2008 Pontiac Solstice: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 159 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (56% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The passenger presence sensor was fixed by the GM dealer after the safety recall was issued, but has failed again and now doesn't work. because the failure occurred more than 1 year after the dealer fixed it the first time, it is not covered for repair. Worse, if i was to order a new part and have it installed it still needs to go back to the dealer to have it programmed so there is no way to have this issue addressed without involving and paying a dealer who failed to fix the issue correctly the first time. reading in forums, many solstice owners report sensors failing a few years after recall repair.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2025
“There is an issue with all Saturn Sky's and Pontiac Solstice's that cause the wiring harness for the A/C FAN to melt, or even ignite. This is the same harness that was used on 2006-2010 Hummer H3 vehicles manufactured February 5, 2005, to May 24, 2010, and 2009-2010 Hummer H3T vehicles manufactured May 21, 2008, to May 24, 2010. This recall was never extended to Pontiac or Saturn. - If the blower motor connector module overheats, it can increase the risk of a fire. I've seen several reports of other owners dealing with this melted harness, and even a recently reported fire.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2021
“Due to recall had pps mat work performed (without air bag light ever coming on), only to have passenger side airbag warning light come on two years after recall work. Airbag light now comes on upon startup. Dealer says total sensor replacement required. Pps mat failed - recall did not work. Use vehicle only in summers putting limited mileage on”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“My complaint is that the part is not available to fix the recall. I was informed it maybe 6 months or more until it is available. This being an airbag I feel that is unacceptable and a safety issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 pontiac solstice. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle was previously taken to roger dabb chevrolet (located at 1501 w government st, brandon, ms) where it was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired again due to the diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. *tt consumer stated light came on few months later after it was repaired. Updated 11/27/18*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 pontiac solstice. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator intermittently illuminated, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags) at robert woodall chevrolet buick gmc (1063 riverside dr., danville, va 24543, (434) 797-1411), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the air bag warning light remained illuminated after the recall repairthe manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. *tt”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2018
“Check air bag light is on for 5 years now. I contacted general motors when it happened but they said it was not their problem, take it to a dealer. This just came on without any incident at all. Otherwise everything else is okay. Gmc refuses to help in any way.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 pontiac solstice. While driving, the air bag indicator illuminated at times. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called a local dealer (bill cramer chevrolet cadillac buick gmc, 2251 w 23rd st panama city, fl 32405) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated for approximately one year. The contact called jc harris cadillac (4030 ward blvd, wilson, nc 27893; 252-237-1111) and was informed that the remedy was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2017
“Don't know if this is related to takata recall or not. I want to know how safe am I driving a 9 year old car with no air bags working. Cannot get it fixed because dealers say they cannot get the part from gm. Meanwhile I feel I am driving an unsafe car with the airbag light on and a message stating check airbag settings. I assume this will not go away until the problem is fixed. I just have to hope that I don't have a serious accident.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." AND STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE ONE TO FOUR INBOARD SEAT STUD FASTENERS THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATION FOR STRENGTH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INBOARD SEAT STUDS AND, IF NECESSARY, REMOVE THE STUD AND INSTALL A BOLT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.
Remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 17036.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Solstice 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 Solstice reliable?
NHTSA has 159 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Pontiac Solstice. The most complained-about area is air bags (56% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Pontiac Solstice problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 33,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Pontiac Solstice have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. 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.