This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Pontiac G6 powertrain problems
moderate 37 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
What stands out
Owners have filed 37 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2009 Pontiac G6 powertrain complaints cluster around two primary failure patterns. The shift cable and linkage assembly fails frequently: owners report the shifter becoming loose, stuck, unable to lock into Park, or breaking outright—sometimes twice within 10 months. When the cable breaks, vehicles remain in Drive, refuse to shift to Park, or roll away even with the shifter indicating Park. Several owners note they were included in or affected by recalls 09V073000 and 12V460000, but many report their specific VINs were excluded despite having identical parts and symptoms.
Internal transmission failures occur at 30,000 to 177,000 miles. Owners describe the 3-5-Reverse plate fracturing (causing loss of third, fifth, and reverse gears), shift solenoid failures preventing gear engagement, wave plate fracture, and general loss of power delivery. These failures produce violent jerking, shaking, engine revving without propulsion, and inability to accelerate. One owner's transmission required $2,442 repair for the 3-5-R plate; GM offered extended warranty (10 years/120,000 miles) only for specific build codes, excluding his MH8 transmission despite claiming identical design. Multiple owners report dealers diagnosing transmission rebuild or replacement as necessary but refusing warranty coverage or repair under recalled campaigns.
Same Pontiac G6 powertrain reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shift cable and linkage failure
Shift cable breaks, becomes loose, or linkage detaches from transmission, leaving vehicle stuck in Drive or unable to shift into Park. Vehicle may roll away with shifter indicating Park is engaged.
When: 30,000 to 141,000 miles; some recurrence within 10 months of initial repair
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter handle loose and will not lock into gear positions; Vehicle remains in Drive even when shifter moved to Park; Vehicle rolls away despite shifter showing Park engaged; Shifter will not move between gear positions; Cable breaks twice in short timeframe; Inability to restart vehicle after shift failure
Repairs/costs cited: $306 replacement cable and bracket; second failure within 10 months of first repair requiring another cable replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaigns 09V073000 and 12V460000 issued for shift cable defects, but many owner VINs excluded from coverage. Dealers informed some owners their transmissions were 3-speed instead of 4-speed and therefore not covered, though owners report parts are identical. Recall retainer installation performed in one case but failure recurred 3 months later and dealer refused second repair under recall.
3-5-Reverse transmission plate fracture
Wave plate or 3-5-Reverse plate inside transmission fractures, causing complete loss of third, fifth, and reverse gears. Produces catastrophic loss of power delivery.
When: 100,160 miles reported; 78,000 miles for wave plate fracture; 177,000+ miles for related failures
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs without vehicle pulling or accelerating; Vehicle loses power delivery suddenly; Transmission will not engage third, fifth, or reverse gears; Violent jerking and banging from transmission; Cannot shift out of a gear; Vehicle stalls and will not restart
Codes mentioned: P0776 (Pressure Control Solenoid Valve 2 Stuck Off), P0700 (Transmission Control Module Requested MIL Illumination)
Repairs/costs cited: $2,442.38 to replace 3-5-Reverse plate; transmission rebuild or replacement needed in other cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM aware of defect and issued extended warranty (10 years/120,000 miles) for 2007–2009 G6s—but only for transmissions with build codes MH2, MH4, MH6, and MY9. Owner with MH8 code denied coverage despite identical part and failure. Multiple owners told manufacturer not responsible for repair; manufacturer provided no solution.
Transmission shift solenoid failure
Shift solenoid or solenoid wiring harness fails, preventing proper gear engagement. Vehicle may refuse to shift into second gear or fail to engage multiple gears.
When: 30,000 to 90,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic transmission will not shift to second gear; RPM spikes between 3 and 4 without gear change; Violent jerk or whiplash when gear finally engages; Transmission problem recurs weeks or months after repair; Loss of engine power; Vehicle shuts down in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Wire harness replacement and two shift solenoid replacements; failure repeated later requiring return to mechanic
Catalytic converter failure
Catalytic converter fails, causing engine to lose power and become difficult to control. Owner notes this problem is known on G6 models 2004–2010 but no recall issued by GM.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: RPM skyrockets while driving uphill; Check Engine light illuminates; Traction control light flashes; Vehicle loses speed and becomes hard to control; Loss of traction
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite known pattern on 2004–2010 model years
Transmission vibration and violent shaking
Transmission causes abnormal vibration and violent shaking while driving at various speeds. Failure persists even after transmission rebuild or replacement.
When: 40,000–90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking without warning while driving; Abnormal vibration at 40–45 mph; Loud ticking noise from engine; Sudden deceleration at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; failure recurred after replacement in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no service campaign or recall available; stated manufacturer not responsible for repair
Transmission unable to shift from Park or into Park
Gear shifter becomes stuck and will not move out of Park position, or vehicle cannot be shifted into Park. Vehicle immobilized and cannot be driven.
When: 58,000–129,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter locked in Park and cannot be moved; Shifter will not move into Park position; Vehicle cannot be driven or moved; Transmission shift control cable failed
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shifter cable replacement needed; repairs not completed in multiple cases
Ignition switch key retention failure
Ignition key becomes dislodged or can be removed while vehicle is in Neutral or engine running, allowing vehicle to roll away. Key removal while engine running causes engine to shut off.
When: 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key dislodges from ignition switch while driving at 70 mph; Vehicle shuts off when key becomes dislodged; Key can be removed while transmission in Neutral; Vehicle begins to roll away in Reverse after key removal
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle not included in NHTSA Campaign 12V460000; manufacturer provided no assistance
Gear console melting and shift lever malfunction
Gear console overheats and melts, causing burning odor inside vehicle. Shift lever fails to move into Drive position, and ignition key intermittently fails to disengage.
When: 64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning odor from inside vehicle; Gear console melts; Shift lever cannot shift into Drive position; Ignition key fails to disengage intermittently
Vehicle parks in wrong gear; battery drain and stalling
Transmission shift cable malfunction causes vehicle to remain in Drive when shifted to Park. If key is removed and vehicle restarted, battery drains rapidly. Vehicle stalls without warning while driving.
When: Unknown; vehicle purchased 2019, first occurrence same year
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stuck in Drive even though shifter moved to Park; Battery drains rapidly after starting vehicle; Vehicle shuts off during traffic; No warning signs before stalling or shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Issue confirmed by independent service center; repairs status unknown
Synthesized from 37 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 Pontiac G6?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Pontiac G6?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 37 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 63,000 and 97,756 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,000; a quarter make it past 97,756. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Pontiac/G6.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.