2008 PONTIAC G8 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
91
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
19
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 PONTIAC G8
The 2008 PONTIAC G8 has received a total of 91 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE. 19 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (25 complaints), Electrical System (13 complaints), and Steering (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 PONTIAC G8
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2008 PONTIAC G8, potentially affecting up to 202,605 vehicles.
Recall 15V399000 — SEAT BELTS
| 47,042 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front...
Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a...
View full details →Recall 14V540000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 47,043 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off...
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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to...
View full details →Recall 11V534000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 38,444 vehicles affected
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 2, 2007 THROUGH JANUARY 22, 2009. A 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DEVICE (ATD) IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST EXCEEDED THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA (HIC) REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITIONED FULL FORWARD, THE SEAT POSITION SENSOR WILL CAUSE...
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
View full details →Recall 09V172000 — TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
| 35,038 vehicles affected
Defect: GM IS RECALLING 35,038 MY 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT" AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS". THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY BE...
Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR AND THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK RECEIVER WITH THE CORRECT VALUES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JUNE 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
View full details →Recall 09V172000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 35,038 vehicles affected
Defect: GM IS RECALLING 35,038 MY 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT" AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS". THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY BE...
Consequence: INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR AND THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK RECEIVER WITH THE CORRECT VALUES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JUNE 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 PONTIAC G8
91 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 PONTIAC G8. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfront | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the key was accidentally bumped, and the ignition switch was knocked out of the run position, turning off the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V540000 (Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the recall was marked closed by the dealer without performing the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, the ignition key could not be removed from the ignition switch. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
WAS DRIVING ON BOTH HIGHWAY & NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT & WARNING TONE CAME ON. AFTER MANY DIAGNOSIS DRIVE TESTS, I LEARNED THAT EVERY TIME MAKING A COMPLETE LEFT U-TURN THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR WOULD DISAPPEAR. HOWEVER ONCE COMPLETING THE FULL LEFT U-TURN, AND DRIVING STRAIGHT CENTER WHEEL POSITION, THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT AND WARNING TONES WOULD REOCCUR. WHEN CONTACTING MY ONSTAR MONITORING SERVICE, THEY WERE ABLE TO DO AN OVER THE AIR DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODE TEST. IT CAME BACK AS FAULT CODE B0012 FOR CLOCKSPRING, DRIVER STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LOOP FAILURE. WHENEVER THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR IS ACTIVATED ON THIS MODEL, THE ENTIRE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND NONFUNCTIONAL IN PREVENTING MAJOR INJURIES WHICH CAN LEAD TO FATALITIES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE OF THE REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING PART COST, AND WAS QUOTED IN THE $450.00 RANGE PLUS LABOR TECH INSTALL. IN ADDITION, WAS TOLD THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A KNOWN DEFECT ON THIS MODEL AND SINCE IS AIRBAG RELATED, SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH IS GENERAL MOTORS. I COULD BE LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS TO MISINTERPRET THE SEVERITY OF THIS DEFECT, AND BE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT WILL FAIL TO SAVE MY LIFE IF EVER INVOLVED IN A MAJOR COLLISION. THIS SHOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED & SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED & RESOLVED JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS FOR OTHER MAJOR CAR MANUFACTURERS FOR FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES. AS TO THIS DATE 06/11/2020 THE ISSUE KEEPS RECURRING ON EVERY DRIVE ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THANK YOU FOR SERVING YOUR CITIZENS & THE COMMITMENT OF MAKING THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE FOR SAFETY. *TR
WAS DRIVING ON BOTH HIGHWAY & NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT & WARNING TONE CAME ON. AFTER MANY DIAGNOSIS DRIVE TESTS, I LEARNED THAT EVERY TIME MAKING A COMPLETE LEFT U-TURN THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR WOULD DISAPPEAR. HOWEVER ONCE COMPLETING THE FULL LEFT U-TURN, AND DRIVING STRAIGHT CENTER WHEEL POSITION, THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT AND WARNING TONES WOULD REOCCUR. WHEN CONTACTING MY ONSTAR MONITORING SERVICE, THEY WERE ABLE TO DO AN OVER THE AIR DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODE TEST. IT CAME BACK AS FAULT CODE B0012 FOR CLOCKSPRING, DRIVER STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LOOP FAILURE. WHENEVER THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR IS ACTIVATED ON THIS MODEL, THE ENTIRE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND NONFUNCTIONAL IN PREVENTING MAJOR INJURIES WHICH CAN LEAD TO FATALITIES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE OF THE REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING PART COST, AND WAS QUOTED IN THE $450.00 RANGE PLUS LABOR TECH INSTALL. IN ADDITION, WAS TOLD THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A KNOWN DEFECT ON THIS MODEL AND SINCE IS AIRBAG RELATED, SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH IS GENERAL MOTORS. I COULD BE LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS TO MISINTERPRET THE SEVERITY OF THIS DEFECT, AND BE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT WILL FAIL TO SAVE MY LIFE IF EVER INVOLVED IN A MAJOR COLLISION. THIS SHOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED & SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED & RESOLVED JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS FOR OTHER MAJOR CAR MANUFACTURERS FOR FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES. AS TO THIS DATE 06/11/2020 THE ISSUE KEEPS RECURRING ON EVERY DRIVE ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THANK YOU FOR SERVING YOUR CITIZENS & THE COMMITMENT OF MAKING THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE FOR SAFETY. *TR
WAS DRIVING ON BOTH HIGHWAY & NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND THE AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT & WARNING TONE CAME ON. AFTER MANY DIAGNOSIS DRIVE TESTS, I LEARNED THAT EVERY TIME MAKING A COMPLETE LEFT U-TURN THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR WOULD DISAPPEAR. HOWEVER ONCE COMPLETING THE FULL LEFT U-TURN, AND DRIVING STRAIGHT CENTER WHEEL POSITION, THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR LIGHT AND WARNING TONES WOULD REOCCUR. WHEN CONTACTING MY ONSTAR MONITORING SERVICE, THEY WERE ABLE TO DO AN OVER THE AIR DIAGNOSTIC FAULT CODE TEST. IT CAME BACK AS FAULT CODE B0012 FOR CLOCKSPRING, DRIVER STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LOOP FAILURE. WHENEVER THE AIRBAG FAULT INDICATOR IS ACTIVATED ON THIS MODEL, THE ENTIRE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND NONFUNCTIONAL IN PREVENTING MAJOR INJURIES WHICH CAN LEAD TO FATALITIES. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE OF THE REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING PART COST, AND WAS QUOTED IN THE $450.00 RANGE PLUS LABOR TECH INSTALL. IN ADDITION, WAS TOLD THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A KNOWN DEFECT ON THIS MODEL AND SINCE IS AIRBAG RELATED, SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH IS GENERAL MOTORS. I COULD BE LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS TO MISINTERPRET THE SEVERITY OF THIS DEFECT, AND BE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT WILL FAIL TO SAVE MY LIFE IF EVER INVOLVED IN A MAJOR COLLISION. THIS SHOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED & SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED & RESOLVED JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS FOR OTHER MAJOR CAR MANUFACTURERS FOR FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES. AS TO THIS DATE 06/11/2020 THE ISSUE KEEPS RECURRING ON EVERY DRIVE ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THANK YOU FOR SERVING YOUR CITIZENS & THE COMMITMENT OF MAKING THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE FOR SAFETY. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2008 PONTIAC G8
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 PONTIAC G8 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 PONTIAC G8
General Motors, LLC has issued 19 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 PONTIAC G8. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIC4869A — WHEELS
The purpose of this Preliminary Information is to inform dealership techs that there is an error with the scan tool data that is displayed for the rear wheel speed sensors on these vehicles.
SB-15289 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
PONTIAC: TSB CONTAINS AN OWNER'S NOTIFICATION LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. IN COLD WEATHER, FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BECOME RIGID AND ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER JOINT AND SURFACE OF BALL JOINT BECOMES CORRODED. MODEL 2008-09 G8. *PE
15289 — SUSPENSION:FRONT
15289 - SPECIAL COVERAGE. ON SOME 2008-2009 MODEL YEAR PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES, THE BOOTS ON THE FRONT-LOWER-CONTROL-ARMS CAN BECOME RIGID IN COLD WEATHER, WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE JOINT AND CORRODE THE SURFACE OF THE BALL JOINT. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, A LOUD METALLIC RATTLE CAN BE HEARD...
PIP5216 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or squeal from the engine. Technician will inspect the oil control solenoids for metal debris. Also inspect for damage to the cam caps Journals and camshaft journals on the...
12-08-64-004A — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to install a foam spacer and guide to correct the customers concern of the front door glass moving only half way or falls off channel.
11-06-02-001A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This informational bulletin explains to use a rivit plug instead of a bolt on aluminum block in the cylinder head, if it was leaking coolant
09-01-39-007C — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
10-06-01-008J — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This informational bulletin is a revision of 10-06-01-008I to add the 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, RPO LH9 and update the Labor Operation to the Global Labor Code (GLC).
09-01-39-007B — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
10-03-09-001B — SUSPENSION
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
Showing 10 of 19 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 PONTIAC G8
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the PONTIAC G8
- 2008 PONTIAC G8 (current)
- 2009 PONTIAC G8 — 185 complaints
- 2010 PONTIAC G8 — 2 complaints
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