2008 Pontiac G8
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
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.
- Complaints
- 71
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2008
None on file
35% of complaints
Complaints per year
2008: 71 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 71 |
| 2009 | 144 |
| 2010 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
35% · 25 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Keep getting air bag light on code U0170 and B0081 seems like this is a big safety problem with the Pontiac G8 needs a recall on this problem and replaced the rear ABS sensors and still have the issue with it not working and replaced them 2 times...
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-10-10
Passenger seat does not register a person sitting in it to activate air bag system. Codes retrieved: U0170 and B0081. Odometer: 86,000
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-02
Passenger seat does not register when a person is sitting in seat to activate. Codes recieved: U0170, B0081.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-02
Electrical system
20% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the median strip and the air bags failed to deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-11
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the key was accidentally bumped, and the ignition switch was knocked out of the run position, turning off the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-10-09
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact cannot read the instrument panel gauges while driving during the daytime. There is no recall regarding this failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2008-04-14
Suspension
15% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing front.
Steering
11% · 8 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. While driving approximately 50 MPH around a curve, the steering wheel seized and caused the vehicle to crash into a tree. The air bags deployed. A police report was not filed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-04
Power train
11% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2009-05-21Service brakes, air, tires09V172000 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…
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…
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2011-11-30Air bags11V534000 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…
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.
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2015-02-04Electrical system14V540000 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.
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...
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2016-07-05Seat belts15V399000 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge.
Buy-smart checklist
2008 Pontiac G8 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 25 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 14 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 11 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 09V172000 · Service brakes, air, tires
- Recall 11V534000 · Air bags
- Recall 14V540000 · Electrical system
- Recall 15V399000 · Seat belts
FAQ
- Is the 2008 Pontiac G8 reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac G8?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac G8 have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.