2009 Pontiac Solstice Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 14, 2023 · 36 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Solstice years
Far fewer complaints than other years 4th of 6 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Pontiac Solstice. That ranks 4th out of 6 Solstice model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (32 complaints, 89%), typically at around 31,730 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 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 2009 Pontiac Solstice problems

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

Air Bags32 · ~31,730 mi
Electrical System6 · ~25,058 mi
Seats3 · ~35,500 mi
Power Train1 · ~22,600 mi
Seat Belts1 · ~5,100 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags3289%31,730——
Electrical System617%25,058——
Seats38%35,500——
Power Train13%22,600——
Seat Belts13%5,100——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 11 complaints
2012: 1201212013: 3201332014: 112014112015: 4201542016: 2201622017: 3201732018: 5201852020: 2202022021: 3202132022: 1202212023: 120231

n = 36 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2009 Pontiac Solstice recalls (3)

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.

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.

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 contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact called the dealer, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that an electrical sensor was defective and needed to…

Air Bags · received Aug 14, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11538308

My issue is with the initial recall of the air bag system. Why is the air bag replaced only one time when this is an ongoing problem. My air bag system needs replaced for the second time but it is not covered. I don't understand the logic behind not continually correcting an ongoing problem. Can…

Air Bags · received Sep 7, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11483284

My Solstice had recall # 14092 & 14133 for service airbag to passenger seat completed on 4/27/2018. As of 10/25/2019 the service airbag light is once again on and indicates that the passenger airbag is off. The recall part has malfunctioned. Please contact with another recall to fix this problem…

Air Bags · received Oct 31, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11438826

Over the years I've received multiple info cards from dealerships concerning this recall. I return their request for having recall work scheduled. The dealerships then return my call usually in a few days saying they are unable to aquire parts for recall work. So far no dealership has been able to…

Air Bags · received Aug 2, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11427502

Passenger airbag warning light came on and is always on. Driver info display indicates "service airbag" every time i start the car. Pps mat recall has already been performed. The reinforcement repair has failed. The exact same pps mat is used on the cadillac cts, and the recall for that was to…

Air Bags · received Apr 8, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11407099

Other Pontiac Solstice years

← 2008 Solstice · 2010 Solstice →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2014 Solstice00
2010 Solstice03
2009363
2008 Solstice1594
2007 Solstice2904
2006 Solstice2434

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

Similar Pontiac models

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?

Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, seats problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 32 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2009 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 2009 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.