IllustrationTHE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR STOPPED WORKING. IT NO LONGER SENSING WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM SINCE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY ON PASSENGER SIDE IN A CRASH. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED, I BELIEVE GM SHOULD ORDER A RECALL. *TR
2007 Pontiac Solstice
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Solstice years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Pontiac Solstice are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Solstice years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
580–25K
7025–50K
6250–75K
1675–100K
11100–150K
2150K+
219 reports with mileage · 70 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 225 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
225 reportsSERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER SAYS THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM MODULE HAS FAILED AND IS $1260 TO REPLACE. AFTER LOOKING AT SEVERAL PONTIAC SOLSTICE ONLINE FORUMS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE. *TR
THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE FAILED AFTER ITS 'BUMPER-TO-BUMPER' WARRANTY EXPIRED. ANY PASSENGER IN THE CAR FACES ADDED RISK IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OWNER'S COST TO FIX THIS ITEM IS PROHIBITIVE ($800 TO $1,000), AND THAT THE EARLY FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SOMEWHAT COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE.…
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THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE FAILED AFTER ITS 'BUMPER-TO-BUMPER' WARRANTY EXPIRED. ANY PASSENGER IN THE CAR FACES ADDED RISK IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OWNER'S COST TO FIX THIS ITEM IS PROHIBITIVE ($800 TO $1,000), AND THAT THE EARLY FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SOMEWHAT COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A FEW YEARS AGO. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE PASSENGER PRESENCE DETECTION SENSOR BAD. I DECIDED NOT TO DO THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE OVER $800. TODAY, I STUMBLED ACROSS QUITE A FEW FORUM POSTS WITH OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND SAT…
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AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A FEW YEARS AGO. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE PASSENGER PRESENCE DETECTION SENSOR BAD. I DECIDED NOT TO DO THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE OVER $800. TODAY, I STUMBLED ACROSS QUITE A FEW FORUM POSTS WITH OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND SATURN SKYS. THERE WAS EVEN A MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT IT IN TN. HTTP://WWW.KCTV5.COM/STORY/24037545/DEVICES-TRIGGERING-PASSENGER-AIR-BAGS-REPEATEDLY-RECALLED?AUTOSTART=TRUE&TOPVIDEOCATNO=DEFAULT&CLIPID=9559298 I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. GM HAS RECALLED OTHER MAKES AND MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT BECAUSE THE SOLSTICE AND SKY ARE LOW PRODUCTION THEY DO NOT MAKE IT ON THEIR RADAR FOR RESEARCHING IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE MADE. I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE ME WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH IT BECAUSE THE COST IS TOO HIGH TO REPAIR. *TR
I JUST HAD MY IGNITION CHANGED UNDER THE GM/PONTIAC RECALL, AND WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MY CHECK AIRBAG SENSOR STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND SO DID MY PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT CAME ON EACH TIME THE CHECK SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. I DID HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT. THE NEXT DAY…
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I JUST HAD MY IGNITION CHANGED UNDER THE GM/PONTIAC RECALL, AND WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MY CHECK AIRBAG SENSOR STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND SO DID MY PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT CAME ON EACH TIME THE CHECK SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. I DID HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE THE CAR AND THE CHECK AIRBAG SENSOR WAS ON STEADY. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY STATED I HAD A PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR FAILURE. THE COST WITH PARTS AND LABOR WAS ESTIMATED AT JUST UNDER $800.00. I DID CHECK THIS SENSOR FAILURE ONLINE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS AND I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY GM. *TR
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR STOPPED WORKING. I HAD NOTICED THE LIGHT/SENSOR NOT COMING ON TWICE BEFORE WHEN I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND IT SHOULD HAVE ENGAGED THE AIRBAG SENSORS. NO INCIDENTS, NO TRAUMA TO THE CAR NOTHING. IT JUST STOPPED. NOW IT NEVER COMES ON AND THERE IS A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE DASH HUD. I'VE READ A LOT OF…
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PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR STOPPED WORKING. I HAD NOTICED THE LIGHT/SENSOR NOT COMING ON TWICE BEFORE WHEN I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND IT SHOULD HAVE ENGAGED THE AIRBAG SENSORS. NO INCIDENTS, NO TRAUMA TO THE CAR NOTHING. IT JUST STOPPED. NOW IT NEVER COMES ON AND THERE IS A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE DASH HUD. I'VE READ A LOT OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND MALFUNCTIONS WITH PASSENGER AIRBAGS ON OTHER SOLSTICES AND SATURN SKY CARS SO I KNOW THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED EVENT. CURRENTLY AT 65K MILES AND A MECHANIC MENTIONED TO ME THAT THIS PROBLEM MIGHT ALSO CAUSE MY DRIVER AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY. I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO RIDES IN MY CAR SO THIS DIDN'T AFFECT ME UNTIL I HEARD THIS. *TR
THIS LIGHT HAS COME ON INDICATING NO AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I'VE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACEMENT KEYS. THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER PRESENT SENSOR. THE PART WILL NEED TO BE ORDERED AT A COST OF $761 PLUS LABOR. MY WIFE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE RIDING I…
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THIS LIGHT HAS COME ON INDICATING NO AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I'VE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH AND REPLACEMENT KEYS. THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER PRESENT SENSOR. THE PART WILL NEED TO BE ORDERED AT A COST OF $761 PLUS LABOR. MY WIFE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE RIDING IN THE CAR NOW. EVERY SOLSTICE ON THE FORUM BOARD REPORTS THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG WOULD DEACTIVATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG WOULD DEACTIVATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
MY WIFE WEIGHS 105 POUNDS AND IS 5 FEET 5 INCHES TALL, SHE IS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I WENT TO ROYAL BUICK DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA TO ASK IF THEY COULD MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT, THEY SAID NO THAT THE BAGS ARE NOT ARMED FOR ANYONE UNDER 100 POUNDS. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT SHE WEIGHS 105 AND THEY SAID THEY …
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MY WIFE WEIGHS 105 POUNDS AND IS 5 FEET 5 INCHES TALL, SHE IS NOT HEAVY ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I WENT TO ROYAL BUICK DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA TO ASK IF THEY COULD MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT, THEY SAID NO THAT THE BAGS ARE NOT ARMED FOR ANYONE UNDER 100 POUNDS. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT SHE WEIGHS 105 AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME, I ASKED IF THEY COULD TURN IT ON PERMANENTLY AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT. SO, SHE RIDES IN THIS TWO PASSENGER SPORTS CAR, WE ARE SENIOR CITIZENS WITH NO SMALL CHILDREN EVER RIDING, AND SHE IS UNEASY BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I THINK EVEN 100 POUNDS IS TOO HIGH OF A REQUIREMENT, SHOULD BE DOWN TO 70-80 POUNDS. MY GRAND DAUGHTER RIDES WITH ME ALSO, SHE IS 12, 5 FEET 6 INCHES AND WEIGHS 85 POUNDS SO SHE HAS NO PROTECTION FROM THE AIR BAG EITHER. *TR
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WENT BAD. LEAVES AIRBAG DISABLED WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Official recalls
417V061000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Jan 26, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 17036.
14V171000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch
Feb 10, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
07V589000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal
Dec 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3DP20002 · Hvac Blower Motor Connector
Opened Feb 7, 2020 · Closed Oct 27, 2022
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Defect Petition received December 12, 2019 requesting an investigation into the possibility of passenger compartment fires attributed to overheating HVAC blower motor connectors in Model Years (MY) 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles.An analysis of General Motors (GM) complaint data and information in NHTSA?s databases identified thirteen unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with reported incidents that could pertain to blower motor overheating, smoking, or melting in the 90,938 MY2006-2010 Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice vehicles produced. Two of the thirteen cited incidents reported smoke and thermal damage that may be attributed to the HVAC blower motor although neither incident was confirmed through vehicle inspection. One incident, a MY2008 Saturn Sky with substantial field exposure from a frontal collision, could not have the root cause identified. The other, a MY2007 Pontiac Solstice, did not inform the manufacturer nor take the vehicle to a dealer for evaluation.Most of the 13 incidents reported an overheated or discolored connector with attendant loss of HVAC blower fan function. GM reported 354 warranty claims with the subject components for the Sky and Solstice, none of which included a report of fire and only one report of smoke. Over a period of ten to fourteen years in service, there are two reports of smoke or thermal damage.While the subject Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles do share common components, the Sky and Solstice vehicles have demonstrated very different behavior and their HVAC system has a lower power draw than the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles. The recalled H3 and H3T vehicles generate over triple the failure rate of the Sky and Solstice vehicles. GM suggested in its response to the ODI?s information request that this difference was due to the larger interior volume of a recalled Hummer vehicle imposing a heavier electrical load and duty cycle on its HVAC blower. The duty cycle is defined as how long it takes for the vehicle to cool down enough before the HVAC blower motor fan speed is lowered or turned off completely.Additionally, due to the size differential between the Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles, the parts have a different power draw. The Sky and Solstice vehicles, due to their smaller size, draw less wattage, which reduces the likelihood of a thermal event. This condition in the Sky and Solstice vehicles typically leads to an inoperable HVAC blower motor as opposed to a thermal event.Despite the commonality of parts in the Sky and Solstice vehicles with those that were the basis of a safety recall, the subject vehicles have not demonstrated a safety defect trend that would likely lead to a safety recall or merit further investigation by the ODI. The subject vehicles have a low rate of reported thermal events over the ten to fourteen years they have been in service with the most recent occurring in 2017 with no confirmed fires. The HVAC blower motor was not confirmed to be the root cause for either thermal event cited above.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA?s possession, information submitted by GM in response to an information request, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner?s allegation, NHTSA does not believe that the petition warrants a formal investigation at this time. Consequently, the petition is denied.The entire petition denial can be viewed in the October 14, 2022 Federal Register under DP20-002.(https://www.f
DP16001 · Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat
Opened May 16, 2016 · Closed Apr 24, 2017
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the subject vehicles.The petitioner raised the issue of failure of the Passenger Sensing System for the front passenger seating position.On January 26, 2017, General Motors filed a defect information report recalling the subject vehicles to address the issue raised by the petition.In view of the recall, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing the action.The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
PE07037 · Failure Of The Rear Differential
Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 27, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
ODI EVALUATED TWO DIFFERENT ALLEGED DEFECTS INVOLVING REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS DURING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE DEFECT CONDITIONS AND ODI HAS OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE OTHER ALLEGED DEFECT. ON DECEMBER 19, 2007, GM SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE PINION SEALS IN APPROXIMATELY 275,936 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005-07 CADILLAC CTS, STS AND SRX VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY 2006-07 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND MY 2007 SATURN SKY VEHICLES (RECALL 07V-589).ON STS AND SRX VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL ALSO DOES NOT MEET ALL OF GM'S SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ON DECEMBER 7, 2007, ODI OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-017) TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE (E.G., FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HOUSING OR REAR AXLE HALF SHAFTS) WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 7,600 MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND IS NOT ADDRESSED BY RECALL 07V-589.ODI IDENTIFIED 35 COMPLAINTS (16 TO ODI AND 19 TO GM) AND 128 WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THIS CONDITION (SEE EA07-017 OPENING RESUME).THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS CLOSING RESUME. THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY FIGURES GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE LIMITED TO THOSE THAT (A) ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR PINION SEAL; AND (B) RESULTED IN AN ALLEGATION OF A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.THE DATA DO NOT INCLUDE ALL REPORTS OF SEAL LEAKAGE.