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2006 Pontiac G6: steering wheel locks up

159 of the 1,910 complaints about the 2006 Pontiac G6 describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints
159
of this car's complaints
8%
typical repair cost reported
$1,000
typical mileage
93,245
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 14 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 18, 2022 · Steering · 188,000 miles · FL

The contact's son owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The contact's son turned off the vehicle and after restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. There was a warning light displaying the vehicle with a lock across illuminated. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2021 · Steering · 138,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel locked up and could not be turned in either direction. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. After restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel operated as designed however, moments later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2021 · Airbags, Steering · WA

My car will flash "POWER STEERING" across the stereo notification screen and alarm and the power steering locks up as you drive and makes steering your vehicle impossible and unsafe! This was a recall which was supposedly repaired at Titus Will (dealership) some years prior when the car was previously owned by Kristena Fulton but it is still very much a problem and a HUGE safety risk. I've contacted their location and was yelled at by a female who stated they had repaired it previously and would NOT help me regarding this. This vehicle is dangerous and poses not only a safety risk which could result in serious injury and death should it be driven on a freeway or highway at the time this error occurs. I've taken video of this and am asking for this to be repaired ASAP as I transport my two children and could result in injury to myself and my children.

Filed May 4, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 160,000 miles · AL

While driving steering locked up, I had to strong arm the steering wheel in order to drive car too a safe place. Once I cut the car off and cut it back on it it was working fine. This is dangerous because I have gotten it looked at and thru can't find the issue help please

Filed Apr 20, 2021 · Steering · MN

Steering locks up and causes noticeably more force to turn when in motion

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Steering · 160,000 miles · KY

The power steering locked up while driving with my teenage daughter and my one year old grandson.

Filed Feb 3, 2021 · Airbags, Steering · 290,000 miles · TN

I was driving down the road when my steering wheel locked up and couldn't move, I eventually got it to a gas station where I purchased some power steering fluid because the light showed up under the time clock on the radio; come to find out there was a spot to put the fluid. Im still having issues with the power steering, it even caused my alignment to go bad and multiple flats tires. With the last flat tire, my service airbag light came on as well, just randomly. No check engine light has come on to be able to screen the vehicle to figure out what needs to be repaired on the power steering.

Filed Dec 3, 2020 · Driver assistance, Steering · 10,029 miles · MI

The power steering in my car has locked up twice in the past 3 weeks. The first time I had just made a right turn out of a parking lot onto a busy city street and was probably going between 25-30mph when a message on my dash appeared for "power steering" and my steering wheel suddenly locked up. After finally managing to safely pull over I shut the vehicle off to call for help. Within 5 mins of their arrival, the vehicle was turned back on and power steering was working again. Two weeks later, waiting to make a right out of parking lot onto the same busy city street, my steering wheel locked up again just as I was pulling out. There was a car behind me and cars on the road quickly approaching. I was a sitting duck with my front bumper half way into the street with nowhere to go and zero steering power to turn the wheel. It was terrifying! Luckily, with help of strangers we were able to get back into the parking lot without further incident. My vehicle had a recall through gm (n140116) that was repaired by the dealer in november 2014 to correct sudden loss of power steering. Clearly this did not fix the problem and is a huge safety concern for all drivers. This ongoing problem has continuously been reported as a safety issue by vehicle owners experiencing the same problem for several years after the so-called recall was completed. The repairs did not fix the problem and gm should absolutely be responsible for correcting this and have refused to do so. My paperwork from the original recall repair says there is no expiration date so why will they not honor this, I do not understand.

Filed Oct 29, 2020 · Steering · 182,900 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns 2006 pontiac g6. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 25 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The driver parked the vehicle at a nearby parking lot, turned off and restarted the vehicle and drove to her destination. The contact stated a week later while driving 25 MPH and making a right turn, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to albright buick gmc cadillac located at 2008 n. Belt hwy, st joseph, mo 64506, (816) 232-4413, where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the torque sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The contact was informed that manufacturer communication number: 14772 was completed in october 2014. The failure mileage was approximately 182,900.

Filed Oct 4, 2020 · Steering · 188,000 miles · GA

This 2006 g6 belongs to my wife and according to gm the vehicle has already had recall 14772 as well as 14116 and this vehicle is still having issues with the steering wheel locking up while driving. This happens on all types of roads from interstates to country roads and everything in between. It doesn't matter how fast she is driving, if she is turning, or what the weather is. She has to turn the vehicle off, remove key from ignition, reinstall key and finally restart vehicle and hopefully the steering will work again. This is completely and totally unsafe and I can not let her continue to drive this vehicle as we have a young daughter that frequently rides in this vehicle, so what are we supposed to do when the recalls didn't fix the problem?

Filed Aug 24, 2020 · Steering · 138,000 miles · OH

When ever I am driving and I turn at a slow rate my power steering locks up and is very hard to turn then I get a message saying power steering on my radio console it happens every time I drive

Filed Mar 22, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 216,232 miles · MO

Steering wheel locks up at low speeds. Shifter cable doesn't engage.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Steering: electric power assist systemReported February 4, 2015 · 69,633 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
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.
Remedy
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 Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V‑153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.

Recall number 15V064000 · Recall details

Steering: electric power assist systemReported March 31, 2014 · 1,373,177 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
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.
Remedy
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, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and Pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

Recall number 14V153000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2006 Pontiac G6 steering lock-up

Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2006 Pontiac G6?

159 of 1,910 owner complaints about the 2006 Pontiac G6 (8%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2006.

How much does it cost to fix steering wheel locks up on the 2006 Pontiac G6?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2006 Pontiac G6?

There are 2 recalls and 14 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2006 Pontiac G6

Power steering loss 343Loss of power 115Adaptive cruise 89Harsh shifting 87Steering noise 74Engine failure 67Airbag light 50Fuel pump 50Check engine light 49Jerking 49Fuel smell 48Stalling 46Ball joint 42Fuel leak 39Grinding brakes 35Headlights 25Pulling 25Knocking 21Won't start 19No deployment 15Fire or smoke 14Premature wear 14ABS 10Won't shift 9Wipers 8Fuel gauge 7Slipping 6Brake failure 5Hesitation 5Screen failure 5Overheating 5Tire blowout 5Transmission failure 5Whining noise 5

All model years of the Pontiac G6

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