2008 Pontiac Solstice Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Pontiac Solstice.

20072009
Complaints
189
Crashes
8
Fires
0
Injuries
8
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2008 Pontiac Solstice Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#196 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:42,555 mi
Crash-related:3
#215 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:33,829 mi
#313 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:6,180 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Pontiac Solstice.

Airbags
96
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
42,555
Electrical Faults
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,829
Hydraulic Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
6,180
Seat-Related Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
39,351
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
1,427
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
23,958
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
21,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brake Master Cylinder
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Pontiac Solstice. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Pontiac Solstice

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,472,955 vehicles.

17V061000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
~91,007 affected

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.

14V171000Electrical System:ignition
~2,191,014 affected

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.

14V047000Airbags · Electrical System:ignition:switch
~2,190,934 affected

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.

Other Pontiac Solstice Years

2008 Pontiac Solstice — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Pontiac Solstice reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Pontiac Solstice has 189 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 96 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Solstice?
Top reported problems: Airbags (96 complaints, avg 42,555 mi); Electrical Faults (15 complaints, avg 33,829 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (13 complaints, avg 6,180 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Pontiac Solstice?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 34,745 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Pontiac Solstice?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Pontiac Solstice include 8 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Pontiac Solstice have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,472,955 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Pontiac Solstice?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Pontiac Solstice reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Pontiac Solstice

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