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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-PONTIAC-G8NHTSA data synced minutes ago
2009 · Pontiac
Pontiac G8 problems
144 owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
Reliability score
6.8 / 10
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 G8?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Pontiac G8? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 62 owner reports
· tends to show around 63,818 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
suspension — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 38,708 mi · ~$900 to fix
electrical — 14 owner reports
· tends to show around 46,239 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 52,978 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 63,818 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 G8· powertrain
Left front wheel bearing ass'y has been replaced twice because of moan/roaring noise that increases and decreases as speed increases and decreases. Noise becomes noticeably louder as you make a right hand turn - which causes the left front wheel to have an increase in weight…
Above about 40 MPH the steering wheel has a shake and the dealer keeps telling me that they do not feel it, seems like they want nothing to do with it. This is a widespread problem that seems like gm wants nothing to do with. This is a link to a 30 page thread of people…
While driving normally on highway, airbag system failure light activated at 68000 miles, which disabled airbag system on the car. Gm dealer read airbag fault code which indicated clockspring fault. (p/n 92184056) dealer reported this is a common issue for this vehicle. They…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac g8. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the front passenger's seat air bag system would have to be replaced and reprogrammed. The…
Had a problem with your 2009 Pontiac G8?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 15206.
Gm is recalling 35,038 my 2008-2009 Pontiac g8 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no
Inappropriate, non-standard lights could increase the risk of a crash or driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the brake position sensor and the remote control door lock receiver with the correct values free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before june 5, 2009. Owners may contact gm Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on December 31, 2014. The recall began on February 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14445. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Pontiac G8 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Pontiac G8?
The 2009 Pontiac G8 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Pontiac G8?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 62 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,818 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Pontiac G8 a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 144 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 63,818 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Pontiac G8?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 62 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,818 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 63,818 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Pontiac G8 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Pontiac G8?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 144 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced minutes ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Pontiac/G8.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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