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 ↗2008 Pontiac G5 airbags problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
7crashes
9injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 19 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 Pontiac G5, 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
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 report four critical airbag problems with the 2008 G5. First and most serious: bags fail to deploy in actual crashes—frontal, side-impact, and rear-end collisions—leaving occupants unprotected and causing injuries. Owners bought these vehicles based on dealer and GM marketing materials that promised front, side, and curtain airbags, but many cars lacked side airbags entirely, and curtain bags didn't deploy when hit sideways.
Second, the airbag warning light comes on and stays on—sometimes permanently, sometimes cycling on and off randomly—often around 40,000 to 120,000 miles with no obvious cause. Dealers have replaced ground wires, airbag modules, and control modules, but the light keeps coming back; one owner was told a needed part doesn't exist anymore.
Third, passenger occupant sensors fail, meaning the passenger airbag won't arm even when someone is sitting in that seat. Fourth, one owner reports the passenger airbag deployed on its own while driving at 40 mph, striking his passenger.
One complaint links airbag issues to GM's ignition switch recall (14E021000), which the owner says explicitly mentions airbag failure as a potential consequence. Owners have paid repair costs (one cited $400 for a sensor) or been left unable to repair because parts are discontinued.
Same Pontiac G5 airbags reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in crashes
Airbags (front and/or side) failed to deploy during actual accidents, including head-on and side-impact collisions. Owners report purchasing vehicles based on airbag coverage promises from dealers and GM marketing materials that were not met.
When: At time of crash; various mileages from 25,000 to 143,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal crash at 55 mph; No airbag deployment during side-impact collision; No airbag deployment during head-on crash at 40 mph; No airbag deployment during rear-end collision at 20 mph; No airbag deployment during loss-of-control crash; Side and curtain airbags advertised but either absent or non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in most cases; vehicles were total losses or owners pursued legal claims rather than repairs
Airbag warning light illumination with no immediate cause
Service airbag warning light comes on and stays on persistently, or cycles on and off randomly, often without any prior incident or known trigger. Owners report the light appearing at normal mileage intervals and not turning off.
When: Between 40,000 and 120,000+ miles; one case reported August 2022 at 120,000 miles; another at 53,150 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light permanently illuminated; Service airbag light comes on randomly while driving; Airbag lights cycle on and off; Light appears at approximately the same mileage across multiple vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced steering wheel ground wires, driver and passenger airbags, and master control module in one case—failure recurred after each repair. Another case could not be repaired because the occupant detection module was no longer in production.
Passenger occupant detection module failure
Passenger seat airbag sensor or occupant presence module becomes inoperative, preventing the airbag from arming when someone is seated on the passenger side. The airbag defaults to off position, creating a safety gap.
When: At 53,150 miles; another case triggered when passenger sat down; reported August 2022 at 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag does not arm when occupant is present; Airbag warning light illuminated; Sensor fails to detect occupant seated in passenger seat; Passenger airbag remains in default off mode
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer identified the occupant detection module as inoperable but could not repair because the part was discontinued. Cost cited as approximately $400 by one owner.
Spontaneous passenger airbag deployment
Passenger side airbag deploys without any crash or collision, striking the passenger while the vehicle is in motion at low speed.
When: At 25,175 miles while driving at 40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag deploys independently without accident; Passenger struck by airbag and sustained bruised eye; Vehicle headliner damaged
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer; parts for repair were not readily available and vehicle was not repaired
Airbag system electrical faults linked to ignition switch recall
Airbag warning light and system malfunction traced to faulty steering wheel ground wires and ignition switch defects. One owner notes the recall 14E021000 for the ignition switch explicitly mentions potential airbag issues as a consequence.
When: Discovered during ignition switch recall repair; one case at 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Airbag system failure detected during diagnostics
Codes mentioned: 14E021000 (Electrical System:Ignition:Switch recall)
Repairs/costs cited: Faulty ground wires in steering wheel replaced; failure recurred and additional parts had to be replaced including airbags and master control module
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued recall 14E021000 for ignition switch; one owner alleges the airbag problem should be covered under warranty as a consequence of the ignition defect
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Pontiac g5. While driving approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond. The driver sustained a neck and head injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac g5. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH when the passenger side air bag deployed independently. The passenger was struck by the air bag and sustained a bruised eye. The vehicle headliner was damaged during the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was awaiting the repairs, as the parts needed for repairs were not readily…
Passenger seat airbag sensor is faulty, causing the airbag light to be illuminated on the dashboard. Sensor will not detect someone seated, causing the airbag not to deploy if in an accident.
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 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 2008 Pontiac G5?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 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 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 46,000 and 89,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 89,000. 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/2008/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.