2008 Pontiac Solstice Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11663152

Incident

May 27, 2025

Random failure of brake lights to either illuminate when the pedal is pressed or turn off when the pedal is released. On two separate occasions, a couple of months apart. I was notified by other drivers my brake lights appear to be working in reverse. When I come to a stop, they turn off when I pull away they turn on and stay on. After the first incident I had the vehicle serviced. They could not duplicate the problem. Apparently they were now working correctly. To be proactive. I asked them to replace the brake light switch with a genuine GM part. They did and they calibrated the switch to the car. This service was performed on 11/14/2023 - 144,621 miles. It appeared to have solved the problem initially. But re-surfaced this morning 12/29/2023. I was notified by another driver of the opposite on -off function again. I continued to work. Visual inspection indicated normal function again. Brake pedal released, lights off. Brake pedal depressed, lights on. Random malfunctions like this at some point will cause an accident, either at an intersection or on the highway. Especially in this age of "Distracted driving". Several similar instances have been reported by owners on the public forums. The consumer stated that they took the vehicle to their local GMC repair facility and the brake light switch was supposedly replaced. The issue still exists.

NHTSA ID

11562518

Incident

Dec 23, 2023

The passenger seat air bag sensor is inoperative after having the recall completed April of 2022. When the vehicle was in for the recall, the sensor was fine, so the reinforcement strip was added. According to the recall reference N162080281, there is a 12 month warranty on the repair. Below is the wording from the recall. “Dealers are to inspect the PPS sensor mat for damage. If the mat is undamaged and functioning correctly, dealers will add a reinforcement strip to the sensor mat. If the mat is damaged, dealers will install a new PPS mat with the reinforcement strip. Please note that GM’s standard 1 year/12,000 mile service part warranty applies to both the sensor mat and the reinforcement strip, regardless of which repair procedure is used. If only the reinforcement strip is installed, and the sensor mat fails during the 1 year/12,000 mile warranty period, the sensor mat and the reinforcement strip should be replaced free of charge” I’ve contacted the dealer and GM, but neither will assist with the warranty, and my vehicle is without airbags. I was told that it may not apply to me, that the recall for my vehicle expired in 2017. I explained that it was replaced with an updated February 2018 to include the warranty. I believe the original recall was 17036, and the updated is 17036-02. If the recall expired 2017, why was I contacted in 2022 stating there was an open recall? If they added the warranty in 2018, why would it apply to some vehicles and not others?

NHTSA ID

11514946

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

The passenger presence pad was not repaired.

NHTSA ID

11465291

Incident

Feb 4, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11461630

Incident

Apr 21, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE CALLED THE NUMBER PROVIDED IN THE RECALL NOTICE AND A REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED HER THAT HER AIR BAGS WERE FINE DUE TO THE FACT THAT HER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER, THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT HER PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF AND SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING MESSAGES HAD ILLUMINATED ON HER INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME NUMBER BACK FOR A SECOND TIME AND WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE DESPITE RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE FOR HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11351162

Incident

Apr 2, 2018

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

NHTSA ID

11338905

Incident

Jun 6, 2020

THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME NOW. IT WAS INTERMITTENT FOR A COUPLE WEEKS NOW IT IS ON ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

11164568

Incident

Nov 16, 2018

Mileage

51,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11128631

Incident

Jun 8, 2018

Mileage

62,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11128393

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

I RECEIVED THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2017. IN JANUARY 2018 I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THE PART WAS FINALLY AVAILABLE. I STILL AM CONTINUALLY BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER, DEVAN CHEVROLET/BUICK WILTON CT, THAT THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE, AND THAT THERE IN NO ETA FOR WHEN IT WILL BE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT FUNCTION AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11113296

Incident

Mar 2, 2017

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

NHTSA ID

11097009

Incident

Apr 16, 2018

Mileage

18,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HUBERT CHEVROLET IN WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11092749

Incident

Jan 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR 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 DEALER (ROYAL BUICK GMC, 3010 COLUMBIANA RD, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35216) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11083385

Incident

Mar 20, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID

11063881

Incident

Jan 20, 2018

FROM THE BEGINNING UPON PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE WE FOUND THE PASSENGER SENSOR NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, DUPLESSIS GMC IN GONZALES, LA COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM SO AFTER MANY EFFORTS WITH THEM WE GOT A LOCAL SHOP TO INSTALL THE NEW SENSOR THAT WE PURCHASED FROM DUPLESSIS. WE ARE LOOKING FOR COMPENSATION FOR THAT DEVICE AND THE LABOR TO INSTALL IT. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT NEVER WENT AWAY UNTIL WE HAD THIS WORK DONE. I HAVE RECORDS TO PROVE THIS WAS DONE

NHTSA ID

11063794

Incident

Nov 21, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. 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 DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE/PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11054588

Incident

Jan 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHARLES CLARK CHEVROLET (801 U.S. BUSINESS, MCALLEN, TX 78501, PHONE: (956) 307-6557) AND BERT OGDEN BUICK GMC (4216 US-281, TX 78539, PHONE: (956) 348-1113). THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE SO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,635. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11054033

Incident

Jul 25, 2017

Mileage

77,635 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WAS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (JEFF WYLER EASTGATE AUTO MALL, 1117 OH-32, BATAVIA, OH 45103, (513) 752-3447) AND (MARK SWEENEY BUICK GMC, 3365 HIGHLAND AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45213, (513) 621-4888) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. FOR WEEKS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAGS. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. AIR BAG MAY NOT WORK IN A CRASH. TWO RECALLS FROM GENERAL MOTORS ON THIS. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND ALSO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY DON 'T WANT TO FIX IT. VEHICLE PURCHASE DATED SHOULD BE ON OR BEFORE INCIDENT DATED UPDATED 8/20/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11044637

Incident

Aug 8, 2016

REAR ENDED A VEHICLE, TOTALED CAR, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, BROKE ANKLE AND HEEL.

NHTSA ID

11041825

Incident

Oct 18, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL I DID RECEIVE NOTICE ON THIS RECALL AND TOOK IT TO GMC DEALER AND THAT PERSON TOLD ME I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL I RECEIVE NOTICE TO BRING THE CAR BACK FOR REPAIR AND NEVER RECEIVED THAT NOTICE

NHTSA ID

11034339

Incident

Jan 22, 2017

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11033017

Incident

Mar 4, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID

11032920

Incident

Oct 11, 2017

2008 PONTIAC SOLTICE. CONSUMER WRITES REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS. *LD UPDATED 10/10/2017*JS

NHTSA ID

11029818

Incident

Mar 14, 2017

THERE HAS BEEN AN OPEN RECALL SINCE AT LEAST JAN. 2017. PASSENGER AIRBAG. IF AN ACTIVE FAULT EXISTS IN THE PPS SYSTEM AND A CRASH OCCURS, THE SDM WILL NOT DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. IF AN ADULT IS OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SUPPRESSION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER.MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER N162080281. NO REMEDY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED YET! REMEDY PLANS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW. GM WILL SUPPLEMENT THIS INFORMATION WHEN REMEDY PLANS ARE FINALIZED. HOW MUCH LONGER ???? EVERY DAY IT GETS MORE DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID

11030671

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

38,000 mi