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 ↗2009 Pontiac G6 airbags problems
severe 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
9crashes
7injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Pontiac G6 exhibits multiple airbag failure modes across this complaint cluster. The most common is an illuminated airbag warning light that appears intermittently or permanently, typically between 15,000 and 140,000 miles. Owners report "SERVICE AIR BAG" messages, "AIR BAG FAULT" alerts, and flashing warning lights—all of which disable the entire airbag system. Diagnostic codes U0170 and B0081 have been documented; repair involves replacing the airbag module (part #92225595) and/or side airbag sensor (part #92220398) at costs ranging from $400 to $1,100. Many owners note these repairs fall outside factory warranty.
A second critical concern is airbag non-deployment during actual collisions. Multiple owners report frontal and rollover crashes at speeds between 25 and 50 mph where no airbags deployed, resulting in injuries and total-loss vehicles. Causes were not diagnosed in those cases.
Passenger-side occupant sensors also malfunction, with warning lights staying on regardless of whether anyone is seated, disabling that side's protection. One documented case involved spontaneous passenger-side airbag deployment while the vehicle was parked and stationary—a rare but serious failure that resulted in respiratory irritation and temporary sensory impairment.
Owners universally express concern that GM has released updated module part numbers yet issued no recall, despite acknowledging the design flaw through the replacement parts themselves.
Same Pontiac G6 airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light / airbag disabled fault code
Warning light illuminates continuously or intermittently; airbag system disables. Owners report dashboard messages such as 'AIR BAG FAULT' or 'SERVICE AIR BAG' alongside illuminated warning indicators. Some faults occur at startup; others appear while driving or parking. Diagnostic codes U0170 and B0081 have been documented. A dealership mechanic reports the issue stems from a faulty airbag module (part #92225595) and/or side airbag sensor (part #92220398), with GM having released updated part numbers to address the problem.
When: Reported between 15,000 and 140,000 miles; onset ranges from as early as first few thousand miles to over 100k miles
Symptoms owners cite: AIR BAG FAULT message in instrument cluster; Illuminated airbag warning light on dash; SERVICE AIR BAG warning on radio display; Light comes on intermittently at startup; Light flashes or remains continuously lit while driving; Entire airbag system disabled when fault is active; Passenger-side airbag warning indicator remains on even with empty seat
Repairs/costs cited: Module replacement (part #92225595) and side airbag sensor replacement (part #92220398) documented at approximately $1,100 installed cost. Some dealers quote minimum $400 for diagnosis and sensor replacement alone; additional cost if full airbag replacement needed. Not covered under standard warranty in multiple cases reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has released updated module part numbers, indicating acknowledgment of the original faulty design. No formal recall issued despite numerous complaints. One owner was told by a GM dealer that the airbag component distributor may have sold faulty equipment to multiple manufacturers.
Airbag failed to deploy in collision
During frontal or side impact collisions at moderate speeds (25–50 mph), airbags did not deploy despite impacts that caused significant vehicle damage and/or personal injury. Owners report no warning signs prior to the collision. In multiple cases, the vehicle was deemed a total loss or rolled over, yet no airbag deployment occurred. One owner experienced facial injuries striking the steering wheel. The cause of deployment failure was not diagnosed in most cases.
When: Occurred during actual collisions at mileages ranging from 48,000 to 130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal collision at 25–30 mph; No airbag deployment during frontal collision at 40–50 mph; No airbag deployment during vehicle rollover after off-road travel; No airbag deployment in sideswipe/angle collision; Multiple airbags present in vehicle but none activated during impact; Injuries sustained by driver/occupants due to lack of airbag cushioning
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; vehicles totaled or destroyed in collisions. Diagnostic investigation not performed by owners in most cases.
Spontaneous airbag deployment (no impact)
Airbag deployed without any collision, impact, or activation event. One owner reports passenger-side head curtain and seat-side airbags deployed while parked in a parking lot with the engine off and the vehicle stationary. No external objects struck the vehicle, and no other vehicles were nearby. Deployment was sudden, loud, and filled the interior with talcum-like powder, causing respiratory irritation and temporarily impairing vision and hearing. Insurance company denied the claim, classifying it as mechanical failure rather than accidental damage.
When: Vehicle parked stationary; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous deployment of passenger-side head curtain airbag; Spontaneous deployment of passenger-side seat-mounted side airbag; Very loud deployment sound; Talcum powder discharge into cabin; Burning eyes and respiratory irritation from powder; Slippery residue on interior surfaces; Strong odor from deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; vehicle driven home after incident. Insurance company denied coverage, citing mechanical failure.
Passenger airbag sensor malfunction (occupant detection)
Passenger-side airbag warning light or occupant detection indicator remains illuminated or flashes even when the seat is unoccupied, or the light illuminates intermittently when the seat is occupied depending on passenger position or weight. The passenger-side ON/OFF indicator light remains on regardless of seat occupancy status. This malfunction disables the passenger-side airbag system. One owner notes the issue appeared to be weight or position-dependent early in the fault timeline, eventually becoming constant.
When: Reported from as early as 30,000 miles up to 120,000 miles; intermittent onset that progresses to permanent illumination over months to years
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag ON/OFF indicator light remains on with empty seat; Passenger-side airbag warning light illuminates intermittently; Warning light illuminates whether occupant present or not; Light can be temporarily resolved by changing passenger position or weight early in failure; Seat belt warning light flashes and dings simultaneously; Passenger-side airbag disabled when warning is active
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side airbag sensor replacement documented; one dealer quoted $1,100 repair cost for sensor and module replacement. Not covered under warranty in at least one case at 30,000 miles.
Synthesized from 27 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 2009 Pontiac G6?
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 2009 Pontiac G6?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 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 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 65,500 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 85,630. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,500; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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/2009/Pontiac/G6.
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.