Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 1,910 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Pontiac G6, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 987 | 52% |
| Exterior lighting | 96 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 65 | 3% |
| Air bags | 60 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 51 | 3% |
| Steering | 41 | 2% |
| Power train | 32 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 26 | 1% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 1% |
| Fuel system | 23 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
While driving I'm going around a corner and the steering was grabbing and getting tight I had to mussel the car home then it stopped doing it the again and again now my steering has not power steering and when I back up
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The vehicle experienced a complete failure of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) motor, matching the identical failure symptoms of NHTSA Recall 15V064000, but this specific VIN is excluded from the campaign. Operating thi
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Recall I got a electric problem plus air bags problem plus TC problem
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
When first started sometimes power steering does not work. Temporary fix is to restart the car. It's gone out while I was driving. This is very scary and hard to turn when it goes out.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Airbag light staying on dash and the passenger seat does not register a person sitting in it. The passage seat bag alert does not making a sound
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I have the warning power steering on my dash and it’s getting harder to steer and turn then it quits and does it again it’s not safe at all
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started pulling to the right. The steering wheel was forcefully
NHTSA complaint: Steering
my son was driving the car and had a friend with him. they were involved in an accident which he tboned anoehr car. the driver air bad deployed but that was the only one. no other bad deployed and caused injury to winds
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 Pontiac G6. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, o
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Ponti
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles. On May 22, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, thr
Risk: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected di
Fix: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Gen
| Reliability raw | 41 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 60 | average |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,910 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 987 of them (52%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 41/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 60/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 58/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.