I purchased a 2006 Pontiac Solstice from a Lexus dealership in 2020. No known issues were discussed when I purchased the vehicle. The ignition switch turned off while I was driving around a curve which caused engine to stall, and my steering wheel to locked up preventing me from turning. I crashed into a guardrail at 60 mph and my car spun, hitting the back as well. The car is totaled. My airbag did NOT deploy in the crash, resulting in worsened injuries. Thankfully no other cars were involved, but the faulty ignition switch put my safety at risk. The car is available for inspection, and is currently in the hands of my insurance agency who has inspected and totaled it. I did not drive much, and had not experienced this issue prior with my car.
Pontiac Solstice no deployment problems
12 of the 729 owner complaints about the Pontiac Solstice describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical mileage
- 50,000
By model year
- 20091
- 20083
- 20075
- 20063
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 pontiac solstice. While driving 30 MPH, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the side of the contact's vehicle. The contact's vehicle spun three times and landed against a sidewalk. The tires went flat and the rims and rotors were split in two. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the shoulder and legs that required medical attention. The front passenger sustained broken ribs that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and then to a junkyard. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available. *bf
Rear ended a vehicle, totaled car, airbags failed to deploy, broke ankle and heel.
The sensor in the passenger seat that detects a passenger and activates the air bag system for the passenger seat is broken. Now, whenever there is a passenger, the air bag for the passenger side shows as off. My vehicle is an '07, but has only 50,000 miles. The sensor appears to be very thin and flimsy. With this item broken, in the event of an accident, the air bag would not deploy even though there is a passenger in the seat. This is a design flaw and is very dangerous. A similar recall was made on this item for the cadillac line. Thank you
Daughters in 2006 solstice. Drunk driver ran red light going 50 MPH and hit our daughters making a left turn. Severe impact on an angle (front/left side) with 2 foot intrusion into occupant compartment. Airbags did not deploy. Required prolonged extrication; serious injury with bayflight to hospital. 2006 solstice is a gm recall vehicle for defective ignition switch.
Letter from senator brown on behalf of constituents re gm ignition claims. *smd 2006 pontiac solstice. The consumer stated in august 2006, she experienced an incident involving the ignition switch where the keys locked up in the auxiliary position rendering which caused the key to become stuck in the ignition. In january 2011, the same issue occurred. On october 11, 2012, the consumers husband was involved in an accident while driving the vehicle. Also, the air bag did not deploy. The consumers husband was injured.
My solstice is part of the ignition recall id # 102546 - electrical system:ignition:switch. During the repair of the ignition switch replaced oct 13 2014.and after the car was brought out to me I noticed the passenger air bag sensor light had came on. I notified the dealer that the light was on they ran a diagnoses and determined that the airbag sensor gm module kit had failed in the passenger seat and that neither side airbag will deploy should I have an accident. I'm told by the dealer that it will cost me $900 to replace part number 19124219. My response was that I would be contact gm about this as it was not an issue before the repair of the ignition recall. After contacting gm they contacted the dealer and said that they would be willing to pay a part of the cost, how much I was never told. As with others that have report the same problem, my complaint is that the faulty ignition has a direct affect on the proper operation and safety of the airbags. Not to mention that it will not pass a state inspection until this is repaired. Had I not brought the car in for the faulty ignition I would have been able to get it inspected and been able to continue to drive it. As of now if I don't pay the fee for this repair the vehicle is rendered useless and unsafe. And my investment is worthless except for parts I feel gm should be responsible for the replacement of the faulty sensor at their cost. I have read in several forums that this is a known problem and that something as easy as placing a knee on the seat can cause the sensor to fail this is a design flaw and gm needs to take responsibility before someone is killed in an accident because the air bags did not deploy!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 pontiac solstice. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed head-on into the contact's vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact mentioned that after the crash the air bag warning light illuminated. The driver from the other vehicle was taken to a hospital where there was one injury reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
My wife was driving down a straight road about a mile from our home and the road curved but the car didn't and she hit a sign then a pine tree that stopped her. There were no skid marks and the air bag did not deploy. She was hospitalized and the car was totaled. We never could figure out what happened until the ignition problem came to light. She never drove again and developed multiple infections until she died feb. 24,2013 at age 57. Not knowing the wreck was not her fault.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 pontiac solstice. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed head on into the contact. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The driver of the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
Related recalls
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- 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
Air bags
- 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. 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.
Recall number 14V047000 · Recall details
Questions about the Pontiac Solstice no deployment
Which Pontiac Solstice years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (5 complaints), 2006 (3 complaints) and 2008 (3 complaints).
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