Pontiac G6 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Pontiac G6 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2003 drew the fewest (1) and the 2006 the most (1,910).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | — |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2004 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2010 | 272 | 2 | Steering | — | 18–26 |
| 2005 | 679 | 5 | Steering | — | 21–23 |
| 2009 | 713 | 4 | Steering | — | 18–26 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
1,079 | 4 | Steering | — | 18–25 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
1,232 | 4 | Steering | — | 18–24 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
1,910 | 6 | Steering | — | 19–24 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Pontiac G6 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2006 Pontiac G6: 1,910 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 1,220 (64%); Electrical system 245 (13%); Exterior lighting 198 (10%).
Reports mention 90 crashes, 11 fires, 61 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Pontiac G6: 1,232 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 541 (44%); Exterior lighting 232 (19%); Service brakes 222 (18%).
Reports mention 54 crashes, 24 fires, 32 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 84,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Pontiac G6: 1,079 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 419 (39%); Exterior lighting 243 (23%); Electrical system 225 (21%).
Reports mention 37 crashes, 19 fires, 22 injuries, 3 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 79,465 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Pontiac G6 years with the fewest complaints
2004 Pontiac G6: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (50%); Exterior lighting 1 (50%); Service brakes 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Pontiac G6 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 272 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 96,885 |
| 2009 | 713 | 26 | 20 | 21 | 0 | 86,000 |
| 2008 | 1,079 | 37 | 19 | 22 | 3 | 79,465 |
| 2007 | 1,232 | 54 | 24 | 32 | 1 | 84,000 |
| 2006 | 1,910 | 90 | 11 | 61 | 2 | 75,000 |
| 2005 | 679 | 26 | 4 | 17 | 0 | 80,643 |
| 2004 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Pontiac G6 recalls
- Brake Lights may or may not Randomly Illuminate (2005–2010 model years; 2,440,524 vehicles across all models; filed May 2014; 14V252000)
- Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering (2005–2009 model years; 1,373,177 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V153000)
- Transmission Shift Cable may Fracture/Rollaway (2005–2008 model years; 1,131,113 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V224000)
- The Transmission Shift Cable May Detach (2008–2010 model years; 426,240 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2012; 12V460000)
- SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR/FMVSS 102 & FMVSS 114 (2009 model year; 276,729 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2009; 09V073000)
All 10 Pontiac G6 recall campaigns · Pontiac G6 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Pontiac G6 years FAQ
Which Pontiac G6 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2003 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Pontiac G6 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2006, 2007 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Pontiac G6 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (3,108 of 5,889 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Pontiac G6 have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Pontiac G6. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Pontiac G6 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.