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Pontiac G6 transmission failure problems

24 of the 5,891 owner complaints about the Pontiac G6 describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2008 model year.

owner complaints
24
worst model year
2008
typical mileage
72,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Feb 23, 2025 · Acceleration, Steering · NC

My Transmission failed on me driving on the highway.

Filed Oct 3, 2019 · Transmission · 157,826 miles · KS

I filed a report yesterday after my sons car would not accelerate while in drive after he had been stopped at a red light in the turning lane on the city street. He pressed the gas pedal, the engine revved up,but the car wouldn't move forward, only reverse and park. I had it towed to my mechanic and after they pulled my tranny, took off the filter and pan, they found some kind of 4 way metal tube that had broken, and that's what caused the car to not drive forward. I had to have a transmission filter and gasket, they had to drain and replace the fluid, a transmission tube assembly, and new transmission fluid which cost me $602.25. Also, my mechanic said that the transmission shift cable needs to be replaced because it's screwed up. After all the money I spent today, I couldn't afford to get it fixed and I was informed that there was a recall on this issue on my sons car. I just bought this car used from a private seller on july 30, 2019 for my 18 year old son and was not informed of any recalls until yesterday when I happened to look up this car after the problem occurred.

Filed Jul 12, 2019 · 5 miles · TX

Transmission went out

Filed Jun 25, 2019 · Transmission · 129,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g6. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into park. While in a parking lot, the gear shifter would not move into park. The contact called an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new transmission shifter cable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · 90,000 miles · NH

This is a 2006 pontiac g6 with the 3.5l lx9 v6 engine. At 90,000 miles I am having transmission problems (automatic). The transmission slips in 2nd and 3rd gear. The car reverses normally. All maintenance is done by myself or the dealer. I changed the transmission fluid with genuine gm parts and fluid. I noticed the fluid was slightly discolored and very tiny pieces of metal were in the pan. The transmission still slipped in 2nd and 3rd gear after changing the fluid. Obviously I want to avoid putting in a brand new transmission. I want to check the computer and and any electrical pieces that correspond with the transmission first before I decide. As a side note,I did bring the vehicle to gm for a diagnosis and apparently there was a code for a transmission position sensor. However I attempted to start the vehicle in drive on many occasions and the vehicle would not start which is what that sensor is suppose to do so I know it isn't the sensor.

Filed Oct 29, 2018 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 pontiac g6. The contact stated that while stationary, in the reverse position, the transmission failed. The contact placed the vehicle in the drive position but the vehicle failed to accelerate forward. The contact stated that the vehicle was pushed from the middle of the road into a nearby drive-way. An independent mechanic stated that the transmission shift cable fractured. The independent mechanic was able to temporarily repair the transmission shift cable and the vehicle was able to br driven to the contact's residence. Courtesy of vermilion (1201 us-167, abbeville, louisiana 70510, (337) 347-8983) was made aware of the failure and stated that the federal safety agency recall number: 12v460000 (power train) was previously repaired on the vehicle in 2015. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2017 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g6. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shook violently without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to pinkerton chevrolet buick gmc cadillac (801 graves mill rd, lynchburg, va 24502) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they were not responsible. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Apr 19, 2017 · Transmission · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g6. The contact stated that the transmission failed to properly function in second, third, and fifth gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer stated that there was no service campaign nor a manufacturer recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 14, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 72,000 miles · MI

Car started dragging - could not drive no more than 5 miles - transmission went out - would not go in reverse - no indication on computer of engine problem - read about similar recall on pontiac g6 for transmission problems - this incident happened around the same time recall put out on certain g6 - but not mine because of engine size - I do not understand why my vehicle did not fall under this recall - I spent a lot of money to replace it.....updated 10-27-15

Filed Jul 8, 2015 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g6. While driving at 40 MPH, the transmission failed to engage in third gear or reverse. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the wave plate fractured and the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 30, 2014 · 1,131,113 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. The total number vehicles being recalled is now 1,131,113.
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 direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the ‘PARK’ position, the transmission may not be in ‘PARK.’ If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy
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 General Motors at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152.

Recall number 14V224000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported September 18, 2012 · 426,240 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Risk
If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑521‑7300.

Recall number 12V460000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shiftReported March 6, 2009 · 276,729 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect", and fmvss 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention". On some of these vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged. If the clip is not fully engaged, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. With this condition, the drive could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park".
Risk
The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2009. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 and saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 or at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 09V073000 · Recall details

Questions about the Pontiac G6 transmission failure

Which Pontiac G6 years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2008 (7 complaints), 2009 (6 complaints) and 2006 (5 complaints).

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