2006 Pontiac Solstice Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Pontiac Solstice, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags17763.4%
- Electrical2810.0%
- Powertrain (other)269.3%
- Engine93.2%
- Interior & seats93.2%
- Brakes72.5%
- Transmission41.4%
- Driver assistance41.4%
- Seat belts41.4%
- Suspension41.4%
- Body & structure20.7%
- Steering20.7%
- Heating & air conditioning10.4%
- Fuel system10.4%
- Exterior lighting10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Solstice. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 192,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side seat sensor air bag warning light was not illuminated; however, the passenger’s side seat was occupied. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the inflatable restraint passenger presence module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,153.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The electric system appears to be unsafe, the ignition doesn't turn over and drains the battery every day. I'm also worried about the airbags and other recalls on this car. I contacted the dealer "Dave Kirk Automotive" in Crossville, TN weeks ago. They took the vin # and looked up the recalls. This was a month ago. They said they would get the parts and call me. No one at the dealer has contacted me again. They know there are serious recalls on this vehicle. I need help on this. I'm 74, the car only has 39000 miles on it. This needs to be fixed at once.
I purchased a 2006 Pontiac Solstice from a Lexus dealership in 2020. No known issues were discussed when I purchased the vehicle. The ignition switch turned off while I was driving around a curve which caused engine to stall, and my steering wheel to locked up preventing me from turning. I crashed into a guardrail at 60 mph and my car spun, hitting the back as well. The car is totaled. My airbag did NOT deploy in the crash, resulting in worsened injuries. Thankfully no other cars were involved, but the faulty ignition switch put my safety at risk. The car is available for inspection, and is currently in the hands of my insurance agency who has inspected and totaled it. I did not drive much, and had not experienced this issue prior with my car.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVE AXLE SEAL LEAK. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LEAKING DUE TO A FAULTY PINION SEAL. I CHECKED ALL RECALL INFORMATION, AND YES, IT WAS RECALLED. I WILL NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE RECALL AND REQUEST THAT IT BE REPAIRED AT NO COST. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN I NOTICED THE LEAK. SMALL AMOUNT ON GARAGE FLOOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THERMOSTAT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The electric system appears to be unsafe, the ignition doesn't turn over and drains the battery every day. I'm also worried about the airbags and other recalls on this car. I contacted the dealer "Dave Kirk Automotive" in Crossville, TN weeks ago. They took the vin # and looked up the recalls. This was a month ago. They said they would get the parts and call me. No one at the dealer has contacted me again. They know there are serious recalls on this vehicle. I need help on this. I'm 74, the car only has 39000 miles on it. This needs to be fixed at once.
WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AND THE CAR GETS TO ABOUT 20MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES HARD AND JOLTS. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE SEAT BELT ONE COULD GO INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENS WITH EACH BRAKING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I SEE THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS...WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? THIS IS A SMALL CAR IF A SEMI OR JUST ANY MOVING VEHICLE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS I AND MY PASSENGER WOULD PROBABLY BE CRUSHED. THE TWO ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHTS GO ON AND THE LOW ENGINE POWER LIGHT ALSO GOES ON AND STAYS ON. THE REPAIR FACILITY SEEMS TO BE STUMPED. SOMEONE MUST KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
my car had a recall on it when I bought it for the air bag sensor in the pass seat. I took it in and they patched it...not fixed it but a patch... it has been sat in about 20 times since and now has the light on. I will not pay them to repatch or fix this as they should of fixed it properly the first time, if you OKed the use of a tape patch than you can pay for the proper fix. these should never of been patched. they should of been fixed. it will not go back to the dealer that did the patch as I got the car back with grease on many portions of the neer new like leather as well as the new like exterior of the car along with scratch,dent etc. so somebody needs to find the correct fix and have these cars fixed!! not a patch that last 20 times sat in. this is a low millage car and garage or carport kept, still looks about like a 2 month old car. is is despicable that any body could be permitted to patch something like this!! it was patched by perston hood chevy in fortwalton beach florida.
AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS REPLACED BY GM DEALER AND SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T, HAS DONE THIS SINCE BEING REPLACED NO MATTER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AND THE CAR GETS TO ABOUT 20MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES HARD AND JOLTS. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE SEAT BELT ONE COULD GO INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENS WITH EACH BRAKING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I SEE THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS...WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? THIS IS A SMALL CAR IF A SEMI OR JUST ANY MOVING VEHICLE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS I AND MY PASSENGER WOULD PROBABLY BE CRUSHED. THE TWO ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHTS GO ON AND THE LOW ENGINE POWER LIGHT ALSO GOES ON AND STAYS ON. THE REPAIR FACILITY SEEMS TO BE STUMPED. SOMEONE MUST KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STOPPED HARD AND JERKED. WHEN THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAVENDER BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 17811 SAN PEDRO AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78233), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE BRAKING FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE...DIFFERENTIAL NOISES AND CLUNKING WHILE TURNING SLOW CORNERS. DEALER INSTALLED RECALL FOR SEAL AND LUBE..STILL MAKES LOUD NOISES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS NOW . SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND SOME OF THEM HAVE HAD LOCK UPS THAT CAUSED THEM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE...SOME ONE HAS TO STEP UP TO GM AND GET THEM TO MAKE A PERMANENT FIX TO THIS PROBLEM...OR I GUESS IT WILL HAPPEN AFTER SOMEONE DIES FROM THE DEFECTIVE DRIVE TRAIN. *TR
2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE - REAR AXLE LEAK. AXLE REPLACED. PREVAILING WHINE AND CLUNK NOISE AFTER THE FIX. TOOK IN LEFT OVERNIGHT, THEY SAID WOULD TEST DRIVE. NEXT DAY THEY SAID THE NOISE IS NORMAL AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE MILEAGE WAS SAME AS I LEFT IT, SO NO TEST DRIVE WAS TAKEN. FED UP WITH THEM. WILL NOT DRIVE ON HIGHWAYS AND VERY INCONVENIENT, AM MOSTLY USING HUBBY'S VEHICLE. SOON OUT OF BUSINESS, PONTIAC SHOULD NOT BE GETTING AWAY WITH THIS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACCELERATOR STUCK ON TWO OCCASIONS, ONE FOOT ON BRAKE, THE OTHER ON THE CLUTCH, ENGINE WAS REVVING AT ~3500 RPM SECOND TIME AT ~2300 RPM. NECESSARY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO NO ACTION TAKEN. *JB
2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE THROTTLE STICKS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
my car had a recall on it when I bought it for the air bag sensor in the pass seat. I took it in and they patched it...not fixed it but a patch... it has been sat in about 20 times since and now has the light on. I will not pay them to repatch or fix this as they should of fixed it properly the first time, if you OKed the use of a tape patch than you can pay for the proper fix. these should never of been patched. they should of been fixed. it will not go back to the dealer that did the patch as I got the car back with grease on many portions of the neer new like leather as well as the new like exterior of the car along with scratch,dent etc. so somebody needs to find the correct fix and have these cars fixed!! not a patch that last 20 times sat in. this is a low millage car and garage or carport kept, still looks about like a 2 month old car. is is despicable that any body could be permitted to patch something like this!! it was patched by perston hood chevy in fortwalton beach florida.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED WHICH INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT LATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES WITH AN UNUSUAL NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED THIS VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY REAR END AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. PONTIAC DID ISSUE A RECALL AND INSTALLED A NEW REAR END. THE VEHICLE IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING AND APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE BUT I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY A GM DEALERSHIP THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPLACED AGAIN. IF IT IS FAULTY I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE RECALL WOULD NOT APPLY TO THE SECOND DEFECTIVE PART. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT CHANGED LANES TO THE CENTER LANE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID BECAUSE THE REAR WHEELS LOST ALL TRACTION; BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THE FRONT AXLE CRACKED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY A TRACTOR TRAILER ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. SINCE THE CRASH, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DOES NOT GO INTO PLACE AND LOCK PROPERLY. THE TOP HAS RELEASED AND FLOWN BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE CONVERTIBLE TOP NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,200.
GAS OUT ON WELD TO FRAME AND BRACKETS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE OFF POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO LOCK. ALSO THE DOOR CHIMES FAILED TO ALERT WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
I RECEIVED A LETTER ON THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND HOW IMPORTANT (BOLDED AND UNDERSCORED) THAT IT WAS TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND GET THE REPORT COMPLETED. HOWEVER THE DEALER WON'T TAKE AN APPOINT BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE NOT IN. THE THINKS NEXT WEEK, BUT NOW HE SAID I'D NEED ANOTHER LETTER FROM GM BEFORE I CAN SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. ALSO THE GM GUY WON'T SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT EVEN IF HE HAS THE PARTS IN. IF I WANT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINT FOR A DATE NEXT WEEK I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE SERVICE -- LIKE AN OIL CHANGE TO SECURE THAT DAY/TIME. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIFIC TO THE RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT PARTS SHOULD BE AT THE DEAL IN ABOUT A WEEK AND LIKELY RECEIVE A SECOND LETTER. SO NOW THAT I'VE WASTED AN HOUR OF TIME GOING THRU ALL THE STEPS THE FIRST LETTER ASKS, I'M GOING TO BE DRIVING A "DANGEROUS VEHICLE", UNTIL I GET A LETTER -- REGARDLESS OF THE PARTS ARE IN. BUT -- IF I PAY FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE I WILL BE GRANTED AN APPOINTMENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 80 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AS WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
APPROX. 8MO AGO IT HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO PUMP GAS INTO MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT GAS STATION HAVING SAME PROBLEM. TAKES 5MIN. TO PUMP $5 GAS. THE OVER FLOW SMELLS INSIDE CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLAMP HOUSING IS CRACKING AND ALLOWING MOISTURE TO GET INTO HEADLIGHT AREA. IT MAKES THE LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING VERY POOR AND IS A NIGHT HAZARD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .