Pontiac G6 problems
710 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced.
- 9 fire-related complaints on the lighting
- Steering: 293 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 83,715–145,000 mi
- Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Pontiac G6? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 293 owner reports · tends to show around 115,860 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 134 owner reports · tends to show around 75,605 mi · ~$850 to fix
- lighting — 97 owner reports · tends to show around 76,904 mi · ~$250 to fix
- powertrain — 37 owner reports · tends to show around 83,765 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 115,860 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Pontiac G6
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2009 Pontiac G6
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~46,620 miengine~$3,100
- ~66,000 mibrakes~$450
- ~70,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~75,000 milighting~$250
- ~75,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~83,000 micruise control~$600
- ~85,630 miairbags~$1,100
- ~112,000 misteering~$700
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The drivers side, low beam headlight has been replaced several times. The wiring harness melts! This seems to be a common complaint with g6 owners. *js
The power steering goes out intermittently while driving and I have to shut the car off in order to fix it. I had the power steering assist motor replaced but this did not solve the issue. While researching, I found a recall on this very issue although it does not come up when I…
Driver side highlight not working. Further inspection shows that the headlight wire is corroded & burnt. This is a common issue with this car & several others, yet general motors refuses to issue a recall which can lead to a dangerous situation. *tr
Power steering loss while driving had to shut the car off and restart has happened to me 3 times this week and SRS pps problem
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Pontiac G6 reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 710 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Pontiac G6 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Pontiac G6?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Pontiac G6 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 9 fire-related complaints on the lighting; Steering: 293 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 83,715–145,000 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Pontiac G6?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 293 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 115,860 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Pontiac G6 a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 710 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 115,860 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Pontiac G6?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 293 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 115,860 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 115,860 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Pontiac G6 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Pontiac G6?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 710 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.