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2010 Pontiac G6 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Pontiac G6 carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering wiring and steering. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Electric power steering assist loss.” Every Pontiac is now 15+ years old, which changes the maintenance question from 'what mileage?' to 'how old is it?' — hoses, belts, coolant, and brake fluid age out even on low-mile cars. The G6 uses GM's Oil Life System (change oil when the message appears, at most every 12 months) with Dex-Cool coolant and either the 2.4L Ecotec four or the 3.5/3.9L pushrod V6. Parts remain cheap and plentiful through GM's shared platforms — these cars are inexpensive to keep healthy if the age-based items aren't ignored.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Campaign #14V252000 · May 14, 2014

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

STEERING

Campaign #14E044000 · Jul 21, 2014

Issue: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.

Risk: A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Campaign #12V460000 · Sep 18, 2012

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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 data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Pontiac G6.

Reported to NHTSA

Electric power steering assist loss

STEERING

140 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2026-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10658668
“WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR WENT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN, SHORTY FOLLOWED BY THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR. I PULLED OFF ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10661768
“The contact owns a 2010 Pontiac G6. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost electric power steering assist. The electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11734267

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake lights illuminated opposite of pedal position

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2019-09

“WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIKES STAY ON. WHEN BRAKING, BRAKE LIGHT GO OFF. THEY DO OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY SUPPOSE TO DO. GM HAS ISSUED A BULLITIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11104481
“BRAKES LIGHT ARE ON WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING CAR RUNNING AND GO OFF WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN WEATHER DRIVING OR SITTING I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND I SEE ONLINE IT'S A VERY KNOW PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11115817
“MY BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE CAR. THEY STAY ON AS YOUR GOING DOWN THE ROAD AS IF YOUR RIDING YOUR BRAKES SO THEN YOUR CRUISE CONTROL WONT ENGAGE. THE TRACTION N ESCAPE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF. MY DASH LIGHTS WILL COME ON ONE MINUTE THEN GO BACK OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11103027

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight bulb and connector failure

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2019-11

“THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTIONS EASILY BECOME CORRODED AND BURNS OUT THE CONNECTION AND THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WILL NOT WORK. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10644274
“HEADLIGHT BULBS FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES NEED TO BE REPLACED REPEATEDLY. THE PIGTAIL SOCKET FOR THE BULB APPEARS TO HAVE OVERHEATED. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND REPLACED HEADLIGHT BULBS SIX TIMES. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10703990
“2 YEARS AGO,I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT LIGHT HARNESS. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LIGHT HARNESS.THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.I REPLACED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ONLY FOR IT TO NOT WORK 2 DAYS LATER.THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10927411

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electronic stability control warning light illumination

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2019-12

“WHILE DRIVING SERVICE POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARMS RECEIVED. LOST POWER STEERING/VERY HARD TO STEER. TURNED CAR OFF RESTARTED THEN HAD NO ISSUES. THEN SEVERAL HOURS LATER HAD SAME ISSUE OCCURRED...TURNED CAR OFF/ON AND POWER STEERING RESTORED. THIS ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10748867
“'ESC OFF' WAS DISPLAYED SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I RESEARCHED IT AND PONTIAC HAS RECALLED SIMILAR ESC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11164201
“WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION, "SERVICE ESC" APPEARS ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN. IT FLASHES "SERVICE ESC..... TRACTION OFF...... ESC OFF". THIS DISPLAY WILL DISAPPEAR WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND WILL SPORADICALLY OCCUR WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11139504

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Multiple warning indicators illuminating simultaneously

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2021-05

“POWER ADAPTER WENT OUT FIRST AND FUSES BLOW AND SPARK WHEN REPLACED, AUGUST 2014 RADIO AND CLOCK QUIT WORKING, BLINKERS FLASH BUT DO NOT DING WHEN ON, KEY IN IGNITION WITH DOOR OPEN DOES NOT DING, AND TODAY OCTOBER 3, 2014 THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND STAYS ON. ARE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10641323
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G6. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11197124
“AFTER REPLACING THE FUSE BOX, WIRING HARNESS, AND FUSES ON MY FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK OF MY G6 I HAVE HAD NO SATISFACTION AS TO THE PROBLEM BEING REMEDIED THAT CONTINUES TO CAUSE SITUATIONS THAT COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. I CANNOT AFFORD TO RUN RIGHT OUT AND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10872065

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission and powertrain warning indicator failure

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2020-05

“WAS PARKED IN FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED. STARTED CAR AND DEPRESSED BRAKE AND RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE, THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY. WHEN I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE CAR DIED. I PUT IT IN PARK AND RESTARTED.. ENGINE WAS RUNNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10630386
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11143731
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G6. WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10892949

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel system odor and leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2018-08

“RECENTLY NOTICED FUEL SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE. AWARE OF RECALL DONE IN 2012 FOR ISSUE WITH FUEL PUMP I BELIEVE THIS IS A RELATED ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10985742
“A FEW MONTHS AGO I STARTED SMELLING FUEL FROM MY PARKED VEHICLE. AS TIME HAS GONE ON IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE, AND MY CAR IS BEGINNING TO LOSE POWER AND FAIL TO RUN PROPERLY. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE SMELL IS COMING FROM A SMALL FUEL LEAK COMING FROM A CONNECTOR ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11078914
“MY CAR STARTED SMELLING OF GAS. ANOTHER MECHANIC NOTICED A SLOW GAS LEAK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT'S THE FUEL PUMP. I SEE THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN DONE ON EARLIER YEARS OF MY MODEL BUT NOT THE 2010. GIVEN THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE, IT APPEARS TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11121052

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 5,000 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it, and at least every 12 months. On engines this age, many mechanics suggest a practical 5,000-mile ceiling — aging seals and PCV systems contaminate oil faster.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check tire date codes too — sidewall age (6+ years) retires tires on old cars before tread wear does.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and especially brake hoses and hard lines at every service — line corrosion is a real failure mode on 15-year-old northern cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. Decade-old fluid is the hidden cause of soft pedals and seized calipers on aging GM sedans.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (4T45-E / 4T65-E)

Every 45,000 mi

Drain-and-fill every 45,000 miles with Dexron VI. On high-mile units that have never been serviced, prefer repeated drain-and-fills over a pressure flush.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium plugs at 100,000 miles on the G6's engines. Replace wires/boots on the pushrod V6 at the same time — they're brittle at this age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

At this age, replace the belt AND tensioner as a pair on any evidence of cracking or noise — a weak tensioner eats new belts.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles — a cheap, 5-minute job on the G6.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 100,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles — but on cars this old the interval is effectively 'every 5 years.' Check for intake and water-pump seepage while it's drained; use Dex-Cool only, never mixed with green coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator annually. Parasitic drains from aging body modules are common on this era of GM — a healthy battery masks them until it doesn't.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

47 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

10

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2010 Pontiac G6 reflects Pontiac's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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