2008 Pontiac G6

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Pontiac G6
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac G6 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2003: 1 complaints 2003 2004: 2 complaints 2005: 679 complaints 2005 2006: 1909 complaints 2007: 1231 complaints 2007 2008: 1077 complaints 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2009 2010: 272 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2014
2008: 1077 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20031
20042
2005679
20061909
20071231
20081077
2009710
2010272
20141

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 38%

38% of complaints: steering — 414 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

MY AIR BAGS DON'T WORK IN MY CAR. MY CAR WAS KEPT OUTSIDE ALL THESE YEARS. MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AT ALL AND MY VOLUME FOR THE RADIO AND ILLUMINATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T WORK. I NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD ISSUES WITH AN AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180110

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A 2007 PONTIAC G-6. SHE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE ENTERING THE EXPRESS WAY AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO HER TURNING THE WHEEL THEREFORE THE CAR WENT INTO THE DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080910

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 21%

21% of complaints: exterior lighting — 228 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 217 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

while driving down road the seat warmer or electrical controls caught fire lucky I had water to put fire out after pulling over a long side the road and stopping

NHTSA ODI report, 20240407

SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 121 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 97 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

MY AIR BAGS DON'T WORK IN MY CAR. MY CAR WAS KEPT OUTSIDE ALL THESE YEARS. MY CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AT ALL AND MY VOLUME FOR THE RADIO AND ILLUMINATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T WORK. I NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD ISSUES WITH AN AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180110

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 107 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121003

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT DRIVER FRONT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120904

SAFETY TIMELINE

2008 — complaint volume: 1077
R 20130101 — power train

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these ve

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on o

Campaign 12V460000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20130204 — RQ (closed 20130606)

Brake Light Malfunction

I 20130606 — EA (closed 20140701)

Brake Light Switch/Sensor Malfunction

R 20140627 — power train

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 29, 2014, that they are recalling 56,214 model year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-553-6000.

Campaign 14V224000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140717 — steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.

Campaign 14V153000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140818 — electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of...

Campaign 14V252000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — steering

Dorman Products, Inc.

Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

Campaign 14E044000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Pontiac G6 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (414 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (228 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (217 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V460000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V224000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V153000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E044000 (steering) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2005 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2007 ▲ 2009

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Pontiac G6 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Pontiac G6 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac G6?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac G6 have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.