2008 Pontiac SOLSTICE: complaints, problems and recalls

1) STARTED CAR AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF GARAGE. APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP CAR. 2) CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN DRIVEWAY. NEARLY HIT FAMILY CAR PARKED BEHIND. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR UNTIL THERE WAS CONSTANT "PUMPING" OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. 3) CAR BROUGHT IN TO DEALER AND DESCRIBED PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THE DEALER WILL NOT FIX. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THERE IS NO "FIX" FOR THIS PROBLEM. SERVICE ADVISOR ADMITS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SOMEONE CAN GET SERIOUSLY INJURED DURING THIS BRAKE FAILUR…

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207710 at NHTSA ↗

BRAKES WOULD LOCK WHEN I STARTED MOVING VEHICLE EVEN AFTER 5 MINUTE WARMUP. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208213 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER SITTING FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (3/4 HOURS) OR WHEN COLD THE BRAKES DO NOT WANT TO ENGAGE. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND YOU ARE TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES. HAD OUR CAR TO DEALER A FEW WEEKS AGO. WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THEY PRINTED OUT A BULLETIN THAT STATED THAT ALL 2008 SOLSTICE, SKYS, AND OPEL GTS ARE SUBJECT TO INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT DUE TO LOW BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM CONDITIONS. THE CONDITIONS MAY EXIST WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD FOR THE FIRST FEW BRAKE APPLICATIONS OR WHEN THE VEH…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208657 at NHTSA ↗

STATED MY 2008 SOLSTICE AND PROCEEDED TO PULL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE CAR SITS OVERNIGHT. I MUST PRESS DOWN "HARD" ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. AGAIN ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS CONDITION WILL INJURE A PEDESTRIAN OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY GM TO CORRECT THE BRAKES. DEALER DID NOT EXPLAIN HOW BRAKES WORK. NO WARNING STICKER. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 88 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208752 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHILE DRIVING 3-5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE, IN WHICH THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. AS OF NOVEMBER 20, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 550.

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209548 at NHTSA ↗

THIS COMPLAINT IS IDENTICAL TO ONE ALREADY FILED WITH THE NHTSA, REPRESENTING A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE FROM A COLD START IN MY NEW PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP DELIVERED ONLY ONE WEEK EARLIER (MILEAGE AT ONE WEEK=200), THE BRAKES FAILED WITH THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARD (FORTUNATELY WITHOUT POWER APPLIED DOWN A SLIGHTLY INCLINED DRIVEWAY. WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE, THE BRAKES RESPONDED. LATER IN THE DAY, FROM A COLD START, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN MOMENTARILY WHILE PULLING OUT IN DRI…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209753 at NHTSA ↗

WE PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 67 MILES ON IT, WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS OF DRIVING THE CAR WE NOTICED IF IT SAT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT INITIAL START UP. *TR WE WOULD PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE AND OR DRIVE PRESS ON THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD,YOU COULD NOT PUSH IT DOWN TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AT ALL. WE HAVE HAD TO USE OUR EMERGENCY BRAKE NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER START UP TO ENSURE WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY THAT OUR CAR WOULD STOP. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES LETTING THEM…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213087 at NHTSA ↗

LACK OF BRAKING ABILITY WITH MY 2008 PONTIAC GXP UPON STARTUP, OCCASIONALLY. NO SENSATION OF HAVING BRAKES FOR FIRST 3-5 SECONDS, THEN BRAKES KICK IN. DOES NO MATTER IF BACKING UP OR PULLING FORWARD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218042 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-09-26 (September 26, 2007)

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." AND STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE ONE TO FOUR INBOARD SEAT STUD FASTENERS THAT DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATION FOR STRENGTH.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT AND SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED AND COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INBOARD SEAT STUDS AND, IF NECESSARY, REMOVE THE STUD AND INSTALL A BOLT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

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. 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.

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.

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.