7/17/21 (about 94500 miles) - While driving in heavy rain on a congested highway, with my windshield wipers turned on (of course), the wipers suddenly stopped working. This could have easily killed me and my family. The wipers would not turn back on, no matter what I did. At a rest stop that afternoon, and then later during extensive testing, I found that turning the wipers on would never actually make the wipers activate--but it would cause the engine to shut off and caused the car to issue numerous, varying error codes related to numerous vehicle systems (including ABS). Through much difficulty, I was able to find that this was caused by a faulty electrical ground at what's known on the Pontiac G8 as ground point G102. The electrical ground was restored via ground connection elsewhere, and the wipers resumed functioning. Roughly 2 years later (July/August 2023, about 104,000 miles), my low-beam headlights didn't function at ignition one day. Obviously, lacking headlights is a core safety issue. I learned that the low-beams also use ground point G102. Once again, with the electrical ground restored via a connection elsewhere, the low-beams started working again. Two different service stations were unable to figure out the windshield wiper issue. I only solved it by reading what others wrote on a Pontiac G8 enthusiast message board. On those message board threads, you can see that many people have had these same exact issues with the Pontiac G8--all related to the G102 ground point. Obviously, having the windshield wipers and/or headlights fail suddenly and without warning (neither failure gave any warning in advance) in a situation where the wipers or lights are needed could have catastrophic consequences. Since I'm unaware of any other ground point failing on the Pontiac G8, I am wondering if G102, in particular, needs a recall and a repair, to address this. (I am the original owner. The car has been stored outside, in the Northeast.)
2009 Pontiac G8 electrical problems
20 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 36,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 36,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Instrument cluster/panel1
- Ignition: switch1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac G8 electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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 the engine.
- 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. 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 the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on December 31, 2014. The recall began on February 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. GM's number for this recall is 14445. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.
Recall number 14V540000 · Recall details
What 2009 Pontiac G8 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
A month ago my passenger air bag light came on indicating there is an issue with the Passenger Air Bag system. This occurs even when there is no one in the passenger seat. This completely disables the airbag system in my car for my passengers and I can no longer reliably transport other passengers for fear of getting into an accident and the air bag not deploying. These parts are not normal mechanical pieces that wear and tear over the course of the cars life, and with a quote from the dealership of almost $1000.00 it is unreasonable for me to pay as this is a HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, not only to passengers but to myself as I am unsure if this will effect the Drivers Air Bag System. I dont think its fair that with the car only being 12 years old that I should have to pay and replace a faulty air bag system, when this is a common issue with the 2009 Pontiac G8. This needs to be a recall as it is unfair to ask anyone to replace a VITAL and IMPORTANT safety feature of the vehicle. This should not be something Pontiac G8 owners should have to pay for out of pocket, and the Manufacturer needs to realize that this is not a one off issue, but a common issue with owners of the 2009 Pontiac G8. It is the responsibility of the Manufacturer (GM) to fix this issue as it is a basic safety issue. The car would not be legally sold with this issue from the manufacturer, so why is it the owners responsibility to pay for GM (Pontiacs) mistake? Either with $1000.00 or their lives?
Brake lights will illuminated - when the brake paddle is pushed up the brake lights will turn off for a short time and than illuminate again. This happens when the vehicle is stationary, in motion, on a city street and on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g8. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v540000 (electrical system); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g8. The contact received a recall letter for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v540000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g8. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v540000 (electrical system). Upon receiving the vehicle, the contact found that the key would not insert into the ignition. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,722.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g6. The contact received a notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v540000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact felt that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. ...updated 05/19/15*bf updated 9/17/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g8. While driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle failed to stop when the brakes were engaged without warning. The vehicle crashed into the rear driver side of another vehicle. A police report was filed and the front passenger required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v540000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g8 gt. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start until after several attempts and the key was loose in the ignition. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v540000 (electrical system) however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. Updated 5/4/15
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 pontiac g8. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v540000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Questions about the 2009 Pontiac G8 electrical
Does the 2009 Pontiac G8 have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the electrical of the 2009 Pontiac G8, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Pontiac G8 electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 36,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Pontiac G8 electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V540000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac G8 have the most electrical problems?
The Pontiac G8 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2009 (20 complaints) and 2008 (14 complaints).
Other 2009 Pontiac G8 problems
Airbags 69Suspension 20Brakes 9Transmission 9Lights 7Driver assistance 6Steering 6Tires 6Fuel system 5Seats 5Body 4Seat belts 4Engine 3Acceleration 2Wheels 2Visibility 1
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