PONTIAC G6 · model year

2009 PONTIAC G6

1040 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009PONTIACG6 carries 1040 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 34 crashes, 29 fires, 24 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 G6 is steering with 291 filings, followed by exterior lighting (174) and electrical system (173). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 2009 G6. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1040
Complaints
34
Crashes
29
Fires
24
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

1040 filings

Crashes Reported

34 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING291
EXTERIOR LIGHTING174
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM173
SERVICE BRAKES63
POWER TRAIN44
AIR BAGS40
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM36
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL33
ENGINE24
UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC10
WHEELS10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS9

Recalls (5)

14V15300031/03/2014

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power

14E04400021/07/2014

STEERING

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehi

12V46000018/09/2012

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.

14V25200014/05/2014

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

09V07300006/03/2009

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, STARTE

Recent Complaints

20260216STEERING

The power steering keeps going out causing turning to become incredibly hard. This started in Dec of 2025. I replaced the column in 2022 because of the same issues and it is happening again now. I see some 2009 VINS have been recalled but my vin isn’t apart of that.

20260212STEERING

Vehicle looses power steering sometimes, the last time I was in traffic on a bend and went up onto the sidewalk. It's almost impossible to steer when it happens.

20251206STEERING

There is an immediate loss of steering while driving a 2009 Pontiac G6. The steering wheel locks up making it difficult, at times impossible, to steer the vehicle left or right. The only way to unlock the steering wheel is by placing the vehicle in 'Park' and turn the ignition off to restart the vehicle.

20251206ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

There is an immediate loss of steering while driving a 2009 Pontiac G6. The steering wheel locks up making it difficult, at times impossible, to steer the vehicle left or right. The only way to unlock the steering wheel is by placing the vehicle in 'Park' and turn the ignition off to restart the vehicle.

20251124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My brake lights are malfunctioning. It has not worked correctly in years. When you press on the brake, the brake lights turn itself off. When not pressing on the brake, my brake lights are on. I reached out to the GM dealership and I told them that the recall was fixed, but the issue is ongoing and poses extreme safety issues. I have gotten pulled over for this. No lights are on my dashboard. I have owned the car since the beginning of COVID and the issue has happened since.

20251124SERVICE BRAKES

My brake lights are malfunctioning. It has not worked correctly in years. When you press on the brake, the brake lights turn itself off. When not pressing on the brake, my brake lights are on. I reached out to the GM dealership and I told them that the recall was fixed, but the issue is ongoing and poses extreme safety issues. I have gotten pulled over for this. No lights are on my dashboard. I have owned the car since the beginning of COVID and the issue has happened since.

20250121STEERING

I purchased a used 2009 Pontiac G6 3.9L almost 4 years ago. I have experienced white smoke pouring from under my hood 3 times so far. I've taken it to the dealership and first time was informed it was a bad power steering hose leaking onto the exhaust- preCat area. The second repair dealership said it was a faulty hose. The third time dealer said it was a bad motor mount. After extensive research online, found out several years of G6 cars have the high pressure power steering hose about 1 inch from the exhaust pipe. This is causing the hose to melt due to the heat. GMC started making heat protective wrap around these hoses which still does not solve the problem-still burns thru. With a simple online search 2006-2010 G6 with the v-6 engines are still having this problem, costing owners money/time and safety issues. When I saw the white smoke, I lost my power stearing, causing panic and difficult steering. GM should have a recall, find a permanent solution where owners/family can feel sa

20250121ENGINE

I purchased a used 2009 Pontiac G6 3.9L almost 4 years ago. I have experienced white smoke pouring from under my hood 3 times so far. I've taken it to the dealership and first time was informed it was a bad power steering hose leaking onto the exhaust- preCat area. The second repair dealership said it was a faulty hose. The third time dealer said it was a bad motor mount. After extensive research online, found out several years of G6 cars have the high pressure power steering hose about 1 inch from the exhaust pipe. This is causing the hose to melt due to the heat. GMC started making heat protective wrap around these hoses which still does not solve the problem-still burns thru. With a simple online search 2006-2010 G6 with the v-6 engines are still having this problem, costing owners money/time and safety issues. When I saw the white smoke, I lost my power stearing, causing panic and difficult steering. GM should have a recall, find a permanent solution where owners/family can feel sa

20241124POWER TRAIN

The drivetrain: automatic transmission parking lock cable (or shift cable) malfunctioned. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I am able to put the car in 'park' and remove the key. However, when I attempt to start the vehicle, it won't start because the battery gets drained. I have to constantly get a jump off. My safety and the safety of others are at risk because I never know how much the battery has been drained, and the vehicle shuts off in trafffic. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle has only been inspected by an independent service center. There have been no warning signs of the problem before shutting off or not starting. The vehicle was purchased in 2019, and the first occurrence was the same year. We knew something was draining the battery. We just did not know what. So we would not let the vehicle sit for more than a day without starting it, and we would always be prepared to charge the battery.

20240702STEERING

The power steering warning flashed on the radio and immediately the car was not controllable the car was stopped and restared and clicks now when turning the wheel but hasnt been driven becauseofthe steering and there are multiple recalls for this but this specific vin number is not included but has the eps that is referred to because it has a 2.4 l engine which only comes with eps

20240608ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Timing Chain making noise...voltage fluctuations throughout all the car...cruise control will shut off if I got to use wipers or blinkers or even turn on the air system and lights will dim if you use power windows or have the radio up loud.

20240608ENGINE

Timing Chain making noise...voltage fluctuations throughout all the car...cruise control will shut off if I got to use wipers or blinkers or even turn on the air system and lights will dim if you use power windows or have the radio up loud.

20240608VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Timing Chain making noise...voltage fluctuations throughout all the car...cruise control will shut off if I got to use wipers or blinkers or even turn on the air system and lights will dim if you use power windows or have the radio up loud.

20240404STEERING

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the message "Power Steering" was displayed, and then there was a faint clicking sound before the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the residence; however, the failure recurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that only after restarting the vehicle with the steering wheel turned, the steering wheel would turn without difficulty for a short while, causing the contact to restart the vehicle with the steering wheel turned several times. The contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering), however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the recall had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

Mileage: 189,000

20240220STEERING

I was driving down the road around 25 miles per hour and I heard a beep like a chime and then power steering went out making it very hard to control the vehicle. Power steering was flashing on the dashboard. Turn vehicle off then back on it was fine and then a mile down the road done it again

20240208ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Power steering goes out when it wants to, will go back on if you turn the car on and off , my safety for me and my daughter was at risk I couldn’t stop to turn it on and off because I wasn’t at a red light , it has not been inspected but it seems like the problem is we’ll known ,theirs a warning message that will pop up on the radio that you can’t hear go on or see until it’s to late

20240208STEERING

Power steering goes out when it wants to, will go back on if you turn the car on and off , my safety for me and my daughter was at risk I couldn’t stop to turn it on and off because I wasn’t at a red light , it has not been inspected but it seems like the problem is we’ll known ,theirs a warning message that will pop up on the radio that you can’t hear go on or see until it’s to late

20240119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Body Control Module (BCM) Part number 20943341 malfunctioned. Tried to replace the part at the dealership and was told that the part is no longer being manufactured. Eventually found a new part on eBay and was told by the dealership that they could not re-program the BCM computer. The car is undriveable.

20231225FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Strong fuel smell from rear of Pontiac G6 near fuel tank. This is a common problem due to a cracked elbow on top of the fuel pump. This issue is happening among all G6 models from 05 to 09 . This issue should be recalled as it is dangerous to the drivers , passengers or anyone that comes within 3 ft of Pontiacs that have this issue. Fuel odor can be smelt from further than 3ft that can damage to lungs, throat and multiple other health hazards. The fumes can reach even further witch is easily ignited if someone were to walk by with a cigarette This issue is common in 75% of Pontiac G6's on the road This defective part should be placed on recall and should definitely be looked into before someone loses their lives over an easily preventable occurrence from happening. Thank you for your time and please look into this issue before it's to late.

20231201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Headlights are burning, melting and charged connections and causing dim lights. These headlights were recently replaced with new OEM healing’s for the second time and each replacement is burning out the connection. Please advise?

Compare 2009PONTIACG6 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 PONTIAC G6 have?
The 2009 PONTIAC G6 has 1040 NHTSA complaints, 34 crashes, 29 fires, 24 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 PONTIAC G6?
Yes, the 2009 PONTIAC G6 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 PONTIAC G6?
The most-complained component for the 2009 PONTIAC G6 is STEERING with 291 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2009 PONTIAC G6 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.