2008 Pontiac Solstice Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 27, 2025 · 159 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Solstice years
Fewer complaints than other years 3rd of 6 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Pontiac Solstice. That ranks 3rd out of 6 Solstice model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (99 complaints, 62%), typically at around 38,750 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 7 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Pontiac Solstice
2006-2008 Pontiac Solstice photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2008 Pontiac Solstice problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags99 · ~38,750 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic29 · ~500 mi
Electrical System15 · ~35,527 mi
Seats10 · ~42,000 mi
Service Brakes7 · ~26,500 mi
Structure6 · ~20,000 mi
Engine5 · ~26,000 mi
Power Train3 · ~35,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling2 · ~110,000 mi
Equipment2 · ~15,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags problems9962%38,750“air bag” (52%)$1,150
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2918%500——
Electrical System159%35,527——
Seats106%42,000——
Service Brakes74%26,500——
Structure64%20,000——
Engine53%26,000——
Power Train32%35,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling21%110,000——
Equipment21%15,000——
Latches/locks/linkages21%43,500——
Unknown or Other21%6,400——
Vehicle Speed Control21%13,200——
Exterior Lighting11%23,400——
Seat Belts11%———
Service Brakes, Electric11%50——
Suspension11%66,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 31 complaints
2007: 7200772008: 17172009: 6200962010: 222011: 4201142012: 10102013: 142013142014: 31312015: 102015102016: 14142017: 282017282018: 882019: 1201912020: 222022: 2202222023: 222025: 120251

n = 159 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Pontiac Solstice recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationJan 26, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V061000 · 91,007 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Electrical system:ignitionApr 10, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V171000 · 2,191,014 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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 Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

Air bags; electrical system:ignition:switchFeb 10, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles

Problem: 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 been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

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. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Seat belts:front:anchorageSep 26, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V454000 · 1,482 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • HVAC Blower Motor Connector (DP20002) — opened Feb 7, 2020, closed Oct 27, 2022.
  • Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat (DP16001) — opened May 16, 2016, closed Apr 24, 2017, led to recall 17V061000.
  • Inadequate brake power assist (PE08016) — opened Mar 6, 2008, closed Jun 24, 2008.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Air Bags · received May 27, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11663152

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…

Service Brakes · received Dec 29, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11562518

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…

Air Bags · received Apr 1, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11514946

The passenger presence pad was not repaired.

Air Bags · received May 19, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11465291

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…

Electrical System · received Apr 21, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11461630

Other Pontiac Solstice years

← 2007 Solstice · 2009 Solstice →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2014 Solstice00
2010 Solstice03
2009 Solstice363
20081594
2007 Solstice2904
2006 Solstice2434

See all Pontiac Solstice problems by year, every Pontiac model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Solstice?

Owners most often report air bags, service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 99 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Pontiac Solstice?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Pontiac Solstice a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Solstice model years, the 2008 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.