Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Pontiac GTO, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 173 | 80% |
| Suspension | 14 | 6% |
| Tires | 7 | 3% |
| Power train | 4 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 1% |
| Steering | 2 | 1% |
| Air bags | 1 | 0% |
| Steering | 1 | 0% |
| Wheels | 1 | 0% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
MY 2006 PONTIAC CABLE SHIFTER WAS INSPECTED SOME TIME ON NOVEMBER 2014! PROBLEM IS THE CABLE SHIFTER ON MAY 1 2016! THE CABLE SHIFTER WAS OUT OF POSITION AND MY CAR WOUDN'T START! IF THE TABS WERE TO FRACTURE AND SEPARAT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDED
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME LOOSE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I HAVE A 2006 GTO THAT WAS MAKING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE BETWEEN 20 AND 50 MPH AFTER A 5,600 MILE ROAD TRIP WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE PREMATURE TREAD WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE (APPROX. 2" WIDTH) OF EACH TIRE, WITH THE REMAINING
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE R
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT S
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY TIRES ON MY 2006 GTO ARE WEARING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND BLOWING OUT MY TIRE IT APPEARS TO BE RUBBING ON THE STRUTS I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES AND HAD ALIGNMENTS DONE AND THE NEW TIRES ARE DOING THE SAME THING
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
BLOW OUT OF RIGHT REAR TIRE ON 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH FACTORY BRIDGESTONE POTENZA 18 TIRES WITH 22,000 MILES ON THEM. INSIDE TREAD SEVERELY WORN BEFORE THE REST OF THE TIRE CAUSING A TEAR ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. TH
NHTSA complaint: Tires
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 55 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 75 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 173 of them (80%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) 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 75/100, 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 unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. 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.