What year Pontiac Solstice should I avoid?

The 2007 model is the worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 289 complaints, followed by the 2006 model with an index of 75 and 243 complaints. Both years are dominated by airbag-related complaints.

Is the 2008 Pontiac Solstice reliable?

The 2008 Solstice carries a Caution verdict, with 159 complaints and a complaint index of 50, lower than 2006 or 2007 but still above the best years.

Which Pontiac Solstice year is best based on complaints?

The 2009 model year has the lowest complaint index among years with reported data, at 25, with only 36 total complaints and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.

Does the Pontiac Solstice have airbag recalls?

Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all model years, with 534 complaints (73% of all complaints), and NHTSA lists a recall for a passenger airbag suppression sensor covering 2006-2010 models.

How many recalls does the Pontiac Solstice have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across the 2006-2010 Solstice model years, with 2006, 2007, and 2008 each having 4 campaigns and 2009 and 2010 each having 3.

Pontiac Solstice Best and Worst Years (2006–2010)

Avoid the 2007 Pontiac Solstice (complaint index 100, 289 complaints) and the 2006 (index 75, 243 complaints), both dominated by airbag issues. The 2008 rates Caution, while 2009 is the strongest year with only 36 complaints and an index of 25.

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

Avoid 2006 Avoid 2007

Model years: 5; 2006–2010
NHTSA complaints: 727
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 28
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Airbags

Solstice 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 Solstice problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	Avoid	75	243	9	2	4	Airbags	21	—
2007	Avoid	100	289	12	1	4	Airbags	21	—
2008	Caution	50	159	7	0	4	Airbags	21	—
2009	Good	25	36	0	0	3	Airbags	21	—
2010	No verdict	0	0	0	0	3	—	22	—

Solstice years to avoid: what went wrong

2007 Pontiac Solstice Index 100 · 289 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2007 Solstice has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 289 total complaints, making it the worst-ranked year. Airbags make up 225 complaints, 78% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 40,013. Electrical system complaints (28) showed a median mileage of 51,253, structure and body complaints (26) at 51,000, and transmission/powertrain complaints (24) at 53,500. Four recall campaigns apply, covering airbag sensors, ignition switches, and electrical wiring. Owners described wheels locking suddenly in wet conditions, a vehicle frame collapsing while towing, front-end control loss, and a parking brake failing to hold a parked car on an incline.

2007 airbags problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 structure & body problems →

2006 Pontiac Solstice Index 75 · 243 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2006 Solstice carries a complaint index of 75 with 243 total complaints, ranked worst of the model years after 2007. Airbags account for 178 complaints, 73% of the year's total, with a median failure mileage of 39,500. Electrical system issues (30 complaints) surfaced around 29,255 miles and transmission/powertrain problems (28 complaints) appeared earlier, near 14,311 miles. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, including a passenger airbag suppression sensor issue and an ignition switch/key-ring recall. Owners reported brake pedals needing heavy pressure to stop the car, parking brakes failing to hold, convertible tops releasing unexpectedly, and rear-axle cracking tied to loss of traction.

2006 airbags problems →2006 electrical system problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Pontiac Solstice problems (all years)

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

Airbags534 (73%)
Electrical System80 (11%)
Structure & Body56 (8%)
Transmission & Powertrain56 (8%)
Brakes55 (8%)
Engine35 (5%)
Other14 (2%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (2%)
Seat Belts8 (1%)
Fuel System3 (0%)

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 Solstice should I avoid?: The 2007 model is the worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 289 complaints, followed by the 2006 model with an index of 75 and 243 complaints. Both years are dominated by airbag-related complaints.
Is the 2008 Pontiac Solstice reliable?: The 2008 Solstice carries a Caution verdict, with 159 complaints and a complaint index of 50, lower than 2006 or 2007 but still above the best years.
Which Pontiac Solstice year is best based on complaints?: The 2009 model year has the lowest complaint index among years with reported data, at 25, with only 36 total complaints and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.
Does the Pontiac Solstice have airbag recalls?: Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all model years, with 534 complaints (73% of all complaints), and NHTSA lists a recall for a passenger airbag suppression sensor covering 2006-2010 models.
How many recalls does the Pontiac Solstice have?: NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across the 2006-2010 Solstice model years, with 2006, 2007, and 2008 each having 4 campaigns and 2009 and 2010 each having 3.