RoadVitals

2009 Pontiac G3

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Mar 28, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 29, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Pontiac G3, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 822 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine521.7%
  • Electrical417.4%
  • Brakes313.0%
  • Driver assistance313.0%
  • Transmission28.7%
  • Powertrain (other)28.7%
  • Airbags28.7%
  • Interior & seats14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V460000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Jul 29, 2014
1,968 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the valves inside the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module, affecting the closing motion of the valves.
The risk: If the ABS valve corrodes it may result in longer brake pedal travel or reduced performance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, free of charge, in any vehicle that did not have its module replaced under a previous customer satisfaction campaign. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac). GM's number for this recall is 14505.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14505View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 18
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE AND CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS SEALED SHUT, THE HEATER HOSE WAS HOT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, OIL WAS MIXED IN WITH THE COOLANT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ARC AUTO STORE (95 DESIGN DR, NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO 64116, (816) 474-2277) WHERE A NEW TIE ROD, HEATER HOSE, THERMOSTAT, AND WATER PUMP WERE INSTALLED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11192238
Incident
Oct 11, 2017
Mileage
182,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 7, 2018

AIR PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS CONSTANTLY ON (BLINKING) AFTER 8-9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. MULTIPLE MECHANICS POINT TO COMPUTER ISSUE. ALL SENSORS CONFIRMED AS WORKING, AIR PRESSURE IS CORRECT IN TIRES.

NHTSA ID
11100389
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 19, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BRAKE OIL AS WELL AS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT WAITED A WHILE AND THEN RESUMED DRIVING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (ANTHONY BUICK GMC IN GURNEE, IL) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED IN WAUKEGAN, IL, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE ABS OR ONE OF THE BRAKE VALVES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V460000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ID
11006361
Incident
Jul 16, 2017
Mileage
57,000 mi
Filed Jun 7, 2017

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH GENERAL MOTORS TO SEEK A RESOLUTION TO NO AVAIL. I HAD TO REPLACE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN OCTOBER 2016 IN ORDER TO PASS MY NEW YORK STATE EMISSION FOR ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION. HOWEVER, SINCE I DID NOT DO IT AT THE DEALERSHIP, GM WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME EVEN THOUGH I AM STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY. FURTHERMORE, I AM CURRENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH MY CAR AND HAVE TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY, JUNE 9. I AM ATTACHING THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FROM ONSTAR AND MY EMISSIONS INVOICE FROM OCTOBER 2016. I AM ALSO INCLUDING ALL THE CORRESPONDENCE THAT I HAD WITH GENERAL MOTORS. I DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE CAR FAX BUT THE ATTACHED ORDER FORM SHOWS THAT THERE ARE 63 RECORDS FOR THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE PURCHASING IT ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013 FROM KRISTAL AUTO MALL IN BROOKLYN, NY.

NHTSA ID
10993823
Incident
May 21, 2017
Mileage
40,448 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V460000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ID
10778137
Incident
Sep 25, 2015
Mileage
68,000 mi
Filed Feb 26, 2015

CAR ALARM GOES OFF BY IT'S SELF EVERY SO OFTEN FOR NO REASON..

NHTSA ID
10690785
Incident
Feb 25, 2015
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 28, 2015

I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING AND SMOKING A LOT. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS SLUSHY FLUID FLOWING FROM THE CAR AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I TOWED IT TO A NEARBY AUTO REPAIR SERVICE PROFESSIONAL FOR TESTING, AND THE TEST SHOWED THAT THE COOLANT WAS CONTAMINATED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD COOLANT FLUID IN IT. ACCORDING TO THEM, THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE COOLANT HOSE THAT ALLOWED THE COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND AS A RESULT THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. THIS IS A VERY RARE SITUATION TO SEE IN A CAR WITH THIS FEW MILES, FIVE YEARS OLD AND MAINTAINED WELL. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP BEGAN TO BLAME ME FOR IT BY SAYING THAT I PUT WATER IN THE COOLANT WHICH CAUSED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR TO FREEZE AND THE HOSE TO MALFUNCTION. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAVE RECORDS OF CONSISTENTLY TAKING IT TO A GM DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, AND ANYTHING THUS WHY WOULD I NOW TRY TO PUT WATER IN THE COOLANT. I DID NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE HOOD AREA OR RECEIVE A COOLANT FLUSH BECAUSE THE CAR JUST TURNED 5 YEARS OLD A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO IS PROVIDING BIASED INFORMATION BECAUSE I DID NOT PURCHASE THE CAR WITH THEM OR USE THAT LOCATION FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS AN UNUSUAL ISSUE. I CALLED GM AND THEY WORKED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT THAT SAME DEALERSHIP TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP AND GM IS NOT TRYING TO DO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY GM DEALERS FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR, I AM THE ONLY OWNER, NO ACCIDENTS AND I CANNOT REACH A RESOLVE WITH THEM. THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE CAR AND THE EQUIPMENT HAS A DEFECT TO ALLOW COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT NO ONE IS TRYING TO HELP BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679610
Incident
Jan 5, 2015
Mileage
73,621 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 4, 2015

LEAKING WATER PUMP - APPEARS TO BE A SEAL. VEHICLE HAS NOT REACHED MAX MILES/KM'S BUT HAS PASSED THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY BUT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING FOR SUCH A LOW AMOUNT OF MILES/KM'S. *TR CAUSES HEATING DELAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10669939
Incident
Oct 14, 2014
Mileage
104,607 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

13598

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

PIC5650M

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pontiac G3 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014000—
2011000—
2010000—
2009Viewing181036.3
2008100—
2007000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.