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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2008 Pontiac G6 vs 2008 Toyota Yaris

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-14 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2008 Toyota Yaris edges this one on reliability data

Reliability data favors the 2008 Toyota Yaris (3.7 versus 3.3). These vehicles aren't a typical head-to-head comparison, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

2008 Pontiac G6

3.3/5
Reliability score
1,077 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$14,150 repair exposure
vs
More reliable

2008 Toyota Yaris

3.7/5
Reliability score
218 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$13,050 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2008 Toyota Yaris edges this comparison on reliability data (3.7 versus 3.3). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

If you lean 2008 Pontiac G6, know what you're getting into on steering and electrical. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2008 Toyota Yaris sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2008 Toyota Yaris? Watch the airbags and suspension. The 2008 Pontiac G6 has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2008 Pontiac G6
2008 Toyota Yaris
steering
417 reports
critical · ~$700
9 reports
severe · ~$700
electrical
177 reports
severe · ~$850
12 reports
severe · ~$850
airbags
68 reports
critical · ~$1,100
101 reports
severe · ~$1,100
lighting
130 reports
severe · ~$250
No reports
brakes
59 reports
moderate · ~$450
22 reports
severe · ~$450
powertrain
73 reports
severe · ~$2,500
7 reports
severe · ~$2,500
cruise control
16 reports
severe · ~$600
14 reports
severe · ~$600
engine
16 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
10 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
suspension
No reports
13 reports
moderate · ~$900

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2008 Pontiac G6 or the 2008 Toyota Yaris?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2008 Toyota Yaris comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.7 versus 3.3. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2008 Pontiac G6?

Compared to the 2008 Toyota Yaris, the 2008 Pontiac G6 sees more reported issues in steering and electrical. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2008 Toyota Yaris?

Compared to the 2008 Pontiac G6, the 2008 Toyota Yaris has more complaints in airbags and suspension. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $14,150 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2008 Pontiac G6 on NHTSA · 2008 Toyota Yaris on NHTSA. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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