Pontiac · G8 · 2009
4
Recalls
144
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Pontiac G8 has 4 recalls and 144 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (59 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Was leaving for a road trip and the rear passenger door would not latch when closed. We were an hour from home, so I had to use a bungee cord to hold the door closed for the drive back. My son had to sit in the middle seat. That door is rarely used. I have ordered the part and it should be here soon. The drivers door has become difficult to open and close but I am unable to locate the part as it is backordered from GM. I understand the the vehicle is 12 years old but I maintain it very well; it is in great shape and runs well. It's scary to think that these door latches can fail so easily. Other body parts for this vehicle are becoming increasingly difficult to locate.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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?
ABS LIGHTS. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DOOR LATCHES GOES OUT ON VEHICLES AND THE DOOR DON'T STAY SHUT. THE DOOR WILL FLAP OPEN WILL DRIVING, HAVE TO USE A SEAT BELT AROUND THE INSIDE HANDLE AND THEN CONNECT TO THE SEAT BUCKLE TO KEEP DOOR CLOSE. I HAVE 2 G8S THAT THESE HAVE FAILED ON. I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT SOMEONE CAN FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE .
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. BUICK, GMC, CADILLAC DONOVAN AUTO & TRUCK CENTER (5800 W KELLOGG DR, WICHITA, KS 67209, (316) 768-4891) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES) AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERS: 09101 AND 09046. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
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.
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.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2009 Pontiac G8 has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 144 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Pontiac G8.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Pontiac G8.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Pontiac G8 are air bags (59 reports), suspension (17 reports), electrical system (8 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2009 Pontiac G8. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.