Owners have filed 248 complaints
about the 2006 Pontiac GTO with NHTSA between 2006 and 2016.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the Pontiac GTO. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 10
2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
95% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Front
7247.4%
Macpherson Strut
7046.1%
Stabilizer BAR
32.0%
Clutch Assembly
21.3%
Rear
21.3%
Pressure Monitoring AND Regulating Systems
10.7%
Markings
10.7%
Shock Absorber
10.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
10446.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
5223.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
3716.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
2812.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
10.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
10.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
20.9%
150,000+ miles
10.4%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2006 Pontiac GTO 2-DR.
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2006peak 75May 2016
NHTSA investigations into the 2006 Pontiac GTO
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE07010Opened 16 Feb 2007Closed 8 Aug 2007SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT STRUT TO TIRE INTERFERENCE
NOTE: THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY COUNTS GIVEN IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS RESUME INCLUDE ALL RECORDS RELATED TO TIRE WEAR AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ARE NOT LIMITED TO TIRE-STRUT CONTACT.GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IDENTIFIED TWO CONTRIBUTORS TO PREMATURE FRONT TIRE WEAR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTORS CAUSING THE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION NEGATIVE CAMBER.GM STATED THAT EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER COULD BE CAUSED BY IMPROPER CAMBER SETTINGS FROM THE FACTORY OR BENDING OF THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES DUE TO SHARP ROAD IMPACT (I.E., SEVERE POT HOLES).TO IMPROVE CAMB...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 86,000 milesST George, UTCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT INVESTIGATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,128.
NHTSA complaint #10604526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,500 milesWyckoff, NJCrash
SUSPENSION
HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. I OWN A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS UNDER 25K MILES ON IT AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO SETS OF TIRES BLOW OUT ON ME DUE TO INNER TIRE WEAR. I HAVE OWNED MY CAR FOR LESS THEN 1.5 YEARS AND I HAVE PUT UNDER 19K MILES ON IT. AS FAR AS I KNOW, I AM NOT THE GTO OWNER WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WHICH IS CAUSING THESE TIRE PROBLEMS HAS TO DO WITH BAD SUSPENSION. I BEG YOU TO HELP BY HAVING GM CONTACT GTO OWNERS AND PUT A RECALL ON THESE CARS. HOW CAN GM GET AWAY THIS? THE FIRST TIME MY TIRE BLOW OUT I FIGURED THE TIRE WAS BAD B/C THE CAR WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAD 5XXX MILES ON IT. THE SECOND TIME I HAD A BLOW OUT, I WAS WITH A LOVED AND NEARLY HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AFTER I AVOIDED HITTING AN ON COMING CAR. MY TIRES ARE ROTATED REGULARLY AND MY ALIGNMENT IS SET JUST AS OFTEN. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I BEG FOR YOUR SUPPORT, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PLEASE PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10350662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesSeabeck, WACrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I TOOK MY 2006 GTO INTO THE DEALER IN JAN. 2009 FOR SOME WARRANTY REPAIR WORK ON THE FAN SWITCH. WHILE PERFORMING A SAFETY INSPECTION THE DEALER NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE AND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT WEAR ON THE INNER TREAD. I HAD NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND AS I WENT OVER SPEED BUMPS OR TURNED TIGHT LIKE YOU WOULD IN A PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT. I ASKED IF THEY WERE RELATED AND THE SERVICE ATTENDANT SAID POSSIBLY, BUT THAT ALL THE GTOS MADE NOISE WHEN CRANKING THE WHEEL BECAUSE OF THE WIDE TIRES. I ASKED IF THE STRUT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEY SAID NO, IT WAS SOME TYPE OF FRONT END DAMAGE THAT CAUSED IT. THE CAR HAD A FENDER BENDER IN NOV. 2006, BUT IT WAS RE-ALIGNED IN DEC. 2006. NO MENTION WAS MADE AT THE TIME THAT THE STRUT RUBBED ON THE TIRE. I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED RIGHT AWAY SO I WASN'T DRIVING IT UNTIL I APRIL 2009 WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES MADE IT MY ONLY VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING, I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES SUDDENLY SHUDDER IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND PULL VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT. ON MAY 8, 2009 AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A STOP, AS I STARTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL THE CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT ONTO THE SHOULDER. I TRIED TO STEER IT BACK ONTO THE ROAD AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE INTO THE DITCH. A PASSERBY PULLED THE CAR OUT OF THE DITCH AND I LIMPED IT BACK TO A FRIENDS HOUSE WHERE WE JACKED IT UP AND INSPECTED IT. IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE AND OTHER THAN THE UNUSUALLY WORN TIRE EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE. I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND STILL DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED, SO IT IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS DILEMMA. IS PONTIAC, GM OR MACPHERSON LOOKING INTO THIS?
NHTSA complaint #10273773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesSeabeck, WACrash
STEERING
I TOOK MY 2006 GTO INTO THE DEALER IN JAN. 2009 FOR SOME WARRANTY REPAIR WORK ON THE FAN SWITCH. WHILE PERFORMING A SAFETY INSPECTION THE DEALER NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE AND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT WEAR ON THE INNER TREAD. I HAD NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND AS I WENT OVER SPEED BUMPS OR TURNED TIGHT LIKE YOU WOULD IN A PARKING LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT. I ASKED IF THEY WERE RELATED AND THE SERVICE ATTENDANT SAID POSSIBLY, BUT THAT ALL THE GTOS MADE NOISE WHEN CRANKING THE WHEEL BECAUSE OF THE WIDE TIRES. I ASKED IF THE STRUT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND THEY SAID NO, IT WAS SOME TYPE OF FRONT END DAMAGE THAT CAUSED IT. THE CAR HAD A FENDER BENDER IN NOV. 2006, BUT IT WAS RE-ALIGNED IN DEC. 2006. NO MENTION WAS MADE AT THE TIME THAT THE STRUT RUBBED ON THE TIRE. I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED RIGHT AWAY SO I WASN'T DRIVING IT UNTIL I APRIL 2009 WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES MADE IT MY ONLY VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING, I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES SUDDENLY SHUDDER IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND PULL VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT. ON MAY 8, 2009 AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN FROM A STOP, AS I STARTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL THE CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT ONTO THE SHOULDER. I TRIED TO STEER IT BACK ONTO THE ROAD AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO SLIDE INTO THE DITCH. A PASSERBY PULLED THE CAR OUT OF THE DITCH AND I LIMPED IT BACK TO A FRIENDS HOUSE WHERE WE JACKED IT UP AND INSPECTED IT. IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE AND OTHER THAN THE UNUSUALLY WORN TIRE EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE. I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND STILL DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED, SO IT IS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS DILEMMA. IS PONTIAC, GM OR MACPHERSON LOOKING INTO THIS?
NHTSA complaint #10273773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 182,000 milesOverland Park, KS
POWER TRAIN
MY 2006 PONTIAC CABLE SHIFTER WAS INSPECTED SOME TIME ON NOVEMBER 2014! PROBLEM IS THE CABLE SHIFTER ON MAY 1 2016! THE CABLE SHIFTER WAS OUT OF POSITION AND MY CAR WOUDN'T START! 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! I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO SUPPOSEDLY INSPECTED THAT PART OR EVEN FIXED SAID THAT THEY ARE LIABLE SINCE IT WAS ALREADY DONE IN NOVEMBER OF 2014! I WOULD TO SEND A COMPLAINT REGARDING ROBERT BROGDEN BUICK GMC AT 913-782-1500 THEY DID NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS PART!! IF THEY DID IT WAS A DEFECT PART! THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10863248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesNederland, TX
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 10/19/2015
NHTSA complaint #10733609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesWilmington, NC
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME LOOSE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
NHTSA complaint #10670426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesWilmington, NC
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME LOOSE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
NHTSA complaint #10670426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,707 milesLAS Vegas, NV
SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 2006 GTO THAT WAS MAKING A LOUD HUMMING NOISE BETWEEN 20 AND 50 MPH AFTER A 5,600 MILE ROAD TRIP WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE PREMATURE TREAD WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE (APPROX. 2" WIDTH) OF EACH TIRE, WITH THE REMAINING TREAD ON EACH TIRE EXHIBITING NORMAL WEAR. THESE WERE STOCK-SIZE, 2 YEAR-OLD DUNLOP DIREZZA DZ101 TIRES ON THE STOCK 17" WHEELS WITH 18,276 MILES ON THEM. AFTER SEEING THIS I CHECKED THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR THAT I KEPT FOR ORIGINALITY AND THEY EXHIBITED WEAR ON THE INSIDE TREAD AS WELL; IT WAS JUST NOT AS NOTICEABLE. I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, HAD THE DEALER PERFORM A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND EVERYTHING WAS IN SPECIFICATION. SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT OFFER A SOLUTION I STARTED CHECKING ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I THEN EMAILED GM PRIORITY CARE AND THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING THE TIRES WERE AT FAULT SINCE THEY WERE NOT ORIGINAL TO THE CAR AND THAT GM WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH I GAVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FROM OTHER PEOPLE, ALONG WITH EVIDENCE OF THE SAME WEAR ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES. I THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION ON THESE CARS HAVE QUITE A BIT OF NEGATIVE CAMBER BUILT-IN AND THAT THE CAMBER IS NOT FIELD ADJUSTABLE, SO THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS AT GREAT EXPENSE THAT ALLOW CAMBER ADJUSTMENT. FINALLY, I EMAILED GM PRIORITY CARE AGAIN, EXPLAINED THE NEGATIVE CAMBER ISSUE TO THEM AND ASKED THEM WHICH TIRES I SHOULD PUT ON THE CAR TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN (THE STOCK TIRES ARE NO LONGER MADE), BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. SO NOW I MUST DISMOUNT THE TIRES AT EVERY ROTATION TO EVEN-OUT THE WEAR AND HOPEFULLY PREVENT PREMATURE FAILURE. AS A SIDE NOTE, GM REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION WITH MY CAR IN ANY CAPACITY EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL UNDER THE EXTENDED GMPP MAJOR GUARD WARRANTY UNTIL JULY 2016!
NHTSA complaint #10660176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesDallas, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FRACTURED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRILLED TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR WEEKS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10620941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesDallas, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER FRACTURED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRILLED TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR WEEKS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10620941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesST George, UTCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT INVESTIGATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,128.
NHTSA complaint #10604526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesPost Falls, ID
SUSPENSION
MY TIRES ON MY 2006 GTO ARE WEARING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AND BLOWING OUT MY TIRE IT APPEARS TO BE RUBBING ON THE STRUTS I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES AND HAD ALIGNMENTS DONE AND THE NEW TIRES ARE DOING THE SAME THING IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH A CAR BLOWING OUT A FRONT TIRE LIKE THIS I ALMOST CAUSED A SEVER ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10425143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesHigh Point, NC
TIRES
BLOW OUT OF RIGHT REAR TIRE ON 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH FACTORY BRIDGESTONE POTENZA 18 TIRES WITH 22,000 MILES ON THEM. INSIDE TREAD SEVERELY WORN BEFORE THE REST OF THE TIRE CAUSING A TEAR ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. THIS WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL AFTER THE BLOW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10397296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,581 milesWest Haven, CT
STEERING
2006 GTO ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 4YRS. COUPLE DAYS AGO IT STARTED TO LEAK FLUID UNDER THE CAR. TOOK IT IN TO GET CHECKED OUT AND AFTER ONLY 31,500 MILES ON THE CAR GM TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK IS LEAKING ALL THE MOUNTS ARE CRACKED. POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED!!! GUY ALSO DECIDED TO TELL ME THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS KIND OF CAR HAS HAD A PROBLEM! HE SAID THE GTO'S AND G8'S HAVE HAD POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. I SAID WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS? HE SAID GM COULD POSSIBLY HAVE ONE IN THE FEATURE. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A $1,500 BILL THE GM KNOWS ABOUT. GM TECHNICIAN ALSO SAID YOUR POWER STEERING COULD FAIL AT ANYTIME RESULTING IN LOSS CONTROL OF YOU VEHICLE AND POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY. I COULD OF CRASHED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF FAULTY PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10379773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesWest Haven, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2006 GTO AND HAD ENGINE MOUNT PROBLEM. ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND BROUGHT IT IN TO BE CHECK OUT BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING OIL. COME TO FIND OUT WITH ONLY 17,000 MILES THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE CRACKED AND BLOWN OUT LEAKING OIL EVERYWHERE. GM TECHNICIAN SAID A LOT OF THESE CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY A NEW CAR HAS THAT SERIOUS OF A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10379775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesBartow, FL
SUSPENSION
I WISH TO KNOW WHY NHTSA DID NOT HAVE A RECALL OF PONTIAC GTO'S FOR THE YEARS 2004, 2005, AND 2006..WHEN 200+ COMPLAINTS WERE FILED ABOUT FRONT SUSPENSION AND EXTREME TIRE WEAR..
NHTSA complaint #10375298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,750 milesMoore, OK
WHEELS
I FOUND THAT 3 OF THE WHEELS ON MY 2006 PONTIAC GTO HAVE CRACKS. 2 WHEELS HAVE ONE SPOKE CRACKED COMPLETELY THOUGH AND ONE IS STARTING. THERE IS NO OTHER DAMAGE ON THE WHEELS. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL 18X8 OPTIONAL WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10367181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,500 milesWyckoff, NJCrash
SUSPENSION
HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. I OWN A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS UNDER 25K MILES ON IT AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO SETS OF TIRES BLOW OUT ON ME DUE TO INNER TIRE WEAR. I HAVE OWNED MY CAR FOR LESS THEN 1.5 YEARS AND I HAVE PUT UNDER 19K MILES ON IT. AS FAR AS I KNOW, I AM NOT THE GTO OWNER WITH THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WHICH IS CAUSING THESE TIRE PROBLEMS HAS TO DO WITH BAD SUSPENSION. I BEG YOU TO HELP BY HAVING GM CONTACT GTO OWNERS AND PUT A RECALL ON THESE CARS. HOW CAN GM GET AWAY THIS? THE FIRST TIME MY TIRE BLOW OUT I FIGURED THE TIRE WAS BAD B/C THE CAR WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAD 5XXX MILES ON IT. THE SECOND TIME I HAD A BLOW OUT, I WAS WITH A LOVED AND NEARLY HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AFTER I AVOIDED HITTING AN ON COMING CAR. MY TIRES ARE ROTATED REGULARLY AND MY ALIGNMENT IS SET JUST AS OFTEN. THIS ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I BEG FOR YOUR SUPPORT, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND PLEASE PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10350662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,948 milesFort Wayne, IN
TIRES
I JUST FOUND OUT MY GTO HAD THIS PROBLEM WHEN I STARTED HAVING MANY OTHER NUMEROUS PROBLEMS COSMETICALLY WITH MY CAR BY RESEARCHING MY PROBLEMS ON THE GTO FORUMS ONLINE. I OWN A 2006 PONTIAC GTO THAT HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED, IS ORIGINAL STOCK, IS NOT RACED OR BEAT ON, BUT HAS BEEN BABIED. BACK ON 5/10/2008 I HAD A TIRED BLOW OUT WITH ONLY 15,948MILES ON MY CAR. ON 8/30/2008 I HAD ANOTHER TIRE THAT WOULD NOT HOLD AIR AND HAD TO GET IT REPLACED WITH THEN ONLY HAVING 18,721 MILES ON THE CAR. AT THE TIME I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT STRUTS RUBBING ON THE TIRES ON THIS CAR AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR AT THE TIME AND PERSONALLY I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THERE BEING SOMETHING WRONG, I GUESS I JUST ASSUMED BAD LUCK THEN BUT I DID FIND IT ODD. HOWEVER, ON 7/26/2010, WHEN I STARTED HAVING MY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR, I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE STRUTS RUBBING ON TIRES AND HAD MY DEALERSHIP LIFT MY CAR UP TO SEE IF IT HAD THIS PROBLEM; AND MY GTO DID. GM WOULD ONLY PAY 50% OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I EXPLAINED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THEY WERE LUCKY 2YRS AGO THAT I DIDN'T HURT MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. BUT AT THE SAME TIME I UNDERSTAND THEY CAN NOT PROVE SINCE IT'S BEEN 2YRS NOW THAT THE STRUTS WERE THE CAUSE THEN, HOWEVER, IT'S KIND OF FUNNY HOW MY CAR HAD THE STRUT TIRE RUB ISSUE AND I HAD TIRE LEAKAGE AND A BLOW OUT WITH VERY LOW MILES BACK IN 08. I CURRENTLY HAVE 27,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND I STILL HAVE 2 OF THE ORIGINAL BF GOODRICH TIRES AND TWO THAT ARE NEW AND A DIFFERENT BRAND. THE TWO BF GOODRICH TIRES THAT I HAVE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR NEW, DO NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY TOO ARE NOT LASTING. I'M VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO GM IN THE PAST AND THEY NEVER DID A RECALL ON IT. ITS NOT FAIR TO ME THAT THEY POSSIBLY ONLY LOOK AT MY LIFE AS BEING WORTH 50% AND NOW THEY HAVE COST ME A FULL SET OF TIRES THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED PROBABLY ATLEAST TO AROUND 40,000-50,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10349325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,106 milesST Pete Beach, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION STRUT FAILED. OIL LEAKED OUT ON SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE. THERE WAS NO ACTIVITY PRIOR TO FAILURE THAT WOULD LEAD TO UNIT BEING UNDER ABNORMAL STRESS. THERE ARE ONLY 19000 MILES ON VEHICLE. BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED WITH MONROE UNITS AS I WOULD HAVE NO FAITH IN STANDARD UNITS.
NHTSA complaint #10336034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesWest Hills, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GTO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MILES PER HOUR THE CONTACT NOTICED THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHEN HE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER REGARDING RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48000.
NHTSA complaint #10335677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,500 milesPhenix City, AL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
STRUTS LEAKING OIL- STRUTS BUSHING COLLAPSED- NO RECALLS FROM GMC SEEMS ALOT PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH 06 PONTIAC GTO.
NHTSA complaint #10334077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH JUST OVER 14,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE DONE AND THE CAR WAS UP ON A LIFT. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO COME LOOK AT SOMETHING. HE SHOWED ME THAT THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS WORN TO THE POINT THAT THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING THROUGH THE TIRE. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE INSIDES OF MY OTHER TIRES WERE SHOWING WEAR BUT NOT NEAR AS BADLY AS THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. HE STATED TO ME THAT THE ONLY CAUSE OF THIS WAS TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED BY AN ALIGNMENT SHOP THAT TELLS ME THAT THE ALIGNMENT IS IN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. I HAD TO PAY FOR FOUR NEW TIRES AT DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY HERE IN PHOENIX. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET AND MANY OTHER GTO OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I AM HAVING. PONTIAC NEEDS TO RESEARCH THIS AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE.
NHTSA complaint #10323724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
TIRES
I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH JUST OVER 14,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE DONE AND THE CAR WAS UP ON A LIFT. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO COME LOOK AT SOMETHING. HE SHOWED ME THAT THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS WORN TO THE POINT THAT THE STEEL BELTS WERE SHOWING THROUGH THE TIRE. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE INSIDES OF MY OTHER TIRES WERE SHOWING WEAR BUT NOT NEAR AS BADLY AS THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. HE STATED TO ME THAT THE ONLY CAUSE OF THIS WAS TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED BY AN ALIGNMENT SHOP THAT TELLS ME THAT THE ALIGNMENT IS IN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. I HAD TO PAY FOR FOUR NEW TIRES AT DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY HERE IN PHOENIX. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET AND MANY OTHER GTO OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I AM HAVING. PONTIAC NEEDS TO RESEARCH THIS AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE.
NHTSA complaint #10323724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesSanta ANA, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I BOUGHT MY 2006 PONTIAC GTO END OF JULY 2006, AND SINCE THEN THERE HAS BEEN A CLICKING NOISE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS IT WAS THE STRUT MAKING THE NOISE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN OVER 3 TIMES FOR THE SAME NOISE, BUT THE NOISE STILL REMAINS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT STRUT BECAUSE IT COMPLETE CAME OUT. SHORTLY AFTER THE STRUT WAS REPLACED I HAD A TIRE COMPLETELY POP. I HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES (NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE). SECOND PROBLEM, THE SWAY BAR HAD TO BE REPLACE. IT STARTED AS CLICKING NOISES, TURNED INTO RATTLING, AND THE SHAKING OF THE VECHILE WHEN IN DRIVE. THIRD PROBLEM, GAS DOOR FELL OFF BY ITSELF AND SO DID AC VENT ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR. FOURTH, THE KEYS DON'T ALWAYS UNLOCK THE DOOR WHEN THE UNLOCK BUTTON IS PRESSED. FIFTH, THE UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON INSIDE GETS STUCK. SIXTH, THE ORANGE TAB ON THE SHIFTER WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO RIGHT GEAR (DEALERSHIP HAD TO FIX). FINALLY, THE WINDSHEILD SPRAYERS WERE SPRAYING OVER THE WINDOWS AND THAT TOO HAD TO BE FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10322898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesPalm Coast, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN REPLACING A "FLAT" TIRE ON MY 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH STANDARD 17" WHEELS AND ORIGINAL TIRES (APPROX. 26K MILES), I NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED BEYOND THE BELTS. WHEN I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED, TWO ADDITIONAL TIRES WERE FOUND IN EVEN WORSE CONDITION - ALL WERE SHREDDED ON THE INNER SIDE. ONE TIRE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED, WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. I REMEMBER THAT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING "STRUT RUB" ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WHEELS. I MADE SURE THIS WAS ADDRESSED AND THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED AN ALIGNMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECS. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT EVERY OIL CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IT APPEARS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, THE SOLUTION IS NOT A CURE. WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT KEEPS ON SHREDDING TIRES - THAT IS NOT VERY SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10320401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesPalm Coast, FL
TIRES
WHEN REPLACING A "FLAT" TIRE ON MY 2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH STANDARD 17" WHEELS AND ORIGINAL TIRES (APPROX. 26K MILES), I NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED BEYOND THE BELTS. WHEN I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED, TWO ADDITIONAL TIRES WERE FOUND IN EVEN WORSE CONDITION - ALL WERE SHREDDED ON THE INNER SIDE. ONE TIRE THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED, WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. I REMEMBER THAT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING "STRUT RUB" ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WHEELS. I MADE SURE THIS WAS ADDRESSED AND THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED AN ALIGNMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECS. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT EVERY OIL CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IT APPEARS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, THE SOLUTION IS NOT A CURE. WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT KEEPS ON SHREDDING TIRES - THAT IS NOT VERY SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10320401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
BRAKES SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10304313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.