2006 Pontiac SOLSTICE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
243 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
36,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 178 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 172 of 243 complaints (70.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 6.6% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 5.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 2.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 172 |
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 10 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Seats | 7 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
Air Bags: 172; Electrical System: 25; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 10; Engine: 7; Power Train: 7; Seats: 7; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal: 6; Seat Belts: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 55 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 68 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 29 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 55; 25,000 to 49,999: 68; 50,000 to 74,999: 29; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (68). 65 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 51 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 13; 2007: 6; 2008: 8; 2009: 5; 2010: 10; 2011: 3; 2012: 12; 2013: 10; 2014: 51; 2015: 22; 2016: 34; 2017: 31; 2018: 18; 2019: 6; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10148885 · 2006-01-28 (January 28, 2006)
I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY AFTER TRAVELING 65 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. AS I COASTED UP THE EXIT RAMP W/CLUTCH IN AND FOOT OFF THE GAS THE CAR REVVED TO OVER 3000 RPMS. BY THE TIME I STOPPED AT THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE RAMP BY USING THE BRAKE THE CAR RETURNED TO IDLE AFTER A SECOND OR TWO. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150912 · 2006-02-22 (February 22, 2006)
REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAK. POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE IF DIFFERENTIAL WAS TO DRY OUT BEFORE VEHICLE IS TAKEN IN TO SERVICE. NEW DIFFERENTIAL SEAL WAS INSTALLED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151185 · 2006-02-25 (February 25, 2006)
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE THAT MIGHT LEAD TO INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BACK RELEASE LEVER IS LOCATED IN SUCH A WAY THAT WHEN THE SEAT IS ALL THE WAY BACK AND RECLINED AS FAR AS IT WILL GO THE LEVER TOUCHES THE PLASTIC BACK WALL OF THE CAR AND MINE IS ALREADY STARTING TO WEAR A HOLE IN THE PLASTIC. IF THIS PROCEEDS AND WEARS A HOLE IN AN ACCIDENT IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SEAT BACK RELEASE TO CATCH AND CAUSE THE SEAT TO RELEASE WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER IS THROWN FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10151185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151368 · 2006-02-27 (February 27, 2006)
I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHEN I BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP, THE ENGINE REVS UP FOR A FEW SECONDS EVEN WITH THE CLUTCH ENGAGED AND MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 325 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153389 · 2006-03-22 (March 22, 2006)
2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE THROTTLE STICKS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156893 · 2006-05-05 (May 5, 2006)
DIFFERENTIAL LEAK LEADING TO TRANSMISSION WHINE, TRANSMISSION CLUNK AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF DIFFERENTIAL. GM WILL REPLACE PINION SEAL WHEN THE PERMANENT FIX IS REPLACEMENT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL WITH A REDESIGNED PART. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156898 · 2006-05-05 (May 5, 2006)
2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION GASKET LEAK REPAIRED BY GM ON 5/2/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,537 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158449 · 2006-05-27 (May 27, 2006)
GAS OUT ON WELD TO FRAME AND BRACKETS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158449 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V589000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
Reported: 2007-12-20 (December 20, 2007)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V047000 · Air Bags | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2014-02-10 (February 10, 2014)
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.
Consequence: 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. GMs 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V171000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 10, 2014)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗17V061000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2017-01-26 (January 26, 2017)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗