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 Solstice airbags problems
moderate 208 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
208
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
3crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 208 airbags complaints filed for the 2007 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
Of the 4 model years of Pontiac Solstice we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 208.
Airbags accounts for 72% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
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 ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Pontiac Solstice has a widespread, recurring failure in its passenger presence module (PPM)—the pressure sensor in the passenger seat that arms or disables the airbag. Hundreds of owners report the same pattern: the sensor fails unpredictably at 15,000 to 65,000 miles, the "SERVICE AIRBAG" warning lights up, and both driver and passenger airbags go inoperative.
When the module fails, the passenger airbag indicator stays off even when someone is seated. The sensor costs $575–$1,200 to replace out of warranty, and many owners skip the repair because the cost is prohibitive. GM issued recall 17V061000 in 2017, but permanent parts remained unavailable for extended periods. Owners who had the recall performed report the same failure recurring within 8,000 miles. Some owners are on their third or fourth replacement.
Several owners describe the module as manufactured in Luxembourg by IEE and inherently defective. A few report attempting to reprogram the system to stay "always on" without success. Dealers have pointed to a 150-pound minimum weight threshold, leaving lighter passengers unprotected. One crash narrative alleges airbags did not deploy during a 70-mph side-impact, resulting in severe injury; the vehicle was destroyed and not analyzed. Most owners drive around with inoperative airbags due to cost, and some have been unable to pass vehicle inspection or sell their cars.
Same Pontiac Solstice airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Presence Module (PPM) / Pressure Sensor Failure
The passenger seat pressure sensor or PPM (passenger presence module) fails unexpectedly, disabling the passenger-side airbag and illuminating the 'SERVICE AIRBAG' warning light on the dash. When this component fails, the entire SRS (supplemental restraint system) is disabled, rendering both driver and passenger airbags inoperative. The failure occurs regardless of driving conditions and happens at relatively low mileages.
When: Typically occurs between 15,000 and 65,000 miles, though some report failure as early as 8,000 miles post-recall repair; failures reported from 2008 onward
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AIRBAG warning light illuminates on instrument cluster and dashboard; Passenger airbag indicator light fails to illuminate when passenger is seated in seat; Red airbag readiness light remains on continuously; DIC (driver information center) displays 'SERVICE AIRBAG' message; Audible warning chime may sound when vehicle starts; Passenger airbag indicator sometimes flashes intermittently before complete failure; Warning light can reset temporarily but returns on next start-up; All airbags (driver and passenger) become non-operational
Codes mentioned: B0081, DTC 1063, B008171, Codes 2036-1063
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of entire seat cushion assembly with integrated PPM/pressure sensor required; aftermarket parts available from Europe for ~$99 but dealer replacement (seat cushion, wiring module, calibration, programming) costs $575–$1,200 out of warranty; replacement sensors fail again within 8,000 miles in some cases; some owners attempt to reprogram to 'always on' but method remains unclear and rarely successful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 17V061000 (Campaign 17V061000) issued; interim repair available but permanent parts unavailable for extended periods; recall notice stated parts were unavailable as of 2017–2018 and beyond; GM stated temporary/interim repairs only available for vehicles without illuminated airbag indicator; many dealerships report parts on backorder or unavailable; no manufacturer-sponsored retrofit or extended warranty coverage; some owners report reimbursement requests pending without resolution
Passenger Airbag Sensor Detection Logic Malfunction
The passenger presence detection system fails to correctly recognize whether the seat is occupied, resulting in the passenger airbag indicator light showing 'OFF' even when a passenger is seated. In some cases, the system does not recognize a passenger unless the ignition is cycled. The indicator light may illuminate only intermittently or require physical manipulation of the seat/ignition to function.
When: Occurs after recall repair in some cases; intermittent failures reported during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator shows 'OFF' when passenger is seated in seat; Indicator light does not illuminate despite passenger presence; System may show passenger present only after engine restart or key cycle; Indicator flickers or changes state based on passenger weight or seat position; Dealer unable to reproduce issue during stationary diagnostics; System works correctly when both passengers start journey, but fails if passenger enters after engine started
Codes mentioned: B0081, DTC 1063, No stored code (intermittent failures)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose intermittent issues in garage; replacement of cushion assembly or module may not resolve issue; some suggest complete seat replacement; dealer bulletin suggests 150 lb. minimum weight threshold for activation, creating inadequate protection for lighter passengers (105–110 lb. adults, 85 lb. children)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V061000 parts unavailable; interim repair unavailable for vehicles with illuminated indicator; dealer suggests waiting for permanent solution; no guidance provided on weight-threshold issue; no manufacturer acknowledgment that lighter passengers lack protection
Airbag System Complete Disablement Post-Recall
After the 2017 recall repair (17V061000) is performed, the airbag warning light either remains illuminated or reappears shortly after repair, indicating the recall remedy did not permanently resolve the underlying issue. Owners report the same warning light returning days or weeks after dealer service, suggesting a band-aid fix rather than a root-cause solution.
When: Days to weeks after recall repair completion; recurring failures reported on vehicles with 45,000–90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AIRBAG warning light remains on after recall repair; Warning light reappears after initial successful repair within days or weeks; Both driver and passenger airbags disabled despite repair completion; Passenger airbag status indicator does not function correctly post-repair; Second and subsequent repairs required within months or miles of first repair
Codes mentioned: B0081, B008171, DTC 1063
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair involved replacement of seat cushion assembly with integrated module and recalibration; owners report the replacement module fails again at similar mileage intervals (8,000–10,000 miles post-repair); some owners state they have undergone 3–4 repairs; dealers suggest the replacement sensor is equally defective as original
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V061000 executed but does not permanently resolve issue; no extended warranty or goodwill adjustment offered; manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeline for recall parts availability; owners left unprotected with same defective component installed during recall
Airbag Non-Deployment in Crash (Alleged Safety Impact)
At least one crash narrative alleges that the airbags did not deploy during a high-speed side-impact collision, resulting in severe injury. Another narrative describes the airbag light warning owner of a non-functional system but does not confirm whether the car was in a crash afterward. Multiple owners express fear of passenger safety if airbag fails to deploy during an accident.
When: Reported in crash scenario at 90,000 miles; other failures occur at lower mileages but without confirmed crash testing
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags failed to deploy during side-impact collision at 70 mph; Extensive injuries to driver from engine intrusion into cabin due to lack of restraint; Passenger sustained broken ribs; Tires went flat, rims and rotors split in two, vehicle totaled
Codes mentioned: Not provided; vehicle destroyed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; no diagnostic testing or teardown performed; damage consistent with airbag non-deployment but not confirmed by manufacturer analysis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer notification provided to owner prior to crash; no recall issued for this specific failure pattern at the time of crash; manufacturer stated recall 17V061000 was for PPM/sensor defect but remedies unavailable
Prolonged Recall Implementation Delay and Parts Non-Availability
The 2017 recall (17V061000) was issued but parts for the repair have remained unavailable for extended periods (months to years), leaving owners unable to complete the recall. Manufacturers and dealers reported parts on backorder, with no clear timeline for availability. Owners report being unable to schedule recalls, and some dealers refused to perform interim repairs or charged owners for temporary fixes with promise of later reimbursement.
When: Recall issued 2017; parts unavailable through 2018 and beyond; some parts distribution issues ongoing as of complaint dates in 2017–2023
Symptoms owners cite: Owner receives recall notice but is unable to schedule repair due to parts unavailability; Multiple follow-up notices stating interim or permanent parts unavailable; Dealer unable to source parts after weeks or months on backorder; GM customer service and dealer unable to confirm availability timeline; Owner unable to pass vehicle inspection due to airbag warning light while waiting for recall parts; Vehicle cannot be sold or reliably driven while awaiting recall completion
Repairs/costs cited: Interim repair available for vehicles without active warning light; permanent repair parts unavailable; some dealers quoted $1,200+ for parts and labor; owner reports reimbursement request pending without resolution months after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V061000 issued March 2017; interim remedy available via service bulletin but only for asymptomatic vehicles; permanent parts reported unavailable by multiple dealerships through 2018; manufacturer stated parts distribution disconnect; no loaner vehicle program or alternative remedy provided; manufacturer case numbers provided but owners report no follow-up or resolution
Synthesized from 208 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
Passenger air bag sensor located in the seat cushion failure !! Please help us !! There are alot of failures !!! Car was in motion. My car is now worth a $1'000 dollars and not safe to drive !!!
Hundreds of Pontiac solstice, Saturn sky, opel gt (whether turbo or not) experience, just like myself, SRS faults that turn off all airbags in the car. When I say solstice, I mean all the kappa platform, 2 seater, sports cars. Due to, the passenger pressure sensor in the seat that tears. After the pressure sensor is broken, the gauge cluster shows a code: service airbag system. This disables all…
The passenger seat airbag sensor stopped working. It no longer sensing when a passenger is present in the passenger seat. This seems like a very dangerous problem since the airbag will not deploy on passenger side in a crash. It seems to be a common problem that is well documented, I believe gm should order a recall. *tr
Had a recall for the airbags a few years ago. I got it "fixed" at that time but soon after getting it done, the "check airbags" light came back on. I've been chancing it each time I get behind the wheel because of the hassle I went through with dealing with the recall. The first GM location I went to wanted to charge me. The second GM location that "fixed" the airbag was over an hour away so I…
This is a known failure and a previous recall. The PPS system is a failed design and breaks continuously. Look at all the complaints you have received. This is extremely dangerous and GM should not be allowed to dismiss. Will it take deaths or lawsuits for GM to respond? This is the reason the NHTSA exists. GM needs to be directed to fix with a permanent solution when it involves the…
The pps is throwing service air bag system on dash and its not arming its self > the car dont even have 40 thousand miles , my understanding their is a recall on this junk but general motors said the when I called they say no open recalls ! What he heck ? This is very dangerous for the passenger and lilable for me< ins co< and general motors
Service air bag error light came on. After reading some threads in forums, I saw that a lot of owners of this model were having the same problem. To replace the "sdm module" will cost over $500, so my car will be without and air bag on the passenger side.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags). 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 contact called Chevrolet of huntington at (631) 547-3200 (1072 e jericho turnpike, huntington, ny 11743) where it was…
Service airbag light came on. Dealer says the passenger presence system module has failed and is $1260 to replace. After looking at several Pontiac solstice online forums, this appears to be a common failure. *tr
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired under the recall; however, DTC: B008171 (Passenger air bag Suppression System) warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the warning light was illuminated prior to the recall repair being performed. The vehicle remained at…
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Pontiac Solstice?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 208 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 155 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 25,000 and 57,000 miles, with the median around 42,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 57,000. 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/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.