VehicleVerdict

2008 Pontiac Solstice problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 189 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Solstice year — the 2008 model ranks #3 of 6 Solstice years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 52% of all reports (99 of 189), far ahead of brakes at 37.

189

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Solstice years?

Solstice NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted352 complaints2006: 288 complaints2007: 352 complaints2008: 189 complaints2009: 45 complaints2010: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints
Solstice NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Solstice years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Pontiac Solstice problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags9952%
Brakes3720%
Electrical System158%
Seats105%
Engine74%
Body & Structure74%
Other42%
Transmission32%
Speed Control21%
Latches & Locks21%
Seat Belts11%
Lighting11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2008 Pontiac Solstice have recalls?

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

17V061000AirbagsJanuary 26, 2017 · 91,007 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14E021000Electrical SystemApril 30, 2014 · 14,529 units

Defect

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Consequence

If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

Remedy

UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).

14V171000Electrical SystemApril 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V047000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 units

Defect

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.

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.

Remedy

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.

07V454000Seat BeltsSeptember 26, 2007 · 1,482 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

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 SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 15, 2013 · crash

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS (THE SECOND DATE WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO), I HAVE HAD TO MAKE VERY HARD STOPS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. BOTH TIMES, THE CAR CAME TO A STOP WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FUNCTIONING PROPERLY (BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATIONS INDICATING CORRECT MODULATION). ONCE THE CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 16, 2008 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 29, 2014

PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSOR FAILED ON SEAT BOTTOM AFTER PASSENGER SAT ON SEAT DURING FREEZING WEATHER. APPARENTLY AN ALL TOO COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MODEL OF CAR. NO FIX OFFERED OTHER THAN REPLACING ENTIRE SEAT BOTTOM AT A COST UPWARDS OF $1000. CAR WAS STATIONARY AND IN PARK.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WAS PEELING AND THE CHROME WAS RAZOR SHAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 16, 2013

2008 Pontiac Solstice — common questions

Is the 2008 Pontiac Solstice reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 189 complaints put the 2008 model at #3 of 6 Solstice years. It is one of the Solstice years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Solstice problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (99 complaints), brakes (37 complaints), electrical system (15 complaints).

Does the 2008 Pontiac Solstice have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Pontiac Solstice. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Pontiac Solstice under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Solstice years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Solstice years to avoid are 2007, 2006, 2008. The cleanest record among Solstice years belongs to 2014.

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.