2009 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
- 144
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2009
None on file
49% of complaints
Complaints per year
2009: 144 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
49% · 70 reportsMost commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Pontiac G8. While driving 52 MPH, the contact crashed into the rear passenger side bumper of a vehicle that failed to yield. The air bags failed to deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-17
While driving around a curve, a deer ran out in front of the car and we swerved to miss it and ran off the road down into a deep ditch and hitting a drain tile.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-10
Also filed under Structure
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH in the rain, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The driver's side air bags did not deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-16
Suspension
15% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing front and lower ball joint.
Electrical system
14% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing switch and instrument cluster/panel.
Service brakes
7% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Power train
6% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
Automatic transmission fails to immediately downshift when accelerating to merge into traffic, leaving car and driver in precarious predicament with today's highway speeds.
NHTSA ODI report, 2008-11-09
Transmission fails to downshift immediately after accelerating, leaving driver in vulnerable position of being slow to merge into traffic as anticipated. This action is a daily occurrence since car purchased.
NHTSA ODI report, 2008-09-14
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
2009 Pontiac G8 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 70 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 22 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 20 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 2009 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 2009 Pontiac G8?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2009 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.