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2009 Pontiac Solstice problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice is airbags, typically around 30,260 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Solstice model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
93/100
Owner complaints
36
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
929
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
21-22mpg

The worst 2009 Pontiac Solstice problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    32
  • Electrical
    6
  • Seats
    3
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice

Airbag light 13

Recalls 3

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported January 26, 2017 · 91,007 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V061000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 14V171000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported February 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 14V047000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice

Defect investigations

HVAC Blower Motor ConnectorOpened February 7, 2020, closed October 27, 2022

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Defect Petition received December 12, 2019 requesting an investigation into the possibility of passenger compartment fires attributed to overheating HVAC blower motor connectors in Model Years (MY) 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles.An analysis of General Motors (GM) complaint data and information in the federal safety agency?s databases identified thirteen unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with reported incidents that could pertain to blower motor overheating, smoking, or melting in the 90,938 MY2006-2010 Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice vehicles produced. Two of the thirteen cited incidents reported smoke and thermal damage that may be attributed to the HVAC blower motor although neither incident was confirmed through vehicle inspection. One incident, a MY2008 Saturn Sky with substantial field exposure from a frontal collision, could not have the root cause identified. The other, a MY2007 Pontiac Solstice, did not inform the manufacturer nor take the vehicle to a dealer for evaluation.Most of the 13 incidents reported an overheated or discolored connector with attendant loss of HVAC blower fan function. GM reported 354 warranty claims with the subject components for the Sky and Solstice, none of which included a report of fire and only one report of smoke. Over a period of ten to fourteen years in service, there are two reports of smoke or thermal damage.While the subject Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles do share common components, the Sky and Solstice vehicles have demonstrated very different behavior and their HVAC system has a lower power draw than the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles. The recalled H3 and H3T vehicles generate over triple the failure rate of the Sky and Solstice vehicles. GM suggested in its response to the ODI?s information request that this difference was due to the larger interior volume of a recalled Hummer vehicle imposing a heavier electrical load and duty cycle on its HVAC blower. The duty cycle is defined as how long it takes for the vehicle to cool down enough before the HVAC blower motor fan speed is lowered or turned off completely.Additionally, due to the size differential between the Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles, the parts have a different power draw. The Sky and Solstice vehicles, due to their smaller size, draw less wattage, which reduces the likelihood of a thermal event. This condition in the Sky and Solstice vehicles typically leads to an inoperable HVAC blower motor as opposed to a thermal event.Despite the commonality of parts in the Sky and Solstice vehicles with those that were the basis of a safety recall, the subject vehicles have not demonstrated a safety defect trend that would likely lead to a safety recall or merit further investigation by the ODI. The subject vehicles have a low rate of reported thermal events over the ten to fourteen years they have been in service with the most recent occurring in 2017 with no confirmed fires. The HVAC blower motor was not confirmed to be the root cause for either thermal event cited above.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in the federal safety agency?s possession, information submitted by GM in response to an information request, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner?s allegation, the federal safety agency does not believe that the petition warrants a formal investigation at this time. Consequently, the petition is denied.The entire petition denial can be viewed in the October 14, 2022 Federal Register under DP20-002.(https://www.f

DP20002

Passenger Sensing System Sensor MatOpened May 16, 2016, closed April 24, 2017

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the subject vehicles.The petitioner raised the issue of failure of the Passenger Sensing System for the front passenger seating position.On January 26, 2017, General Motors filed a defect information report recalling the subject vehicles to address the issue raised by the petition.In view of the recall, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing the action.The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

DP16001

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice 929

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 929 bulletins for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice

2009 Pontiac Solstice fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylRWD1927-2821-22
2.4L 4‑cylRWD1924-2521

What 2009 Pontiac Solstice owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · Airbags · 50,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact called the dealer, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that an electrical sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Airbags · OH

My issue is with the initial recall of the air bag system. Why is the air bag replaced only one time when this is an ongoing problem. My air bag system needs replaced for the second time but it is not covered. I don't understand the logic behind not continually correcting an ongoing problem. Can you please help me? [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Oct 31, 2021 · Airbags · MS

My Solstice had recall # 14092 & 14133 for service airbag to passenger seat completed on 4/27/2018. As of 10/25/2019 the service airbag light is once again on and indicates that the passenger airbag is off. The recall part has malfunctioned. Please contact with another recall to fix this problem. My Solstice has 25,600 miles.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Airbags · NC

Over the years I've received multiple info cards from dealerships concerning this recall. I return their request for having recall work scheduled. The dealerships then return my call usually in a few days saying they are unable to aquire parts for recall work. So far no dealership has been able to do the install due to parts shortage. Where do I go from here?

Filed Apr 8, 2021 · Airbags · 64,500 miles · FL

Passenger airbag warning light came on and is always on. Driver info display indicates "service airbag" every time I start the car. Pps mat recall has already been performed. The reinforcement repair has failed. The exact same pps mat is used on the cadillac cts, and the recall for that was to replace the sensor because it was determined the material may fatigue and crack. Thus it is a known problem with the pps mat and therefore should have been replaced, not repaired in the solstice/sky. A tape-on reinforcement strip is not sufficient.

Filed Dec 18, 2020 · Airbags · 64,000 miles · FL

Passenger airbag indicator light always on. Driver info display always indicates "service airbag" (with alert tone) every time I start the car. I believe this is related recall 17v061000 for failures in the passenger side airbag sensor pps mat. Solstice repair was added reinforced tape. Cts repair for same issue was to replace the sensor. Many solstice/sky owners are complaining the recall repair job failed a year after the fix, resulting in need to replace the sensor mat. As the pps mat is an fmvss mandated safety feature, it should be [and should have been] replaced entirely, not just repaired with reinforced tape. Gm indicates the recall repair was already performed, so I will have to pay nearly $800 to have the sensor replaced in order to clear the failure indicators. This is unreasonable. One cannot expect reinforced tape to prevent an unknown fatigue condition on an 8-10 year old sensor. Replacement with a different design as in the cts is the only certain solution and nhsta should not have allowed gm to use reinforced tape.

Filed Jul 3, 2020 · Seats · 35,500 miles · TX

Almost 36k miles and the service airbag light appeared on my dash while driving on a highway with a partner (adult over 150 lbs) and the passenger air bag turned off, I went out of the highway for his safety and drive slower our way back to work, but suddendly he kind of accomodate himself on the seat and the service airbag light disappered, so I asked him to move/change his sitting position on the seat and this way the light returned and then disappeard when he changed randomly his weight over the seat. Right now the light is permanent on my dashboard no mare ther is no weight on the passenger sit or someone over 150 pounds sits and changes sitting position. My car attended the recall 17036 aug 2018 at that time the problem was not present on my pps so they proceed to make the reinforcement, but now it appeared the dealer wants to charge me the diagnostic and if the pps is the failure (as it seems to be); the pps cost, as is over a year since the recall was attended and the part is out of warranty.

Filed Sep 14, 2018 · Airbags · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not available. The dealer (don mealey chevrolet, 17185 fl-50, clermont, fl 34711, 352‑394‑6176) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would give the contact a call back. The contact had not heard back from the manufacturer. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · Airbags · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called chevrolet buick marble falls at (830) 693-2777 (located at 2301 us-281, marble falls, tx 78654) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Aug 8, 2018 · Airbags · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac solstice. The contact stated that the service air bag warning indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags); 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. Mcsweeney cadillac gmc (35500 alabama highway 21 b, talladega, alabama 35160, (256)474-4473) was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

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Other model years

2006200720082009

Questions about the 2009 Pontiac Solstice

Is the 2009 Pontiac Solstice reliable?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2009 Pontiac Solstice, fewer than a typical Solstice model year.

What is the 2009 Pontiac Solstice year score?

The 2009 Pontiac Solstice scores 93 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Pontiac Solstice: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?

Airbags, with 32 complaints, typically around 30,260 miles. Next is electrical (6).

How many recalls does the 2009 Pontiac Solstice have?

3 recalls, covering air bags and electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 17V061000, 14V047000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Pontiac Solstice have bad airbags?

The Pontiac Solstice model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (227 complaints), 2006 (178 complaints) and 2008 (99 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Pontiac Solstice get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice range from 21 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 19 city and 27-28 highway.

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