MotorDeets

2008 Pontiac G6: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2008 Pontiac G6: 4 recalls, 1079 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.

4vehicle recalls
1079owner complaints
37mention a crash
25best combined mpg
2008 Pontiac G6
Photo: Elise240SX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #12V460000 · 2012 · 426,240 vehicles

What's wrong: On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end May fracture and separate.

Why it matters: 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…

The 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.

Steering Vehicle recall #14V153000 · 2014 · 1,373,177 vehicles

What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, there May be a sudden loss of electric power steering (eps) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Why it matters: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. Gm expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin…

Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V224000 · 2014 · 1,131,113 vehicles

What's wrong: On May 22, 2014, gm increased the recall to include an additional 1,074,899 model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007, model year 2004-2007 malibu maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, and model year 2005-2008 Pontiac g6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed…

Why it matters: If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection May not match the indicated gear and the vehicle May move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the…

The fix: Gm will notify owners, and gm dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Stability control, Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #14V252000 · 2014 · 2,440,524 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

The 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…

1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Steering Equipment recall #14E044000 · 2014 · 7,304 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: 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.

The 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 19 mention a fire, 22 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.

Steering419
Exterior lights243
Electrical225
Brakes122
Airbags101
Transmission & drivetrain83
Speed control / throttle67
Fuel & propulsion52

What owners describe

The 2008 Pontiac G6 has 1079 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 9 G6 model years for complaints (1.6× the average G6 year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (191 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 79,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (1232 complaints, 4 recalls), 2009 (713 complaints, 4 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.4 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive223025Regular
3.5 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive182922Regular
3.5 L 6-cylAutomatic (S4)Front-Wheel Drive172620Regular
3.6 L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive172620Regular
3.9 L 6-cylAutomatic (S4)Front-Wheel Drive152218Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Pontiac G6.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2008 Pontiac G6 manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2008 Pontiac G6 manual

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FAQ

Does the 2008 Pontiac G6 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Pontiac G6, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2008 Pontiac G6 problems?

Owners have filed 1079 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (419), exterior lights (243), electrical (225).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Pontiac G6 get?

EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2008 Pontiac G6 repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other G6 years

200320042005200620072008200920102014