26th Dec 2008, 21:29
The handling of front-drive cars on snow or ice is grossly over-hyped. We have a couple of rear drive vehicles and a front-drive GM compact. If we have even a hint of snow or ice, the front-driver stays home. It flops around on snow or ice like a fish out of water. Our rear drive SUV just digs in and goes with no problems at all.
We've owned several front drive vehicles from each of the Big Three and Honda. None of them were worth a hoot on snow or ice. Just about ANY of our rear drive vehicles were better, regardless of the vehicle's size or weight.
6th Jan 2009, 14:01
Similar issues with 2006 G5 Pursuit. Have had the control arm bushings fail about every 25-30000km, and all replaced every time. GM blamed "pot holes", but I have never had this kind of problem with any other vehicle before.
A friend bought a Cobalt 07, and had the same issue after 34000km, and another with an 05 pursuit - same issue.
I do enjoy driving the car aside from this however. Don't find I have any problems driving in the winter though.
15th Jan 2009, 03:20
My car is a 06 Pursuit GT Coupe. It now has 60000Kms on it, except for a squeaky glove box which dealer fixed under warranty, it runs perfect.
All the suspension problems I heard are from base models. Probably due to that GT has a different suspension.
7th Feb 2009, 13:02
I have a 2007 G5, the only problem I've had are the control arm bushings. The right one gave out after 28000 Km, and the left I have just replaced after 32000 km.
11th Feb 2009, 11:24
I just bought a 2006 Pursuit G5 coupe. Nice little car. Great pickup! It is making a sound that no one seems to know what it is. Is sounds like a vent opening and closing and it does this noise even when I am parked. Does anyone know what it might be?
30th Apr 2009, 19:52
I have 2007 G5 and it has had a control arm replaced, on the drivers side, control arm bushings replaced on the drivers side once and the passenger side twice. It has the same symptoms now on the drivers side again.
It has over 60000 now, so the last time it was fixed it was not under warranty and it has to go in again.
I also had to a wheel bearing replaced in the passenger side. It has been dealer maintained and they say it is because of the roads. My other car has over 200000kms on it and never had any of these kind of problems.
I have talked to several other owners of the G5, and they are having the same problem. Are there any after market bushings that can fix this from happening, or any other fix?
2nd Jun 2009, 14:53
I have a 2008 Pontiac G5. I had to have the shifter replaced at 12,000 km, and I have a flat spot where the car drops in rpm.
I have taken it to the dealer, but was told there was nothing wrong with it, does anyone else have this problem? I now have 20,000 km on the car.
I do like the ride and the look of the car.
23rd Aug 2009, 13:54
I own a 06 G5 Pursuit and I find this to be a good working car. I drove to Florida and back to Nova Scotia twice now, and I didn't have one problem yet. 95,000 km and runs like a top.
24th Aug 2009, 14:59
My '08 Civic handles great in the snow! And I live in New England, in an area that is rarely plowed. The only road into town is plowed so poorly, that there's is always at least 2 inches of frozen slush on it. My Civic handles it like a champ. Last winter, I passed a 2WD Ranger that was stuck spinning its tires while trying to climb a hill.
12th Nov 2009, 12:50
I own a 2008 G5, and at 75,000 km the right control arm bushing went.
At 80,000 km the left control arm and both sway bar links went.
And now at 84,000, I have another control arm bushing gone.
15th Nov 2009, 14:37
I have a 2007 Pontiac G5 with 92,000 kms on it and so far I have had to replace the control arm bushing 5 times, more so on the passenger's side. As we speak I have to go in again for the sixth time and get my driver's side control arm bushing replaced and I refuse to pay for it this time! I think it has always been a problem since I got the car and it needs to be addressed, so that I don't have this problem again. This should really be a recall from GM.
29th Jan 2010, 20:25
We bought a 2006 G5 Pursuit brand new.
We had the front end replaced before 20 000 KM.
Had brake job done before 30 000. They changed the rotors and all.
Here it is 3 1/2 years later, with the car not completely paid, and the motor went. The crank let go. This was the biggest piece of junk we ever bought. We had a Nissan Sentra that we bought 2nd hand and drove that for 4 years. My husband wanted to have a safer car for me since I have a 30 minute drive to work. My old Sentra was a better car than the new Pursuit. We still owe $2000, and the dealer offered us $500 for it.
6th Apr 2010, 14:00
I have a 2007 G5; it has 16000 on it. I replaced the lower control arm bushing 5 times and they are gone; now this will make it 6. The struts have been replaced last December and need to be replaced again. Now the daytime running lights do not work and the part for it cost 565.00. The link kits have also been replaced. I would not buy another GM car. I have a daughter who had a 2006 G6 BEAN; nothing but trouble with it. She had to take GM to small claims court before they would fix it.
Amherst, NS.
7th Apr 2010, 08:39
Are you kidding? Did all of your front wheel drive vehicles have bald tires?
Here in New England, you had better have front wheel drive, AWD, or 4WD in the winter. Unless of course you like to get out and push.
18th Jan 2011, 17:05
This car is the biggest mistake I have ever made.
I'm on my 5th steering column, had countless front end repairs as well as countless computer issues. So much trouble and stress.
I'll never buy another GM vehicle.
9th Jan 2013, 16:55
Hi, I live in Canada with winter weather, and I bought a brand new 2008 Pontiac G5 in 2008.
Almost 5 years later, my car has 270 000 km, and the only things I've repaired are some bushings and suspension for about 1000$. I really love my car for this eternal life.
Before that in 2003, I got a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire and did 350 000 km with it. I was so amazed.
4th Jul 2014, 06:36
I have a 2006 Pontiac G5 Pursuit. 69k on it.
Control arm bushings failed because the bushings are sealed. No grease nipples. So they eventually just dry up.
Both control arms have to be replaced. $700 job. Definitely a GM design flaw.
If those control arm bushings had grease nipples, this would never happen.
15th Dec 2008, 10:51
I've had this car in now 3 times for the same problem, and it still isn't fixed. I took it to a regular mechanic to have him diagnose the problem, he seems to think it's the lower control arm bushings, or the steering column. I too noticed the car handles VERY poorly in winter conditions. My car has Hancook tires on it (they came with it from the factory) and is pretty well sliding all over the place when I drive anything over 40 km/h...or the traction control kicks in and stays on, that's a pain too. I've also now noticed a low, high pitched whining sound. I thought at first it was coming from the heating system, but I'm not so sure now. Only 33,000 kms on this car.