What year Pontiac G5 should I avoid?

The 2008 model year stands out, with a complaint index of 100, 25 injuries, and 5 deaths reported to NHTSA, the highest of any G5 year.

Is the 2009 Pontiac G5 reliable?

The 2009 G5 has the lowest complaint index among rated years at 33, with no fires or deaths reported, earning a Good verdict relative to other G5 years.

What is the most common problem area for the Pontiac G5?

Fuel System complaints are the most common overall, accounting for 132 of 381 total complaints (35%), followed by Steering at 25% and Electrical System at 23%.

Is the 2007 Pontiac G5 a good choice?

The 2007 G5 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 67, second-highest after 2008, and includes 16 crashes and 1 death reported.

Pontiac G5 Best and Worst Years (2007–2010)

The 2008 Pontiac G5 is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 100, five deaths, and 25 injuries reported to NHTSA. The 2009 G5 is the strongest choice with a complaint index of just 33 and no fires or deaths reported.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008

Model years: 4; 2007–2010
NHTSA complaints: 381
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 40
Fires reported: 4
Top problem area: Fuel System

G5 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Pontiac G5 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	Caution	67	188	16	2	5	Fuel System	—	—
2008	Avoid	100	115	15	2	4	Fuel System	29	—
2009	Good	33	76	9	0	5	Fuel System	29	—
2010	No verdict	0	2	0	0	3	Steering	29	—

G5 years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Pontiac G5 Index 100 · 115 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2008 G5 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and carries the worst safety outcomes in the lineup: 15 crashes, 2 fires, 25 injuries, and 5 deaths reported to NHTSA. Fuel system complaints lead at 35, with a median failure mileage of 81,329. Airbag issues (26 complaints) and electrical system problems (26 complaints) followed, with owners describing airbags failing to deploy in crashes and steering columns locking up or failing to turn. Steering complaints numbered 23, with median failure mileage near 80,285. Four recall campaigns cover this year, including ignition switch, airbag, and fuel pump module defects shared with related GM models.

2008 fuel system problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 electrical system problems →

Most common Pontiac G5 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Fuel System132 (35%)
Steering96 (25%)
Electrical System86 (23%)
Airbags67 (18%)
Engine28 (7%)
Brakes22 (6%)
Transmission & Powertrain20 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (4%)
Other12 (3%)
Structure & Body11 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Pontiac G5 should I avoid?: The 2008 model year stands out, with a complaint index of 100, 25 injuries, and 5 deaths reported to NHTSA, the highest of any G5 year.
Is the 2009 Pontiac G5 reliable?: The 2009 G5 has the lowest complaint index among rated years at 33, with no fires or deaths reported, earning a Good verdict relative to other G5 years.
Does the Pontiac G5 have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns across the 2007-2010 G5, including ignition switch, airbag, and fuel pump module issues, with 4 recalls specific to the 2008 model year.
What is the most common problem area for the Pontiac G5?: Fuel System complaints are the most common overall, accounting for 132 of 381 total complaints (35%), followed by Steering at 25% and Electrical System at 23%.
Is the 2007 Pontiac G5 a good choice?: The 2007 G5 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 67, second-highest after 2008, and includes 16 crashes and 1 death reported.