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2006 Pontiac Solstice

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Solstice years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.5.

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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

178 reports with mileage · 65 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 178 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

178 reports
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35,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Air Bags

SERVICE AIRBAG IS INDICATED ON DASH; PASSENGER AIRBAG 'OFF ' (EVEN WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED)--OUR DEALERSHIP FOUND: "PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILED" -- ESTIMATE TO REPAIR, $768. 71. WAS TOLD PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. TRIED TO CHECK ON RECALLS; FOUND MANUFACTURER HAS RECALLS FOR THIS PROBL…

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SERVICE AIRBAG IS INDICATED ON DASH; PASSENGER AIRBAG 'OFF ' (EVEN WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED)--OUR DEALERSHIP FOUND: "PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILED" -- ESTIMATE TO REPAIR, $768. 71. WAS TOLD PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. TRIED TO CHECK ON RECALLS; FOUND MANUFACTURER HAS RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER MODELS (BUT NOT ON SOLSTICE OR SATURN SKY)----THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. ALSO TRIED CONTACTING THE PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER (TO NO AVAIL); AFTER PLAYING PHONE TAG FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITH THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE; WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT HELP US. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH OUR LOCAL DEALER; THEY ARE A GOOD FACILITY AND ARE APPARENTLY JUST FOLLOWING THEIR PROTOCOLS. I DO CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND WISH TO DOCUMENT THIS SITUATION--------- *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513892

46,000 miles · May 7, 2013
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH THE PASSANGER AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED TO SWITCH FROM ON TO OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE I FOUND THAT THIS HAPPENS TO MOST ALL PONTIAC SOLISTICE'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510948

28,000 miles · Feb 16, 2013
Air Bags

UPON STARTING OUR 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF FEB. 2013 TO PULL IT OUT OF THE GARAGE TO LET IT RUN A BIT SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS DUE TO US LIVING IN AN AREA THAT HAS COLD WINTER TEMPERATURES, I NOTICED THE SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE SHOWED UP ON THE DIC AND DID NOT GO OFF. I SHUT THE …

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UPON STARTING OUR 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF FEB. 2013 TO PULL IT OUT OF THE GARAGE TO LET IT RUN A BIT SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS DUE TO US LIVING IN AN AREA THAT HAS COLD WINTER TEMPERATURES, I NOTICED THE SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE SHOWED UP ON THE DIC AND DID NOT GO OFF. I SHUT THE CAR OFF A COUPLE OF TIMES AND RESTARTED IT THINKING THE SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE WOULD GO AWAY, BUT IT HASN'T. OUR PAMPERED 2006 SOLSTICE ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT. NOT SURE WHY THIS MESSAGE WOULD BE SHOWING UP NOW OUT OF THE BLUE WHEN THE CAR WAS JUST FINE WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE 3 MONTHS AGO. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD THE SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE IS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. HOW DOES SOMETHING ALL OF THE SUDDEN FAIL JUST SITTING THERE NOT BEING DRIVEN? AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND READING HUNDREDS, PROBABLY OVER A THOUSAND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON SAFETY ISSUE THAT I ALONG WITH TOO MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD TO HAPPEN TO OUR CAR'S. SEEMS LIKE IT IS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PART THAT JUST FAILS RANDOMLY WHICH COULD PUT A PASSENGER IN GRAVE DANGER, AND IT SEEMS FROM WHAT I'VE DISCOVERED GM IS NOT OFFERING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, LEAVING THE OWNERS TO PAY THE HIGH COST TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND REPAIRED. MOST PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AND SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF A PROCEDURE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF THESE TYPE PASSENGER SEAT SENSORS FAILING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498329

100,580 miles · Jan 24, 2013
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG SENOR IN MY VEHICLE FAILED AFTER A CAR WASH AND INTERIOR CLEANING. I'M AFRAID FOR MY PASSENGERS THAT HAVE TO RIDE WITH ME THAT INCLUDES MY WIFE, I'VE SEEN THE REPAIR COST ($500-$800). AT THIS TIME I CAN'T AFFORD THE PRICE FOR IT TO FAIL IN A SHORT TIME AGAIN, WHICH IS FROM WHAT I'VE READ IS A COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE.…

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THE AIR BAG SENOR IN MY VEHICLE FAILED AFTER A CAR WASH AND INTERIOR CLEANING. I'M AFRAID FOR MY PASSENGERS THAT HAVE TO RIDE WITH ME THAT INCLUDES MY WIFE, I'VE SEEN THE REPAIR COST ($500-$800). AT THIS TIME I CAN'T AFFORD THE PRICE FOR IT TO FAIL IN A SHORT TIME AGAIN, WHICH IS FROM WHAT I'VE READ IS A COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494529

48,023 miles · Oct 6, 2012
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY SAYS OFF, DOES NOT CHANGE, THE MESSAGE CENTER FLASHES SERVICE AIR BAG, AND THE AIR BAG DUMMY LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478892

26,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Air Bags

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR DISPLAYS AS NEEDING SERVICE. LIGHT DOES NOT GO OUT WITH PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CARS EFFECTED BY THIS AND A RESOLVE IS NEEDED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469272

22,550 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Air Bags

THE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON THAT IS AN "AIR BAG SERVICE WARNING LIGHT" AND SAYS TO SERVICE THE AIR BAG. I JUST LOOKED UP OTHER CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FIND A LOT OF SIMILAR OR EXACT PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL IN MY OPINION DUE TO BEING SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT THE DEALERS DON'T KNOW HOW TO F…

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THE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON THAT IS AN "AIR BAG SERVICE WARNING LIGHT" AND SAYS TO SERVICE THE AIR BAG. I JUST LOOKED UP OTHER CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FIND A LOT OF SIMILAR OR EXACT PROBLEMS. THIS SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL IN MY OPINION DUE TO BEING SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT THE DEALERS DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT AND ARE WILLING TO CHARGE YOU FOR ATTEMPTED REPAIRS ONLY TO MAKE YOU SPEND MORE TIME AND MONEY TO BRING IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEP TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS TYPICAL OF MANY NEW CAR DEALERS ON OTHER SERVICE AREAS TOO. PLEASE ASK THEM TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE HUMAN LIFE IS GREATLY AFFECTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465092

35,000 miles · Jul 8, 2012
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON-OFF INDICATOR IS ALWAYS OFF WITH AN AIR BAG WARNING IDIOT LIGHT AND DIC MESSAGE. I ASSUME THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, AND THE REPAIR COST FROM GM IS EXTREMELY HIGH. SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE, WOULDN…

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THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON-OFF INDICATOR IS ALWAYS OFF WITH AN AIR BAG WARNING IDIOT LIGHT AND DIC MESSAGE. I ASSUME THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, AND THE REPAIR COST FROM GM IS EXTREMELY HIGH. SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE, WOULDN'T GM WANT TO VOLUNTARILY ISSUE A RECALL. IF THEY DON'T, CAN THEY BE FORCED TO DO THIS BY THE NHTSA? WHAT IS THE CRITERIA FOR A RECALL (SAFETY RISK, % VEHICLES AFFECTED, PRODUCTION NUMBERS)? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464593

18,220 miles · May 15, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY FOUND A MELTED WIRE ON THE CLOCK SPRING. TWO HOURS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY FOUND A MELTED WIRE ON THE CLOCK SPRING. TWO HOURS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,220 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,241.

NHTSA ODI #10458590

20,000 miles · May 8, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10457787

Official recalls

4

17V061000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jan 26, 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 17036.

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.

07V589000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal

Dec 20, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.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

3

DP20002 · Hvac Blower Motor Connector

Opened Feb 7, 2020 · Closed Oct 27, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Defect Petition received December 12, 2019 requesting an investigation into the possibility of passenger compartment fires attributed to overheating HVAC blower motor connectors in Model Years (MY) 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles.An analysis of General Motors (GM) complaint data and information in NHTSA?s databases identified thirteen unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with reported incidents that could pertain to blower motor overheating, smoking, or melting in the 90,938 MY2006-2010 Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice vehicles produced. Two of the thirteen cited incidents reported smoke and thermal damage that may be attributed to the HVAC blower motor although neither incident was confirmed through vehicle inspection. One incident, a MY2008 Saturn Sky with substantial field exposure from a frontal collision, could not have the root cause identified. The other, a MY2007 Pontiac Solstice, did not inform the manufacturer nor take the vehicle to a dealer for evaluation.Most of the 13 incidents reported an overheated or discolored connector with attendant loss of HVAC blower fan function. GM reported 354 warranty claims with the subject components for the Sky and Solstice, none of which included a report of fire and only one report of smoke. Over a period of ten to fourteen years in service, there are two reports of smoke or thermal damage.While the subject Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles do share common components, the Sky and Solstice vehicles have demonstrated very different behavior and their HVAC system has a lower power draw than the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles. The recalled H3 and H3T vehicles generate over triple the failure rate of the Sky and Solstice vehicles. GM suggested in its response to the ODI?s information request that this difference was due to the larger interior volume of a recalled Hummer vehicle imposing a heavier electrical load and duty cycle on its HVAC blower. The duty cycle is defined as how long it takes for the vehicle to cool down enough before the HVAC blower motor fan speed is lowered or turned off completely.Additionally, due to the size differential between the Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles, the parts have a different power draw. The Sky and Solstice vehicles, due to their smaller size, draw less wattage, which reduces the likelihood of a thermal event. This condition in the Sky and Solstice vehicles typically leads to an inoperable HVAC blower motor as opposed to a thermal event.Despite the commonality of parts in the Sky and Solstice vehicles with those that were the basis of a safety recall, the subject vehicles have not demonstrated a safety defect trend that would likely lead to a safety recall or merit further investigation by the ODI. The subject vehicles have a low rate of reported thermal events over the ten to fourteen years they have been in service with the most recent occurring in 2017 with no confirmed fires. The HVAC blower motor was not confirmed to be the root cause for either thermal event cited above.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA?s possession, information submitted by GM in response to an information request, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner?s allegation, NHTSA does not believe that the petition warrants a formal investigation at this time. Consequently, the petition is denied.The entire petition denial can be viewed in the October 14, 2022 Federal Register under DP20-002.(https://www.f

DP16001 · Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat

Opened May 16, 2016 · Closed Apr 24, 2017

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the subject vehicles.The petitioner raised the issue of failure of the Passenger Sensing System for the front passenger seating position.On January 26, 2017, General Motors filed a defect information report recalling the subject vehicles to address the issue raised by the petition.In view of the recall, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing the action.The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

PE07037 · Failure Of The Rear Differential

Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 27, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

ODI EVALUATED TWO DIFFERENT ALLEGED DEFECTS INVOLVING REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS DURING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE DEFECT CONDITIONS AND ODI HAS OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE OTHER ALLEGED DEFECT. ON DECEMBER 19, 2007, GM SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE PINION SEALS IN APPROXIMATELY 275,936 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005-07 CADILLAC CTS, STS AND SRX VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY 2006-07 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND MY 2007 SATURN SKY VEHICLES (RECALL 07V-589).ON STS AND SRX VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL ALSO DOES NOT MEET ALL OF GM'S SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ON DECEMBER 7, 2007, ODI OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-017) TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE (E.G., FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HOUSING OR REAR AXLE HALF SHAFTS) WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 7,600 MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND IS NOT ADDRESSED BY RECALL 07V-589.ODI IDENTIFIED 35 COMPLAINTS (16 TO ODI AND 19 TO GM) AND 128 WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THIS CONDITION (SEE EA07-017 OPENING RESUME).THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS CLOSING RESUME. THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY FIGURES GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE LIMITED TO THOSE THAT (A) ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR PINION SEAL; AND (B) RESULTED IN AN ALLEGATION OF A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.THE DATA DO NOT INCLUDE ALL REPORTS OF SEAL LEAKAGE.