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2008 Pontiac Solstice Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Pontiac Solstice, most often about the air bags (62% of complaints, typically around 39,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Solstice model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Pontiac Solstice problems
Air bags
99 complaints · 62%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor.
Got in one day and the air bag sensor light came on. Now it comes on and dings at me every day and until I get this fixed, do not feel comfortable driving my son to school..
The passenger air bag status indicator light will not come on when a person sit in passenger seat. The airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster is on the time and the service air bag display on the dic. The problem has to be in passenger seat system as it is separate from the driver seat. There has been…
Brakes
36 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist.
I purchased a 2008 Pontiac Solstice gxp. I am having problems with the brakes. If I take off right after I start the car, the brakes do not stop the car. I must wait a while before driving or pump the brake 3 or so times to get them to work.
I purchased my 2008 Pontiac Solstice on september 29, 2009. I didn't have a problem until I started it up and began to pull out of the nearby mall parking lot and as I went to press the brake, it made a low grinding noise, almost like the ABS was locking up except the light wasn't on, and I was merely cruising, not…
Electrical
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles.
The passenger air bag status indicator light will not come on when a person sit in passenger seat. The airbag readiness light on the instrument panel cluster is on the time and the service air bag display on the dic. The problem has to be in passenger seat system as it is separate from the driver seat. There has been…
Girlfriend sat in passenger seat and a "service airbag" light cam on my info screen. Turned off after a few seconds then turned back on and has been on since.
Seats
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles.
In january 2014..my passenger airbag light came on the dic saying to service airbag??? I have very few passengers from time to time..maybe three a month..none are heavy enough as to plop down on seat with enough weight to inflict damage on whatever the problem may be!!! Also, when I clean the car, I make certain as to…
Girlfriend sat in passenger seat and a "service airbag" light cam on my info screen. Turned off after a few seconds then turned back on and has been on since.
Engine
7 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: cooling system.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and recall NHTSA campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system) however the manufacturer had…
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle decreased in speed to 15 MPH and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine and the power train computer module failed. The…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
I opened the driver door from the inside, and my hand was slashed open. Bleeding profusely. The chrome had peeled off the handle. The dealer replaced the entire door panel, stating that it was an expensive, one piece unit. I sold the car, and bought another one from my fiance. (we bought them both on the same week)…
The interior trunk release does not comply with 49 cfr 571.401 in that it is not designed to release all latches from inside the trunk. The buttress release cables(2) are connected to a solenoid that must be operated electrically and are not connected to the emergency release cable. It is also a known common failure…
Transmission
3 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: clutch assembly, automatic transmission.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Solstice. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it involuntarily accelerated. She had the vehicle towed to the dealer and they stated that the clutch was frozen to the drive wheel because the vehicle was not stored in a warm temperature. The technician added that water enters…
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle decreased in speed to 15 MPH and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine and the power train computer module failed. The…
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 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
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat and seat belt assembly may not restrain the occupant as intended and could result in injury to the occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the inboard seat studs and, if necessary, remove the stud and install a bolt free of charge. The recall began on october 10, 2007. Owners may contact pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 and saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems." and standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." these vehicles may have one to four inboard seat stud fasteners that do not meet specification for strength.
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
Inadequate brake power assist
Summary
In model year (my) 2007, pontiac solstice and saturn sky vehicles equipped with the 2.0l turbocharged engine used an auxiliary vacuum pump to supplement the engine as a source of vacuum to the brake booster during low vacuum conditions, such as immediately after a cold start.the vacuum pump operation was controlled by switches that sensed booster vacuum, turning the pump on when booster vacuum dropped below a specified level.in the my 2008 solstice and sky vehicles (the subject vehicles), general motors (gm) eliminated the auxiliary vacuum pump and replaced it with the optimized hydraulic braking (ohb) system.the design intent of ohb is to supplement engine vacuum, in conditions where low va
Questions about the 2008 Pontiac Solstice
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Solstice?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (99 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); brakes (36 complaints, typically around 1,000 miles); electrical (15 complaints, typically around 35,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 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 2008 a bad year for the Pontiac Solstice?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Solstice model year since 2000, with 159 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.