2009 Pontiac Solstice Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Pontiac Solstice has a complaint index of 25 and ranks 4th of 5 model years, earning a Good verdict. Its main issue is the passenger airbag sensor system, cited in 89% of complaints, with 3 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #4 of 5 Solstice years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 36
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Pontiac Solstice problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags32 (89%)
- Electrical System6 (17%)
- Structure & Body3 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- The service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently even with a passenger seated, sometimes triggered by seat sensor faults.
- Passenger seat airbag sensor stops recognizing occupant weight, disabling the passenger airbag and lighting the dash warning.
- Some owners report the ignition switch fails to turn off even after removing the key.
- A rear differential leak was reported around 22,600 miles, alongside an airbag light that turns on randomly at varying speeds.
- Owners waiting on recall repairs say dealers report parts as unavailable for the airbag sensor and ignition switch fixes.
2009 Pontiac Solstice recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. GMÂs 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.
2009 Pontiac Solstice fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2009 compared with other Solstice years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Pontiac Solstice reliable?
- Compared to other Solstice years, 2009 ranks 4th of 5 with a complaint index of 25, and it carries a Good verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the most common problem with the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 89% of complaints, mostly related to a passenger seat sensor that falsely detects an empty seat or malfunctions.
- Does the 2009 Pontiac Solstice have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 Solstice, covering the passenger airbag suppression sensor, an ignition switch defect, and a related ignition cylinder issue.
- How does the 2009 Solstice compare to other years?
- The 2009 model has a much lower complaint index (25) than 2006 (75) and 2007 (100), which are both rated Avoid, and it scores better than the 2008 model (50, Caution).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?
- EPA rates the 2009 Solstice at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.