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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Pontiac G6 steering problems
moderate 173 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
173
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 173 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Pontiac G6, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 14 mileage-bearing steering complaints filed against the 2010 Pontiac G6 by each odometer reading. Median failure: 139,000 mi.
10% have failed by85,000 mi
Half the fleet by139,000 mi
90% have failed by185,000 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 64% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 173 steering 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 steering 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 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 ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Pontiac G6 steering complaints center on electronic power steering and stability control failures that appear unrelated to the transmission shifter cable recall mentioned in one narrative. The dominant issue is loss of power steering function paired with illuminated warning lights (Power Steering, Service ESC, ESC Off). Owners report the steering wheel either locks solid or becomes extremely difficult to turn mid-drive, often at highway speeds. The failure is typically intermittent—power steering may work briefly, fail, then resume after the engine is restarted.
Steering wheel vibration and jerking movements occur both while driving and at idle, sometimes violent enough to cause uncontrolled swerving. Owners describe near-accidents, with several reporting they narrowly avoided collisions when power steering failed on curves or during lane changes. A torque sensor in the steering column is repeatedly cited as the culprit; one owner had diagnostic code C0545 (steering shaft torque sensor) documented at a dealer. The steering column itself has been replaced on some vehicles.
A major frustration runs through these narratives: GM issued recalls for the same power steering failure on 2005–2009 G6 models, but excluded the 2010 model year despite using identical hardware. Owners cite repair estimates of $800–$4,000, which many cannot afford. Dealerships have acknowledged the problem mirrors earlier recalled models but will not honor the recall for 2010 vehicles. Some owners report receiving small credits ($300) but not full recall coverage.
Same Pontiac G6 steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering Loss (EPS Failure)
Power steering function cuts out intermittently without warning while driving or at startup. Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn, sometimes locking solid. Failure may last seconds to minutes; often resets after engine restart but recurs frequently.
When: Reported from 32,000 to 285,500 miles; many failures occur within first 100,000 miles. Some owners experience intermittent issues for months before total failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering stops working mid-drive at all speeds (30–70 mph reported); Steering wheel locks in place or becomes extremely stiff; Power Steering warning light illuminates; Service ESC and ESC Off indicators light simultaneously; Audible chime or alert accompanies failure; Power steering may briefly resume after engine restart, then fail again; Recurring failures increase in frequency over time
Codes mentioned: C0545 (Steering Shaft Torque Sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships and independent shops cite steering torque sensor replacement and steering column replacement; cost estimates range $800–$4,000 depending on parts and labor. Owners report paying out-of-pocket repairs in the $500–$2,200 range.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued recall 14V153000 (March 2014) for power steering failure on 2005–2009 G6 models but excluded 2010 model year. Dealerships confirm 2010 uses identical hardware to recalled years but refuse recall coverage. GM offered one owner $300 credit toward repair but not full recall coverage. Owners report GM customer service representatives acknowledged the problem was 'similar' to earlier recalls but took no action on 2010 models.
Steering Wheel Vibration and Jerking
Steering wheel shakes, vibrates, or jerks involuntarily while driving at various speeds or while parked with engine running. Movement can be violent enough to cause uncontrolled swerving.
When: Reported alongside power steering failures or as independent symptom; occurs intermittently or chronically depending on owner. Often precedes total power steering loss.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes while driving at all speeds; Steering wheel jerks or twitches while parked with engine running; Jerking causes vehicle to swerve unpredictably; Vibration described as 'very noticeable,' 'violent,' and 'dangerous'; May occur in conjunction with power steering loss warnings
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair cost cited separately; appears related to steering torque sensor or steering column electrical issue.
Transmission Shifter Cable Breakage (Recall-Related Failure)
Recall 12106 addressed transmission shifter cable breakage by adding a retainer; one owner reports the same cable broke again less than two years after recall repair, disabling steering and drivability. Car rolled away after failure, injuring the owner.
When: Owner states failure occurred approximately 2 years after recall 12106 was performed
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter cable broke suddenly while pulling into driveway; Steering and drivability severely impaired; Vehicle able to brake but not drive further; Vehicle rolled away, striking the owner
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid 'a large amount of money' for repair but amount not specified. Owner questions whether recall fix was only temporary or ineffective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 12106 was performed; dealership stated nothing could be done after cable broke again. Owner alleges GM was 'very incompliant' and refused to examine the matter further.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control Failures
ESC and traction control systems malfunction or disable, often triggered by the same electrical/sensor issue affecting power steering. Warning lights illuminate and systems become inoperative, reducing vehicle stability control during cornering and adverse conditions.
When: Occurs alongside or following power steering failures; intermittent to chronic
Symptoms owners cite: Service ESC warning light illuminates; ESC Off indicator comes on; Traction control light appears; Vehicle loses electronic stability during curves or on slippery surfaces; Dashboard may show 'Low Traction' or 'ESC Active' messages; Multiple warning lights cycle on and off together
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited estimated repair cost around $2,000 for ESC sensor/system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V153000 addresses ESC sensor failure in 2005–2009 G6 models but excludes 2010. Dealers confirm sensor issue but deny recall coverage for 2010 models.
Vehicle Electrical System Instability (Dashboard/Gauge Malfunction)
Dashboard gauges, radio, air conditioning, and cruise control malfunction or shut off intermittently, sometimes linked to steering column electrical issues. One owner's vehicle experienced total electrical failure while driving at night, causing headlights, steering, and brakes to lose power.
When: Reported from 70,000 miles onward; one severe incident at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Gauges max out then fail completely; Radio and climate control shut off unexpectedly; Cruise control disengages; Dashboard gages flutter up and down intermittently; Headlights shut off without operator input; In one case, entire vehicle shut off while driving, disabling steering and brakes; Check Engine, ABS, and airbag lights may illuminate
Codes mentioned: Multiple diagnostic codes generated (one mechanic obtained 9 pages of codes; another obtained 5 pages of codes)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's mechanic diagnosed electrical grease application to BCM (Body Control Module) terminals and battery cable replacement; issues recurred. No successful permanent repair documented.
Synthesized from 173 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
ESC is saying off and the steering wheel has become hard to turn with.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac g6. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel started to vibrate and seized with the illumination of the warning light. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and diagnosed that the power steering assist unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate…
While driving my steering wheel wouldn't turn, on the dash it said power steering check evc. I could move the wheel at all, and almost wrecked my car.
ESC off and service ESC came on as soon as vehicle steering locked up then wouldn't turn at all when you try to turn it it jerked back to the other side. Burnt nasty smell from inside and outside car. Now car won't even start or nothing
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac g6. While accelerating from a stop, the service power steering eps warning indicator illuminated and the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel left or right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the electric power steering assist sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 14v153000…
Repeated loss of power steering, displaying "service ESC" message on dash while vehicle was in motion, once on a high speed road. Over the past 2 years I've experienced this problem with this vehicle, several times with no help at getting to the bottom of it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac g6. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized intermittently without warning. When the vehicle was restarted, the power steering resumed normal operation. The contact took the vehicle to hobson Chevrolet Buick GMC (655 southview dr, in-37, martinsville, in 46151) where it was diagnosed that the power steering module and steering sensor were…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac g6. The contact stated that there was a reoccurring failure in which the ESC warning light illuminated. The steering wheel was extremely tight each time the failure occurred shortly after starting the vehicle and once it was in motion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer for further inspection and diagnosis. It was unknown if the…
When I start the car and running (park) , the power steering control ESC shows on the dash and locks up the steering so I can't turn out of a parking spot. It has locked up while I was driving in town before before to. Whenever this has happened, all I had to do was turn the car off and turn it back on to turn off the power steering control ESC. But recently this had happened while parked the…
While the car is parked and running the power steering control ESC will be on on the dash and lock up the steering wheel and I can't turn out of a parking spot. When this occurred I used to be able to turn off the car and turn it back on and it would be off. But recently it has been occurring a lot more often. I was parked with car running and the power steering ESC would stay on even after…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 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 steering problem on the 2010 Pontiac G6?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 173 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 150 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 90,000 and 150,000 miles, with the median around 113,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 90,000; a quarter make it past 150,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2010/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.