IllustrationAFTER ONLY 11,000 MILES MY FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT WAS BAD AND A WOBBLE WAS NOTICED WHEN BRAKING HARD. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE LCA TO FIX IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE PREMATURE FAILURE AND COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE INJURIES IF A MORE SOLID FIX ISN'T COMPLETED. *TR
2009 Pontiac G8
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all G8 years →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
330–25K
2925–50K
3950–75K
1475–100K
8100–150K
3150K+
126 reports with mileage · 18 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
144 reportsFRONT SUSPENSION: CONTROL AND CASTER ARMS: BALL JOINTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL # 09V172000 (TIRES: PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS) ON JUNE 12, 2009. SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. SHE ASKED THE DEALER TO RESET THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM FOR THE FRONT TIRE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL # 09V172000 (TIRES: PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS) ON JUNE 12, 2009. SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. SHE ASKED THE DEALER TO RESET THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM FOR THE FRONT TIRES TO 25, AND THE REAR TIRES PRESSURE TO 28; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO RESET THE TPMS. HE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT FILED REPORT NUMBER 71-767919699. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO REFUSED TO CHANGE THE TIRE SPECIFICATION SINCE THE FRONT TIRE PRESSURE SHOULD BE 36 AND THE REAR TIRE PRESSURE SHOULD BE 39. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,811. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,264. UPDATED 11/3/09 *CN THE AIR BAG REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT PART, DUE TO THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS COMING ON. UPDATED 11/06/09.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT SIDE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AND HAVE FAILED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VIN AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT SIDE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AND HAVE FAILED AGAIN ALONG WITH THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR HIS VIN AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A TOTAL FAILURE AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
2009 PONTIAC G8. AUTO VEERS TO THE RIGHT, NEED TO KEEP PULL ING DOWN ON LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL TO GO STRAIGHT. GM REP CLAIMS G8 WAS MADE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT IF DRIVER FELL ASLEEP PREVENTING HEAD ON COLLISIONS. THREE DEALERS UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. GM REP STATES THAT THE G8 WAS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT…
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2009 PONTIAC G8. AUTO VEERS TO THE RIGHT, NEED TO KEEP PULL ING DOWN ON LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL TO GO STRAIGHT. GM REP CLAIMS G8 WAS MADE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT IF DRIVER FELL ASLEEP PREVENTING HEAD ON COLLISIONS. THREE DEALERS UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. GM REP STATES THAT THE G8 WAS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT IF DRIVER FELL ASLEEP, WHICH COULD CAUSE CAR TO GO ON SIDEWALK, ETC. AND INJURE PEOPLE. GM REFUSES TO REPURCHASE VEHICLE. THEY OFFERED TO GIVE US 4 NEW TIRES AND EXTENDED WARRANTY 60,000 ADD. MILES, FOR A CAR THAT THEY CLAIM HAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOPS FOR 28 DAYS, SINCE 3-26-09 PURCHASE. REPLACING STRUT BEARINGS, BALANCE & ROTATED TIRES, ALIGNED FRONT END, WITH NO CHANGE. TOOK THE CAR TO 2 OTHER PONTIAC DEALERS DROVE & FOUND IT VEERED TO RIGHT AND BOTH ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. ALSO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, GAS CAP VIBRATES LOOSE BY ITSELF. DEALER TIGHTENED CAP AND DID SMOKE TEST WHICH SHOULD NO LEAKS. CAR REQUIRES NEW GAS CAP. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, HE NOTICED A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE LOWER CONTROL A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, HE NOTICED A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500 AND THE CURRENT WAS MILEAGE 4,800.
2/23/2009: LEAVING STOP LIGHT, CAR QUITE RUNNING AND I PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. FOUND OUT CAR WAS OUT OF GAS, BUT GAUGE SHOWED A LITTLE OVER A 1/4 TANK. DEALERSHIP SAID GAUGE CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND CHANGED THE CLUSTER. 7/12/2009: AT 25 MPH CAR QUITE RUNNING AND I P…
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2/23/2009: LEAVING STOP LIGHT, CAR QUITE RUNNING AND I PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. FOUND OUT CAR WAS OUT OF GAS, BUT GAUGE SHOWED A LITTLE OVER A 1/4 TANK. DEALERSHIP SAID GAUGE CLUSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND CHANGED THE CLUSTER. 7/12/2009: AT 25 MPH CAR QUITE RUNNING AND I PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND I KNEW I WAS OUT OF GAS AGAIN. THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED JUST UNDER 1/4 TANK. I GOT SOME GAS AND WENT TO THE GAS STATION. THE GAS TANK HOLDS 19 GALLONS, BUT I ONLY ABLE TO PUMP IN LESS THAN 16 GALLONS. I THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE FUEL PICKUP, NOT THE GAUGE. I WAS LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN DURING HIGHER SPEEDS AND TRAFFIC. *TR
THE 2009 PONTIAC G8 HAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT END. AT 16000KM THE BALL JOINTS WERE FALLING OUT ON MY PONTIAC G8. THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO A CONTROL FAILURE OF THE CAR AND A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS THE DEALER HAS STATED THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OT…
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THE 2009 PONTIAC G8 HAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT END. AT 16000KM THE BALL JOINTS WERE FALLING OUT ON MY PONTIAC G8. THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO A CONTROL FAILURE OF THE CAR AND A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS THE DEALER HAS STATED THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONSIDER THIS CAR TO BE UNSAFE, AND FEEL IT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON IT. *TR
ON PONTIAC G8 GT WITH 18" WHEELS AND GOODYEAR RSA TIRES, THE WHEELS AND TIRES VERY OFTEN CANNOT BE BALANCED PROPERLY. THIS LEADS TO SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING/WOBBLING AND SOMETIMES DEALERS PUT A LOT OF WEIGHTS ON THE WHEELS ATTEMPTING TO BALANCE AN TIRE THAT CANNOT BE BALANCED, EVEN AFTER REPLACING OR REMOUNTING THE TIRE. …
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ON PONTIAC G8 GT WITH 18" WHEELS AND GOODYEAR RSA TIRES, THE WHEELS AND TIRES VERY OFTEN CANNOT BE BALANCED PROPERLY. THIS LEADS TO SEVERE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING/WOBBLING AND SOMETIMES DEALERS PUT A LOT OF WEIGHTS ON THE WHEELS ATTEMPTING TO BALANCE AN TIRE THAT CANNOT BE BALANCED, EVEN AFTER REPLACING OR REMOUNTING THE TIRE. A WEB THREAD WITH MANY COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.G8BOARD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=12322 MY G8 GT HAS THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES AND REBALANCED THEM. PONTIAC APPARENTLY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SHOULD REPLACE ALL WHEELS/TIRED FOR THE G8 IF THERE IS ANY WHEEL SHAKE. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2009 G8 (6K MILES) IS VERY ROUGH SHIFTING ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. WHEN TRYING TO STOP, THE TRANSMISSION FREQUENTLY HESITATES TO DOWN SHIFT, REMAINING IN THE HIGHER GEAR. IF THE DRIVER DOESN'T PAY ATTENTION AND APPLY CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD INTO THE INTERSECTION…
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THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2009 G8 (6K MILES) IS VERY ROUGH SHIFTING ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. WHEN TRYING TO STOP, THE TRANSMISSION FREQUENTLY HESITATES TO DOWN SHIFT, REMAINING IN THE HIGHER GEAR. IF THE DRIVER DOESN'T PAY ATTENTION AND APPLY CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD INTO THE INTERSECTION UNCOMMANDED. IF THE DRIVER LETS OFF THE BRAKE BEFORE THE DOWNSHIFT OCCURS, THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE DANGEROUSLY. THE DEALER APPLIED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE I TOOK DELIVER, BUT IT HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE. * * * THIS IS A DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM! * * * *TR
Official recalls
415V399000 · Seat Belts
Jun 23, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
14V540000 · Electrical System:ignition
Sep 9, 2014
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.
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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: 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.
11V534000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Nov 4, 2011
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: 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.
09V172000 · Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module; Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
May 21, 2009
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
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.
Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
Remedy: 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.
Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module
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.
Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
Remedy: 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.