Pontiac G6 problems
The Pontiac G6 is a mid-size car that was produced by General Motors under the Pontiac brand. It was introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year to replace the Grand Am.
The G6 shared the GM Epsilon platform with the Chevrolet Malibu, Saab 9-3 and other General Motors vehicles. Features included a remote starting system (standard on GT, optional on base model), traction control/ABS, electronic stability control, automatic headlights as well as a panoramic sunroof option. A retractable hardtop convertible was offered for model years 2006-2009. Production ended in 2010 with the discontinuation of the Pontiac line.
With the G6, Pontiac introduced a two-digit naming convention, with the Pontiac G8 a class above the G6 and the Pontiac G5 a class below. In the case of the G6, the nameplate designated it as the sixth generation of its predecessor, the Pontiac Grand Am.
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Pontiac G6 model years
Common Pontiac G6 problems
The Pontiac G6 is a popular car model known for its sleek design and reliable performance. However, like any other vehicle, the G6 has its share of common problems that car owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most common issues with the Pontiac G6 based on complaints from owners:
- Faulty Power Steering: Some 2005 Pontiac G6 units have problems with their power steering, and this issue is also present in the 2006 and 2007 model years. Many of the affected owners encountered this problem at around 70,000 miles, but 2007 model year owners noticed this issue at around 100,000 miles. The problem is often due to a faulty power steering pump or a leak in the power steering system.
- Unresponsive Door Locks: Another common problem with the Pontiac G6 is unresponsive power locks. This issue affects various parts of the car's locking system, including the door locks and the trunk release. Owners have reported that the locks may stop working altogether or may only work intermittently.
- Unusual Noises: Some G6 owners have reported unusual noises coming from their cars, including grinding noises when turning, whining noises from the engine, and rattling noises from the dashboard. These noises can be caused by various factors, including worn-out brake pads, a damaged serpentine belt, or loose interior panels.
- Catalytic Converter Issues: Some G6 models have issues with their catalytic converters, which can cause the car to run poorly or fail emissions tests. This issue is often caused by a faulty oxygen sensor or a clogged catalytic converter.
In conclusion, while the Pontiac G6 is a reliable and popular car model, it is not without its share of common problems. Owners have reported issues with faulty lighting, faulty power steering, unresponsive door locks, unusual noises, and catalytic converter problems. If you are considering purchasing a Pontiac G6, it is essential to be aware of these common issues and to have any potential problems inspected and addressed by a qualified mechanic.
Is Pontiac G6 reliable?
Pontiac G6GT is a great reliable car
Rating breakdown (out of 5): Comfort 5.0. Interior 3.0. Performance 5.0.
Are Pontiac G6 expensive to fix?
The annual maintenance cost of a Pontiac G6 is $471. Repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and shop.
How many miles can a 2008 Pontiac G6 last?
How Long Will the 2008 Pontiac G6 Last? A well-maintained 2008 G6 will last around 150,000 miles, which is about 100,000 miles less than a Mazda6. Regular annual maintenance costs are high for a midsize car, according to Repair Pal, at $445 per year.
Why was the Pontiac G6 recalled?
Recall no. 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.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Pontiac G6 years
We have researched Pontiac problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Pontiac G6 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Pontiac G6 model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Pontiac G6 model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Pontiac G6 years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Pontiac G6 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Pontiac G6 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Service brakes problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Pontiac G6 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by G6 model years
A total of 240 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by G6 model years
There were a total of 79 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by G6 model years
There were a total of 150 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by G6 model years
There were a total of 6 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 5820 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Pontiac G6 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Pontiac G6 vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Pontiac G6 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: 1G2ZG558X64
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: While driving the vehicle, the break lights are on, when you stop, or press the break peddle, the break lights go out, therefore giving no warning to the vehicles behind you.
Pontiac G6 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-19
- VIN: 1G2ZG58B474
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: When driving the steering will just stop working it is hard to turn wheel or control steering. I was told there was a recall on the steering system. There is a electrical problems within the steering system.
Pontiac G6 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-18
- VIN: 1G2ZH158X64
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS
- Summary: I have had to get 3 new keys made for this car due to the security light coming on, sometimes it will not crank or start, so I have replaced the starter twice, have replaced relays and fuses, and the security light will come on while drive down the road and all gauges drop to zero, even the gas light says empty and every light on the dash comes on. But the car will still drive. But once you turn it off it will not start for a few hours! It’s impossible to find parts for Pontiac anymore so everything has to be ordered! This should’ve been recalled a long time ago!
Pontiac G6 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-11
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-13
- VIN: 1G2ZH158764
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: My brake light switch keeps going out which makes it to where my brake lights are on until i press on the brakes then the brake light goes off. i have a 06 G6. i have had it replaced two times and it went out again. has anyone had this problem and what can i do to make sure it doesnt keep going out. my mechanic says its the way it is designed but this has happened 3 times in three months!
Pontiac G6 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-26
- VIN: 1G2ZG58N674
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact's daughter owns a 2007 Pontiac G6. The contact stated while the driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure persisted while starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V064000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Pontiac G6 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-11
- VIN: 1G2ZH158864
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The electric power steering went out while driving. I could not steer the car. Very dangeres in traffic. The Torque Sensor failed which controls the power steering. There is a recall on the issue (#14772) but my Vin is not listed.
Pontiac G6 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-04
- VIN: 1G2ZF58B374
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Brake lights operate backwards at times, sometimes they operate normal. Sometimes not at all.
Pontiac G6 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-02
- VIN: 1G2ZF58B374
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Electric power Steering cut out without warning while driving but came back after restarting the car.
Pontiac G6 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-03
- VIN: 1G2ZH558264
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The cars power steering keeps going in and out as I’m driving down the road. I’ve noticed similar incidents reported concerning this issue and I am unsure why my vehicle is not included in the recalls.
Pontiac G6 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-22
- VIN: 1G2ZH158264
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Brake lights are illuminating when accelerating (when brake pedal is NOT depressed) and are NOT illuminating when actually braking (when brake pedal IS depressed). I found GM recalls for this, but they are not attributed to my car, hence the recall that took place for this was not wide enough / did not cover all vehicles affected. (Recall 80317) (A poor electrical connection at the brake light switch could result in various electrical issues, one of which would be the brake lights failing to work, increasing the risk of a crash. GM IS RECALLING 8,012 MY 2005-2006 PONTIAC G6 VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY BECAUSE OF CORROSION IN A WIRING CONNECTOR. CORROSION IN THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE THE BRAKE LAMPS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS NOT BEEN DEPRESSED, OR THE LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT ENGAGE, AND GREATER BRAKE PEDAL FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK.)
Pontiac G6 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-14
- VIN: 1G2ZG558764
- Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Nothing happened but I would like to get this fixed because of the open recalls
Pontiac G6 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-05
- VIN: 1G2ZM577784
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: About 6 months ago I believe I file a complaint about this same issue and here I am again. A few nights ago driving home from the movies with my kids out of nowhere my headlights go out so I had to use my fog lights to make it home. I can't understand how isn't this a safety issue and why hasn't anyone done anything about it or why isn't there a recall. What is the wait? Are we waiting for a tragedy to occur to then do something?? This is like the 3 or 4th time that it has happened. Where is the urgency on this matter?? Or will I have to make a petition with other G6 owners that also have had this issue?? Some feedback would be nice on what to do or do I have to continue to spend $$$ with 0 results. Would appreciate some response and some results.
Pontiac G6 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-25
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-02
- VIN: 1G2ZG57B194
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The power steering warning flashed on the radio and immediately the car was not controllable the car was stopped and restared and clicks now when turning the wheel but hasnt been driven becauseofthe steering and there are multiple recalls for this but this specific vin number is not included but has the eps that is referred to because it has a 2.4 l engine which only comes with eps
Pontiac G6 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-26
- VIN: 1G2ZF57B084
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The dashboard showed an error message regarding the power steering. I took it to my mechanic and they put it on the computer to scan. It came back with 2 error codes. The first one was DTC C0569 46. The second one was DTC C0460 00/4B. I was told the dealership would have to address the issue. They told me these codes were not covered by the recalled part they replaced. The car has approximately 81,500 miles. There doesn't appear to be a leak. At this time the steering is working. There is no stiffness or squealing. This first popped up on the screen about a month ago. I've been concerned about driving it until I know more.
Pontiac G6 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-08
- VIN: 1G2ZM577894
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: Timing Chain making noise...voltage fluctuations throughout all the car...cruise control will shut off if I got to use wipers or blinkers or even turn on the air system and lights will dim if you use power windows or have the radio up loud.
Latest 5 recalls Pontiac G6
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 31 recalls for different components of the Pontiac G6.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Pontiac G6 2006
- Report Received Date: 2015-02-04
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.
- Model: Pontiac G6 2007
- Report Received Date: 2015-02-04
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14772. Note: This is an expansion of recall 14V-153 to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.
- Model: Pontiac G6 2010
- Report Received Date: 2014-07-21
- Manufacturer: Dorman Products, Inc.
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Model: Pontiac G6 2008
- Report Received Date: 2014-07-21
- Manufacturer: Dorman Products, Inc.
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
- Model: Pontiac G6 2009
- Report Received Date: 2014-07-21
- Manufacturer: Dorman Products, Inc.
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
Latest negative Pontiac G6 car reviews
Latest positive Pontiac G6 car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2010
I'm so glad to hear that you've had such a great experience with your car! It's amazing that you've been able to drive 12,000 miles without any mechanical issues. The 3.6 liter engine sounds really impressive and I'm sure it's a lot of fun to drive. It's great to hear that you're getting such good gas mileage too. The leather interior, moonroof, and other features sound like they make for a really comfortable ride. It's a shame that Pontiac is no longer around to make cars like this one. Thanks for sharing your positive experience!
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Vehicle year: 2010
As a huge fan of Ford, I was pleasantly surprised to find a non-Ford vehicle that I could love just as much. From the moment I took it for a test drive, I was head over heels for this car. It performs great, handles smoothly in all situations, and has proven to be incredibly reliable. I was also thrilled to discover that it has impressive fuel economy. Overall, this car has many great perks and aspects to it.
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Vehicle year: 2009
I wasn't planning on getting a G6 but when we test drove one at the dealership I fell in love with it. It rides so amazingly, it has every feature I would want and more. The inside is so roomy and it is very sleek looking. It looks great on the outside too. It's a shame that Pontiac was discontinued, because this is seriously the best car I have ever owned. I don't even mind that it only gets about 21 mpg, because I just love it so much!
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Vehicle year: 2008
This car replaced a 2005 Altima 3.5SL. The Pontiac has a taut, smooth ride that doesn't feel too harsh. The transmission shifts very smoothly and the engine turns low rpms at highway speeds in 6th gear! The interior is nicely appointed and feels contemporary with a European influence. The longer wheelbase on this car compared to many of its direct competitors gives the Pontiac a more refined ride and drive. There's plenty of power on tap for any situation, which will put a smile on your face. All of this comes at a very competitive price. With the GXP package, Pontiac hit a home run! You can't go wrong with this vehicle in your garage.
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Vehicle year: 2005
I bought my Pontiac in 2010 when it was already 5 years old, but it had a great maintenance history and only 95k miles. It had just had its 100k tune-up with new plugs, wires, fluids, etc. and it has been a fantastic car ever since. The power is fantastic and the drive train has been very reliable. The interior is very nicely put together, unlike some of its predecessors at GM. Even after almost 200k miles, there are no tears in the seats, cracks in the dash, or paint coming off of switches. In my opinion, the interior is one of the best. The dash is clean and straightforward, not busy like most newer cars, which is not my style. The red LED gauges illuminate cleanly, unlike previous red interiors from GM. On the outside, the quality seems to be just as good. The paint still looks great and shines like new after 12 years. The suspension has been fair, and it handles very nicely. It's a comfortable car, but it's had its problems, which I will go into detail about soon. Despite these issues, I cannot complain at all. Now for the problems. At 10k, it developed a leak in the heater core that was very expensive to fix. The third heater core has been good to me so far. At 160k, I had to replace the fuel pump as it had developed a crack in the line molded to the top of it. The pump still worked fine but required replacing the whole unit because of the tube. At 180k, I had to replace the tie rod ends and left lower control arm, but I believe this had to do with terrible Oklahoma roads, not poor design. The steering column has a rattle when you hit a bump that I could never fix. Also, the headlamps and connectors required replacing as they had corroded in the connector and shorted out. Lastly, it has developed a small oil leak that I noticed when changing the oil, and I have yet to access and fix this problem. These have been the problems I have encountered so far.I think I made a great purchase when I bought my car for $8000. Although I have spent around $2000 on repairs, I have been driving it for almost 6 years now. I absolutely love my car! I hope I am as lucky as the person who commented before me and reach 338k miles. That is an amazing mileage for any car. An update from September 2018, I hit a deer while driving at 70 mph last November. However, I was able to pull the hood back straight, replace the headlights, and keep on rolling. I had just switched to liability. Since my last update, I had to replace the front wheel bearings and it will need a brake caliper soon. So far, my car has driven 227k miles.
Are you having problems with your Pontiac G6?
Urban Boyle 2025-02-18
Vehicle year: 2010
The interior of the G6 lacks quality materials, such as the thin leather that feels fragile to the touch. The sports package is also disappointing, with only half electric seats and a difficult handle to adjust the seats. However, the car still has its merits, such as the classic exterior look, great engine, and good value for the money. As a proud American, I chose to support GM and its unique style.
Quincy Will 2025-02-16
Vehicle year: 2005
When I first saw this car, I was really excited to have it. It was sporty, roomy, and affordable. However, I have had to bring it in for repairs several times, including a ball joint and power steering column replacement, random light bulb replacements, keyless entry failure, belt replacement, and shock replacement. It's frustrating that these issues have come up, especially since the car isn't even that old. I also purchased the model with the panoramic sunroof, but unfortunately, it's quite noisy. Despite these issues, I'm grateful that I bought an extended warranty.
Elian McLaughlin 2025-01-28
Vehicle year: 2005
Congratulations on your new 2005 g6! I hope you're enjoying it so far. I understand that you've noticed a few things, including some rattling and creaking noises when driving over speed bumps. That can be frustrating, but I'm sure there are solutions available. Additionally, you mentioned concerns about the sunroof leaking, but I'm sure that won't be an issue. If you do have any problems, though, I'm sure there are ways to address them. Overall, I hope you continue to enjoy your new car!
Malcolm Walker 2025-01-28
Vehicle year: 2006
Just got my G6 and so far it's a good car. I'm having a couple of issues though - my stereo cuts out a lot, but only the front speakers seem to be affected. Also, when I'm going 55 mph, my rpms are at 3000. I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing these issues or if it's just my little 4 cylinder. It seems like the rpms are a bit high and I think I could get better gas mileage if they were lower. Has anyone else noticed this? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Jessie Boehm 2025-01-08
Vehicle year: 2005
I bought this car in October '21 with 180K miles. Solid driving car on both highway and city drives. I have had to replace some wheel bearings on the front driver wheel, replace the electric window motor on the driver side, and replace the water pump (Autozone is a godsend for parts, and I got lucky to find a solid and fair mechanic). Sadly as of 6/2022, the EVAP issues and the transmission issues got to be too much and the car stalled out multiple times, even after a purge valve, a shifter cable, and the starter were all replaced. Pros- Comfortable RideGood maneuveringHas moon roof.Heated seatsCan fit tall people inside.Cons-Hard to see behind the car when backing up due to the elevated rear.Bumpy ride sometimes (namely potholes and unpaved roads).TRANS ISSUES.EVAP issues that make the gas mileage horrible (15 mpg? Nah).