← New search

2007 Pontiac Solstice

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Solstice years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Pontiac Solstice are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

219 reports with mileage · 70 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 225 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. 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.

12 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

24 reports
Clear category filter
57,500 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,500.

NHTSA ODI #10664286

67,000 miles · Sep 3, 2014
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, I AM ALMOST THROWN FROM MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS COMPLETELY STOPPED TURNING WHEN THE CAR IS DOWNSHIFTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630372

52,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED, MY THROTTLE STICKS AND ERRATICALLY IDLES. WHEN PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL AND ROLLING TO A STOP MY CAR IDLES UP TO 3000 RPM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616228

73,565 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Power TrainService Brakes

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CAR JERKED VERY HARD AND I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE BACK WHEELS ALMOST LOCK UP. IT ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS SUDDENLY THROWN INTO REVERSE & THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ADJUST. IT OCCURRED EVERY TIME I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN OR STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. LUCKILY THE 18 WHEELER BEHI…

Read full complaint

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CAR JERKED VERY HARD AND I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE BACK WHEELS ALMOST LOCK UP. IT ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS SUDDENLY THROWN INTO REVERSE & THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ADJUST. IT OCCURRED EVERY TIME I SLOWED DOWN TO TURN OR STOP WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. LUCKILY THE 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME COMING OFF THE INTERSTATE WAS FAR ENOUGH BEHIND ME BUT HAD HE BEEN MUCH CLOSER, HE WOULD HAVE CRUSHED ME! WE JUST BOUGHT AN AUDI AND WERE GOING TO GIVE THE SOLSTICE TO OUR 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AS A GRADUATION PRESENT BUT NOW I AM TERRIFIED FOR HER TO DRIVE IT!! THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT AT ALL. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL SO I NEED TO CALL OUR LOCAL DEALER ASAP!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610027

65,000 miles · May 13, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHEN I GO TO SLOW DOWN EITHER BY COASTING OR LIGHT BRAKING WHEN MY CAR GETS TO ABOUT 20MPH IT FEELS LIKE IT SUDDENLY BRAKES OR DOWN SHIFTS BUT IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE SEAT BELT IT WOULD SEND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS INTO THE WINDSHIELD!! IT IS TERRIFYING!! I AM A MASTER MECHANIC AND I VERIFIED THAT IT WASN'T THE BRAKES GRABBING …

Read full complaint

WHEN I GO TO SLOW DOWN EITHER BY COASTING OR LIGHT BRAKING WHEN MY CAR GETS TO ABOUT 20MPH IT FEELS LIKE IT SUDDENLY BRAKES OR DOWN SHIFTS BUT IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE SEAT BELT IT WOULD SEND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS INTO THE WINDSHIELD!! IT IS TERRIFYING!! I AM A MASTER MECHANIC AND I VERIFIED THAT IT WASN'T THE BRAKES GRABBING BY SHIFTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL BEFORE IT SLOWED TO 20 MPH AND WHEN YOU DO THAT THE CAR WILL NOT SUDDENLY JERK STOPPED. IT SETS MANY CODES TCM ETC. I HAD THE TCM REPLACED AND SYNCED AT DEALERSHIP BUT THE CAR IS STILL DOING IT. THE CODE NOW READS THAT "COMMUNICATION TO THE TCM IS LOST" I WAS TOLD BY GM WHEN SPEAKING TO THEM ABOUT THE LATEST RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT THEY SAID IT COULD BE RELATED BECAUSE THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AFFECTS THE CAR SHUTTING OFF, ROLLING AWAY AND THE AIRBAG INOPERATIVE LIGHT. MANY OTHER PONTIAC SOLSTICE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO CAUSE ACCIDENTS IF NOT FIXED. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588028

22,000 miles · Feb 5, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR END SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME HE DECELERATED TO 25 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR END SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME HE DECELERATED TO 25 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10563010

59,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

MY CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES HARD ON IT'S OWN AS I AM SLOWING AND GENTLY APPLYING BRAKES. IT STARTS AROUND 20 MPH. IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. TO HAVE YOUR CAR SLAM ON IT'S BRAKES ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE POWERTRAIN/TRANSMISSION CAN THROW ERROR CODES P0700 AND P2637 AND THAT CAN CAUSE THE SAME SUDDEN BRAKING OF THE CAR…

Read full complaint

MY CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES HARD ON IT'S OWN AS I AM SLOWING AND GENTLY APPLYING BRAKES. IT STARTS AROUND 20 MPH. IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. TO HAVE YOUR CAR SLAM ON IT'S BRAKES ON IT'S OWN. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE POWERTRAIN/TRANSMISSION CAN THROW ERROR CODES P0700 AND P2637 AND THAT CAN CAUSE THE SAME SUDDEN BRAKING OF THE CAR ON IT'S OWN. ALSO MY COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE(DIGITAL) INTERMITTENTLY GOES BLANK SHOWING ONLY THREE DASHES INSTEAD OF THE TEMP. WHEN IT DOES THIS MY AIR/HEAT WILL NOT WORK. MY PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. ALSO MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. I ALSO HAVE A MYSTERIOUS COOLANT LEAK BUT IT'S INTERMITTENT AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533966

23,400 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Power TrainService BrakesCrash

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY ON AN INCLINE AND LEFT WITH ENGINE OFF, PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED AND IN 1ST GEAR. VEHICLE WAS FOUND AFTER IT ROLLED DOWN THE INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AND WAS STOPPED BY HAVING RUN INTO A GROUP OF 7 FOOT HEIGHT HEDGES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN FIRST GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAK…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY ON AN INCLINE AND LEFT WITH ENGINE OFF, PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED AND IN 1ST GEAR. VEHICLE WAS FOUND AFTER IT ROLLED DOWN THE INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AND WAS STOPPED BY HAVING RUN INTO A GROUP OF 7 FOOT HEIGHT HEDGES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN FIRST GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE STILL ENGAGED WHEN RECOVERED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10463109

40,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V589000, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10279178

8,535 miles · Apr 24, 2009
Power TrainCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING (PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2007)AND THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE FRONT END HAD SOME DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AFTER COMING IN CONTACT WITH A CEMENT BARRIER. I CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT. GM SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO REVIEW THE CAR. HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE P…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING (PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2007)AND THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE FRONT END HAD SOME DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AFTER COMING IN CONTACT WITH A CEMENT BARRIER. I CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT. GM SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO REVIEW THE CAR. HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. HOWEVER, THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD THE CAR SENT TO AFTER THE ACCIDENT, REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY (UNDER WARRANTY) ALONG WITH THE FRONT-END DAMAGE THAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY COVERED. I RECEIVED THE RECALL IN FEB. 2008 FOR THE REAR PINION SEAL LEAK AND HAD THE REQUIRED WORK DONE AT THAT TIME, ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266655

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.