YearToAvoid

2008 Pontiac Solstice Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2008 Pontiac Solstice ranks 3rd worst of 5 model years with a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 159 complaints, 4 recalls, and 7 crashes, with airbags making up 62% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#3 of 5 Solstice years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
159
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
7
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
7
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2009
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Top 2008 Pontiac Solstice problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags99 (62%)
  2. Brakes37 (23%)
  3. Electrical System16 (10%)
  4. Structure & Body16 (10%)
  5. Engine9 (6%)
  6. Other4 (3%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain3 (2%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (1%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (1%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden and complete brake failure after coming to a stop following hard braking, with the pedal going to the floor.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in head-on and rear-end collisions, including at low speeds around 10 mph.
  • Some drivers describe brakes making a grinding noise or losing stopping power immediately after starting the car, leading to rear-end crashes.
  • One owner reported the driver seat had excessive side-to-side movement during braking and turning, making the car feel out of control.
  • A clutch reportedly froze to the drive wheel in cold weather when the car was not stored in a warm space, preventing the vehicle from starting normally.
2008 Pontiac Solstice complaints: complaints filed per quarter132007 Q42009 Q42012 Q12014 Q12015 Q32017 Q12018 Q32025 Q2
159 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q4 to 2025 Q2; peak 2014 Q2 (13).

2008 Pontiac Solstice recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V061000Jan 26, 2017Airbags91,007 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 14V171000Apr 10, 2014Electrical System2,191,014 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 14V047000Feb 10, 2014Airbags2,190,934 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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. GM’s 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Pontiac Solstice →

2008 Pontiac Solstice fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other Solstice years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Avoid75243421
2007Avoid100289421
2008Caution50159421
2009Good2536321
2010No verdict00322

All Pontiac Solstice years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Pontiac Solstice reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2008 Solstice a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 3rd worst out of 5 model years. It has 159 complaints and 4 recalls, with airbags being the top problem area at 62% of complaints.
What are the main problems with the 2008 Pontiac Solstice?
Airbags account for 62% of complaints, followed by brakes at 23%. Owners also reported electrical system and structure/body issues, each making up 10% of complaints.
Does the 2008 Pontiac Solstice have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering airbags, the electrical system, and seat belts, including a 2017 recall for a passenger airbag sensor and a 2014 recall for ignition switch/key issues.
How does the 2008 Solstice compare to other model years?
The 2008 model (complaint index 50) is less problematic than 2006 (75, Avoid) and 2007 (100, Avoid), but worse than 2009, which has a complaint index of 25 and a Good verdict.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.