I've had plenty of Pontiac in the bay over the years, and the electrical-system complaints on these don't surprise me. 1,241 on the NHTSA record across 33 model-year entries (2005–2010) is not a fluke. The 2008 Pontiac G6 leads the list but the pattern shows up across multiple years and models. Not a one-off. 69 fire reports on the federal record — not common in this category but documented and worth weight. Average shop fix runs about $850 — not catastrophic, but it adds up over time. Across the 788 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 83,226 miles. Read the specific complaints before assuming the worst — the category covers everything from a forty-dollar switch to a twenty-five-hundred-dollar module.
ProblemsByVin PONTIAC / ELECTRICAL
33 model-year entries · 2005–2010
Pontiac electrical problems
1,241 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Pontiac vehicles for electrical issues. 2 active recall campaigns. See electrical across all makes →
Complaints
1,241
Recalls
2
Year-models
33
Avg fix
$850
34crashes
69fires
37injuries
Worst-affected Pontiac model-years for electrical Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2008 Pontiac G6
176 complaints · ~$850 severe
2007 Pontiac G6
135 complaints · ~$850 severe
2006 Pontiac G6
135 complaints · ~$850 severe
2009 Pontiac G6
134 complaints · ~$850 moderate
2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
61 complaints · ~$850 severe
2005 Pontiac Sunfire
55 complaints · ~$850 moderate
2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
53 complaints · ~$850 severe
2006 Pontiac Torrent
53 complaints · ~$850 severe
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
38 complaints · 1 recall · ~$850 severe
2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
38 complaints · ~$850 severe
2005 Pontiac Grand AM
36 complaints · ~$850 severe
2005 Pontiac G6
34 complaints · ~$850 severe
2010 Pontiac G6
29 complaints · ~$850 moderate
2007 Pontiac Torrent
24 complaints · ~$850 moderate
2007 Pontiac Solstice
23 complaints · ~$850 severe
2006 Pontiac Solstice
23 complaints · ~$850 severe
2008 Pontiac G5
19 complaints · ~$850 severe
2009 Pontiac G5
18 complaints · ~$850 severe
2007 Pontiac G5
17 complaints · ~$850 severe
2009 Pontiac Vibe
15 complaints · ~$850 severe
2008 Pontiac Solstice
15 complaints · ~$850 moderate
2009 Pontiac G8
14 complaints · 1 recall · ~$850 moderate
2008 Pontiac G8
12 complaints · ~$850 moderate
2008 Pontiac Torrent
12 complaints · ~$850 severe
2005 Pontiac GTO
12 complaints · ~$850 moderate
Active recalls — Pontiac electrical 2 on file
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.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system
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.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Common questions
How many Pontiac electrical complaints are on file with NHTSA?
1,241 complaints across 33 model-year entries from 2005 to 2010. 2 active recall campaigns cover electrical issues across the Pontiac lineup.
Which Pontiac model has the most electrical complaints?
The 2008 Pontiac G6 leads with 176 complaints in this category. Next: 2007 G6 (135) and 2006 G6 (135).
What does it cost to fix Pontiac electrical problems?
Independent shops average $850 for electrical repairs across the Pontiac lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Pontiac electrical recalls?
Yes — 2 active recall campaigns cover electrical on Pontiac vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Mark Driver, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Pontiac.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.