RoadVitals

2009 Pontiac G3 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jun 12, 2009

What this page shows

Our database holds 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Pontiac G3. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–18 of 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
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 13, 2014

2009 PONTIAC G3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR OVER A YEAR, HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, FOR THE ISSUE. EACH TIME, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS THIRTY, CLEANED IT, AND STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE FINE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED, THE COMPUTER WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE IDLE SPEED AND THE IDLE LINE HAD TO BE RE-CALIBRATED. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10621641
Incident
Jul 23, 2014
Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2014

TRAVELING NORTH ON I-81 NEAR BRISTOL, VA. HAD CRUISE CONTROL ON, DRIVING IN LEFT LANE WHEN SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE COUGHED AND SPUTTERED AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND DRIFT OFF THE NEXT EXIT, THANK GOD! THE DEALER IN BRISTOL SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE PROBLEM AND WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THEY CALLED LATER TO SAY THEY HAD TO REPLACE A POWER HARNESS ALSO, AND IT WOULD BE $990.00. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE CAR BACK THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10596780
Incident
May 17, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed May 8, 2014

HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRONICS IN STEERING WHEEL. HORN,CRUISE,STEREO CONTROLS ALL WENT OUT AT ONE TIME . AIR BAGS TURN THEMSELVES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHILE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN WITH PASSENGERS IN BOTH FRONT SEATS. I FEEL THIS MAY BE IGNITION SWITCH RELATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10587167
Incident
Dec 11, 2013
Mileage
69,325 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 18, 2014
Crash reported

FRONTAL COLLISION ,CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS, AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. I'M CONVINCED THIS HAD TO DO WITH GM IGNITION PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ID
10573274
Incident
Dec 23, 2011
Mileage
30,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 26, 2013

I HAD A COUPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. FIST HAD TO REPAIR THE AC 3 TIMES, RADIO TWICE (REPLACED IT ON THE SECOND TIME). TWO MONTHS AGO BREAKING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. WENT TO THE DEALER AND GOT IT FIXED (TOOK IT TO MIDAS BUT THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS). THEN I NOTICE THAT IT WOULD WORK ONLY WHEN I PUSH THE BREAK PEDAL STRONGLY AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. NOW THEY ARE NOT WORKING AGAIN AND I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR. ALL THE 3 BRAKING LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. IT IS NOT THE FUSE THAT YOU CAN EASILY ACCESS. INTERESTING WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN I DESCRIBED IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513559
Incident
May 24, 2013
Mileage
15,239 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 28, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER 20 DEGREES OR BELOW, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED HER THE USE OF A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE THEY FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10490376
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
1,600 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 28, 2011

THREE TIMES NOW I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND HAVE LOST POWER (ACCELERATION) OF MY VEHICLE . THE FIRST TIME I WAS ON THE "FREEWAY" AND ALMOST WAS KILLED BY A TRUCK AND THE OTHER TWO TIMES I WAS IN DRIVING IN "WALMART"PARKING LOT. SECONDLY, MY LIGHTS HAVE TWICE FLASHED (DOME LIGHT AND DASHBOARD) FOR NO REASON. THIRDLY,THE PASSENGER SIGN SPEAKER HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. FOURTHLY, ONE TIME THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO START -UP. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED SINCE THIS WAS MY FIRST "NEW CAR" PURCHASE!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10398182
Incident
Dec 24, 2010
Mileage
17,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 16, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ID
10326050
Incident
Apr 5, 2010
Mileage
13,000 mi
Driver assistanceInterior & seats
Filed Sep 18, 2009

CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS NOT BACK-LIT. CANNOT SEE WHICH BUTTON TO PUSH AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING.*TR

NHTSA ID
10284549
Incident
Aug 29, 2009
Mileage
57 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2009

GAUGES IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DIFFICULT TO READ. THE TRIM AROUND THE CLUSTER DIVIDES THE GAUGES INTO INDIVIDUAL PODS. THE TRIM IS BLACK AND THE GAUGE FACE IS ALSO BLACK WITH RED INDICATOR NEEDLE. THE TRIM DOES NOT ALLOW ENOUGH LIGHT INTO THE POD AREA TO SEE THE NEEDLE IN THE DAYTIME. YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE NEEDLE EVEN WHEN THE CLUSTER LIGHTS ARE ON. THE GAUGES ARE SO SMALL, THE STEERING WHEEL BLOCKS VIEWING THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10273646
Incident
Jun 12, 2009
Mileage
300 mi

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .