KnownCarProblems2008 Pontiac G5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Pontiac G5, most often about the fuel system (30% of complaints, typically around 81,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about G5 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Pontiac G5 problems
Fuel system
35 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
My car is leaking g fuel by drivers door and tire.my car was in the recall but not my state. Makes no sense. My car was a rental for many years before I bought it . Why is my VIN# not in recall.. If I blow up someone will let you know. Thanks.
Car leaks gas toward front of car driver side after it has been running. It also has an odor of gas radiating around the car after it has been run. This car has been recalled for this problem in regionally hot states. Gm alan adler said they would repair cars that has the problem outside of the designated states, but…
Air bags
26 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the occupant detection module was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, ig burton (1 automotive blvd, elkton, md 21921), and…
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that the message "service air bag" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers, including burton buick gmc of elkton (1 automotive blvd, elkton, md 21921), where it was diagnosed with passenger presence system (pps) module failure; however, the…
Electrical
24 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The engine compartment of my sons 2008 Pontiac G5 burnt up today. It was parked outside our home. The fire department said it was electrical in nature and that it appeared to start in an area near the drivers side wheel. It appears to be a total loss.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. While driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. All warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to a dealer who…
Steering
23 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles.
Dashboard lights went awry. Gauge needles floated about giving false readings on speed and gas tank gas level. Lost power steering. Dealer replaced ignition switch & reset the computer for $390.73. Same problem recurred weeks later. 03/18/2014, another gm dealer inspected for $158.00 & found we need to replace the…
There is something wrong with the steering in these cars. Steering will still lock up, at low vehicle speeds. The recall two years ago has not helped the situation. There is something wrong with the steering column and steering rack with these cars. Suspension/steering clunks and rattles like it is about to fall off!…
Suspension
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Vehicle starting making clunking and rattling sounds in front suspension. Had to have lower control arm bushings replaced, new tie rods, and sway bar links installed. Before the repairs, the steering had become extremely loose and was hard to handle on the highway.
Control arm bushings in a 2008 Pontiac G5 (chevy cobalt twin) needed replacing at 34,000 miles. Steering would make loud noises when hitting bumps and was told that the steering can fall apart if not repaired.
Engine
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
On the26th of june 2018 I was leaving work when all if a sudden when I started it up there was bad knocking coming from engine when increasing RPM's. I took it to mechanic and requested my oil to be changed and to check why it was knocking. At that point I was told there was metal shavings in the old oil as well as…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the water pump collected dust and the vehicle overheated as a result. The manufacturer was contacted who advised to continue to take the vehicle back…
Brakes
5 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles.
The contact owned a 2008 Pontiac G5. While driving approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond. The driver sustained a neck and head injury that…
Under normal driving conditions front rotors warped at 17,000 miles and fixed under warranty after showing service manager vehicle warranty book. Rotors warped again at 24,000 miles and fixed again after discussion with service manager. Rotors were turned in both cases by dealer. Rotors are warping again , at 30,000…
Transmission
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Transmission failure. The transmission began acting up and it felt like the transmission didn't know what gear to be in. Dealership replaced clutches that were binding and replaced many other parts. The transmission to this day still acts up and has a very noticeable jolt when letting off the gas pedal. It's only a…
I have had acceleration issues several times with the G5. One incident happened while trying to pull onto a busy highway. As I was trying to accelerate to merge the car started jerking almost as if it were out of gas, yet I had a full tank. It has happened many times other than that, but that particular time…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Pontiac G5 recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Gmâs recall nu
Full defect summary
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 be
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on november 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until january 2013. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2007 chevrolet equinox and pontiac torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in arizona, california, nevada, and texas; model year 2007 chevrolet cobalt, pontiac g5, and saturn ion vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, arizona, california, florida, nevada, or texas; model year 2008 chevrolet cobalt and pontiac g5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, arizona; and model year 2009 chevrolet cobalt and pontiac g5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, arkansas, arizona, california, nevada, oklahoma, or texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering motor free of charge. Owners are being notified on a rolling basis between march 29 through november 2010. A copy of the mailing schedule is located in the recall file. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering. The driver may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electric power steering failure
Summary
In a march 1, 2010 letter, general motors corporation (gm) provided a defect information report to NHTSA regarding a problem that could result in sudden loss of power steering assist in certain model year (my) 2005 through 2010 chevrolet cobalt and my 2007 through 2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (eps).the letter indicates that the loss of steering assist could occur at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the driver information center (dic) and a chime sounds to inform the driver.the letter further states that steering control is maintained in manual mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds.i
Questions about the 2008 Pontiac G5
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac G5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (35 complaints, typically around 81,500 miles); air bags (26 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); electrical (24 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac G5 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 10, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Pontiac G5?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about G5 model year since 2000, with 115 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.