2009 Pontiac Solstice
The Verdict
The 2009 Pontiac Solstice has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (34 complaints) and body (1 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 91/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating.
This is the cleanest year on record. Nice pick.
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact called the dealer, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that an electrical sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
My issue is with the initial recall of the air bag system. Why is the air bag replaced only one time when this is an ongoing problem. My air bag system needs replaced for the second time but it is not covered. I don't understand the logic behind not continually correcting an ongoing problem. Can you please help me? [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
My Solstice had recall # 14092 & 14133 for service airbag to passenger seat completed on 4/27/2018. As of 10/25/2019 the service airbag light is once again on and indicates that the passenger airbag is off. The recall part has malfunctioned. Please contact with another recall to fix this problem. My Solstice has 25,600 miles.
Over the years I've received multiple info cards from dealerships concerning this recall. I return their request for having recall work scheduled. The dealerships then return my call usually in a few days saying they are unable to aquire parts for recall work. So far no dealership has been able to do the install due to parts shortage. Where do I go from here?
PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND IS ALWAYS ON. DRIVER INFO DISPLAY INDICATES "SERVICE AIRBAG" EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. PPS MAT RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE REINFORCEMENT REPAIR HAS FAILED. THE EXACT SAME PPS MAT IS USED ON THE CADILLAC CTS, AND THE RECALL FOR THAT WAS TO REPLACE THE SENSOR BECAUSE IT WAS DETERMINED THE MATERIAL MAY FATIGUE AND CRACK. THUS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE PPS MAT AND THEREFORE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED, NOT REPAIRED IN THE SOLSTICE/SKY. A TAPE-ON REINFORCEMENT STRIP IS NOT SUFFICIENT.
PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ALWAYS ON. DRIVER INFO DISPLAY ALWAYS INDICATES "SERVICE AIRBAG" (WITH ALERT TONE) EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED RECALL 17V061000 FOR FAILURES IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR PPS MAT. SOLSTICE REPAIR WAS ADDED REINFORCED TAPE. CTS REPAIR FOR SAME ISSUE WAS TO REPLACE THE SENSOR. MANY SOLSTICE/SKY OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING THE RECALL REPAIR JOB FAILED A YEAR AFTER THE FIX, RESULTING IN NEED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR MAT. AS THE PPS MAT IS AN FMVSS MANDATED SAFETY FEATURE, IT SHOULD BE [AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN] REPLACED ENTIRELY, NOT JUST REPAIRED WITH REINFORCED TAPE. GM INDICATES THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED, SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY NEARLY $800 TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPLACED IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE FAILURE INDICATORS. THIS IS UNREASONABLE. ONE CANNOT EXPECT REINFORCED TAPE TO PREVENT AN UNKNOWN FATIGUE CONDITION ON AN 8-10 YEAR OLD SENSOR. REPLACEMENT WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN AS IN THE CTS IS THE ONLY CERTAIN SOLUTION AND NHSTA SHOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED GM TO USE REINFORCED TAPE.
ALMOST 36K MILES AND THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASH WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH A PARTNER (ADULT OVER 150 LBS) AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TURNED OFF, I WENT OUT OF THE HIGHWAY FOR HIS SAFETY AND DRIVE SLOWER OUR WAY BACK TO WORK, BUT SUDDENDLY HE KIND OF ACCOMODATE HIMSELF ON THE SEAT AND THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT DISAPPERED, SO I ASKED HIM TO MOVE/CHANGE HIS SITTING POSITION ON THE SEAT AND THIS WAY THE LIGHT RETURNED AND THEN DISAPPEARD WHEN HE CHANGED RANDOMLY HIS WEIGHT OVER THE SEAT. RIGHT NOW THE LIGHT IS PERMANENT ON MY DASHBOARD NO MARE THER IS NO WEIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIT OR SOMEONE OVER 150 POUNDS SITS AND CHANGES SITTING POSITION. MY CAR ATTENDED THE RECALL 17036 AUG 2018 AT THAT TIME THE PROBLEM WAS NOT PRESENT ON MY PPS SO THEY PROCEED TO MAKE THE REINFORCEMENT, BUT NOW IT APPEARED THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME THE DIAGNOSTIC AND IF THE PPS IS THE FAILURE (AS IT SEEMS TO BE); THE PPS COST, AS IS OVER A YEAR SINCE THE RECALL WAS ATTENDED AND THE PART IS OUT OF WARRANTY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER (DON MEALEY CHEVROLET, 17185 FL-50, CLERMONT, FL 34711, 352-394-6176) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE THE CONTACT A CALL BACK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED CHEVROLET BUICK MARBLE FALLS AT (830) 693-2777 (LOCATED AT 2301 US-281, MARBLE FALLS, TX 78654) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MCSWEENEY CADILLAC GMC (35500 ALABAMA HIGHWAY 21 B, TALLADEGA, ALABAMA 35160, (256)474-4473) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
I PUTCHASED THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 25, 2015 FROM CYNTHIA WALKER. THE VEHICLE HAD 30,000 MI, EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (I RECEIVED ALL PREVIOUS SERVICE RECORDS. IN AUGUST, 2016 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND A "SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET DEALER IN PEORIA, AZ FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG WAS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND CHARGED $89.95 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE GM HOTLINE ON AUGUST 27, 2016 TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. IT TOOK 4 CALLS FOR ME TO FINALLY GET A RESPONSE FROM BRENDALIN (NO LAST NAME GIVEN). SHE TOLD BE THEY COULD DO NOTHING. CASE #8-233933284 IN MARCH, 2017 AND IN MAY, 2017 I RECEIVED LETTERS FROM GM SAYING THE CAR HAD AN AIR BAG PROBLEM AND WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL. IT TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A GM DEALER FOR REPAIRS AT NO COST TO ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO RICE MOTORS, 1306 WEST MAIN, CARMI, IL 62821. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO RICE MOTORS 6 TIMES, THE LAST TIME ON APRIL 12, 2018. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME AND THE WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE WOULD RE-APPEAR WITHING A FEW MILES OF DRIVING. ON APRIL 21, 2018 THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE ASSURANCE FROM RICE MOTORS THAT IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE THIRD TIME THAT I DROVE IT (ON MAY 5, 2018) THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE SAME SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE ON THE DASH. ON APRIL 9, 2018 I CALLED THE GM HOTLINE AND WAS REFERRED TO MICHAEL (PHONE NO. 866.790.5600 EXT 5924164). CASE #8-4070737444 SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE TALKED TO MICHAEL 7 TIMES ASKING FOR HELP IN RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM. HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. AT THIS POINT I HAVE A CAR THAT I CANNOT DRIVE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE GM DEALERS HAVE SHOWN THEIR INABILITY TO MAKE THE CAR USABLE.
RECALL ISSUED MARCH 2017, 17036 STILL NO FIX
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF UPDATED 8/3/18*JB
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LANCASTER MOTOR COMPANY, 1616 CHARLOTTE HWY, LANCASTER, SC 29720, (803) 283-4118) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/06/17*LJ UPDATED 11/07/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
AIR BAG SENSOR FOR PASSENGER SEAT WENT OUT WITH JUST OVER 30,000 MILES ON CAR. EVERYONE WHOM I KNOW WITH A PONTIAC SOLSTICE OR SATURN SKY HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND MAKES IT UNSAFE FOR PASSENGER TO RIDE IN CAR. SENSOR IN SEAT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE IN THE SEAT. SHE WEIGHS 125 POUNDS SO IT WAS NOT A LOADING ISSUE.
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED. OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND PUTS MY PASSENGERS AT EXTREME RISK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON BUT REMAINED OFF, WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WHILE PARKED AT A LIGHT, THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASH, AND HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVER SINCE. IT IS NOT THE FUSE, AND IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. (SOLSTICES HAVE A LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATES WHEN SOMEONE IS IN PASSENGER SEAT SAYING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON, BECAUSE THE SENSOR DETECTS A PASSENGER.)
SERVICE AIR BAG NOTICE DISPLAYED, RED AIR BAD WARNING IDIOT LIGHT ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS OFF EVEN THOUGH A PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT. TRIED POWERING THE CAR OFF AND ON WITH SAME RESULT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IS THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED WHILE RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE READ THAT MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND NO SAFETY RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
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