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 reports
70,000 miles · Jun 9, 2016
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD INDICATING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD INDICATING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10873494
146,000 miles · May 5, 2016
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWAY BAR, TIE ROD, AND HOB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWAY BAR, TIE ROD, AND HOB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 07/27/16*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10863482
60,000 miles · May 4, 2016
SeatsUnknown Or OtherInjury
BOTH FRONT I NSIDE DOOR HANDLES PEELING REVEALING RAZOR SHARP MATERIAL ..WHICH HAS ALREADY CUT MY WIFE ONCE IF YOUY R NOT CAREFUL OPENING DOOR FROM THE INSIDE YOU WILL CUT YOU FINGERS . ALSO DRIVERS LOWER OUTSIDE SEAT TRIM FALLING OFF SEAT ..POSS SCRAPE & OR TRIP HAZZARD
NHTSA ODI #10863046
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2016
Service Brakes, Air
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOSE AROUND THE BRAKE LINE WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOSE AROUND THE BRAKE LINE WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR SWITCH WAS IN THE ON POSITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA ODI #10860813
70,000 miles · Apr 13, 2016
Air Bags
WENT TO START MY VEHICLE YESTERDAY, AND SOUNDLY AN AIRBAG FAILURE SHOWED UP IN THE DRIVER INFO CENTER. WENT ONLINE AND THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS TONS OF OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE CONSUMERS A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN USED IN MY VEHICLE. THEY ARE TRYING TO AVOID T…
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WENT TO START MY VEHICLE YESTERDAY, AND SOUNDLY AN AIRBAG FAILURE SHOWED UP IN THE DRIVER INFO CENTER. WENT ONLINE AND THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAS TONS OF OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE CONSUMERS A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN USED IN MY VEHICLE. THEY ARE TRYING TO AVOID THE RECALL AS IT WILL COST THEM. THIS IS STRAIGHT UNFAIR THAT THEY SOURCE CHEAP MODULES, AND WHEN FAILURE OCCURS, SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER FACTORY REPLACEMENT OF NEW SENSORS AND MODULES, THEY STICK IT ON THE CONSUMER. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS AS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND NOW I HAVE NO AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD THE AMOUNT THEY WANT TO FIX THE MODULE. PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS AND MAKE THEM TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DECISIONS. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10855210
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2016
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG SENSOR COMES ON AS SOON AS THE CAR IS STARTED AND NEVER GOES OFF. THE AIR BAGS ARE DEACTIVATED DURING THIS TIME CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY WILL NOT INFLATE IF YOU'RE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED.
NHTSA ODI #10853889
86,959 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Air Bags
VEHICLE SOMETIMES DISPLAYS AIRBAG FAULT AFTER SYSTEM CHECK DURING STARTUP. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. ALSO THE AIR BAGS I'M TOLD ARE NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN THE CAR DISPLAYS THIS MESSAGE. ERROR DOES NOT REAPPEAR AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10852529
71,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Structure
REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED ALLOWING THE DOOR TO OPEN BY ITSELF WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10846493
56,000 miles · Feb 9, 2016
Air Bags
AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT AT 56K MILES SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM BEEPS EVERYTIME KEY IS TURNED ON AND NEVER GOES AWAY.
NHTSA ODI #10825055
100,000 miles · Nov 25, 2015
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO A DITCH RESULTING IN THE SEAT BELT SEPARATING FROM THE BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TENSIONER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A POLICE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO A DITCH RESULTING IN THE SEAT BELT SEPARATING FROM THE BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TENSIONER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER KNEE, LEGS, AND EYE HOWEVER MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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.
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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2009 Pontiac G8 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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