE GAS GAUGE AND ODOMETER. THE CAR BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. IT HAPPENS WHEN SITTING, DRIVING. ON THE HIGHWAY. ON ANY RANDOM TIME IT DECIDES
Official recalls
214V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
May 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Electrical System:wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
12V460000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Sep 18, 2012
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
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. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.