2006 Pontiac Solstice transmission problems

Filed Aug 26, 2019 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · CA

Drive axle seal leak. The rear differential is leaking due to a faulty pinion seal. I checked all recall information, and yes, it was recalled. I will notify the dealer of the recall and request that it be repaired at no cost. The vehicle was parked when I noticed the leak. Small amount on garage floor.

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 100,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac solstice. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and the check engine and thermostat warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failures, but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 18,623 miles · MI

Vehicle was in dealership for ignition switch recall work (recall 14063 and 14113). When vehicle was returned to me upon completion of the work, the vehicle would sometimes start, and sometimes not. I start with the transmission in gear, clutch depressed. This may or may not have any impact on the issue, which the service technician reported was an issue with the hall effect devices in the key head. I am an ex gm electrical engineer - I understand neutral safety. This is not a clutch/transmission neutral safety issue, this is a key switch failure to engage crank issue. The old ignition switch always started in this crank configuration. At this time, I have my vehicle at home, and both recall keys have demonstrated a refusal to start the car at times. Turn the key, no crank. Great, if I dump the clutch and stall the vehicle, I may be in a road condition that is very dangerous and be unable to start my car. It "could" be a walk home failure per the technicians comments if I understood him correctly. In returning "one" of the "two" supplied keys so they could order replacements, the comment was made they have seen this issue with hall key heads before. Excuse me, I would think a "no start" condition is a recall condition -- you can get someone hurt in traffic. I would also think all key head should be checked for performance prior to installation in service. How many of the recalled "fixed" vehicles have these unsafe keys in customers hands? I challenge this solution as a "fix", and question the recall solution.

Filed Jun 28, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 25,800 miles · CA

Car has an unbelievable clunking noise when shifting mostly from 1st thru 3rd gear since I purchased it. After 2 multi point inspections(results fine) I took it back to the dealership I purchased it from(it was under its 30 day front to back warranty), when they drove it for 50ft said yes there is a definite "clunking" noise going on and we'll look into it. They took it to their pontiac/gm dealership for investigation. That dealership said it was the rear end and it was normal, however mine was excessive so they re-placed the rear end/driveshaft and differential. When car was returned to me it still was making the noise w/ a letter from gm stating this was normal for these particular cars. This is not normal, there is definitely some kind of defect going on w these makes and models, if you search the internet you will find numerous complaints on the subject of this car and others for this exact issue. When driving it basically sounds like the back end or transmission is going to fall out or something is sticking, the gears are always getting stuck when shifting and it is a fight to get it into gear most times. Additionally when trying to turn corners or come to a stop the car appears to be locking up, steering gets tight and breaks just don't feel to be working properly. This car has never been in an accident and is in mint condition for it being a 2006 and under 26k miles(w/ the exception of this complaint). All the previous recall have been done and the newest one has yet to be done even though the pontiac/gm dealership ordered it for me 2 months ago and gm sent me a letter last week to get the recall performed, there still are no parts and im still waiting and im basically according to gm stuck w a car that clunks and doesn't shift properly and sticks in between gears which they state is normal. Someone needs to investigate these models, I don't feel safe driving.

Filed Apr 4, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 37,200 miles · GA

Purchased this car used 2/4/14 from a local reputably dealer.this 06 solstice showed only 36998 miles and had a clean car fax report. Have driven the car only a couple of hundred miles due to the following . The few times that the vehicle has been driven there seems to be a grinding noise in the rear end only at low speed and only while turning ,mostly parking lot speed .the car will grind and "violent snatch" as if something is binding or catching. The local mechanic says this is a defect in clutches of the rear end on these models (06) and that gm should have repaired it a long time ago .well, apparently mine was not .added the required gm additive to the rear ,but car continues to grind.I have read many horror stories on line from other owners who have had there rear wheels" locking up "at speed and causing loss of control in these cars (.I am not about to let my wife ever drive this car again.) problem #(2) I thought was insignificant until I saw this car was recalled last week ,and now my experience makes sense. Not only will these switches shut off during operating they will also unintentionally start due to weak detente in switch. ( no harm no foul )...so far....problem#3 my pass side airbag light on this car works about half the time. Meaning the pass side bag is active and operating about half the time.(my daughter has had her last ride as well) the real problem here is that I still owe 14000 on a car that looks great but can't be safely driven . This purchase is my first since bankruptcy 2 yrs ago ,and it looks as if I will be giving it back to the finance company and will be out my 2000 dollars down payment. After purchasing this car I have researched and found these problems I am having ,have been an ongoing for gm.why are they still out there being sold to the consumer? And to think I cheered when gm was bailed out!! Blame goes to me for trusting gm?

Filed Dec 16, 2012 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · AL

Immediately after purchasing my 2006 pontiac solstice in 2006, I begin experiencing a noise in the rear end of the vehicle. I took it in several times for repair until finally in 2007, pontiac recalled the vehicle for the power train being defective as listed below. I did not have any more problems until 2010 when the vehicle begin to make the same noise. I took the vehicle to another gm dealership as the one I purchased from had closed. They told me there was nothing they could do. This problem has gotten progressively worst and now the noise if getting very bad as I am decelerating and braking. The gears get more difficult to change when this happens. This is the same way it was acting before the drive train replacement. I took it to another gm dealership and was told they only replace them once under a recall. I don't understand if they are defective they should replace regardless. I was told they could change the fluid and replace for $700 at my cost. 2006 pontiac solstice power train recall 07v589000 the federal safety agency: action number: n/a service bulletin number: 07v589000 report date: dec 20, 2007 component: power train potential units affected: 275936 manufacturer: general motors corp. 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.

Filed Aug 30, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 41,414 miles · CA

When applying brakes, vehicle would come to a slamming stop jolting body and transmission to a complete stop then proceeding to normal driving mode until applying brakes again. Took my vehicle in to service 4 times for same repair. Codes p0013, p0014, p0700 & p2637 on diagnostic revealed all 4 times when service dept. Checked for issues. Also, powertrain differential in rear makes dragging noise since day one.

Filed Nov 4, 2010 · Transmission · 45,300 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 pontiac solstice. The contact stated that there was a recall 07v589000(power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:seal) on his vehicle and the repairs were done, but he continued to hear a loud noise in the rear passenger axle while driving at approximately 10 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The approximate failure and current mileages were 45,300.

Filed May 18, 2010 · Transmission · 20,500 miles · CA

2006 pontiac solstice...differential noises and clunking while turning slow corners. Dealer installed recall for seal and lube..still makes loud noises at highway speeds now . Sounds like something is loose. I have seen many complaints from other owners for this same problem and some of them have had lock ups that caused them to lose control of the vehicle...some one has to step up to gm and get them to make a permanent fix to this problem...or I guess it will happen after someone dies from the defective drive train.

Filed Jan 25, 2010 · Transmission · 36,195 miles · SC · crash · 2 injuries

My wife suggested to me that the accident may have been caused by a malfunction to the car. I didn't really consider that a possibility. However, she has never been able to explain the accident beyond saying "all of a sudden I lost control of the car". While I was looking for the car title, which I've still not found by the way, I discovered a recall notice from early 2008. I reviewed the document and discovered the 3rd condition which may occur sounds like a possible cause of this accident. I'm not sure of the best course of action at this point. I'm not a mechanical expert but it seems to me we could easily discover if the differential is jammed. If so, I suspect the cause of the accident was not my wife. If not, I don't know if these things can jam and release or not. Of course, if there is a problem with the car I would like to report it as soon as possible so that someone else isn't placed in jeopardy like my wife may have been. I would also like to work to get the ticket against her dismissed and remove this from our records as an "at fault" accident. Perhaps travelers could find some relief if the car really malfunctioned. We had the recall repair work completed by the dealer when we received the recall in 2008. When my wife took the car in to the dealer for an oil change on december 3, 2009 she asked that they also examine a noise she was hearing. The dealers notes on the service ticket indicate the noise was coming from the rear differential which is the same as the recall in 2008. The dealer kept the car overnight and ordered parts. The parts did not arrive so they let my wife drive off - knowing a possible serious problem might exist.