IllustrationESC IS SAYING OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME HARD TO TURN WITH.
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
Steering complaints
173 reportsESC OFF AND SERVICE ESC CAME ON AS SOON AS VEHICLE STEERING LOCKED UP THEN WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN IT IT JERKED BACK TO THE OTHER SIDE. BURNT NASTY SMELL FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CAR. NOW CAR WON'T EVEN START OR NOTHING
WILL DRIVING THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW I HAVE NO POWER STEERING.WHY IS THIS CAR NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE PROBLEM THAT EFFECTS OTHER YEARS.
I OWN A 2010 PONTIAC G6 THAT WITHIN THE LAST WEEK INCURRED A POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE MAKING A TURN OR A CURVE THE STEERING LOCKS UP. . RECALL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ON MARCH 2014 THE NHTSA REQUIRED GM TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IT ONLY COVERED THE G6 MODELS UP TO THE YEAR 2009. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT…
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I OWN A 2010 PONTIAC G6 THAT WITHIN THE LAST WEEK INCURRED A POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE MAKING A TURN OR A CURVE THE STEERING LOCKS UP. . RECALL RESEARCH SHOWS THAT ON MARCH 2014 THE NHTSA REQUIRED GM TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IT ONLY COVERED THE G6 MODELS UP TO THE YEAR 2009. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE "PROBLEM" WAS VERY SIMILAR TO THE STEERING PROBLEM FOR EARLIER MODELS.
WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC MESSAGES APPEAR. . SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED TURNING THE WHEEL, IT WILL BECOME HARD AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAR WILL BE DRIVING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY HARD AND…
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WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC MESSAGES APPEAR. . SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED TURNING THE WHEEL, IT WILL BECOME HARD AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CAR WILL BE DRIVING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY HARD AND STIFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE ON MAJOR ROADS AND WHILE COMING IN ANG GOING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. IT'S REALLY RANDOM AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T HAPPEN AT ALL FOR A WHILE. WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN IT HAPPENS FOR A FEW TIMES A DAY. MY REMEDY IS USUALLY JUST PULLING OVER, PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUTTING IT OFF., LETTING IT REST FOR A MINUTE AND START IT AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE STEERING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE STEERING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SHORTLY UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
THREE WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I RECEIVED A MESSAGE "CHECK POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC". I FINALLY CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE MESSAGE WAS GONE AND THE LIGHT WAS OFF. I DR…
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THREE WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I RECEIVED A MESSAGE "CHECK POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC". I FINALLY CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE MESSAGE WAS GONE AND THE LIGHT WAS OFF. I DROVE A FEW MORE MINUTES AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE OR HAVE IT FIXED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING FUNCTION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING FUNCTION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,027. *TT
THE POWER STEERING MODE/ LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF OR ALLOW STEERING. IT'S NOT DRIVABLE AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. BEFORE IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT IT WOULD LOSE STEERING GOING UP HIGHWAY AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPEEDS, BUT ONCE U CUT OFF IGNITION AND RESTART IT WOULD BE OK FOR ANOTHER FEW MILES.
WHETHER IT'S MOVING OR STANDING STILL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE LIKE CRAZY AND USUALLY THE 'POWER STEERING' LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE ONLY WAY TO TURN IT OFF IS TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON (SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES).
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.