This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Pontiac G5 airbags problems
severe 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
6crashes
5injuries
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.
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 ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SIR/AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DTC B0081 (PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) CODE) STORED (INSPECT PPS SYSTEM CONNECTORS). UPDATED 5/22/09. UPDATED 4/22/13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Pontiac G5 models describe three distinct airbag problems. First, the SERVICE AIRBAG warning light appears intermittently or stays on continuously, sometimes following ignition switch recall service. The light cycles unpredictably with no accident history to explain it. Dealership repairs—involving steering wheel disassembly, electrical connector cleaning, and error code clearing—don't hold; the warning reappears within days. Replacement airbags run over $1,000, and dealers sometimes refuse warranty coverage on older vehicles.
Second, frontal airbags have failed to deploy during head-on crashes at speeds between 25 and 50 mph. At least five owners describe accidents where neither driver nor passenger airbags deployed, leaving occupants with injuries ranging from neck strain to severe whiplash requiring hospitalization. Vehicles sustained major damage; dealers investigated but couldn't determine why the bags didn't fire.
Third, passenger-side airbags disable themselves when an adult sits in the seat—the occupancy sensor fails to detect the passenger, leaving the airbag off in a crash scenario. Owners identify this as a passenger presence module defect similar to Cadillac recalls. Several narratives reference a broader Takata airbag recall affecting millions of vehicles. No manufacturer recall has been issued for the G5's airbag system despite these repeated failures.
Same Pontiac G5 airbags reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent or continuous SERVICE AIRBAG warning light
Service airbag light and message appear on dashboard intermittently or continuously with no apparent trigger, often accompanied by dinging sounds. Pattern is unpredictable and persists across multiple drive cycles. Occurs in vehicles with no accident history.
When: Reported between 4 months of ownership to 100,000+ miles; some initiated after ignition switch recall service
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AIRBAG light on dashboard; Warning message on odometer/instrument cluster; Dinging/chiming sounds; Light cycles on and off without pattern; Continuous illumination during entire drive; Unable to pass state vehicle inspection due to warning light
Codes mentioned: SERVICE AIRBAG message
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics included disassembling steering wheel and column, cleaning electrical connections, resecuring wire connections, and clearing error codes; however, error reappeared within 1 day of repair at 88,002 miles. Some dealers initially charged $110 for diagnosis. Driver-side airbag replacement quoted at $1,063.37; passenger-side airbag replacement cost described as 'very expensive.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM warranty denial cited in one case (4,000 miles over warranty); half-cost reimbursement negotiated in another. Ignition switch recall mentioned in multiple complaints as preceding or coinciding with airbag light issues.
Frontal airbag non-deployment in crash
Driver and passenger frontal airbags fail to deploy during head-on or frontal impacts at moderate to highway speeds. Documented in at least five crash events, resulting in occupant injuries. No airbag malfunction indicated by warning lights in some cases.
When: Mileage ranging from approximately 50,000 to 106,000 miles at time of crash incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy on frontal impact; Head contact with steering wheel; Occupant neck and back injuries; Whiplash and chest/arm bruises; No audible or visual indication of airbag malfunction before crash
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection in one case unable to determine cause of failure. Vehicles declared total loss; one with over $4,500 damage and frame rail damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least two cases; no recall action documented. Takata airbag recall mentioned by owners in relation to deployment failures.
Passenger-side airbag not arming or turning off when occupied
Passenger-side airbag warning light stays off even when adult is seated in passenger seat, indicating the airbag is disabled. Passenger presence detection module fails to register occupancy. Airbag will not deploy in crash if passenger is present.
When: Reported at various mileages; one case at 49,500 miles; another in newly purchased vehicle (February 2019)
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light off when passenger present; Passenger seat does not register occupancy; Unable to manually enable airbag when desired; Passenger side airbag shuts off when seat occupied
Codes mentioned: Passenger presence module defect
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer advised short in passenger side seat belt retractor in one case; no repair action taken. Owners report this as a known defect affecting Cadillac vehicles as well.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall cited; comparison drawn to Cadillac passenger presence module recall. No manufacturer response documented in narratives.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 Pontiac G5?
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 2007 Pontiac G5?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 46,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 79,052. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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/2007/Pontiac/G5.
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.