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 Solstice airbags problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
When does it fail?
Of the 28 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice, 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
Owners have filed 28 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.
Of the 4 model years of Pontiac Solstice we track for airbags problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (28).
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 ↗14314 - Special Coverage. Certain 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Solstice, Saturn Sky, and 2008-2009 Chevrolet HHR SS vehicles may have a condition in which the steering wheel airbag coil wires to the driver airbag may become chafed on a sharp edge of the steering wheel horn plate. In vehicles with this condition, the airbag indicator lamp may be continuously or intermittently illuminated in the instrument panel cluster, and DTC codes B0012 or B0013 may be stored in the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system. If this condition is not corrected and a chafed wire were to ground to the horn plate, the driver airbag may not deploy in the event of a vehicle crash. Dealers are to insta
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CHEVROLET/PONTIAC/SATURN: TSB CONTAINS AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, ON A SHARP EDGE OF STEERING WHEEL HORN PLATE, WILL BECOME CHAFED DUE TO STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG COIL WIRES AND CAUSES AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY, IF NOT CORRECTED. MODEL 2008-09 HHR SS, 2009 COBALT, G5, SOLSTICE, SKY.
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 Solstice has a widespread passenger airbag sensor problem. Owners report the passenger seat weight sensor—part of the Passenger Presence System (PPS) mat—fails between 8,000 and 50,000 miles, triggering a SERVICE AIRBAG warning light and message that persists or recurs intermittently. When the sensor fails, the passenger airbag indicator shows off even with an occupant seated, disabling protection. One owner reported this failure at just over 30,000 miles; another at 50,000. Owners say every Solstice and Saturn Sky from 2006–2010 with this sensor experiences the problem eventually.
GM issued recall 17V061000 in early 2017, but the remedy was tape reinforcement of the existing sensor, not replacement. Multiple owners confirm the tape fix failed within one year, forcing them to pay dealers $800–$900 to replace the sensor outright. Owners note the identical sensor in the Cadillac CTS was recalled with full sensor replacement, not tape. Additionally, several owners could not get recall work done because dealers and GM could not provide parts or estimated delivery dates for extended periods.
When owners bring cars to dealers for diagnostics, technicians sometimes reset the warning light without identifying the cause, or it reappears within days. GM customer service has been unresponsive—one owner called 7+ times without resolution. Dealers have charged diagnostic fees and performed repeated unsuccessful repairs on single vehicles.
Same Pontiac Solstice airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger seat weight sensor failure
The passenger side occupant weight sensor (part of the Passenger Presence System mat) fails, causing the SERVICE AIRBAG warning light and message to illuminate on the dashboard. The passenger airbag then deactivates. Owners report this is a widespread problem affecting all 2006-2010 Solstices and Saturns Skys built with the same sensor. The issue typically emerges between 8,000 and 50,000 miles.
When: 8,432 to 50,000 miles; one owner reported at 30,000 miles; another at just over 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AIRBAG warning light illuminates; Passenger airbag off indicator lights even when passenger is present; Warning appears intermittently or continuously; Problem recurs sporadically while driving at various speeds; Sensor may temporarily work, then fail again within minutes to hours
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships charge $800–$900 to replace the sensor module. Owners report this part is expensive relative to the unit cost (~$350 wholesale). One owner paid $683 for sensor replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM initially stated no problem was found; later issued recall 17V061000 (Takata PPS mat recall) with initial remedy of adding reinforced tape to the existing sensor, not replacing it. The tape reinforcement has repeatedly failed within one year. For comparison, the same sensor in the Cadillac CTS was recalled with a full sensor replacement. GM did not replace the Solstice sensor, citing the tape repair as sufficient.
Recall repair failure (reinforced tape remedy)
Recall 17V061000 instructed dealers to apply reinforced tape to the passenger side PPS mat sensor as a repair. Multiple owners report the tape reinforcement failed within one year of application, requiring the sensor to be replaced anyway. Owners contend that the same defect in the Cadillac CTS was remedied with a full sensor replacement, and that fatigue cracking in the PPS mat material is a known design flaw.
When: Tape reinforcement applied during recall 2017; failures reported within 1 year of repair (e.g., April 2018 repair, May 2018 failure)
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AIRBAG light returns after recall repair; Warning message reappears within days to weeks of leaving dealer; Problem recurs on subsequent trips after repair is completed
Repairs/costs cited: Owners must pay ~$800 out-of-pocket to have the sensor replaced after the tape-only recall remedy fails. Dealers performed repairs 6+ times on some vehicles without resolving the underlying issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V061000 (issued March–May 2017). Remedy was reinforced tape application; GM stated the repair was complete even as it failed. Multiple owners state GM cannot explain why the Solstice received only tape while the CTS received full sensor replacement for the same part.
Recall parts shortage and scheduling delays
Owners received recall 17V061000 notifications but dealers could not obtain parts for the repair for extended periods. Multiple owners reported contacting dealers and GM customer service multiple times over months without an estimated delivery date or repair appointment. One owner waited more than a year without parts becoming available.
When: Recall issued 2017; parts shortages reported through 2017 and 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Owner receives recall notification but dealer reports parts unavailable; Manufacturer unable to provide estimated parts arrival date; Owner cannot schedule recall repair
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed due to parts unavailability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V061000 issued but manufacturer stated parts distribution was inadequate and no firm ETA could be provided. VIN tool confirmed parts were not available for multiple vehicles.
Service airbag light illumination without clear diagnostics
SERVICE AIRBAG warning light illuminates on the dashboard during or after driving, but diagnostic testing either does not detect a trouble code or cannot pinpoint the cause. One case involved a kinked wire in the steering column; another reset the light without diagnosis. Owners report the light comes back on shortly after each dealer visit.
When: Various; reported at 19,000 to 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AIRBAG warning light illuminates without clear trigger; Warning light resets after dealer visit but returns within days or weeks; Diagnostic tests fail to identify root cause or produce no fault code
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved dealer identifying and replacing a kinked steering column wire; another involved passenger seat sensor module replacement ($683). Many cases remain undiagnosed and unrepaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle operated normally in some cases despite active warning light. GM customer service unable to assist in resolution; one owner made 7+ calls to GM customer service (Case #8-4070737444) without resolution.
Passenger airbag incorrectly disabled despite valid occupant
The passenger airbag off indicator activates when a passenger is present and seated, indicating the sensor believes the seat is empty. This occurs intermittently or persistently, leaving the passenger unprotected. One case involved a 125-pound passenger, ruling out a loading issue.
When: Reported at 8,432 miles and 29,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag off indicator illuminates when passenger is seated; Airbag does not activate despite valid occupant weight; Failure occurs sporadically or on specific driving conditions
Repairs/costs cited: One case required passenger seat sensor replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle operated normally despite failure being duplicated by dealer technician during diagnostic testing.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac solstice. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the passenger's side air bag warning light failed to illuminate on but remained off, when a passenger was in the front seat. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the passenger presence module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Passenger airbag indicator light always on. Driver info display always indicates "service airbag" (with alert tone) every time I start the car. I believe this is related recall 17v061000 for failures in the passenger side airbag sensor pps mat. Solstice repair was added reinforced tape. Cts repair for same issue was to replace the sensor. Many solstice/sky owners are complaining the recall…
Purchased used 2009 solstice on 9/30/13. Previous problem with previous owner but mossy motors, new orleans,la said most likely minor problem. Any time brakes are applied or moving 0 to 70 miles per hour the service air bag light comes on many times intermittently, along with the red warning seatbelt light. I do not know if it is driver or passenger. I do know that previous owner had same…
My Solstice had recall # 14092 & 14133 for service airbag to passenger seat completed on 4/27/2018. As of 10/25/2019 the service airbag light is once again on and indicates that the passenger airbag is off. The recall part has malfunctioned. Please contact with another recall to fix this problem. My Solstice has 25,600 miles.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not able to confirm when the parts were to become…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac solstice. The contact stated the air bag warning off indicator illuminated when a front seat passenger was present and the occupant's weight was 125 pounds. The failure occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the front seat sensor was replaced. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The technician…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (lancaster motor company, 1616 charlotte hwy, lancaster, sc 29720, (803) 283-4118) did not give a specific date for when the part would…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not available. The dealer (don mealey Chevrolet, 17185 fl-50, clermont, fl 34711, 352-394-6176) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was contacted and stated…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac solstice. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v061000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called Chevrolet Buick marble falls at (830) 693-2777 (located at 2301 us-281, marble falls, tx…
I was driving my car throughout the day and while parked at a light, the "service airbag" warning light appeared on my dash, and has remained illuminated ever since. It is not the fuse, and it does not matter if someone is in the passenger seat or not. (solstices have a light that illuminates when someone is in passenger seat saying that the passenger airbag is on, because the sensor detects a…
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 Pontiac Solstice?
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 Solstice?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 22,500 and 50,041 miles, with the median around 34,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,500; a quarter make it past 50,041. 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/Solstice.
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.