NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
144 reports4,400 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT HAS SPOKE WITH BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER. BOTH STATED THAT THEY CAN NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT HAS SPOKE WITH BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER. BOTH STATED THAT THEY CAN NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM CAN BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER DID INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER. THE LAST TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS LAST WEEK AND STILL HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS TO KEEP RESTARTING THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE THE ENGINE AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEEP SHUTTING OFF, WHICH PREVENTS HIM FROM DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5444.
NHTSA ODI #10317628
17,150 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
FIRST OCCURRED N 11/23/2009. ON THE INTERSTATE IT LOSES ALL POWER, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, IGNITION STOPS, POWER STEERING STOPS, BRAKES FAIL - COMPLETE VEHICLE STOPPAGE AND FULL OPERATING SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AT 70 MPH, TWICE! SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS 1/26/2010. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308246
16,900 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
ALSO OCCURRED AGAIN ON 1/26/2010/ ON THE INTERSTATE IT LOSES ALL POWER, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, IGNITION STOPS, POWER STEERING STOPS, BRAKES FAIL - COMPLETE VEHICLE STOPPAGE AND FULL OPERATING SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AT 70 MPH, TWICE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308244
10,000 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Tires
2009 PONTIAC G8/GT. TIRE PRESSURE STICKER ON THE DOOR IS DIFFERENT FROM PRESSURES LISTED IN MANUAL WHICH IS THE REVERSE OF THE VISUAL DASHBOARD DISPLAY. THERE ARE CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCES WHICH COULD WELL IMPACT THE SAFETY OF HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING. I HAVE PHOTOS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297369
23,000 miles · Nov 30, 2009
Suspension
AT 23,000 MILES MY LOWER FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT WENT BAD AND A WOBBLE WAS NOTICED WHEN BRAKING HARD. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT BALL JOINT WAS BAD AND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SOME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE RECALL OR CAMPAIGN LIST. THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITHIN THE G8 COMMUN…
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AT 23,000 MILES MY LOWER FRONT RIGHT BALL JOINT WENT BAD AND A WOBBLE WAS NOTICED WHEN BRAKING HARD. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT BALL JOINT WAS BAD AND THIS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SOME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE RECALL OR CAMPAIGN LIST. THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITHIN THE G8 COMMUNITY BUT IS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE DEALERS OR GM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, THIS PROBLEM COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES. THEY HAVE REDESIGNED REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARMS/BALL JOINTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE LIMITED INVENTORY. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC TO INFORM THE CONSUMER OF THE POTENTIAL FAILURE AND DESTRUCTION THAT COULD TAKE PLACE. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE OPENED UP TO ALL G8'S NOT JUST BE VIN NUMBER. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE MORE CARS THAT HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT ARE NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294013
6,000 miles · Nov 20, 2009
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8, WITH A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. HE CAN SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR ONLY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 15 TO 20 MPH. CONSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 4TH GEAR. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC FOR THAT MODEL TYPE. THE PONTIAC MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8, WITH A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. HE CAN SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR ONLY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 15 TO 20 MPH. CONSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 4TH GEAR. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC FOR THAT MODEL TYPE. THE PONTIAC MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 12/22/09. LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND GEAR IS LOCKED OUT FROM ABOUT 10 MPH TO 25 MPH. WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE FROM A STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE ISN'T TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHICH GEAR TO SELECT AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE LOOSES MOMENTUM, THE ENGINE RPM'S DROP TO AN IDLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/29/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10293057
18,000 miles · Nov 5, 2009
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REPAIRED. HE HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE STRUTS INSULATED ON THE VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE DEALERS ARE ALSO OUT OF THE PARTS AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REPAIRED. HE HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE STRUTS INSULATED ON THE VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE DEALERS ARE ALSO OUT OF THE PARTS AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
NHTSA ODI #10291055
13,150 miles · Nov 2, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2009 PONTIAC G8GT WITH 13000 MILES NEEDS ALL FOUR ROTORS TURNED. UNBELIEVABLY POOR MATERIAL QUALITY FOR A HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290564
25,000 miles · Oct 29, 2009
Suspension
MY PONTIAC G8 GT HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEAR AND FAILURE FROM ALL FOUR OF THE FRONT BALL JOINTS -- UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. GM HAS STATED THAT THIS WEAR IS FROM A BAD "BOOT DESIGN", BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH MULTIPLE BOOT REPLACEMENTS AND CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENTS THAT HAVE THEN GONE …
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MY PONTIAC G8 GT HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WEAR AND FAILURE FROM ALL FOUR OF THE FRONT BALL JOINTS -- UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS. GM HAS STATED THAT THIS WEAR IS FROM A BAD "BOOT DESIGN", BUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH MULTIPLE BOOT REPLACEMENTS AND CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENTS THAT HAVE THEN GONE BAD -- ONCE AGAIN. THIS THEREFORE POINTS TO THE BALL JOINT DESIGN AS BEING THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE PREMATURE WEAR AND FAILURE! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON ALL FOUR OF THE CONTROL ARMS FOR THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BY A FAULTY BALL JOINT BREAKING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290222
5,700 miles · Oct 28, 2009
SteeringSuspension
":ALIGNMENT PULL" PONTIAC G8 2009. WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN TO THE LEFT, STEERING DOES NOT COME BACK TO CENTER, PULLS TO LEFT. WHEN MAKING A SHARP RIGHT, STEERING DOES NOT CENTER, PULLS TO THE RIGHT. TIRE AIR PRESSURE HAS BEEN CHECKED, TIRE HAVE BEEN BALANCED AND CHECK FOR OUT OF ROUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290141
Official recalls
4Jun 23, 2015
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. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 15206.
Sep 9, 2014
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. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.
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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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 transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on December 31, 2014. The recall began on February 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14445. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.
Nov 4, 2011
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) IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST EXCEEDED THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA (HIC) REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITIONED FULL FORWARD, THE SEAT POSITION SENSOR WILL CAUSE A 30 MILLISECONDS DEPLOYMENT DELAY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES OF THE DUAL-STAGE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
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.
May 21, 2009
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 EQUIPMENT" AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS". THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY BE CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED AND FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING. ALSO CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCORRECT VALUES PROGRAMMED INTO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE TELLTALE UNTIL TIRE PRESSURE FALLS BELOW VALUES REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
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 MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
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 EQUIPMENT" AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS". THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY BE CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED AND FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING. ALSO CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCORRECT VALUES PROGRAMMED INTO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE TELLTALE UNTIL TIRE PRESSURE FALLS BELOW VALUES REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
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 MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module
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 EQUIPMENT" AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS". THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY BE CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED AND FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING. ALSO CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCORRECT VALUES PROGRAMMED INTO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE TELLTALE UNTIL TIRE PRESSURE FALLS BELOW VALUES REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
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 MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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