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2009 Pontiac G3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

18 reports
182,000 miles · Mar 28, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE AND CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS SEALED SHUT, THE HEATER HOSE WAS HOT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, OIL WAS MIXED IN WITH THE COOLANT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE OIL WARNING INDICATOR IL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE AND CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS SEALED SHUT, THE HEATER HOSE WAS HOT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, OIL WAS MIXED IN WITH THE COOLANT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ARC AUTO STORE (95 DESIGN DR, NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO 64116, (816) 474-2277) WHERE A NEW TIE ROD, HEATER HOSE, THERMOSTAT, AND WATER PUMP WERE INSTALLED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11192238

50,000 miles · Jun 7, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

AIR PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS CONSTANTLY ON (BLINKING) AFTER 8-9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. MULTIPLE MECHANICS POINT TO COMPUTER ISSUE. ALL SENSORS CONFIRMED AS WORKING, AIR PRESSURE IS CORRECT IN TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #11100389

57,000 miles · Jul 19, 2017
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BRAKE OIL AS WELL AS UNDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BRAKE OIL AS WELL AS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE CONTACT WAITED A WHILE AND THEN RESUMED DRIVING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (ANTHONY BUICK GMC IN GURNEE, IL) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED IN WAUKEGAN, IL, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE ABS OR ONE OF THE BRAKE VALVES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V460000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11006361

40,448 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH GENERAL MOTORS TO SEEK A RESOLUTION TO NO AVAIL. I HAD TO REPLACE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN OCTOBER 2016 IN ORDER TO PASS MY NEW YORK STATE EMISSION FOR ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION. HOWEVER, SINCE I DID NOT DO IT AT THE DEALERSHIP, GM WILL NOT…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH GENERAL MOTORS TO SEEK A RESOLUTION TO NO AVAIL. I HAD TO REPLACE MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN OCTOBER 2016 IN ORDER TO PASS MY NEW YORK STATE EMISSION FOR ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION. HOWEVER, SINCE I DID NOT DO IT AT THE DEALERSHIP, GM WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME EVEN THOUGH I AM STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY. FURTHERMORE, I AM CURRENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH MY CAR AND HAVE TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY, JUNE 9. I AM ATTACHING THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FROM ONSTAR AND MY EMISSIONS INVOICE FROM OCTOBER 2016. I AM ALSO INCLUDING ALL THE CORRESPONDENCE THAT I HAD WITH GENERAL MOTORS. I DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE CAR FAX BUT THE ATTACHED ORDER FORM SHOWS THAT THERE ARE 63 RECORDS FOR THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE PURCHASING IT ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013 FROM KRISTAL AUTO MALL IN BROOKLYN, NY.

NHTSA ODI #10993823

68,000 miles · Sep 28, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V460000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V460000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10778137

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2015
Unknown Or Other

CAR ALARM GOES OFF BY IT'S SELF EVERY SO OFTEN FOR NO REASON..

NHTSA ODI #10690785

73,621 miles · Jan 28, 2015
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING AND SMOKING A LOT. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS SLUSHY FLUID FLOWING FROM THE CAR AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I TOWED IT TO A NEARBY AUTO REPAIR SERVICE PROFESSIONAL FOR TESTING, AND THE TEST SHOWED THAT THE COOLANT WAS CONTAMINATED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD…

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I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING AND SMOKING A LOT. I PULLED OVER AND THERE WAS SLUSHY FLUID FLOWING FROM THE CAR AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I TOWED IT TO A NEARBY AUTO REPAIR SERVICE PROFESSIONAL FOR TESTING, AND THE TEST SHOWED THAT THE COOLANT WAS CONTAMINATED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD COOLANT FLUID IN IT. ACCORDING TO THEM, THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE COOLANT HOSE THAT ALLOWED THE COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND AS A RESULT THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. THIS IS A VERY RARE SITUATION TO SEE IN A CAR WITH THIS FEW MILES, FIVE YEARS OLD AND MAINTAINED WELL. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP BEGAN TO BLAME ME FOR IT BY SAYING THAT I PUT WATER IN THE COOLANT WHICH CAUSED THE COOLANT RESERVOIR TO FREEZE AND THE HOSE TO MALFUNCTION. I TOLD THEM THAT I HAVE RECORDS OF CONSISTENTLY TAKING IT TO A GM DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, AND ANYTHING THUS WHY WOULD I NOW TRY TO PUT WATER IN THE COOLANT. I DID NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE HOOD AREA OR RECEIVE A COOLANT FLUSH BECAUSE THE CAR JUST TURNED 5 YEARS OLD A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO IS PROVIDING BIASED INFORMATION BECAUSE I DID NOT PURCHASE THE CAR WITH THEM OR USE THAT LOCATION FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS AN UNUSUAL ISSUE. I CALLED GM AND THEY WORKED WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT THAT SAME DEALERSHIP TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP AND GM IS NOT TRYING TO DO ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY GM DEALERS FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR, I AM THE ONLY OWNER, NO ACCIDENTS AND I CANNOT REACH A RESOLVE WITH THEM. THERE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE CAR AND THE EQUIPMENT HAS A DEFECT TO ALLOW COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT NO ONE IS TRYING TO HELP BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679610

104,607 miles · Jan 4, 2015
Engine

LEAKING WATER PUMP - APPEARS TO BE A SEAL. VEHICLE HAS NOT REACHED MAX MILES/KM'S BUT HAS PASSED THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY BUT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING FOR SUCH A LOW AMOUNT OF MILES/KM'S. *TR CAUSES HEATING DELAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10669939

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

2009 PONTIAC G3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR OVER A YEAR, HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, FOR THE ISSUE. EACH TIME, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER,…

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2009 PONTIAC G3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR OVER A YEAR, HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, FOR THE ISSUE. EACH TIME, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS THIRTY, CLEANED IT, AND STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE FINE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED, THE COMPUTER WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE IDLE SPEED AND THE IDLE LINE HAD TO BE RE-CALIBRATED. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10621641

90,000 miles · Jun 6, 2014
Engine

TRAVELING NORTH ON I-81 NEAR BRISTOL, VA. HAD CRUISE CONTROL ON, DRIVING IN LEFT LANE WHEN SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE COUGHED AND SPUTTERED AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND DRIFT OFF THE NEXT EXIT, THANK GOD! THE DEALER IN BRISTOL SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE PROBLEM AND WOULD BE COVERED UND…

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TRAVELING NORTH ON I-81 NEAR BRISTOL, VA. HAD CRUISE CONTROL ON, DRIVING IN LEFT LANE WHEN SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE COUGHED AND SPUTTERED AND I LOST ALL ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND DRIFT OFF THE NEXT EXIT, THANK GOD! THE DEALER IN BRISTOL SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE PROBLEM AND WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THEY CALLED LATER TO SAY THEY HAD TO REPLACE A POWER HARNESS ALSO, AND IT WOULD BE $990.00. WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE CAR BACK THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596780

Official recalls

1

14V460000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Jul 29, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the valves inside the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module, affecting the closing motion of the valves.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ABS valve corrodes it may result in longer brake pedal travel or reduced performance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, free of charge, in any vehicle that did not have its module replaced under a previous customer satisfaction campaign. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac). GM's number for this recall is 14505.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.