This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Pontiac G5 electrical problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
3crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 18 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 Pontiac G5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Electrical accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA electrical 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 electrical 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 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 ↗Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint is the ignition lock cylinder binding, with owners unable to turn the key to start or stop the engine. First failures occur in warranty (~16k miles), recur after dealer lubrication, and happen again thousands of miles later. Some owners paid $580 out of pocket after dealers rejected recall eligibility; even then the problem returns within days. Emergency workaround is disconnecting the battery to kill the engine.
A subset of owners report that dealer recall repair itself introduced new failures: power windows stuck, turn signals cemented on, door locks dead, water pooling in headlights. One owner's ignition switch was replaced twice post-recall with no resolution.
Separate electrical issues reported include headlights turning off mid-drive at any speed, brake lights and rear turn signals not illuminating, and A/C condensation leaking into the electrical bay, killing radio, climate control, and defrost. Two owners experienced engine stall at highway speeds (10k and 65 mph); one crashed into a guardrail and air bags did not deploy. Steering loss is mentioned in one complaint correlating to ignition issues. Dealers acknowledge these are frequent problems on G5 and Chevy Cobalt platforms. Part availability for recall repairs was a barrier—some owners waited months without timeline.
Same Pontiac G5 electrical reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition switch stuck/key won't turn
Ignition lock cylinder binds, preventing key rotation. Lock cylinder tumblers fail internally. Key cannot turn to off position or start position; engine cannot be shut off without disconnecting battery.
When: 15,923 miles (first occurrence in warranty); 36,048 miles later recurrence; 75,000 miles; 105,000+ miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Key locked in ignition, will not turn on or off; Engine runs but cannot be shut off; Key cannot be removed from ignition switch; Multiple towing events required; Problem recurs after dealer repair
Repairs/costs cited: First occurrence: dry lock cylinder lubricated with WD-40. Later repair: drill and extract old lock cylinder, replace lock cylinder ($580 out of pocket reported). Ignition switch replaced twice in one complaint; housing replacement charged $120. Some owners disconnected battery cable as emergency workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V171000 (Electrical System) and 14E021000 (Electrical System). TSB #SB-10256, NHTSA Ref. #10037828 for ignition lock cylinder binding. Some owners reported parts not available at dealership; manufacturer could not provide repair timeline.
Post-recall electrical system damage
After recall repair for ignition switch (Campaign 14E021000), vehicle sustained additional electrical failures: power window controls inoperative, turn signals stuck on, electrical short preventing door unlock, water intrusion into headlights.
When: At 64,569 miles; occurred after recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Electric power controls non-functional; Turn signals will not turn off; Electrical short preventing manual door operation; Water in headlights; Vehicle stalled; Key hard to remove
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger side headlight replaced; excessive water remained in headlights. Ignition switch replaced twice by dealer but failures recurred. Owner had to disconnect wiring to stop turn signals.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14E021000 for electrical system. Manufacturer notified; contact was awaiting response on whether manufacturer would repair vehicle.
Headlights turn off independently while driving
Front headlamps shut off without warning during normal driving, requiring operator intervention. Failure recurs intermittently at various speeds and when signaling turns.
When: 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front headlamps turn off without warning; Occurs at various speeds (~30 mph reported); Occurs when signaling turns; Lights can be reactivated by touching light control button; Recurs on multiple occasions
Brake lights and rear turn signals fail to illuminate
Brake light and rear turn signal light do not illuminate when brake pedal is applied. Diagnostic testing performed but no narrative detail on root cause.
When: Mileage not available
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights do not illuminate when brake pedal applied; Rear turn signal light does not illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to mechanic for diagnostic testing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified
Water intrusion from A/C system into electrical
A/C condensation drainage that should exit vehicle exterior leaks into electrical system and A/C compartment, causing loss of multiple vehicle systems.
When: Mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking from A/C drainage into electrical system; Radio inoperative; A/C inoperative; Heater inoperative; Window defrost inoperative
Engine stall during driving
Vehicle stalled without warning while operating, leading to loss of control and crash into guardrail at highway speed. Air bags failed to deploy. One narrative also mentions key becoming lodged and stalling intermittently.
When: 10,000 miles; another complaint mentions stalling after ignition key became lodged
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls without warning while driving; Loss of steering control; Crash into guardrail; Intermittent stalling (one complaint); Key becomes lodged in ignition concurrently
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified. NHTSA Campaign 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) and 14V171000 (Electrical System) referenced in related complaints involving stall/crash.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac g5. Prior to the vehicle being repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical system), the contact was concerned with turning the key into the on position to start the vehicle. After the recall repair was performed, there were significant damages that the contact did not have before the repairs. The contact indicated that the electric…
The access water from the a/c unit that is supposed to be on the outside of the car is leaking into the electrical unit system and into the a/c compartment. Now we have no radio no a/c or heater in the car the window will not defrost.
Car started smelling of gas. Then garage smelled of gas. Then the fuel economy became inaccurate. Then gas started dripping from under car. Then gas started streaming under car. Then told gm dealer and was told there would be no remedy until gm recalls take effect. Now, 8 months later no repair offered. Car is unsafe and leaves me stranded regularly as it pours gas out of car. I will take car…
The key cannot disengage the engine. The key will not turn to the off position. I troubleshoot the issue by trying to disengage both in park and neutral. The issue raises a safety concern in the car becomes out of control there is no way to kill the engine other than disconnecting from the cars battery. Please investigate this issue due to the fact it may cause panic and unhealthy conditions…
Electrical system:ignition switch ignition locked and key would not turn in ignition. Had to pay to have car towed 100 miles. Second time this happened. 1st time in 3/10 at 15,923 miles when car was under warranty. Dealer stated they repaired problem. Diagnosis was dry lock cylinder lubed with wd40 (stated in invoice) 36,048 miles later the same thing happens. Did research and found a recall…
Had electrical trouble with your 2009 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 electrical problem on the 2009 Pontiac G5?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 26,468 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 51,971. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,468; a quarter make it past 75,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2009/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.