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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 71 |
| 2009 | 144 |
| 2010 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
35% of complaints: air bags — 25 distinct reports on file.
Show 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, 20191010
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, 20190102
PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT REGISTER WHEN A PERSON IS SITTING IN SEAT TO ACTIVATE. CODES RECIEVED: U0170, B0081.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190102
18% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow 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, 20150211
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, 20251009
11% of complaints: steering — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20150204
10% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 EQUIPM
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 M
Campaign 09V172000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 11V534000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Campaign 14V540000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V399000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Pontiac G8 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (25 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V172000 (service brakes, air, tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V534000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V540000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V399000 (seat belts) has been completed.
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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.