To all of you who are going thru the same ordeal as I am. I spoke to the Customer Assistance rep AGAIN who has been "assisting" me. And she said that GM is only focusing on the steering complaints that go thru the BBB. If you want them to pay attention and hopefully fix the problem you need to file a complaint with your states BBB. Please do this!!! I dont want to see anyone go thru these problems like I am. She said that so far I am one of very few who have taken it to the BBB there for theres no record of these issues. ALSO! I have retained an attorney and we are looking to locate G6 owners who have this very same issue to possibly do a class action suit against GM. GM is clueless on whats causing this there for they are shooting in the dark and throwing parts at our cars and they dont really know the cause. We are their guinea pigs! PLEASE let me know if you want to get involved. You can email me at Carissavzw@aol.com. This is a dangerous issue whether you are going 5mph or 55mph. When my steering went completely out i ended up driving into landscaping at my development. Thank god it wasnt serious!

To all of you who are going thru the same ordeal as I am. I spoke to the Customer Assistance rep AGAIN who has been "assisting" me. And she said that GM is only focusing on the steering complaints that go thru the BBB. If you want them to pay attention and hopefully fix the problem you need to file a complaint with your states BBB. Please do this!!! I dont want to see anyone go thru these problems like I am. She said that so far I am one of very few who have taken it to the BBB there for theres no record of these issues. ALSO! I have retained an attorney and we are looking to locate G6 owners who have this very same issue to possibly do a class action suit against GM. GM is clueless on whats causing this there for they are shooting in the dark and throwing parts at our cars and they dont really know the cause. We are their guinea pigs! PLEASE let me know if you want to get involved. You can email me at Carissavzw@aol.com. This is a dangerous issue whether you are going 5mph or 55mph. When my steering went completely out i ended up driving into landscaping at my development. Thank god it wasnt serious!


carissa

what GM needs to do at this point is step up to the plate and "buy back" someones car, preferably YOURS and use it as a 'test mule'. if they would stop throwing parts at them and actually have some of these cars which have a history of this problem, their engineers would have a better chance of diagnosing the root of this problem and then they could issue a 'TSB' (technical service bulletin) or a RECALL, depending on how many vehicles may be affected.

SOMEONE at GM needs to get on the ball BEFORE someone is injured, or worse, killed! i'm filling my BB Complaint as soon as i get off this site, if i can do it 'on-line'. if not, Monday a.m. for sure. thanks again for the info!!!!

good luck!

Good luck! Thanks so much! Im not giving up until i have a new car or a guarantee its fixed!

Good luck! Thanks so much! Im not giving up until i have a new car or a guarantee its fixed!

"YOU GO, GIRL!!!" :D

ive noticed two slight lock ups but only immediatly after in drive or reversing One more time and im going to the dealer.
jeff

Here is another place to make a complaint to


http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

I filed my NHSTA complaint awhile ago.. its almost as if they are ignoring the issue altogether.

Good job on your G6, Carissa..

I guess it is my turn now..

I had contacted Pontiac customer assistance..They assigned a case number, came and looked at my car and claimed there is nothing wrong with it..Nothing logged except one trouble code..They wont tell me what is..
I guess my only option now is BBB..

How long does this process take and what does it involve ? I am afraid to drive my car till all this crap is resolved..

I cant even believe that this has been ignored by GM for so long...

I can't believe it either! I want to start a class action lawsuit. I am familliar with a very reputable lawfirm.

2005 G6 GT sucks. This car has been in the shop 10 or more times. So many times my wife wont take it in , I have to take it in today. Last time they replaced the steering column.
Time before that it was some electrical panel. Now I get in the car yesterday and the fan is running. Mind you the keys are in my hand.
The list goes on. I hate this car. We bought it with 7k and now has 22k

Me too...same thing with our G6...are you all doing the BBB thing?

I have read all the threads about steering lock and clunking. However most seem to be in regards to the 2005 & 2006 models. My wifes car has the same symptoms but her's is a `07. I have it booked in to the stealership but was wondering if anyone with an `07 has had these problems.

Cheers,
Lager

Yes my wife's 2007 G6 GT, it makes a clunking sound (although I feel it more than I hear it) when turning the wheel. I plan to take it to a real machanic instead of the dealership. The last time I was at the dealership I overheard a couple of the machanics talking about their cars and how the custumer's car were a pain in the butt so thay were going to hurry up and throw it together so they could get to their own cars. Nice!
If any of the readers are in the Baton Rouge area I can suggest two good/honest repair shops.
Mike

My wifes car is under warranty still so off to the stealership I go...

This is the first time I'm hearing of this steering lockup issue. My wife drives a 2006 G6 GT with about 17k miles on it. So far I've done the routine oil changes and maintenance without any problems other than to blown tires (Continental's). Is this steering issue bound to happen to all G6's with the electronic steering or is it a small percentage of the 05-06 production? I certainly don't want my wife to be caught off guard, but it sounds like there isn't much she can do to avoid an incident.

A small percentage of the G6s with electric p.s. do suffer from this sudden lock-up problem. I believe the culpit was simply a defective switch or poor electrical contact. It can be dangerous and scary but the problem is blown out of proportion.

To the guy who claims that the problem is "blown out of porportion", it only seems that way to you until it happens when your trying to make a turn, and the car locks up so tight you can barely turn it!

To the guy who claims that the problem is "blown out of porportion", it only seems that way to you until it happens when your trying to make a turn, and the car locks up so tight you can barely turn it!

Re-read my post. I already said that it's a scary and dangerous problem, not to mention potentially deadly as well. The "blown out of proportion" part was referring to the very small percentage of vehicles so far that actually do exhibit this problem.
I repeat. Sudden lost of steering is a serious problem, but the number of known cases so far has been relatively negligible.

Yes my wife's 2007 G6 GT, it makes a clunking sound (although I feel it more than I hear it) when turning the wheel. I plan to take it to a real machanic instead of the dealership. The last time I was at the dealership I overheard a couple of the machanics talking about their cars and how the custumer's car were a pain in the butt so thay were going to hurry up and throw it together so they could get to their own cars. Nice!
If any of the readers are in the Baton Rouge area I can suggest two good/honest repair shops.
Mike

The clunking noise is probably the intermediate shaft in the steering. I've had problems with this in my 03 Impala. They replaced it three times and re-lubed it 3 another times over 107,000 miles. GM is having trouble with this part with a lot of their cars/trucks and dealers don't have a solution for it other than replacing the part. I'm having the shaft replaced in my wifes G6 since clunking has already started at 17,000 miles

Re-read my post. I already said that it's a scary and dangerous problem, not to mention potentially deadly as well. The "blown out of proportion" part was referring to the very small percentage of vehicles so far that actually do exhibit this problem.
I repeat. Sudden lost of steering is a serious problem, but the number of known cases so far has been relatively negligible.

When you talk about negligible, what does that mean? Has there been an official or unofficial study on the percentage of vehicles affected or the likelyhood of this problem occuring to other drivers? I've seen posts where people are reporting problems, model years and VIN numbers. Has anyone compiled this data and noticed any trends? I'm just curious about the facts.

:cool:If it gets worse I'll drop it off to be fixed, but till then rrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmm!

When you talk about negligible, what does that mean? Has there been an official or unofficial study on the percentage of vehicles affected or the likelyhood of this problem occuring to other drivers? I've seen posts where people are reporting problems, model years and VIN numbers. Has anyone compiled this data and noticed any trends? I'm just curious about the facts.

There was an investigation done by NHTSA I believe that looked into this problem. From what I remembered the number of reported cases were very small in relation to the number of vehicles produced that use this power steering system. The conclusion was that a full recall was not warranted.

I just got my used '07 G6 two weeks ago. I heard the streering wheel making noise when I made right turns. I didn't really think much of it till I was in the park garage at work and heard it over and over as I when up. Its more of a quick popping when you turn the wheel 180 degrees right of being straight. If you turn left the steering works fine. If you go beyone that point it works fine also. I'm taking it in this week to get it looked at.

I just got my used '07 G6 two weeks ago. I heard the streering wheel making noise when I made right turns. I didn't really think much of it till I was in the park garage at work and heard it over and over as I when up. Its more of a quick popping when you turn the wheel 180 degrees right of being straight. If you turn left the steering works fine. If you go beyone that point it works fine also. I'm taking it in this week to get it looked at.

That is exactly what happen to my G6. It's a common defect among quite a few GM FWD models. All they need to do at the dealership is to lubricate and re-position the I-shaft. It's a temporary fix. Mine lasted 6 months before the clunking noise came back again. Still waiting for a permanent solution from GM.

I'm having the shaft replaced in my wifes G6 since clunking has already started at 17,000 miles

Let me know if it helps. Since I'll more than likely be paying for this myself.

Let me know if it helps. Since I'll more than likely be paying for this myself.

I won't know till next week...don't have time to bring it in this week. But I'll post when I get the work done.

All they need to do at the dealership is to lubricate and re-position the I-shaft. It's a temporary fix. Mine lasted 6 months before the clunking noise came back again. Still waiting for a permanent solution from GM.

That exactly what they did today. Well I hope it lasts... :beer: Right now its smooth as butter.

That exactly what they did today. Well I hope it lasts... :beer: Right now its smooth as butter.

It'll clunk again after a while...I have this problem with my Impala. Had the shaft replaced a number of times...had the fluid changed some other times...still no permanent solution. It does feel great after they replace the fluid, but it won't last.

I have a 2006 Pontiac G6 GT and it recently had the popping sound problem. The dealership (my friend actually worked on my car there) drove it and noticed the popping and also said something was causing a vibration on the engine panel (or something panel--don't have the paperwork with me). They did the lubrication process, reinstalled the (i believe) engine coolant resevoir, and added foam tape.
The popping is gone and it even seems to drive better...or the steering just feels a little firmer.

From all of these problems I've been reading about, though, should I be worried? Should I be annoyed? I know someone posted that their's hasn't been a problem since the fix, and others say the problem came back pretty soon. The dealership fixed it for free bc of either the TSB or they said bc of it being a known Pontiac issue and I'm a good customer... so I'm just wondering...
if this happens again, will I have to pay? Has anyone had to pay out-of-pocket for this fix? And when it's gone further than the lubrication and actual big-time replacement/work, have people had to pay for that?

(In general) Most cars have power steering, and some don't, so if your power steering goes out while driving, does this mean you have a sudden tightness? You would need a lot of fast strength to control the car? Can someone just explain what it's like for this to happen? (I know it hasn't happened with my car)

I recently went on vacation to Myrtle Beach and had the power sterring go out on me. This problem started with when I would idle on a hill the message power steering would come up on the radio. But when you turned the car off the code would disappear, so the dealer could not duplicate it. Then when in Myrtle Beach it came on while I was sitting at a red light and started dinging. Went to pull out and had no power steering at all, had to maneuver really hard across a major intersection to get the car into a parking lot. Turned it off and turned it back on it went away. Took it ot the dealer they said they found the code in the computer and it was just a software problem. Fixed it and it hadn't happened since. But this would really suck if I was not stopped at a red light and would have been driving.

From what i have seen and herd from the dealer they may have this issue resolved. They just recently came out with a lubrication kit. aparently the rack or stearing shaft is binding up because the lubrication is getting away from the friction points. When this happens the rackwill lock or clunk. So hopefully for everyone who is suffering these proplems including me this will finally fix the issue.

MIKE

From what i have seen and herd from the dealer they may have this issue resolved. They just recently came out with a lubrication kit. aparently the rack or stearing shaft is binding up because the lubrication is getting away from the friction points. When this happens the rackwill lock or clunk. So hopefully for everyone who is suffering these proplems including me this will finally fix the issue.

MIKE

Hi Bud,

can you find out from the dealer the details on the lubrication kit what it is and post it here.

There is a number of us here where the warranty expired and parts are replaced and the same symptoms are back ...I'll rather do it myself and be done for good!

Thanks

WOW!!! I hope this don't happen to mine. it would suck to be going 75mph on the highway and have the steering wheel lock...

I just don't see what would cause the problem though....

"Poping" sounds when turning the wheels solved on my G6 for now.

The poping sounds were from the strut bearings on my G6
Once new bearings and struts were fitted to the front end, the steering seems to be lighter and easy to move. Most likely due to the fact that various front end parts were removed and cleaned etc..
The removed strut bearings were found almost completely seized.

Keep this in mind if you have poping sound from the front end when turning the wheels. Have the strut bearings checked - they might be cause of the noises.

Note - the strut bearings from GM are crap. If they fail again - I will be sourcing aftermarket bearings

Ladies and Gents,

Lengthy, but precisely identifies the steering lockup cause. Might help your service center out in the troubleshooting process to take a copy in with you.

As published at URL http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Investigation/2005/PONTIAC/G6
_________________

NHTSA Action Number:PE07023
Date Opened:April 25, 2007
Date Closed:September 25, 2007
Recall Campaign Number:n/a
Subject:Loss of power steering assist Component:Steering:Electric Power Assist System

Summary:
During this investigation, general motors (GM) indicated that approximately 15,600 model year (my) 2005 pontiac g6 vehicles built from november 3, 2004 through january 5, 2005 may experience a loss of power steering assist due to an insufficient crimp at the torque and position sensor transducer located in the steering column assembly. GM has indicated that it plans to send letters to the owners of these vehicles to inform them that it will extend the warranty coverage for the eps system in their vehicles to 7 years or 70,000 miles.Statistical analysis of the failures in the population affected by the wiring crimp problem indicate that the problem is an early life failure that should occur within the terms of the extended coverage.GM's investigation of eps failures in the subject vehicles identified a problem with the connector crimps during the two month production range covered by the warranty extension.During this period the crimps may be asymmetrical, resulting ininadequate pressure on the wire that can lead to electrical noise in the signal from the sensor to the controller.The controller may interpret this electrical noise as a malfunction of the system and default to manual mode (I.E., turn off the eps system).If the power steering assist is lost, the driver information center (dic) displays a power steering warning message, a chime is sounded, andthe service vehicle soon light will illuminate.In manual mode the steering requires increased effort, especially at speeds less than 20 miles per hour (mph).ODI's analysis of the failure data show that approximately 30 percent of the complaints and field reports (569 of 1913) involve vehicles built in the range covered by GM's extended policy, which account for only about 7 percent of the subject vehicle population.The complaint rate for the non-peak months is relatively high, at 673 per 100,000 vehicles.The rate for the peak months is 5 times higher at 3,645 per 100,000 vehicles.Similar differences are evident in the warranty data, with approximately 27 percent of the eps warranty claims (1120 of 4145) involving vehicles built in the peak months.The warranty rate for the non-peak months is 1.5% and the rate for the peak months is 7.2%.ODI identified 9 crashes that are potentially related to eps system failure in the subject vehicles.The crashes occurred at low speeds, such as driveway and parking lot type maneuvers.The crashes resulted in one alleged injury, but ODI was unable to obtain information about the type or severity of the injury.None of the crashes involve vehicles built in the two month period covered by GM's extended warranty coverage.The subject vehicles use the same eps system as the my 2004 chevrolet malibu vehicles investigated by ODI in ea04-018.Although the failure rates are high in this investigation, particularly for the peak months, they are significantly lower than for the malibu vehicles investigated in ea04-018.As in those vehicles, the effects on steering effort are small at speeds greater than 15-20 mph.Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will continue to monitor complaints and information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.
____________________

Good luck to us all.

Just started getting warning signs of the power steering having problems. I read the note that states GM put out an extended warranty for 70,000 miles. Yet we just passed this with 1,000 miles or so. I called Pontiac and a rep stated they can't help us because we just barely passed the warranty mileage. I plan on doing everything I can to fix this problem. Obviously GM is trying everything in it's power to avoid paying for this, therefore I will look at all my options. Will talking to the BBB really help?? Does anyone have any clues as to what we can do??

Get the steering column replaced, pay the bill. Then remember what company you bought the car from, GM.

I have a 2008 Pontiac G6 w/ the 3500 motor. The steering keeps going out. Luckily I have been going slow or have been in a position to pull off the road at the time. I believe its the same problem that everyone else has been having. I'm curious what steps I should take and what has been successful for other people.

Thanks

The lock-up problem only occurs with the EPS system. Your V6 has the conventional hydraulic system so your problem would be something different. So far there have been no known issues with the hydraulic system other than a few defective steering racks.

I had this issue while on vacation in Myrtle Beach last year. The dealership had to reporgem something with the computer that caused the steering to go out. This car has some type of electronic assist steering but the issue was with the computer having the wrong coding, not the steering parts themselves. This should be covered under a recall for these cars. You should have been receiving a power steeering message on your radio display - this is what happened to me prior to it going out, along with a dinging sound almost as if you were driving with the door open.

Everyone please take note that some V6 G6 cars have the electric steering system that is fitted to the 4 cylinder cars.
Both models are known to have issues with the electric steering system failures.
I know this fact to be true - I have seen the electric steering systems in both a V6 and 4 cylinder G6 SE models.
In Canada the G6 GT and GXP has the hydraulic system - although there are some GT models that were fitted with the electric steering model as well... I guess GM outfitted the cars with whatever steering system was available at the time.

We have an 06 G6 GT and have experienced both issue, the steering popping started at around 20K miles. The dealer had serviced the car under recall a couple years ago and performed the lube of the intermediate steering shaft under tech service bulletin. The popping started about a year after that. Has anyone else had success with the steering strut bushings? I thought initially the front left wheel was coming loose from the sound of it. We also experienced the electric shutdown with radio error code. I find it ridiculous they havn't recalled this mess sespecially considering the electric steering was changed to hydraulic later.

We have an 06 G6 GT and have experienced both issue, the steering popping started at around 20K miles. The dealer had serviced the car under recall a couple years ago and performed the lube of the intermediate steering shaft under tech service bulletin. The popping started about a year after that. Has anyone else had success with the steering strut bushings? I thought initially the front left wheel was coming loose from the sound of it. We also experienced the electric shutdown with radio error code. I find it ridiculous they havn't recalled this mess sespecially considering the electric steering was changed to hydraulic later.

As you know - I had success with the strut bearings...
Re the steering issue - contact NHTSA for USA & Transport Canada for Canadian Owners & file a complaint. The more complaints these watchdog agencies receive about these defective products, the greater the chance the agencies will force GM to do something. Both Governments do not want another "Toyota Issue" on their hands.

As you know - I had success with the strut bearings...
Re the steering issue - contact NHTSA for USA & Transport Canada for Canadian Owners & file a complaint. The more complaints these watchdog agencies receive about these defective products, the greater the chance the agencies will force GM to do something. Both Governments do not want another "Toyota Issue" on their hands.
Lets get a lawsuite going...I have major issues on my 2nd G6...this is the rerplacement of the first with steering issues....Lawers interested??? Lets do it!

Lets get a lawsuite going...I have major issues on my 2nd G6...this is the rerplacement of the first with steering issues....Lawers interested??? Lets do it!

Just so you know, class-action lawsuits (no 'e' in that word) rarely lead to much of a payout for the class members except the leading class member. The legal team makes out like the bandits they are. If you feel you have a legitimate legal claim against GM and have exhausted your other options (warranty claims, lemon law if applicable, etc.), you would be much better off filing an individual suit.

Or maybe you don't mind getting 5 coupons for 20% off your next dealer oil changes in compensation for your troubles...

~ MattInSoCal
"beneficiary" to several class actions

Daughter's 06 G6 with 16,000 miles had intermittant and unexpected failure of power steering for two weeks, almost crashed twice. Took it to the dealer Friday Jan 7 and got a $825 repair estimate to replace electric power steering assist motor. Same problem as recalled 05 G6 in service bulletin above, but not covered under warranty for 06. I filed complaint with NHTSA (888/327-4236). Contacted GM to work through this obvious warranty problem. As of Jan 12 I have had nothing but the runaround from GM/Pontiac. Spoke with three different folks at GM, including District Specialist yesterday (Jan 11), and have heard nothing back but "We will call you back." I have not received a single option from GM as how to proceed with this. Dealer did offer to insall new motor for $ 200 labor only bill. I will give him credit for trying. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. If others are experiencing this problem, you must let NHTSA and GM know, in no uncertain terms, that this is a real safety issue.

Update to post #47 above. GM/Pontiac has completely let me down. The dealer has agreed to replace the power steering assist motor if I pay the $200 installation. He states this is not a GM/Pontiac decision, but his. GM/Pontiac says that if a recall is issued, they will send me reimbursement paperwork for the costs. Everyone needs to contact NHTSA (888/327-4236) to report this problem. This is a safety issue, people. GM/Pontiac states that my 2006 is out of warranty, nothing they can do for me. When I asked the dealer what has been changed in the replacement parts to ensure that this problem will not return, he stated that he has no idea what GM/Pontiac has changed, but the replacement part does have a new part number, so something is different. Warranty on replacement is 12 months or 12,000 miles. And from posts above, and at other sites, I do not anticipate a trouble free future for this car, which scares me. Thanks a alot GM. Looks like Ford or Chrysler have a new customer next time I need a car. Unless and until GM/Pontiac get their heads out of the sand, these problems will continue. I hope no one is injured or worse due to this OBVIOUS safety problem with this design.

My car is a 06 GT, and i've had my rack changed twice in it. AND IT STILL KLUNKS!! i was told that it is a manufactuer's recall and until it breaks and breaks something in your car, gm won't do anything about it....Thats one issue i've had..second is now my Power Steering kicks in and out!! i was told this was just the electric power steering motor which is easy to change...but you have to buy the whole steering colum to fix it! Aparently if the motors in the Steering box gets too hot it will over heat and never work again...I LOVE my car!!! i've always owned a Pontiac, but i think after this car is paid for, im jumping ship. Is there anyone out there who is having the same problem??

Thanks!

have an '07 that clunks too.