VehicleVerdict

2008 Pontiac G8 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Pontiac G8 sits mid-pack among G8 years: 91 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 91, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 25 reports (28% of the total).

91

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other G8 years?

G8 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted185 complaints2008: 91 complaints2009: 185 complaints2010: 2 complaints
G8 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all G8 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Pontiac G8 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2527%
Electrical System1516%
Suspension1112%
Transmission89%
Steering89%
Engine67%
Other44%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Brakes22%
Seat Belts22%
Seats22%
Body & Structure22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Speed Control11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2008 Pontiac G8 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V399000Seat BeltsJune 23, 2015 · 47,042 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.

Consequence

If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 15206.

14V540000Electrical SystemSeptember 9, 2014 · 47,043 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on December 31, 2014. The recall began on February 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14445. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.

11V534000AirbagsNovember 4, 2011 · 38,444 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 2, 2007 THROUGH JANUARY 22, 2009. A 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DEVICE (ATD) IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST EXCEEDED THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA (HIC) REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITIONED FULL FORWARD, THE SEAT POSITION SENSOR WILL CAUSE A 30 MILLISECONDS DEPLOYMENT DELAY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES OF THE DUAL-STAGE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

09V172000Tires & WheelsMay 21, 2009 · 35,038 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 35,038 MY 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT" AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS". THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY BE CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED AND FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING. ALSO CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCORRECT VALUES PROGRAMMED INTO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE TELLTALE UNTIL TIRE PRESSURE FALLS BELOW VALUES REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence

INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR AND THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK RECEIVER WITH THE CORRECT VALUES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JUNE 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 24, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN STRIP AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 18, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 24, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT AROUND THE LEFT EYE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 1, 2014 · crash

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISPLAYS UNACCEPTABLE LATENCY DURING DOWNSHIFTS AND UNPREDICTABLE RESPONSE TO THROTTLE INPUTS . THIS RESULTS IN UNPREDICTABLE VEHICLE BEHAVIOR, ESPECIALLY DURING FREEWAY MERGES OR OTHER SITUATIONS WHERE A MODERATE AMOUNT OF ENGINE POWER IS REQUIRED. THIS IS AN ONGOING,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2008

2008 Pontiac G8 — common questions

Is the 2008 Pontiac G8 reliable?

It is close to typical for the G8: 91 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2008 G8 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (25 complaints), electrical system (15 complaints), suspension (11 complaints).

Does the 2008 Pontiac G8 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Pontiac G8. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Pontiac G8 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the G8 years to avoid are 2009. The cleanest record among G8 years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.