VEHICLE HAD FAULTY TERMINAL CONNECTION CAUSING A LOSS IN POWER STEERING AND PROBLEMS WITH DISPLAY/ODOMETER/TACHOMETER. THIS WAS REPAIRED. VEHICLE MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN PUTTING INTO 3RD GEAR, EVEN WITH FULLY DISENGAGED CLUTCH. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WITH COLDER TEMPERATURES, BUT ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARM, 3RD GEAR DOES NOT GRIND. POTENTIALLY AN ISSUE WITH SYNCHRONIZATION. *TR
2009 Pontiac G5 powertrain problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I WAS PRESENTED WITH THE UNSAFE CONDITION OF BEING UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN MY IGNITION TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TURNING THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I REPEATEDLY SHIFTED THE CAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOOSEN THE KEY. MY ATTEMPTS ALSO INCLUDED ENLISTING THE HELP OF MY WIFE TO MAKE SURE I WAS TRYING TO SHUT THE CA…
FOR THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS THE CHECK AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T GO OFF. I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO RECALL INFORMATION ON IT. NOT SURE WHERE TO GO AFTER THAT. ALSO I HAD A RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION AND THEY SAID ITS NOT THE RECALL. MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. SO THAT COST A LOT OF MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET. JUST WONDERING WHERE TO GO FROM HERE?
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Pontiac G5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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