2008 Pontiac G5: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 115 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel/propulsion system (24% of complaints); the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the occupant detection module was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, IG Burton (1 Automotive Blvd, Elkton, MD 21921), and IG Burton (6913 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061). The dealers informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was no longer in production. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 53,150.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2026
“The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that the message "Service Air Bag" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers, including Burton Buick GMC of Elkton (1 Automotive Blvd, Elkton, MD 21921), where it was diagnosed with Passenger Presence System (PPS) module failure; however, the contact was informed that the part was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2025
“Not sure if ignition has ever been changed but I've been reading that there is a recall on my eps system as to that matter I have no power steering and would like to kno if it will be covered if I take it to gm dealership close to me”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that while making a right turn in an intersection the vehicle failed to accelerate causing a crash with a second vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a shoulder and back injury and the passenger sustained a left torso injury which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was undetermined.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2023
“The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that while driving at 2 MPH, the steering wheel had become firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not towed or taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,400.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2023
“The airbag warning light came on having no prior issues with the car. The car was taken to the local GM dealer, [XXX]. Diagnostics have revealed the Passenger Presence Module may be defective and was not communicating with the SDM. The passenger airbag goes into default mode and turns the airbag off, posing a safety threat to a front passenger. This symptom first appeared August 2022. The vehicle had approximately 120,000 miles on it. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2022
“The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated while driving the vehicle into the garage, there was an abnormal gasoline fumes odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with rusted fuel lines from underneath the engine to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2022
“Car leaks gas toward front of car driver side after it has been running. It also has an odor of gas radiating around the car after it has been run. This car has been recalled for this problem in regionally hot states. Gm alan adler said they would repair cars that has the problem outside of the designated states, but pontiac refuses. See att.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2020
“Power steering cut out when turning a corner. When driving straight ahead, the steering seems fine. When turning right or left to go around a corner, the steering wheel does not easily turn back to the straight ahead position. I was driving on a city street at 30 mph and slowed to make a right hand turn, and while turning l felt the power steering give out when trying to come out of the turn.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2020
“Service air bags shows on dash on startup, bought this way from holz chevy in hales corners, wi. Was told it was a non issue. Electrical- changes from radio to aux randomly, the back speakers work constantly, the driver side never works and the passenger side works on occasion (if you hit a pot hole hard enough it'll go on/off). Fuel- fuel line was leaking from driver side, in front of rear wheel. Right by the heat shield.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM's recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact G5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Pontiac G5 reliable?
NHTSA has 115 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Pontiac G5. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Pontiac G5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,500 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Pontiac G5 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.