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2006 Pontiac Solstice Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Pontiac Solstice, most often about the air bags (73% of complaints, typically around 39,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Solstice model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2006 Pontiac Solstice problems
Air bags
178 complaints · 73%Half of these problems showed up before 39,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor, srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
Airbag sensor malfunction - passenger air bag sensor fails to register when a passenger is seated. Airbag is "off" when a passenger is present.
The air bag sensor, for the passenger, in my vehicle failed. I had a passenger in the seat when the light came on. Any passenger in the car faces added risk if an accident were to occur. It is my understanding that the owner's cost to fix this item is prohibitive ($500 - $800), and that the early failure of this part…
Transmission
28 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, axle assembly, automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Immediately after purchasing my 2006 Pontiac Solstice in 2006, I begin experiencing a noise in the rear end of the vehicle. I took it in several times for repair until finally in 2007, Pontiac recalled the vehicle for the power train being defective as listed below. I did not have any more problems until 2010 when the…
Vehicle was in dealership for ignition switch recall work (recall 14063 and 14113). When vehicle was returned to me upon completion of the work, the vehicle would sometimes start, and sometimes not. I start with the transmission in gear, clutch depressed. This may or may not have any impact on the issue, which the…
Electrical
28 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 32,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
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…
Daughters in 2006 Solstice. Drunk driver ran red light going 50 MPH and hit our daughters making a left turn. Severe impact on an angle (front/left side) with 2 foot intrusion into occupant compartment. Airbags did not deploy. Required prolonged extrication; serious injury with bayflight to hospital. 2006 Solstice is…
Engine
9 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
When applying brakes, vehicle would come to a slamming stop jolting body and transmission to a complete stop then proceeding to normal driving mode until applying brakes again. Took my vehicle in to service 4 times for same repair. Codes p0013, p0014, p0700 & p2637 on diagnostic revealed all 4 times when service dept.…
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…
Seats
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
The service air bag light came on while driving down the road. I took the car to the dealer, they diagnosed a faulty passenger presence module. They said the passenger side air bag probably won't work in an accident. The repair estimate was over $800.00. This vehicle has only 33,598 miles on it. This is a huge safety…
Airbag warning light illuminated in reference to the passenger presence sensor a persistent problem in the Pontiac Solstice and sister car the saturn sky which causes the passenger airbag not to deploy if the vehicle is involved in an accident with a passenger present in the vehicle, this is definitely a manufacturers…
Brakes
6 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles.
I made a turn and as I was proceeding I had to slow down due to approaching a traffic signal . When I applied the brakes the car came to an aprupt , jolting stop and a big truck behind slammed on his brakes and narrowly stopped before hitting me in the rear. I will never drive this dangerous car until it is fixed.
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…
Speed control
4 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
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.
Other or unspecified
4 complaints · 2%I was driving my Solstice on the high way at 55mph in the left lane. All of the sudden it seemed like the motor died I started to slow down at a rapid speed, down to 25mph in a blink of an eye. I stepped on the gas peddle again and the car started to shake and rattle it also was jolting forward. As I was pulling off…
1. Air bag recall 17036 brought 3 times to chevy dealership told me they cannot do anything because they do not have in stock air bag. 2. Passenger door pulley hardware to open door is not working. No part to fix problem
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Pontiac Solstice recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
Fix: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began february 26, 2018. Owners may contact pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for this recall is 17036.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain 2006-2010 pontiac solstice and 2007-2010 saturn sky vehicles. The passenger air bag suppression system (pps) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.
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
Transmission: seal
Risk: A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2008. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.cadillac.com; pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com; and saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.saturn.com.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.
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
Hvac blower motor connector
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has completed its review of a defect petition received december 12, 2019 requesting an investigation into the possibility of passenger compartment fires attributed to overheating HVAC blower motor connectors in model years (my) 2006-2010 pontiac solstice and saturn sky vehicles.an analysis of general motors (gm) complaint data and information in NHTSA?s databases identified thirteen unique vehicle identification numbers (vins) with reported incidents that could pertain to blower motor overheating, smoking, or melting in the 90,938 my2006-2010 saturn sky and pontiac solstice vehicles produced. Two of the thirteen cited incidents reported smoke and the
Passenger sensing system sensor mat
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 pontiac solstice and 2007-2010 saturn sky, the subject vehicles.the petitioner raised the issue of failure of the passenger sensing system for the front passenger seating position.on january 26, 2017, general motors filed a defect information report recalling the subject vehicles to address the issue raised by the petition.in view of the recall, odi considers the petition moot and is closing the action.the closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the r
Failure of the rear differential
Summary
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.gm is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect. On december 19, 2007, gm submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning defective rear axle pinion seals in approximately 275,936 model year (my) 2005-07 cadillac cts, sts and srx vehicles as well as my 2006-07 pontiac solstice and my 2007 saturn sky vehicles (recall 07v-589).on sts and srx vehicles with all wheel drive, the front axle pinion seal also does not meet all of gm's specifications and may e
Questions about the 2006 Pontiac Solstice
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac Solstice?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (178 complaints, typically around 39,500 miles); transmission (28 complaints, typically around 14,500 miles); electrical (28 complaints, typically around 32,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Pontiac Solstice have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 26, 2017 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Pontiac Solstice?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Solstice model year since 2000, with 243 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.