Selling a junk or non-running Pontiac G6

The G6 in brief

Wikipedia says the G6 was built from 2004 to 2010 at Orion Assembly in Lake Orion, Michigan, on GM's Epsilon platform. It replaced the Grand Am. Engines were a 2.4-liter LE5 four and two 3.5-liter V6s, the LX9 and the LZ4. Transmissions were a 4-speed 4T45 automatic, 6-speed 6T40 and 6T70 automatics, and a 6-speed F40 manual.

GM entered bankruptcy during the G6's run. Wikipedia says fleet orders kept it in production while the Pontiac brand wound down, and GM's revived Buick Regal took its place in the US and Canada.

What owners reported, year group by year group

The G6 had one generation, so the years below are grouped by what the complaint file shows.

2005-2006: steering, and brake lights

Steering is the top component on every G6 model year in the file. It is heaviest here: 418 of 679 complaints on the 2005 and 1,100 of 1,910 on the 2006.

Recall 14V153 covers the electric power steering on 2005-2009 G6s. That campaign reached 1,373,177 vehicles in total, taking in the Chevrolet Malibu, Malibu Maxx, HHR and Cobalt plus the Saturn Aura and Ion along with the G6. Recall 15V064 replaces the steering torque sensor on 2006-2007 G6s built from April 18 to June 30, 2006. Its 69,633 vehicles include Malibu and Malibu Maxx cars too.

One recall is the G6's alone. Recall 09V036 covers 8,012 2005-2006 G6s whose brake lamps may not work properly because of corrosion in a wiring connector. Dealers apply a dielectric lubricant to the connector.

2007-2008: the shifter

The 2007 has 1,232 complaints, and service brakes tie electrical system for second place at 122 each. It also has more complaints noting a fire than any other G6 year: 24. The 2008 has 1,079 complaints.

Two shift cable recalls reach these years. Recall 14V224 covers 2005-2008 G6s; dealers replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket. Its 1,131,113 vehicles started as a Saturn Aura recall that GM widened, so the count is not the G6's alone. Wikipedia sums it up as a shift cable that "may fracture." Recall 12V460 covers 2008-2010 G6s with the 4-speed automatic. Dealers fit a retainer over the cable end or replace the cable. Its 426,240 US vehicles include the Malibu and the Aura. Wikipedia says it grew out of a smaller 2011 recall on 2009 and 2009.5 cars.

2009-2010: stability control

The 2009 has 713 complaints and the 2010 has 272; the final model years simply had a shorter run in owners' hands. On the 2010, electronic stability control makes the top three with 31.

Recall 14V252 covers 2005-2010 G6s. Dealers attach a wiring harness to the body control module with a spacer and add dielectric lubricant. Its 2,440,524 vehicles cover the Malibu and other GM models as well. Recall 09V073 checks a shift cable clip on 2009 cars across nine GM models, 276,729 vehicles in all.

G6 complaints and recalls by model year

Our tally of NHTSA's owner-complaint download, October 10, 2026. Crash and fire columns count complaints with that box ticked. A recall that spans 2005-2009 shows up in each of those rows.

Across all years, after steering come the electrical system (610), exterior lighting (462), service brakes (380), air bags (334) and power train (190).

Repair it, or let it go?

Start with the cheap checks, then compare a repair quote with what a running G6 of the same year sells for.

1. Start at NHTSA's recall lookup. Steering, shift cable and stability control recalls all reach this car.
2. Steering assist gone? Get a written diagnosis before deciding. If the fix costs close to what the car is worth, see when repairs cost more than the car.
3. Stuck in Park, or the gear display is wrong? That points at the shift cable recalls above. The bad transmission guide covers the rest.
4. Lights or warnings acting up? The electrical problems guide helps you weigh it.

Selling the G6 whole

1. Note the G6's VIN, its mileage and what's wrong with it.
2. Ask for a G6 offer here, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe the spot: street, driveway, garage or lot. If the steering assist is gone, mention it so the driver comes ready. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Keep the G6 complete. Anything already pulled off lowers what it brings, as the missing parts guide explains.
5. On pickup day, sign the title over and show ID. Plate rules differ by state; after you sell lists them.

No title? Read selling with no title. Other Pontiacs: the Grand Prix, the Vibe, or every Pontiac we cover.