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 Grand Prix airbags problems
critical 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
7crashes
9injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Pontiac Grand Prix we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 16.
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 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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles report six distinct airbag problems. The most common is passenger airbag sensor malfunction—the sensor intermittently disables the airbag or fails to detect occupants even when they're properly seated. Lighter passengers (90–125 lbs) are particularly affected; owners report cycling the car on and off repeatedly until the sensor registers occupancy. A passenger presence module is often cited as the culprit, with replacement costs ranging from $475 to $1,100. GM covered half the cost in one documented case, though owners report two dealerships unable to diagnose intermittent faults.
The second major concern is complete airbag non-deployment during actual collisions—head-on impacts, side crashes, and high-impact frontal collisions where airbags simply don't fire. Owners describe hitting windshields, steering wheels, and dashboards at speeds from 35 to 60 mph in crashes that totaled vehicles, yet airbags remained silent. One owner suffered a near-fatal crash at 50 mph where frontal airbags failed; another reported a high-speed tree impact where airbags never deployed.
Additional failures include intermittent airbag warning lights (driver and passenger) that two dealerships couldn't diagnose, delayed deployment after occupants have already struck the interior, and one case of inappropriate deployment during a minor parking-lot curb strike that shattered the windshield. One owner reported a defective inflater not covered under warranty.
Same Pontiac Grand Prix airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger airbag sensor malfunction
Front passenger airbag sensor fails to detect occupants properly or intermittently disables the airbag even when an adult of suitable weight is properly seated. Most commonly affects lighter-weight passengers (90-125 lbs) but also reported as intermittent flashing regardless of occupant weight.
When: Intermittent, across various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light on/off intermittently; Airbag remains 'OFF' despite properly seated occupant; Sensor reads occupant in and out repeatedly; Multiple restart cycles needed before sensor registers occupant; Problem more common with lower-weight passengers
Codes mentioned: Passenger presence module fault, Airbag sensor code (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: $475–$1,100 for sensor replacement; GM offered 50% cost share in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM offered partial cost reimbursement in one case; no recalls or TSBs mentioned
Airbag non-deployment in collision
Airbags fail to deploy during frontal and side-impact crashes despite significant vehicle damage and occupant injury. Reported in multiple crash scenarios ranging from 35 mph to head-on collisions, with victims striking windshield, steering wheel, and dashboard.
When: At impact; mileages 46,000–120,000 noted
Symptoms owners cite: Frontal airbags fail to deploy during head-on collision; Side airbags fail to deploy during side impact; Occupants strike steering wheel, windshield, dashboard; Vehicle sustains severe damage (hood destroyed, bumper torn off); Failure occurred in crashes ranging from 35 to 60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; vehicles totaled in several incidents
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives
Airbag sensor warning light—intermittent illumination
Driver and passenger airbag warning lights illuminate and extinguish intermittently on the dashboard. Occurs repeatedly over time; two dealerships unable to diagnose intermittent problem. Renders airbags inoperable when light is active.
When: Intermittent, occurring repeatedly over time
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light flashes on and off continuously; Driver and passenger lights illuminate simultaneously; Airbags disabled when light is active; Problem intermittent; difficult to diagnose at dealership
Codes mentioned: Airbag sensor fault, Passenger presence module code
Repairs/costs cited: Two dealerships unable to diagnose or repair due to intermittent nature
Delayed airbag deployment
Airbag deploys after occupant has already struck vehicle interior (windshield, steering wheel), reducing or eliminating protective benefit. Reported in at least one collision incident.
When: During collision event
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys after head impact with windshield; Timing too late to prevent occupant injury
Inappropriate airbag deployment
Airbag deploys during minor collision or parking incident (curb strike) with minimal vehicle damage. Insurance adjustor and body shop documented insufficient damage to warrant airbag deployment.
When: Minor impact (curb strike in parking space)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys on low-impact curb strike; Windshield shattered by deployment; No significant vehicle damage present
Repairs/costs cited: Windshield shattered; body shop noted deployment was inappropriate
Airbag inflater defect
Airbag inflater mechanism is defective and not covered under warranty. No additional details provided in narrative.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Bad inflater identified by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Inflater defect not covered under warranty
Synthesized from 16 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 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix?
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 Grand Prix?
It's a serious issue. 16 complaints have been filed, including 7 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 75,000 and 105,000 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,000; a quarter make it past 105,000. 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/Grand Prix.
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.