2008 Pontiac G6 Steering Problems

While driving my 2008 Pontiac G6 Base, I lost electrician power to the vehicle, on my car it utilizes an electric power steering module instead of fluid and a pump. When I lost power to the car the wheel became stiff but when I regained power the steering column while the vehicle was in motion did what I can only describe as "Forced knockback or steering" as when I attempted to tightly turn the wheel or turn at all the car steering wheel would yank the wheel free from my hands and prevent turning. This is extremely dangerous and especially if the car would be at high speeds or speeds needed to reach normal highway travel like 50 to 65 mph.

NHTSA ID

11754894

Incident

Aug 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver, and the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted several times for the power steering function to reset. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The failure had occurred several times. The failure was associated with the steering wheel torque angle sensor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering wheel torque angle sensor needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11721542

Incident

Nov 5, 2025

Mileage

54,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the “Power Steering Fault” message was displayed. The contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall in 2014, and the replacement part had started to fail. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11717222

Incident

Jan 26, 2026

Mileage

95,000 mi

Car shuts off & other lights light up on dash. Not driving over 20mph.

NHTSA ID

11702609

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

No warning lights came on, steering kepted locking up shutting off the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11655353

Incident

Apr 1, 2005

GM claims to have already completed a safety recall for Power steering, but I didn't see any issues with the power steering prior to them doing this service except for the "Power steering" message on the display. The only reason I brought in at that time (5/18/2023) was to replace the gauge cluster which they also had to replace a second time due to faulty replacement. And now the new issue with power steering still continues to persist (steering wheel locks up while driving). Also the "Power steering" error message was never cleared after the initial service. I have a carfax report showing the power steering being serviced by 2 other GM dealerships after the initial service. This is an electric power steering system so there's no fluid that can leak and should not need serviced multiple times in the same year. They now refuse to fix the issue saying that it's now my problem because the part they replaced is out of warranty. The customer service rep for GM told me there wasn't anything more they could do because it's a 2008! I'm sorry but that should not matter considering the car is still under 200k miles and only 10000 miles were driven before we took it back the second time, and 2000 miles before taking it back the third time. They also claimed that safety was their primary concern at the same time they tell me there's nothing more they will do. This definitely a safety concern but GM doesn't actually care. I'm trying to prevent an accident but they are not. I really hope a pedestrian doesn't step out in front of me the next time the steering wheel locks up because I won't be able to swerve to miss them.

NHTSA ID

11646125

Incident

Mar 3, 2025

Power steering motor went I have no power steering

NHTSA ID

11639911

Incident

Jan 15, 2025

The dashboard showed an error message regarding the power steering. I took it to my mechanic and they put it on the computer to scan. It came back with 2 error codes. The first one was DTC C0569 46. The second one was DTC C0460 00/4B. I was told the dealership would have to address the issue. They told me these codes were not covered by the recalled part they replaced. The car has approximately 81,500 miles. There doesn't appear to be a leak. At this time the steering is working. There is no stiffness or squealing. This first popped up on the screen about a month ago. I've been concerned about driving it until I know more.

NHTSA ID

11596880

Incident

Jun 9, 2024

Power steering stopped working

NHTSA ID

11572516

Incident

Feb 14, 2024

Power steering popped up on radio whenever I turn it to the left or right while driving.

NHTSA ID

11568955

Incident

Jan 31, 2024

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel then independently turned. The contact stated that the steering wheel had previously became inoperable and seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the torque sensor unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11553275

Incident

Oct 16, 2023

Mileage

160,000 mi

Vehicle has a sudden loss of power steering exactly described in recall reference number 14V153000 yet this vehicle is not covered by this recall. The EPS motor controller unit has failed. Two independent service centers have confirmed this. It's concerning that if this vehicle was manufactured 6 months previously it would be covered for the same exact issue. no warning lamps came on until after the vehicle had a loss of power steering. it displayed service power steering in the message center after the failure. The failed unit is being replaced by a independent service center and will be available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11517677

Incident

Apr 6, 2023

Power steering is disabled while driving sometimes. In the past few weeks, right after starting the car, "POWER STEERING" will appear on the drivers information center, and the steering wheel will not turn unless using much more than normal force. Turning off and restarting the car eventually returns steering wheel to normal operation. Within the past few days the power steering has been disable while actively driving. Vehicle will start with no issues relating to power steering, but after a random time period while driving the "POWER STEERING" warning is displayed again. This has caused an immediate and unexpected return to fully manual steering while driving; much more force is needed to turn the steering wheel. This could be dangerous if in the middle of a turn power steering is disabled. Vehicle has not been inspected, yet.

NHTSA ID

11507848

Incident

Feb 17, 2023

Power steering went out mid-drive last week after the vehicle was purchased Used from Groove Subaru of Littleton, Colorado. The power steering went out again this morning while driver attempted to leave driveway. During both instances, driver turned the vehicle off then back on to get power steering again. The driver is elderly. The driver struggled to pull the vehicle over out of traffic when this happened the first time. All safety recalls have reportedly already been taken care of

NHTSA ID

11496270

Incident

Nov 29, 2022

Power Steering goes out without warning. I was driving my vehicle and the power steering stopped working, making it extremely difficult to maneuver my vehicle around the many curves on the road I live on at the regulated 30mph speed limit. I parked my vehicle and started it an hour later and the power steering was now working. I have not driven the vehicle for 4 days due to the loss of power steering at any given moment.

NHTSA ID

11490169

Incident

Oct 17, 2022

When making turns the electronic power steering go out causing dangerous situations.

NHTSA ID

11485196

Incident

Sep 15, 2022

On 08/05/2020, my car was serviced by our local GM dealership to have 3 open recalls fixed. They replaced my steering torque sensor and power steering assist motor due to the power steering going out at random. As of April 2022, I am once again having power steering issues. The steering wheel shakes back and forth, and occasionally will throw an error code and stop working. This requires me to pull over, shut the car off, and restart the car several times while manually moving the steering wheel to get it to work without throwing an error code. I used my own scan tool to diagnose the problem, and I'm getting a code "C0545-00 Steering Wheel Torque Input Sensor". This would be the same sensor that was supposedly replaced less than two years ago. I contacted the dealership, and they stated that they do not guarantee recall work, and that all services are performed "as-is". I contacted General Motors, and they want me to pay a $100 diagnostics fee to tell me what I already know, along with parts and labor for the repairs. The customer service representative rudely explained that the NHTSA is responsible for recall work (which doesn't sound right). Because this is a major safety concern, I don't feel that I should have to pay out of pocket considering this was already a recall that they were forced to address.

NHTSA ID

11462649

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle while driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with an electrical power steering assist failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

NHTSA ID

11462391

Incident

Apr 17, 2022

Mileage

173,000 mi

While in operation power assist stops working requires heavy input from driver to steer. Power assist works again on restart but issue reoccurring randomly. Their is a recall on this model for the same issue but being told my vehicle is not covered under that recall. Recall #14V153000 issued on 3/31/14.

NHTSA ID

11457640

Incident

Mar 7, 2022

About two weeks ago, my steering wheel locked up while driving on the expressway. Luckily I was in the far right lane and was able to pull over without causing a car accident. Once pulled over, I shut off the vehicle and called my mom. While on the phone, she told me to try to start it up again. This time, the steering wheel turned with no problem. Hastily, I drove home. I have made arrangements to take it to the nearest auto shop working on power steering problems.

NHTSA ID

11452571

Incident

Feb 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost steering functionality. The contact stated that as his daughter turned off and restarted the vehicle several times and the steering wheel functionality returned; however, the steering was shaking. The TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and turning. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering) was previously repaired. The contact was informed that the recall repair was a one-time free repair and that she would be responsible to pay out of pocket for any repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

NHTSA ID

11451348

Incident

Jan 31, 2022

Mileage

167,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the rack and pinion and intermediate steering shaft replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11449127

Incident

Dec 29, 2021

Mileage

112,000 mi

Power steering has been going out all of a sudden. The steering wheel locks up and is difficult to turn. My safety and the safety of others around me was put at risk because I cannot easily turn the wheel and respond to a situation quickly if I needed to. I basically have to drive in a straight line and not turn. Turning the car on and off seems to help for a little while but the problem still continues. I have not taken the car to be looked at by anyone.The words "power steering" flashed across the radio. This first started to happen when the wheel started to lock up a few days ago. The vehicle has a separate issue were the seat belt monitor does not work for the drivers side. It dings even if I am buckled up.

NHTSA ID

11441516

Incident

Nov 22, 2021

THE STEERING IS VERY BAD AFTER SERVICING THE VEHICLE AND SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS WHICH IS A RECALL ON THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK PAGE ALSO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. WINDOWS WONT GO UP OR DOWN DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK AUTOMATICALLY, LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS AND GM SAID THAT YOUR RECALLS ARE INCORRECT!!!! I KNOW THAT THESE RECALLS ARE INDEED NEEDED SEVERELY. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID

11437846

Incident

Oct 22, 2021

WITHOUT WARNING POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I WAS ONLY BACKING UP DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. VERY DIFFUCULT TO STEER VEHICLE MANUALLY. POWER ASSIST STEERING MODULE, WAS ALREADY REPLACE +/- 5 YEARS AGO. BUT WHEN I RESTART VEHICLE ACTS NORMAL, BUT THEN JUST FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. HESITANT TO DRIVE CAR NOW, DUE TO UNPREDICTABILTY OF STEERING. NO WAY, I WOULD LET ONE ON MY KIDS DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11415820

Incident

May 9, 2021