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2008 Pontiac G5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

96 reports with mileage · 19 unknown

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.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports

Power Train complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
100 miles · Sep 15, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CAR SPEEDS UP WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PETAL AND IT'S HARD TO STOP IT WHEN IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE IT STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE AND TURNED OFF WITH AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME LIKE TO HAVE KILLED ME GOT CAR IN NEUTRAL FINALLY FORCEFULLY PRAYING THAT JESUS PROTECT ME BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD.…

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CAR SPEEDS UP WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PETAL AND IT'S HARD TO STOP IT WHEN IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE IT STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE AND TURNED OFF WITH AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME LIKE TO HAVE KILLED ME GOT CAR IN NEUTRAL FINALLY FORCEFULLY PRAYING THAT JESUS PROTECT ME BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. DRIVING DOWN ROAD STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP CAUSES ENGINE TO SHAKE WHOLE CAR AND BACKFIRES MY CAR RIDES REALLY ROUGH. MESSED UP POWER STEERING HAS CAUSED MY BLINKERS NOT TO WORK NOW. I'M REALLY SAD. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN MY CAR. THE TRANSMISSION ACTS UP AND WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IT'S LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN SO IT JERKS REALLY BAD.

NHTSA ODI #11129639

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

2008 PONTIAC G5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ORIGINAL IGNITION RECALL WAS FIXED IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2014, AFTER THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ANOTHER FAILURE ON JANUARY 20, 2015. IT WAS TOWED THE DEALER…

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2008 PONTIAC G5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ORIGINAL IGNITION RECALL WAS FIXED IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2014, AFTER THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ANOTHER FAILURE ON JANUARY 20, 2015. IT WAS TOWED THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER A SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS NEEDED. HOWEVER, THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10694560

142,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
EnginePower Train

AS I WAS TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, ON MY WAY TO DROP MY SON OFF AT DAYCARE BEFORE WORK, EARLY MARCH 27TH, 2014, MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM THE STOP SIGN I WAS STOPPED AT. IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY, ESPECIALLY WITH MY YOUNG SON IN THE BACK SEAT. MY CAR IS A MANUAL, AND THE STICK SHIFT WOULD SLIP INTO EACH SLOT BUT NOT ENGAGE THE GEA…

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AS I WAS TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, ON MY WAY TO DROP MY SON OFF AT DAYCARE BEFORE WORK, EARLY MARCH 27TH, 2014, MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM THE STOP SIGN I WAS STOPPED AT. IT WAS EXTREMELY SCARY, ESPECIALLY WITH MY YOUNG SON IN THE BACK SEAT. MY CAR IS A MANUAL, AND THE STICK SHIFT WOULD SLIP INTO EACH SLOT BUT NOT ENGAGE THE GEAR, WHICH LEAD ME TO ASSUME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT. MY CAR REMAINED RUNNING, EVEN WITH MY FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH, AND IN ANY GEAR, INCLUDING REVERSE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PUSH MY CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIGHWAY, WITH MY SON STILL INSIDE. ALTHOUGH I FELT THAT THIS WAS NOT THE SAFEST SITUATION FOR MY SON TO BE IN, I FELT THAT THE ALTERNATIVE OF REMAINING IMMOBILE IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC MAY GET US IN A REAR-END COLLISION, OR HAVING MY SON STANDING ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE I PUSHED THE CAR MAY GET HIM HURT. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE, BUT THE COST TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT A SHOP IS AN OUTRAGEOUS PRICE, AND I AM NOT ABLE TO FIND A TRANSMISSION FOR SALE AT ANY AUTO PARTS STORE BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO ACQUIRE THE PART. MOST OF THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKE WITH HAVE STATED THAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED MULTIPLE PONTIAC G5 TRANSMISSIONS IN THE RECENT MONTHS. AFTER ALL THE NEWS ABOUT GM VEHICLES, I FEEL THAT I MAY HAVE MADE A BAD INVESTMENT WHEN PURCHASING MY CAR BRAND NEW AND HAVING SUCH A MAJOR ISSUE OCCUR THIS SOON. MORE SO, I AM CONCERNED BY THE WAY MY CAR BROKE DOWN. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY STOP MOVING AS I WAS TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, BUT ALL I COULD THINK IS WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE IF MY TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED OR IN AN AREA WITHOUT A PLACE TO PULL OFF, IT IS A SCARY THOUGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576583

50,000 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE HAD ACCELERATION ISSUES SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE G5. ONE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO PULL ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY. AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE THE CAR STARTED JERKING ALMOST AS IF IT WERE OUT OF GAS, YET I HAD A FULL TANK. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OTHER THAN THAT, BUT THAT PARTICULAR TIME FRIGHTENED ME AND…

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I HAVE HAD ACCELERATION ISSUES SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE G5. ONE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO PULL ONTO A BUSY HIGHWAY. AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE THE CAR STARTED JERKING ALMOST AS IF IT WERE OUT OF GAS, YET I HAD A FULL TANK. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OTHER THAN THAT, BUT THAT PARTICULAR TIME FRIGHTENED ME AND MY PASSENGERS. I NOTICE IT MOST OFTEN WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO GO UP HILLS. WHEN IT HAPPENS GOING UP HILLS, IT IS ALMOST LIKE I LOSE POWER. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW HARD OR SOFT YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR DURING THIS TIME, IT WILL STILL DO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376680

29,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN ACTING UP AND IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. DEALERSHIP REPLACED CLUTCHES THAT WERE BINDING AND REPLACED MANY OTHER PARTS. THE TRANSMISSION TO THIS DAY STILL ACTS UP AND HAS A VERY NOTICEABLE JOLT WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIM…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN ACTING UP AND IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN. DEALERSHIP REPLACED CLUTCHES THAT WERE BINDING AND REPLACED MANY OTHER PARTS. THE TRANSMISSION TO THIS DAY STILL ACTS UP AND HAS A VERY NOTICEABLE JOLT WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAR BREAKS DOWN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316255

Official recalls

4

14V171000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 10, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Feb 10, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Electrical System:ignition:switch

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

12V459000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 19, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

10V073000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mar 3, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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

1

PE10005 · Electric Power Steering Failure

Opened Jan 27, 2010 · Closed Jul 19, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

In a March 1, 2010 letter, General Motors Corporation (GM) provided a defect information report to NHTSA regarding a problem that could result in sudden loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and MY 2007 through 2010 Pontiac G5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS).The letter indicates that the loss of steering assist could occur at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and a chime sounds to inform the driver.The letter further states that steering control is maintained in manual mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds.In the next ignition cycle, power assist is typically regained and the DIC message is no longer displayed.GM's letter identifies the root cause of the EPS failure as the EPS motor and indicates that production of a new motor started in December 2009.GM's recall repair procedure instructs dealers to replace the EPS motor in all recalled vehicles. ODI's analysis of all information available related to sudden loss of EPS assist while driving in the MY 2005 through 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles shows current complaint and warranty rates of 323/100,000 vehicles and 0.4% respectively.In response to ODI's request for information, GM identified 81 complaints where a crash was claimed that may be related to loss of EPS assist.ODI's analysis of all crash claims was based on verifiable factors such as; whether a loss of EPS was indicated at the time of the crash by a chime or malfunction indicator lamp or if a EPS related component malfunction was identified after the crash occurred.With this method ODI identified 36 possible crashes related to EPS failure.GM assessed crash claims based on the available facts and excluded crash claims that indicated that the vehicle was travelling at speeds in the range of 30 mph or greater.GM said that it believes if power assist is lost while a vehicle is moving at speeds in the range of 30 mph or greater there is a small difference in steering efforts perceived in subjective evaluations at those speeds and it is unlikely to lead to loss of vehicle control. Based on GM's safety recall, this investigation is closed.