1st generation (only generation) · GM Epsilon (GM6) · 8,443 complaints, 6,886 with mileage
Owners filed 8,443 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2010 Pontiac G6, and 6,886 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 51,054 and 120,000 miles. The median is 80,145 miles.
The most-reported areas are the steering (37.1% of complaints, typically around 86,409 miles), the electrical system (11.8% of complaints, typically around 81,000 miles), the exterior lighting (11.6% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
5 recall campaigns cover this generation.
| System | Complaints | Share | Typical mileage | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3,129 | 37.1% | 86,409 | 53,000–129,000 |
| Electrical System | 998 | 11.8% | 81,000 | 55,000–117,054 |
| Exterior Lighting | 980 | 11.6% | 75,000 | 53,000–101,000 |
| Service Brakes | 510 | 6.0% | 80,370 | 60,000–116,500 |
| Air Bags | 411 | 4.9% | 85,000 | 48,500–120,000 |
| Power Train | 383 | 4.5% | 90,000 | 60,000–124,689 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 277 | 3.3% | 75,774 | 54,756–100,000 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 273 | 3.2% | 94,000 | 68,700–127,766 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 193 | 2.3% | 100,000 | 75,000–146,000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 185 | 2.2% | 37,272 | 20,000–70,000 |
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 932 | 767 |
| 2006 | 2,602 | 2,109 |
| 2007 | 1,825 | 1,472 |
| 2008 | 1,608 | 1,295 |
| 2009 | 1,044 | 851 |
| 2010 | 432 | 392 |
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 80,145 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The steering accounts for 37.1% of complaints (3,129 reports, 2,638 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,409 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,000 and 129,000 miles.
A single system taking 37.1% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The electrical system accounts for 11.8% of complaints (998 reports, 768 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 81,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 117,054 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 11.6% of complaints (980 reports, 814 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,000 and 101,000 miles.
The brakes account for 6.0% of complaints (510 reports, 411 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,370 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 116,500 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 4.9% of complaints (411 reports, 323 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,500 and 120,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 4.5% of complaints (383 reports, 313 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 124,689 miles.
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2006 model year drew the most — 2,602 complaints — while 2010 drew the fewest at 432. The median year sits at 1,326.
NHTSA records 5 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the steering (2), the transmission and driveline (2), electronic stability control (esc) (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Of the 8,443 complaints filed against this generation, 381 reported a crash; 111 reported a fire; 247 reported an injury; 10 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.5% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 51,054 and 120,000 miles, with a median of 80,145. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the steering and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 81,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Sudden loss of electric power steering assist while driving, caused by a fault in the EPS torque sensor assembly; steering reverts to unassisted manual effort, worst at low speed. Remedy was replacement of the torque sensor assembly. NHTSA campaign 14V-153; expanded by 15V-064 for a further build window.
Increased electrical resistance at the Body Control Module connection produces voltage fluctuations that can disable brake lamps, cruise control, traction control/StabiliTrak and other crash-avoidance functions. NHTSA campaign 14V-252.
The tabs on the automatic transmission shift cable end can fracture and separate, so the shifter position no longer matches the gear actually engaged — the car can be shifted to PARK and the key removed while the transmission is still in gear, allowing rollaway. NHTSA campaign 12V-460.
Shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully seated, producing a mismatch between indicated and actual gear position. NHTSA campaign 09V-073.
Timing chain wear/stretch producing cold-start rattle and cam/crank correlation codes, and elevated oil consumption; aggravated by extended oil change intervals.
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 15V064000 | 2015-02-24 | Steering:Electric Power Assist System |
| 14V252000 | 2014-08-18 | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) |
| 14V153000 | 2014-07-17 | Steering:Electric Power Assist System |
| 14V224000 | 2014-06-27 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift |
| 12V460000 | 2013-01-01 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) |