FaultScore

Pontiac G8 airbag problems

95 of the 278 complaints filed about the Pontiac G8 are about the airbag system — 34% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2009.

95

Complaints

34%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2008 G8 25 26.3%

Median failure at 72,000 miles

2009 G8 70 73.7%

Median failure at 56,500 miles

What owners said

2009 Pontiac G8 at 23,000 miles Danville, IL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he noticed that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the airbag warning light remained illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA complaint #11446159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 56,000 miles Turnersville, NJ

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 PONTIAC G8. The contact stated that at start-up, the airbag default warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact proceeded to drive and noticed that the light was no longer on the instrument panel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

NHTSA complaint #11430747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 29,000 miles Columbia, MD

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the front passenger’s side airbag sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V534000 (Air Bags) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

NHTSA complaint #11429480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 Edmonds, WA

AIR BAGS

A month ago my passenger air bag light came on indicating there is an issue with the Passenger Air Bag system. This occurs even when there is no one in the passenger seat. This completely disables the airbag system in my car for my passengers and I can no longer reliably transport other passengers for fear of getting into an accident and the air bag not deploying. These parts are not normal mechanical pieces that wear and tear over the course of the cars life, and with a quote from the dealership of almost $1000.00 it is unreasonable for me to pay as this is a HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, not only to passengers but to myself as I am unsure if this will effect the Drivers Air Bag System. I dont think its fair that with the car only being 12 years old that I should have to pay and replace a faulty air bag system, when this is a common issue with the 2009 Pontiac G8. This needs to be a recall as it is unfair to ask anyone to replace a VITAL and IMPORTANT safety feature of the vehicle. This should not be something Pontiac G8 owners should have to pay for out of pocket, and the Manufacturer needs to realize that this is not a one off issue, but a common issue with owners of the 2009 Pontiac G8. It is the responsibility of the Manufacturer (GM) to fix this issue as it is a basic safety issue. The car would not be legally sold with this issue from the manufacturer, so why is it the owners responsibility to pay for GM (Pontiacs) mistake? Either with $1000.00 or their lives?

NHTSA complaint #11425883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 37,000 miles Valparaiso, IN

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA complaint #11338638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 160,000 miles Edmonds, WA

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY IT STARTED SHOWING AIR BAG FAULT WARNING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE SCREEN AND CORRESPONDING LIGHT CAME ON. CONSULTED WITH LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSIS INDICATED NEED TO REPLACE THE "PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE". THE COST QUOTED BY GM DEALERSHIP IS $855 (TOTAL), FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS FAULT DISABLES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM (PASSENGER AIR BAGS FOR SURE, I AM NOT SURE ABOUT DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM) THIS IS A SAFETY CRITICAL COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL AS IT DISABLES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH COULD BE LIFE THREATENING IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY REQUEST TO THE NHTSA THAT THIS AIR BAG FAULT AND PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL, AS THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND IS NOT A MECHANICAL COMPONENT WHICH WEARS AND TEARS OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, ADDITIONALLY IT IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA complaint #11337688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Pontiac G8 at 103,302 miles Henderson, NV

AIR BAGS

WAS DRIVING ON BOTH HIGHWAY & NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT & WARNING TONE CAME ON. AFTER MANY DIAGNOSIS DRIVE TESTS, I LEARNED THAT EVERY TIME MAKING A COMPLETE LEFT U-TURN THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR WOULD DISAPPEAR. HOWEVER ONCE COMPLETING THE FULL LEFT U-TURN, AND DRIVING STRAIGHT CENTER WHEEL POSITION, THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT AND WARNING TONES WOULD REOCCUR. WHEN CONTACTING MY ONSTAR MONITORING SERVICE, THEY WERE ABLE TO DO AN OVER THE AIR DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODE TEST. IT CAME BACK AS FAULT CODE B0012 FOR CLOCKSPRING, DRIVER STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LOOP FAILURE. WHENEVER THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR IS ACTIVATED ON THIS MODEL, THE ENTIRE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND NONFUNCTIONAL IN PREVENTING MAJOR INJURIES WHICH CAN LEAD TO FATALITIES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE OF THE REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING PART COST, AND WAS QUOTED IN THE $450.00 RANGE PLUS LABOR TECH INSTALL. IN ADDITION, WAS TOLD THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A KNOWN DEFECT ON THIS MODEL AND SINCE IS AIRBAG RELATED, SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH IS GENERAL MOTORS. I COULD BE LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS TO MISINTERPRET THE SEVERITY OF THIS DEFECT, AND BE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT WILL FAIL TO SAVE MY LIFE IF EVER INVOLVED IN A MAJOR COLLISION. THIS SHOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED & SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED & RESOLVED JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS FOR OTHER MAJOR CAR MANUFACTURERS FOR FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES. AS TO THIS DATE 06/11/2020 THE ISSUE KEEPS RECURRING ON EVERY DRIVE ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THANK YOU FOR SERVING YOUR CITIZENS & THE COMMITMENT OF MAKING THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE FOR SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #11328416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 147,226 miles Fountain, CO

AIR BAGS

TODAY I WOKE UP AND STARTING RECEIVING THE AIR BAG FAULT ERROR. CONTACTED MY LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT'S THE PASSENGER SIDE MODULE THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED ME $1200 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS A SAFETY CRITICAL COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL AS IT DISABLES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH COULD BE LIFE THREATENING IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY REQUEST TO THE NHTSA THAT THIS AIR BAG FAULT AND PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL, AS THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND IS NOT A MECHANICAL COMPONENT WHICH WEARS AND TEARS OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, ADDITIONALLY IT IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA complaint #11322556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 153,000 miles Fort Worth, TX

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA complaint #11321664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 130,000 miles Saint James, MO

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG FAULT WARNING ON MY HUD, ALONG WITH THE CORRESPONDING LIGHT, COMES ON WHEN IT GETS COLD OUT. EVERY TIME IT GETS BELOW ABOUT 35 DEGREES THIS LIGHT WILL COME ON AND DISABLE ALL OF MY AIR BAGS. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. I HAVE CONSULTED WITH MY LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSIS INDICATED TO REPLACE THE "PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE". THIS FAULT DISABLES THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH IS A SAFETY CRITICAL COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL AS IT DISABLES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH COULD/WOULD BE LIFE THREATENING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG FAULT/PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL, AS THIS IS NOT A MECHANICAL COMPONENT WHICH IS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA complaint #11300814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Pontiac G8 at 60,000 miles Tinton Falls, NJ

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT FAULT REMAINS ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS DISABLED. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS KNOWN BY GM AS BEING DEFECTIVE AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND STABILITY CONTROL INDICATORS ARE ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT FUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED TO CHECK ALL FUSES, THE WIRING HARNESS, REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS, AND CHANGE ALL WHEEL SENSORS. ALL ITEMS WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILED SYSTEM REMAINS INACTIVE. THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED BY REMOVAL OF THE SEAT, CUTTING INTO THE SEAT AND INSTALLING A NEW SENSOR. THEN THE VEHICLE MUST BE REPROGRAMMED BY AN AUTHORIZED GM SERVICE FACILITY. THIS REPAIR IS IN EXCESS OF $1,200.00. THE FAILED SYSTEMS OCCUR IF MOVING OR NOT AND IS A LIFE SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA complaint #11278461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Pontiac G8 at 104,000 miles Granite City, IL

AIR BAGS

KEEP GETTING AIR BAG LIGHT ON CODE U0170 AND B0081 SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE PONTIAC G8 NEEDS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE REAR ABS SENSORS AND STILL HAVE THE ISSUE WITH IT NOT WORKING AND REPLACED THEM 2 TIMES WITH NEW SENSORS

NHTSA complaint #11267736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 102,830 miles Farmington Hills, MI

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY IT STARTED SHOWING AIR BAG FAULT WARNING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE SCREEN AND CORRESPONDING LIGHT CAME ON. CONSULTED WITH LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSIS INDICATED NEED TO REPLACE THE "PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE". THE COST QUOTED BY GM DEALERSHIP IS $855 (TOTAL), FOR PARTS AND LABOR. THIS FAULT DISABLES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM (PASSENGER AIR BAGS FOR SURE, I AM NOT SURE ABOUT DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM) THIS IS A SAFETY CRITICAL COMPONENT THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL AS IT DISABLES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WHICH COULD BE LIFE THREATENING IN AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY REQUEST TO THE NHTSA THAT THIS AIR BAG FAULT AND PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL, AS THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND IS NOT A MECHANICAL COMPONENT WHICH WEARS AND TEARS OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, ADDITIONALLY IT IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

NHTSA complaint #11228851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 83,000 miles Harpers Ferry, WV

AIR BAGS

TYPICALLY ON COLDER MORNINGS WHEN I START MY CAR I GET AN AIRBAG FAULT. ABOUT 30 TO 45 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE, THE FAULT DISAPPEARS. I HAVE BEEN READING THAT MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY WHILE THE SYSTEM IS IN FAULT. THIS HAPPENED TO ME MOST RECENTLY THIS PAST THURSDAY AND ALSO HAPPENED THE TWO PREVIOUS DAYS. I HAVE NOTICED AGAIN THAT IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN DURING COLDER MORNINGS. IT HAS HAPPENED PRIOR TO THIS WEEK ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. THE FIRST 30 MINUTES OF MY COMMUTE IS ON RURAL ROADS BUT WITHIN THE FIRST 15 MINUTES, TURNS TO STOP AND GO DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11192591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Pontiac G8 at 86,000 miles Dunnellon, FL

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT REGISTER A PERSON SITTING IN IT TO ACTIVATE AIR BAG SYSTEM. CODES RETRIEVED: U0170 AND B0081. ODOMETER: 86,000

NHTSA complaint #11164627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Pontiac G8 at 86,000 miles Dunnellon, FL

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT REGISTER WHEN A PERSON IS SITTING IN SEAT TO ACTIVATE. CODES RECIEVED: U0170, B0081.

NHTSA complaint #11164628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 91,000 miles Yuma, AZ

AIR BAGS

THE SRS SYSTEM IS THROWING DTC B0012 0D: DRIVER STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT LOOP STAGE 1 HIGH RESISTANCE DTC. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND IS NOT A COVERED REPAIR. OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS IN THEIR VEHICLE. WHILE THIS CODE IS ON, THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION IN THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11149938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 70,000 miles Winchester, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING 52 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER OF A VEHICLE THAT FAILED TO YIELD. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SPINE, ANKLES, NECK, AND RIGHT SHOULDER, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #11141086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 74,960 miles Redding, CA

AIR BAGS

STARTED MY G8 TODAY AND RECEIVED AIR-BAG FAULT WARNING LIGHT AND ALARM. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 75K MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOTICED WITHIN THE PAST FEW MONTHS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR ON THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR SEEMS TO GO OFF DURING SYSTEM CHECKOUT EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER PRESENT. BUT NOW, WITH THE ALARM AND WARNING LIGHT I AM NOT SURE IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. MANY INTERNET BLOGS INDICATE THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. THE REPAIR INDICATED COSTS OVER $1000, INCLUDING PARTS. IT SEEMS A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED LONG AGO FOR SUCH A CRITICAL SYSTEM ON A VEHICLE WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11082224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Pontiac G8 at 68,000 miles Sterling Heights, MI

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ON HIGHWAY, AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT ACTIVATED AT 68000 MILES, WHICH DISABLED AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE CAR. GM DEALER READ AIRBAG FAULT CODE WHICH INDICATED CLOCKSPRING FAULT. (P/N 92184056) DEALER REPORTED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THEY REPLACED WITH A NEW CLOCKSPRING, (WITH A NEW P/N 92234063). COST $800, AND ANY AFFINITY I HAD FOR GM. AIRBAGS COMPONENTS SHOULD NOT BE WEAR ITEMS ON VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #11056684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Pontiac G8 problems