2008 Pontiac Solstice
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 100 of 159 complaints (63%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 289 in 2007 to 159 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700 | 3,500–3,700 | 3,500–3,700 | 2,950–3,500 | 2,700–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21–22 | 21–22 | 21–22 | 21–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–19 / 24–26 | 17–19 / 24–28 | 19 / 24–28 | 19 / 24–28 | 19 / 24–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 404–423 | 404–423 | 404–423 | 386–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 243 | 289 | 159 | 36 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac Solstice have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Pontiac Solstice?
Airbags & Restraints: 100 of 159 NHTSA complaints (63%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Pontiac Solstice get?
EPA rates it 21–22 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Pontiac Solstice?
EPA estimates $3,500–$3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 19 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | $3,500 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 19 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 37 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 100 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · Campaign 17V061000 · Feb 1, 2017
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 14E021000 · May 9, 2014
Defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
Consequence: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V171000 · Apr 10, 2014
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH; AIR BAGS · Campaign 14V047000 · Feb 11, 2014
Defect: 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE · Campaign 07V454000 · Sep 26, 2007
Defect: 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.
