This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Pontiac Solstice airbags problems
moderate 162 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
162
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
When does it fail?
Of the 162 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 67% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 162 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOOR DOES NOT FLUSH WITH DASH PAD/WARPED. (REPOSITION LOCKING TABS ON AIRBAG PANEL). UPDATED 10/5/07. UPDATED 9/12/08.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. UPDATED ON 12/13/07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Pontiac Solstice passenger airbag system has a documented pattern of sensor failure. Owners report the passenger presence sensor—which detects occupants and enables the airbag—suddenly stops working, typically between 25,000 and 40,000 miles, though failures occur across a wide mileage range. When the sensor fails, the dashboard shows a "Service Air Bag" warning light and the passenger airbag indicator remains off even when an adult is seated and belted.
The failure is intermittent in some cases; the sensor may recognize a passenger one moment and not the next, or work for certain occupants but not others, regardless of weight (failures documented with 110–160 lb passengers). One owner opened the failed sensor and found a hairline crack in the copper contact mat.
GM issued recall 17V061000 in March 2017, initially offering an interim remedy of sensor inspection and reinforcement-strip installation (completed in 2018). However, multiple owners report the reinforcement strip did not fix the underlying problem; warning lights returned within weeks or months of the repair, and some sensors failed again within five years despite minimal seat use.
Owners report repair costs of $600–$1,100 to replace the sensor outright. Dealers initially faced significant parts shortages, leaving owners waiting months or years after recall notice before repairs could be scheduled. Even after the recall was deemed "permanent" in March 2018, some dealers reported parts remained unavailable. The repair work is not covered under standard warranties, and GM has been reluctant to reimburse owners who paid out-of-pocket before recall completion.
Same Pontiac Solstice airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Presence Sensor/Module Failure
The passenger seat occupancy detection sensor fails to recognize when an occupant is seated, causing the passenger airbag system to remain disabled even with an adult in the seat. Owners report the sensor fails suddenly after years of normal operation, sometimes after remaining parked for months. One owner documented a hairline crack in the copper mat of the sensor. Failures occur across a wide range of mileages but cluster around 25,000–40,000 miles in many cases, though some occur as early as 500 miles or as late as 80,000 miles.
When: Typically between 25,000–40,000 miles; some as early as 500 miles, others at 78,000–80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service air bag warning light illuminates on dashboard and remains on; Passenger airbag indicator stays off even when occupant is seated and belted; Intermittent failures where sensor recognizes passenger sometimes but not others; Passenger airbag light does not respond to occupant weight (occurs with passengers 110–160 lbs); Red SIR/airbag warning light illuminates with beeping on startup; Sensor may fail to activate for lighter passengers (reported with 110–119 lb adults)
Codes mentioned: P0081
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership estimates range $600–$1,095 for sensor replacement. Owners report the part has been replaced multiple times, with recurring failures. Recall 17V061000 (issued March 2017, interim remedy March 2018) called for inspection of the passenger pressure sensor mat and installation of a reinforcement strip; however, owners report the reinforcement strip ('patch') did not fix the underlying problem and failures recurred within months or even weeks of the repair. One owner had the part replaced in 2018 under recall and it failed again by 2023 at only 25,131 miles. The reinforcement-strip remedy appears insufficient for permanent repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V061000 (NHTSA Campaign Number 17V061000) issued March 2017 with interim remedy; permanent repair (reinforcement strip installation) issued March 2018. GM stated affected sensors were 'working within normal parameters' when questioned by dealers. GM declined to cover repairs out of warranty and has not issued a full replacement recall. Parts shortages delayed the recall remedy significantly; many owners reported waiting months or years with no parts availability. Reimbursement for out-of-warranty repairs has been inconsistent.
Recall Remedy (Reinforcement Strip) Ineffective
The interim and permanent recall remedy—inspection and reinforcement strip installation—failed to resolve the underlying sensor malfunction in multiple reported cases. Owners who had the recall work performed at dealers found the warning light returned shortly after or persisted despite the repair. The reinforcement strip is perceived by owners as a temporary 'patch' rather than a genuine fix, with some reporting the light returned after only 20 vehicle uses post-repair.
When: 2017–2023; failures reported within weeks to months of recall service, and at 5+ years post-recall with minimal seat usage
Symptoms owners cite: Service air bag light remains on after recall repair; Passenger airbag indicator does not change from off to on after recall service; Intermittent sensor failures resume shortly after recall work; Light returns on after brief period of normal use (20 uses reported); Recurring failures at 25,126 miles, 5 years post-2018 repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership documentation shows reinforcement strip was installed under recall; however, sensor remained defective afterward. When owners returned, dealers sometimes offered only a $95 diagnostic fee with labor and parts to follow if sensor was confirmed bad. Full sensor replacement (not covered under recall remedy) quoted at $400–$1,095.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V061000 permanent remedy (March 2018) included inspection and reinforcement strip. NHTSA documents indicate the contact was directed to have the sensor replaced at owner expense if the reinforcement strip did not resolve the issue. Dealers advised that only the reinforcement strip was covered by the recall, not the underlying sensor replacement. GM has not revised the recall remedy or offered expanded coverage despite documented failures post-repair.
Parts Unavailability / Recall Delay
Owners received recall notices (17V061000) in March 2017, but repair parts were unavailable at dealers for extended periods. Owners reported being told to wait for permanent remedy parts that arrived in March 2018, and even then, some dealers reported parts remained out of stock. The delay exceeded reasonable timeframes, leaving vehicles with active safety warnings undrivable for months to years. One owner's vehicle failed inspection and remained parked for over a year.
When: 2017–2019 (and into 2020 for some); parts announced available March 2018 but delivery to dealers was inconsistent
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but dealer unable to schedule repair due to parts unavailability; Owner informed to wait for permanent remedy parts; Vehicle remains undrivable or unsafe to use pending recall completion; Months to years of delay between recall notice and parts availability at dealer; Vehicle failed state inspection and could not be driven
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed during delay period. Owners advised to return when parts arrived.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V061000 announced March 2017 (interim remedy) and March 2018 (permanent remedy). GM stated parts would become available but could not confirm when. Multiple dealers reported parts not in stock as of mid-2018 and beyond. Some owners were offered the option to have the alarm disconnected rather than wait for parts. Recall completion status remained unclear, with some vehicles going unrepaired for years after the recall was declared permanent.
Synthesized from 162 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
While driving on smooth road at 55 miles per hour and no one in the passenger seat the airbag light came on along with "service airbag" message on info screen. Had a dealer scan codes and found passenger seat sensor bad. After googling it seems to be a common problem. The car only has 50,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (penske Cadillac of south bay, 18600 hawthorne blvd #101, torrance, ca 90504 (877) 591-3502) confirmed…
In may of 2017 dash warning showed service airbag remained on. Took to dealer and it as replaced for $991.20 plus tax. In 2018 received recall notice that stated I would be reimbursed as part was recalled. Took car to dealer to see about reimbursement and did paper work on 7/17/18. While I as there I requested an appointment with the dealer to see if the repaired recalled part was done with…
Takata recall I have a 2006 Pontiac solstice that is not driven very much. I went on vacation and realized my passenger airbag light would not come on when some one seats in the passenger seat, the light stays off all the time. Now the airbag readiness light is flashing on and will not turn off, which means the airbags need to be serviced. What is wrong with these air bags and why are…
Our solstice now has a passenger seat seat bag sensor light on. We took it into the dealer and were informed this is a common problem. They promptly told us it would be over $1000 to fix. The car has been well maintained and only has 23,000 miles on it. This light remains on at all times. We were told that our air bag will not deploy. It is my understanding that even replacing the sensor may not…
I took my Pontiac in and had ignition switch replaced and they installed a reinforcement strip on the air bag passenger seat .this did not fix the problem .I took it to crossroads chevorlet ,mt. Hope w.v. The internet said that if the reinforcement strip fixed it that was good but if it didnt that they would have to replsaace the sensor.now crossrads have turned it in that is has been repaired…
The air bag sensor in my vehicle failed shortly after logging 25,000 miles. The failure indication happened at slow speed while turning left onto a bumpy road. Any passenger in the car faces added risk if an accident were to occur. It is my understanding that the owner's cost to fix this item is prohibitive ($800 or more), and that the early failure of this part is somewhat common for this…
I have been trying to book a recall appointment for a year now to have my issue resolved. Every time I speak with kuni Chevrolet, they let me know the airbag part is not available. I called customer service for Pontiac, only to be re directed back to kuni Chevrolet with the exact same outcome. My airbag light is lit on my dash when I have a passenger in the passanger seat.
Takata inflators, says service passenger air bag, air bag off with passenger present.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac solstice. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag light was illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure, nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was 25,430 and the failure mileages were 25,400.
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Pontiac Solstice?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Pontiac Solstice?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 162 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 118 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 28,000 and 62,602 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 62,602. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Pontiac/Solstice.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.