2009 Pontiac G6 Powertrain (other) Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11721370

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

Mileage

107,737 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11627105

Incident

Feb 27, 2019

The car steering wheel gets super loose over bumps. The car shuts off at anytime when driving. I got it check, there’s a unknown problem with electrical system

NHTSA ID

11524984

Incident

May 25, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Stability Control, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control); however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the transmission gear shifter failed to shift between gears and ceased. The air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake stop lights failed to illuminate upon depressing the brake pedal. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ID

11514073

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

Mileage

107,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11491027

Incident

Oct 14, 2022

Mileage

141,000 mi

The power steering mechanism stopped working, therefore I cannot turn the wheel. The gear shifter/drive train stopped working, therefore I cannot go into reverse, I am stuck in 3rd gear. It is unsafe because when I go to turn I cannot turn the wheel at times. I have issues braking. All of these issues are recalls on the vehicle. GM states that the recalls were performed seven years ago in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I have no way to verify that information nor any assurances that the parts used weren't faulty. I request new repairs under the recall warnings.

NHTSA ID

11489393

Incident

Sep 3, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID

11222444

Incident

Jun 24, 2019

Mileage

129,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT ABOUT 3RD GEAR AND HAS NO REVERSE, I HAVE RESEARCH THIS AND HAVE FOUND OTHER GM TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER MULTIPLY TIMES WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE.

NHTSA ID

11217979

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

Mileage

69,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE, THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN REVERSE AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,722.

NHTSA ID

11205035

Incident

Apr 27, 2019

Mileage

177,722 mi

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2009 PONTIAC G6 HAS AN WAVE PLATE ISSUE WITH NO 3-5-R GEARS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM ISSUED A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR THAT DEALERS DO NOT WANT TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11152438

Incident

Nov 19, 2018

Mileage

69,504 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE INSURED AND INSPECTED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE GEAR SHIFT FAILING TO GO INTO THE PARK POSITION, WHICH PREVENTED THE KEY FROM BEING REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SHOOK AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND ENGAGED WHEN CHANGING GEARS. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE RADIO REMAINED ON AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND RECOMMENDED TAKING IT TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11123473

Incident

Jul 18, 2018

AFTER SHIFTING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IN A PARKING LOT, MY CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. AFTER TRYING TO SHIFT TO PARK, THE SHIFTER LINKAGE BECAME UNATTACHED TO THE TRANSMISSION, AND BECAME UNUSABLE. THE CAR ROLLED BACK AFTER THE SHIFTER INDICATED THAT IT WAS IN PARK, BUT LUCKILY THERE WAS ANOTHER PERSON TO ASSIST IN MOVING THE SHIFTER LINKAGE BACK ONTO THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM TO ALLOW THE CAR TO BE PUT INTO PARK.

NHTSA ID

11111862

Incident

Jul 15, 2018

Mileage

96,303 mi

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2009 G6 FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AND PULLED ONTO A VERY BUSY ROAD. AFTER GOING ABOUT 200 FEET, THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE CAR WAS NOT "PULLING". OTHER CARS CAME UP BEHIND ME VERY QUICKLY AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR ME TO PULL OVER, AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT HILL AHEAD OF ME. I "PLAYED" WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO TRY TO GET THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION TO CATCH, ALL THE WHILE CARS WERE PRACTICALLY PUSHING ME. THEY PROBABLY THOUGHT THAT I HAD PULED OUT AND WAS JUST DRIVING VERY SLOWLY. THEY STARTED TO HONK THEIR HORNS. THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION BUCKED AND BANGED AND I MADE IT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL, AND OVER TO A SPOT ALONG SIDE THE ROAD WHERE I COULD PULL OVER. THE COMPUTER HAD PUT UP TWO ERROR CODES OF P0776 (CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE 2 STUCK OFF), AND P0700 (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE REQUESTED MIL ILLUMINATION). I DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS LIKELY WAS A FAILURE OF THE "3, 5, REVERSE PLATE" INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR AND TRANSMISSION. GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND HAS EVEN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THIS FAILURE FOR 2007 TO 2009 PONTIAC G6'S FOR UP TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW ON 12/20/09, AND IT HAD 100,160 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I CALLED GM (CASE #[XXX]) AND THEY CLAIMED THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAS A CODE OF MH8. THEY SAID ONLY TRANSMISSIONS WITH A BUILD CODE OF MH2, MH4, MH6, AND MY9 ARE COVERED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE IDENTICAL, BUT "MORE THAN LIKELY SOMEONE WAS KILLED WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED IN CARS WITH THOSE CODES, AND PROBABLY THIS WASN'T THE CASE FOR MY CODE". THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT SO THAT MY TRANSMISSION CODE COULD BE COVERED, AND GET REIMBURSED. I DID HAVE THIS FIXED. IT WAS THE 3, 5, REVERSE PLATE AND IT COST ME $2442.38 (SEE ATTACHED). *LN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11051514

Incident

Jun 19, 2017

Mileage

100,160 mi

TRANS FAILURE WHINING, LESS IN 3 AND 5 GEARS 6T70 REQUIRED TRANS REPLACEMENT. CALLED GM, THEY CALLED DEALER, DEALER FAILED TO SUBMIT WARRANTY REQUEST --NO WARRANTY HELP

NHTSA ID

11023988

Incident

Aug 17, 2017

Mileage

74,926 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PINKERTON CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (801 GRAVES MILL RD, LYNCHBURG, VA 24502) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10995520

Incident

Jun 15, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PINKERTON CHEVROLET BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 801 GRAVES MILL RD LYNCHBURG, CA 24502 434-237-9400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10993242

Incident

Jun 1, 2014

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIBRATION EMITTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10990625

Incident

May 19, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO PROPERLY FUNCTION IN SECOND, THIRD, AND FIFTH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN NOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10979272

Incident

Feb 2, 2015

SHIFT CABLE TAB BROKE CAUSING CAR TO BE STUCK IN DRIVE. 460000 WERE RECALLED BUT MY WAS NOT. THEY SAID IT IS BECAUSE I HAD A 3SPEED INSTEAD OF 4SPEED. THE PART IS THE SAME. DICK NORRIS BUICK SAID THEY KNEW ALL ABOUT THIS AND HAD SEVERAL REPAIR KITS ON HAND. ITHEY APPEARED TO BE ANNOYED BY RECALL WORK. WHEN STOPPING TO PARK AND PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK THE CAR STAYED IN DRIVE I CANNOT RESTART THE CAR WITHOUT MANUALLY MOVING THE SHIFTER UNDER THE HOOD. MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10954192

Incident

Feb 10, 2017

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS WERE ABLE TO SHIFT, BUT NOT FROM THE PARK POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10860171

Incident

Apr 5, 2016

CAR STARTED DRAGGING - COULD NOT DRIVE NO MORE THAN 5 MILES - TRANSMISSION WENT OUT - WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE - NO INDICATION ON COMPUTER OF ENGINE PROBLEM - READ ABOUT SIMILAR RECALL ON PONTIAC G6 FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS - THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND THE SAME TIME RECALL PUT OUT ON CERTAIN G6 - BUT NOT MINE BECAUSE OF ENGINE SIZE - I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL - I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO REPLACE IT.....UPDATED 10-27-15 *BF

NHTSA ID

10763488

Incident

Mar 30, 2015

Mileage

72,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE IN THIRD GEAR OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WAVE PLATE FRACTURED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID

10732679

Incident

Jun 20, 2015

Mileage

78,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE ON I-287 IN NJ WHEN MY RPM'S SKYROCKETED AND BY CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AS FLASHED. MY CAR BEGAN LOSING SPEED AND BECAME HARD TO CONTROL DUE TO A LOSS OF TRACTION. UPON A VISIT TO MY MECHANIC IT WAS FOUND TO BE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THE G6 FROM 04-10 HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM BUT YET GM HAS FAILED TO MAKE A RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD LOOK FURTHER INTO THE SITUATION. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO GET MY 4 WAY FLASHERS ON AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT NARROWLY. IF MY CAR HAD STALLED LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE READ ABOUT WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10703850

Incident

Mar 29, 2015

Mileage

97,756 mi

WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE IN THE SHIFT LEVER, IT MOVED BACK AND FORTH FREELY IN THE CASING. CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK OR ANY OTHER GEAR. IT BROKE IN DRIVE AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP IT FROM ROLLING FORWARD, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED . THE DEALER SAID WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SHIFT CABLE, AND SAID THE PART WAS A G.M. RECALL PART. HOWEVER, OUR CAR WASN'T COVERED ON THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A PART CAN BE RECALLED, BUT NOT ALL CARS WITH THE PART ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL TO ME. I HAD TO PAY THE G.M DEALER $306. TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED. I REALLY WANT MY MONEY BACK, I WORK HARD FOR IT, AND THIS JUST ISN'T RIGHT. WE DID NOTIFY G.M. AND THEY TOLD US TO NOTIFY YOU. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10680244

Incident

Jan 12, 2015

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE GEAR CONSOLE MELTED. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10663778

Incident

Sep 1, 2014

Mileage

64,000 mi