34 of the
278 complaints filed about the Pontiac G8
are about the electrical system —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the key was accidentally bumped, and the ignition switch was knocked out of the run position, turning off the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V540000 (Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the recall was marked closed by the dealer without performing the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #11692271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
7/17/21 (about 94500 miles) - While driving in heavy rain on a congested highway, with my windshield wipers turned on (of course), the wipers suddenly stopped working. This could have easily killed me and my family. The wipers would not turn back on, no matter what I did. At a rest stop that afternoon, and then later during extensive testing, I found that turning the wipers on would never actually make the wipers activate--but it would cause the engine to shut off and caused the car to issue numerous, varying error codes related to numerous vehicle systems (including ABS). Through much difficulty, I was able to find that this was caused by a faulty electrical ground at what's known on the Pontiac G8 as ground point G102. The electrical ground was restored via ground connection elsewhere, and the wipers resumed functioning. Roughly 2 years later (July/August 2023, about 104,000 miles), my low-beam headlights didn't function at ignition one day. Obviously, lacking headlights is a core safety issue. I learned that the low-beams also use ground point G102. Once again, with the electrical ground restored via a connection elsewhere, the low-beams started working again. Two different service stations were unable to figure out the windshield wiper issue. I only solved it by reading what others wrote on a Pontiac G8 enthusiast message board. On those message board threads, you can see that many people have had these same exact issues with the Pontiac G8--all related to the G102 ground point. Obviously, having the windshield wipers and/or headlights fail suddenly and without warning (neither failure gave any warning in advance) in a situation where the wipers or lights are needed could have catastrophic consequences. Since I'm unaware of any other ground point failing on the Pontiac G8, I am wondering if G102, in particular, needs a recall and a repair, to address this. (I am the original owner. The car has been stored outside, in the Northeast.)
NHTSA complaint #11537314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the ignition key could not be removed from the ignition switch. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11425179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATED - WHEN THE BRAKE PADDLE IS PUSHED UP THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF FOR A SHORT TIME AND THAN ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET AND ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11327683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MODULE - FAILURE THE FAILURE OF AN ELECTRONIC MODULE LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, DEFAULTS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO "OFF". COST IS JUST UNDER $1,000 FOR DEALER REPLACEMENT. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS NO METHOD TO TURN ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM - REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER OR NOT. BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE (MANY FAILURES RECOGNIZED SINCE THE 2006 SOLSTICE MODEL) ANY PASSENGER IS SUBJECT TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION WITHOUT ACTIVE AIRBAG. THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE NEGATES THE DEALER COST TO REPAIR. COMPLAINT FILER FEELS THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT MODULE SHOULD BE HALF OF THAT QUOTED BY THE DEALER SINCE GENUINE GM PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AT $275 INSTEAD OF DEALER COST OF $417 AND THAT LABOR OF 2.5 HOURS TO REPLACE MODULE UNDER THE SEAT IS EXCESSIVE BASED ON TIME TAKEN BY OTHERS SELF-CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. (TIMES INDICATED RAN FROM 20 MINUTES TO 45 MINUTES FOR MOST). BECAUSE OF COSTS, MANY OF THESE MODULES WILL (LIKELY) GO UN-REPAIRED AND POTENTIALLY UN-REPORTED IF SOLD AS A USED VEHICLE..
NHTSA complaint #10898589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE GOTTEN A "AIRBAG FAULT" WARNING EVERY TIME I START MY CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS DUE TO A CENSOR GIVING OUT AND TO REPAIR THE ISSUE COSTS ABOUT $1000. THIS IS HIGHLY UNSATISFACTORY AS MANY USERS OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE WHEN OPERATING THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THIS IN A SENSE RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE AS DRIVERS (SOME UNAWARE), WHIVH I WAS NOT, ARE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY OPERABLE AIRBAGS. THE COST TO REPAIR IS VERY HIGH FOR A FEATURE THAT IS A SAFETY STANDARD ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE SHOULD NEVER HAVE ANY FAULTS OR FAILURES UNLESS IT HAS BEEN DEPLOYED OR TAMPERED WITH. IT IS QUITE DISAPPOINTING THAT A SYSTEM THAT HAS NEVER BEEN USED OR TAMPERED WITH CAN HAVE SUCH COSTLY FAULTS/FAILURES. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS SCARY. I FEEL LIKE SOME THING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THE MODULE THAT WILL FIX THIS ISSUE ASAP. THIS AIR FAULT IS PUTTING MANY FAMILIES AT RISK OF LOSS OF LIFE!!! BRING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE OR TO WHAT IS CAUSING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10767432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10748351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10732816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10723298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER OF 2010. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10722124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT INSERT INTO THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,722.
NHTSA complaint #10714043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. ...UPDATED 05/19/15*BF UPDATED 9/17/2015
NHTSA complaint #10704160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10694924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8 GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE KEY WAS LOOSE IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 5/4/15
NHTSA complaint #10693041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND DRIVERS DOOR ARE NOT LOCKING WITH REMOTE KEY OR ELECTRIC POWER DOOR SWITCH. THIS BEGAN WITH ONLY THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR BUT HAS MIGRATED TO DRIVERS DOOR AS WELL. THIS PROBLEM COULD LEAD TO THEFT OF INTERNAL CONTENTS AND WORSE, VEHICLE ROBBERY.
NHTSA complaint #10683540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, YET THE FAILURE KEPT RECURRING. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXHIBITED MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10683002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #10682796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V540000 (ELECTRICAL) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY WHO MADE THE CONTACT AWARE THAT IT MAY TAKE ANOTHER EIGHT MONTHS FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10682466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.