NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Pontiac Solstice. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE FAILED SHORTLY AFTER ITS 'BUMPER-TO-BUMPER' WARRANTY EXPIRED. ANY PASSENGER IN THE CAR FACES ADDED RISK IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OWNER'S COST TO FIX THIS ITEM IS PROHIBITIVE ($500 - $1000), AND THAT THE EARLY FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SOMEWHAT COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, AND THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE TO COVER THE COSTS NOT THE CAR OWNERS. THIS SEEMS SO MUCH LIKE CONSUMER FRAUD TO ME. A THOUSAND DOLLAR PART GOING OUT AT ONLY 35K MILES THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE NUISANCE. *TR
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR FAULT. GM PART NUMBER 19124219. PASSENGER AIRBAG REMAINS AT OFF ALL THE TIME. PASSENGERS ARE NOT PROTECTED. *TR
THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS A RECALL AS THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT COST $1000 TO REPAIR. THAT IS CRAZY FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 40K MILES ON IT!!!! *TR
THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE FAILED SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THROUGH A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PROGRAM AT A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP. FORTUNATELY THIS MODULE AND NEEDED REPAIR IS COVERED UNDER THE CERTIFIED WARRANTY,HOWEVER, EXACTLY ONE MONTH AFTER THE INITIAL REPAIR I AM GETTING THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING AGAIN, WHICH DENOTES FAILURE TO THE SYSTEM. WHILE THE REPAIR WILL AGAIN BE COVERED UNDER CERTIFIED WARRANTY, AT THIS RATE IF THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS, EVENTUALLY I WILL BE OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR FOR A PART KNOWN FOR CONTINUED FAILURE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OWNER'S COST TO FIX THIS ITEM IS PROHIBITIVE ($500 - $800), AND THAT THE EARLY FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SOMEWHAT COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE. ANY PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE FACES ADDED RISK IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. IT HAS ALSO BEEN CONFIRMED BY GM THAT NOT REPLACING THE MODULE CAN LEAD TO ARBITRARY INFLATION OF THE AIRBAG. *TR
"SERVICE AIRBAG" MESSAGE ON DASH. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT "OFF" EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PERSON SITTING ON PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. DEALER PERFORMED SCAN TEST. FOUND CODES B0081-71 IN THE SIR. FOUND CODE 1063 IN PP MODULE. DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER PRESENT MODULE. PART # 19124219, MODULE KI 11.419. COST = $607.73 PLUS LABOR OF $138.28. MILLAGE WHEN REPLACED, 60,500. DATE OF REPAIR SERVICE, 1/25/2013. WHAT IS MOST CONCERNING IS: 1.) DOZENS OF SUCH OCCURRENCES OF SAME NATURE FOR THE PONTIAC SOLSTICE HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA YEAR AFTER YEAR AND STILL NO RECALL. 2.) HOW MANY CARS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COST OF THE PART AND OWNERS ARE DRIVING AROUND WITHOUT AN OPERABLE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG? THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED FAILURE. IT IS ALSO RELATED TO A PART THAT SHOULD NEVER FAIL. THE PART FAILURE AND COST HAS REINFORCED MY LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GM BRAND. UNLESS I AM EVENTUALLY REIMBURSED, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE. THE ABSENCE OF A RECALL BRINGS INTO QUESTION THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REGULATORY MISSION OF THE NHTSA. IF THIS DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR A RECALL, WHAT DOES?
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE DASH WARNING REFLECTS THAT THE SEAT AIRBAG IS OFF. THE CAR IS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE WITH 16,000 MILES. THIS SAFETY ISSUE HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILED. *TR
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED. GM ISSUED NO RECALL, YET DID SO FOR A KNOWN FAULTY SENSOR IN A CADILLAC MODEL. SAFETY IS NEVER OUT OF WARRANTY, YET GM REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IN MINE, AND OTHER MODEL YEARS OF THE GM SOLSTICE AND SKY. A DETAILED REPORT WAS ISSUED WITH NHTSA CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION: HTTP://B17QUEENOFTHESKY.COM/SKY/RESRCH/OUTPUT/FINAL_WORK/FINAL_DRAFT_20160209.PDF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT TO REGAIN BRAKE CONTROL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR WHEN HE CUT HIS LEFT HAND ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME MATERIAL ON THE DOOR HANDLE WAS PEELING AND SHARP EDGES WERE EXPOSED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CUT HIS HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 04/27/12*LJ
PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED. SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON. *TR
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE TRIGGERED A "MALFUNCTION" LIGHT WITHOUT ANY PROVOCATION. THE STOCK PART RESPONSIBLE AND ITS IDENTICAL GM REPLACEMENT PART IS KNOWN TO HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE. A PONTIAC SERVICE STATION QUOTED THE REPAIR AT A PROHIBITIVE $800 AND REQUIRES GM SERVICE DEVICE TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH AND READ THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE RATHER THAN PROVIDING ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. DOCUMENTATION ON THIS PART STATES THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY DUE TO RISK OF ARBITRARY INFLATION OR INJURY TO PASSENGERS. *TR
RECEIVING CHECK AIRBAG MESSAGE FROM PASSENGER SEAT, MILEAGE IS 63K AND 80% OF THE MILEAGE WAS WITH ONLY THE DRIVER'S SEAT OCCUPIED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITH AN OCCUPANT PRESENT. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE INAPPROPRIATE WEIGHT OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 8/26/13 *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE HANDLE WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DETACHED FROM THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 9/10/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. VEHICLE REPAIRED NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPLACEMENT HANDLE WAS MORE LOOSE THAN THE ORIGINAL HANDLE. THE HANDLE WAS AGAIN REPAIRED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE'S CHROME WAS PEELING OFF IN A MANNER THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY. THE VEHICLE REPAIR IS ALSO NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THIS FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 09/17/2012 *JS
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN A PERSON SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER IS ON THE TIME AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG DISPLAY ON THE DIC. THE PROBLEM HAS TO BE IN PASSENGER SEAT SYSTEM AS IT IS SEPARATE FROM THE DRIVER SEAT. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS THIS ELECTRICAL AND MODULES WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT COULD RESULT A DEATH IN A CRASH. A LOT OF DRIVERS HAVE HAD COMPLAINTS ON THIS AIRBAG HAZARD ON ALL 06 THRU 10 PONTIAC SOLSTICE NOTED IN THE SOLSTICE FORUM. PLEASE REVIEW THE COMPLAINS DECLARE IT RECALL. THANK YOU *TR
AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE. PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF BECAUSE OF SENSOR FAILURE.
PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING. I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER WAS TOO LIGHT TO ACTIVATE IT. IT FINALLY QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND THERE IS A WARNING EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. THIS TELLS ME THAT THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND THE AIR BAG MAY NOT WORK. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MANY OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS EXACT CAR. THE GM DEALER SAYS IT WILL BE $900 TO REPAIR. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR, AS THIS IS A VERY SMALL 2 SEAT CAR AND MY DAUGHTER HAS NO OTHER CHOICE OF WHERE TO SIT. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM DOES NOT WANT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR. AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS SITUATION WITH THE AIR BAG NOT FUNCTIONING COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
VEHICLE OVERHEATS; PASSENGER FLOOR INNER SIDE GETS VERY HOT, COOLANT LIGHT ON PANEL COMES ON AND LEAKS COOLANT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER (BENITEZ AUTO IN CAGUAS PUERTO RICO) BUT THEY CLAIM NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES, ON NOVEMBER 18, 2011 COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON 7 TIMES AND DID IT AGAIN DECEMBER 11 AND 12, 2011. I AM AFRAID THAT THE VEHICLE MY CATCH FIRE. IN ADDITION I NEVER GOT THE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE, RECALL FOR SEAT BELTS FRONT ANCHORAGE; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 07V454000. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP OR INFORM ME OF WHAT TO DO BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS, THANK YOU. *TR
DIC ALERT TO SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM. COMES ON REPEATEDLY AND REGULARLY AND SOMETIMES GOES OFF. MANY OWNERS REPORTED DEALERS DIAGNOSE AS THE FOLLOWING: FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR COULD BE DISABLING AIR BAGS WHILE PASSENGER OF APPROPRIATE WEIGHT (ABOVE MINIMUM I.E. CHILD) IS PRESENT. *TR
THE ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING ON A AFTERNOON I ARRIVED HOME WITH A PASSENGER AND THRU OUT THE TIME NO LIGHTS/ MESSAGE CAME ON AT ALL. SO IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE. I GOT ON THE CAR SO DID THE PASSENGER. TURNED ON THE CAR AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. AS IM DRIVING READY TO HIT THE STOP SIGN ALL I HEAR IS THE CHIME, AND THE DIC DISPLAYS "SERVICE AIRBAG" WAS PRETTY FREAKED OUT NEVER HAD I SEEN THAT MESSAGE BEFORE. SO I TURN OFF THE CAR. WAIT FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE. HAVE THE PASSENGER GET OF THE CAR AND I TURN ON THE CAR BACK ON. AND NO MESSAGE CAME ON. SO THE PASSENGER COMES (PASSENGER WEIGHS 140LB) AND SITS DOWN AND WERE DRIVING OFF AND THEN THE MESSAGE COMES ON AGAIN. EVER SINCE THEN THE MESSAGE COMES ON EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR. HONESTLY, ITS ANNOYING. THE WORST PART ABOUT IT IS THAT IT WENT OUT AT 29000. HOW SAD IS THAT? NOT EVEN HALF THE LIFE OF THE CAR. IF PLEASE CAN TAKE CONSIDERATION INTO THIS FAULTY PART. THANK YOU. *TR
SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO FOUR GM DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. ALL TOLD ME THAT ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE IS FUTILE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO FAULT CODES STORED IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER (OTHER THAN A GENERAL 0013 INDICATING DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT LOOP). ONLY WHEN THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING IS DISPLAYED WILL THERE BE A FAULT CODE DETAILING THE CIRCUIT INVOLVED. ALL SERVICE MANAGERS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING IS ON.
2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD ON COLD STARTS AND HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2007, HOWEVER, THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THEY HAVEN'T HEARD FOR THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A BRAKE PROBLEM. *TR
CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TURN OFF WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT NOW THE DEALER TELL ME 120 POUNDS IS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH IT DOES NOT TURN OFF IN MY OTHER CHEVY'S SAY THEY CAN DO NO MORE TO FIX IT. *TR
EVERYTIME I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING OR WHEN IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 4-5 HOURS BRAKES FAIL TO WORK, I HAVE TO LEAVE THE TRANSMISSION ON "PARKED" FOR ABOUT 1 OR 2 MINUTES OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING, THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH THE FIRST DAYS I HAD THE CAR, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. *TR
I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, AND MY HAND WAS SLASHED OPEN. BLEEDING PROFUSELY. THE CHROME HAD PEELED OFF THE HANDLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE DOOR PANEL, STATING THAT IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE, ONE PIECE UNIT. I SOLD THE CAR, AND BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE FROM MY FIANCE. (WE BOUGHT THEM BOTH ON THE SAME WEEK) HERS HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL NOW, WHEN THE CHROME ON THIS ONE HAS BEGUN TO BUBBLE UP. IT WILL ALSO BREAK FREE AND BECOME TOO SHARP TO USE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT GM EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES ON THE TRUCKS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE NOT EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES ON THE SOLSTICE OR THE HHR, WHICH SHARE THE PROBLEM, AND A SINGLE PIECE STYLE DOOR PANEL. THE DEALER SAID THE SINGLE PIECE PANEL IS A BAD DESIGN, AND SO EXPENSIVE, THAT GM IS REFUSING TO EXTEND THE WARRANTIES ON THEM. LEAVING THE CUSTOMERS SWINGING IN THE BREEZE WITH AN INJURY WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
I PURCHASED MY 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2009. I DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM UNTIL I STARTED IT UP AND BEGAN TO PULL OUT OF THE NEARBY MALL PARKING LOT AND AS I WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKE, IT MADE A LOW GRINDING NOISE, ALMOST LIKE THE ABS WAS LOCKING UP EXCEPT THE LIGHT WASN'T ON, AND I WAS MERELY CRUISING, NOT EVEN ON THE GAS PEDAL. I REAR ENDED THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME - NOT BAD, JUST KNOCKING OFF MY PONTIAC EMBLEM ON THE HOOD, AND DENTING IT IN SLIGHTLY. THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED. FROM THESE TWO WRECKS ALONE, I RECEIVED FOUR TICKETS, RESULTING IN MY LICENSE BEING SUSPENDED, MY INSURANCE CANCELING ON ME, AND SETTING ME BACK A GOOD COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS IN COURT FEES. I FILED A CLAIM WITH GENERAL MOTORS IN JANUARY ONCE I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A BULLETIN ON HERE ABOUT THE BRAKES. THEY STILL HAVE YET TO DO ANYTHING, EVEN AFTER I HAVE FAXED THEM NUMEROUS DOCUMENTS INCLUDING MY TICKETS, THE BULLETIN, BILL OF SALE, PAPER STATING MY LICENSE BEING SUSPENDED, AND SO ON. ALSO, I EVEN BROKE MY TOE FROM ONE OF THE COLLISIONS FROM WHERE I HAD ACTUALLY PUSHED DOWN HARDER ON THE BRAKE TO MAKE IT STOP. ROBERT BRONSON, MY CLAIM ADJUSTER FOR GENERAL MOTORS HAS SPOKEN WITH ME SINCE JANUARY, (WHEN I AM ABLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH HIM) AND HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE REAR BRAKES HAD POOR FUNCTIONALITY DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DETERMINE A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17046. UPDATED 3/4/2010 *CN UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB
PASSEGER AIR BAG TURNS OFF WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN SEAT. *TR
WHILE DOING A LOW SPEED U-TURN (>20MPH) THE SPOKES OF MY RIM SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL CAUSING THE CAR TO SPIN ONTO CURB. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE FROM ANYONE A REASON FOR THE WHEEL FAILURE. THESE WERE NOT THE STOCK RIMS BUT PREMIUM RIMS INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. *TR
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 HOWEVER, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY FAILED COMPLETELY. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITH ABSOLUTELY NO BACK PRESSURE. THE CAR BEGINS TO ROLL AGAIN, INDICATING THE BRAKE CALIPER/PADS HAVE RELEASED THE DISK. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP AGAIN WAS TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL, ACTIVATING THE STABILITY CONTROL MODULE TO BOOST HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS SEEMS RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS ISSUE OF BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING ON START-UP DUE TO LOW VACUUM. FOLLOWING A HARD STOP, THE VACUUM BOOST TO THE BRAKES APPARENTLY BECOMES DEPLETED, CAUSING BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MY DEALER AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM. DUE TO THE POTENTIAL DANGERS THIS PRESENTS, I FELT IT IMPORTANT TO REPORT THIS SINCE THE DEALERSHIP SEEMED UNWILLING TO PURSUE THE ISSUE. *TR
BRAKE ISSUE - I HAD NO BREAKS WHEN THE CARE WAS COLD. THE DEALER "REPROGRAMMED" THE BRAKES LAST WEEK (7-19-08) HOWEVER THE REPROGRAMMING HAS MADE THE BRAKES UNUSABLE WHEN THE CARE IS COLD. DEALER SAID I JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT, THE CAR IS A TURBO AND THAT IS HOW A TURBO WORKS! PLEASE DO SOMETHING. *TR
THE BRAKES ON OUR CAR HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE DAY 1. THEY PULSATE, DON'T FULLY STOP AT TIMES AND IN A PANIC STOP PULL THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERELY TO THE LEFT, ALMOST OUT OF YOUR HANDS. THE DEALER HAS TRIED, UNSUCCESSFULLY, A COMPUTER DOWNLOAD AND TELLING US TO WARM THE CAR UP FOR 45 SECONDS BEFORE DRIVING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHEN THE CONTACT FIRST STARTS THE VEHICLE, THERE IS A LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT MAKE A REPAIR UNTIL GM FORMULATES A REMEDY. THE VACUUM BOOST SWITCHES TO TURBO ON THE ENGINE AND NEEDS TO BUILD UP. ONCE IT FINALLY BUILDS UP, THE BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 07/07/08.*LJ UPDATED
I OWN A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP. WHEN THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE AND IT IS STARTED.. THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK! I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED OTHER MOTORISTS BEFORE AND I HAVE ALMOST BACKED MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP! MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM! *TR
THE DRIVER SEAT HAS EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT. WHEN DRIVING IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU ARE NOT IN FULL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE CONSTANT CHANGING OF POSITION DURING BREAKING AND TURNING. AFTER BRINGING THIS DEFECT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE SEAT WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. AFTER CHECKING THE STABILITY OF THE DRIVER SEAT ON NEW STOCK CARS IN THE SHOWROOM, THEY WERE ALL LOOSE, AND IN ONE CASE THE SEAT MOVED UP AND DOWN AND BACK TO FRONT WORSE THAN MINE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS NORMAL AND NOT CONSIDERED A WARRANTY ITEM GIVEN THE COMPARISON TO NEW VEHICLES. HAVING SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER NEW VEHICLES IT'S EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. DRIVING THAT CAR WITH THE SEAT MOVING AS IT DOES CREATES NAUSEA AND MOTION SICKNESS. *TR
BRAKES REQUIRE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON COLD START. BRAKE IS SPONGY AT FIRST THEN BECOMES HARD CAUSING THE CAR TO CREEP. UPON HARDER APPLICATION THEY THEN SNATCH. FEELS LIKE THAT YOU DON'T' HAVE FULL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FEAR THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HIT SOMETHING. AFTER DRIVING 100 YDS THE BREAKS FUNCTION AS NORMAL. *TR
BRAKES, SYSTEM ON PONTIAC SOLSTICE . *TR
2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE HAS NO BRAKES WHEN YOU FIRST START UP EARLY MORNING PONTIAC SAY`S THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE VEHICLE. WHEN IS NO BRAKES NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR TO HAVE NO BRAKES WHEN YOU FIRST APPLY. *TR
2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE HAS NO BRAKES WHEN YOU FIRST START UP EARLY MORNING PONTIAC SAY`S THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE VEHICLE. WHEN IS NO BRAKES NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR. *TR
PONTIAC SOLSTICE - 2008 GXP AFTER MY CAR HAS SAT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN IT IS STARTED UP AGAIN THE CAR OVER REVS AND THE BRAKES TO NOT WORK. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT I WAS PUTTING DOWN THE TOP AND BY THE TIME I WAS DONE IT HAS STOPPED REVVING. THE SECOND TIME A DAY LATER I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND HEADED TOWARD A GATE. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT THE FENCE. AFTER I LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE IT STARTED WORKING OK. THIRD TIME MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF OUR GARAGE WHILE BACKING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK CAUSING HER TO ROLL INTO THE STREET. GOOD NEWS IS SHE DID NOT GET HIT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. TOOK 4 DAYS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO REPROGRAM THE CAR BUT IT SHOULD BE FINE NOW. AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND DROVE HOME. THE ENGINE FAN RAN FOR 5 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS TURNED OFF. *TR
MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON OUR 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP TURBO SINCE PURCHASING IT. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT PROBLEM. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMES ON AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *TR
I JUST PURCHASES A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP LAST WEEK. SINCE THE FIRST DAY, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MAJOR DIFFICULTIES WITH THE BRAKES. THIS MORNING, I WAS BACKING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I JUST MISSED HITTING ANOTHER CAR BY AN INCH OR SO. I CALLED PONTIAC CONCERNING THE PROBLEM THIS MORNING AND THEY RELATED TO ME THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY BRAKE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER IN THE MORNING. I'M VERY CONCERNED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *TR
LACK OF BRAKING AFTER A COLD START - VEHICLE INACTIVE FOR A FEW HOURS. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. IF I TAKE OFF RIGHT AFTER I START THE CAR, THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR. I MUST WAIT A WHILE BEFORE DRIVING OR PUMP THE BRAKE 3 OR SO TIMES TO GET THEM TO WORK. *TR
2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE BRAKES FAIL/SUDDENLY CONNECT SINCE DAY 1 EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN ISSUED DIRECTIVES FROM GM WHICH BASICALLY STATE THAT'S HOW IT IS. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND I WANT TO BE RID OF IT. WHEN THIS INFO GETS OUT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SELL IT. I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE 4TH TIME IN 3 DAYS TO INITIATE THE AZ STATE "LEMON LAW'. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT INVOLUNTARILY ACCELERATED. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS FROZEN TO THE DRIVE WHEEL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STORED IN A WARM TEMPERATURE. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT WATER ENTERS THE CLUTCH THROUGH THE BELL HOUSING, WHICH INDUCES FREEZING (CASE NUMBER TAC10739629). THE DEALER IS IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A SHIELD AS A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,585. UPDATED 12/8/09 *CN UPDATED 12/09/09.*JB
ON COLD STARTS, WHEN IT IS ON HIGH IDLE. THE BRAKES ARE HARD TO APPLY, AND HARD TO STOP CAR. AFTER ABOUT 20 TO30 SECONDS THEY WORK AS INTENDED. *TR
LACK OF BRAKING ABILITY WITH MY 2008 PONTIAC GXP UPON STARTUP, OCCASIONALLY. NO SENSATION OF HAVING BRAKES FOR FIRST 3-5 SECONDS, THEN BRAKES KICK IN. DOES NO MATTER IF BACKING UP OR PULLING FORWARD. *TR
POOR COLD START BRAKING ON OUR 2008 SOLSTICE. IF YOU FORGET TO LET THE CAR WARM UP THERE IS HARDLY ANY BRAKES AT ALL. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026