Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Pontiac G5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was determined that the occupant detection module was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, IG Burton (1 Automotive Blvd, Elkton, MD 21921), and IG Burton (6913 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061). The dealers informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was no longer in production. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 53,150.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that while making a right turn in an intersection the vehicle failed to accelerate causing a crash with a second vehicle. During the crash, the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a shoulder and back injury and the passenger sustained a left torso injury which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was undetermined.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that the message "Service Air Bag" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers, including Burton Buick GMC of Elkton (1 Automotive Blvd, Elkton, MD 21921), where it was diagnosed with Passenger Presence System (PPS) module failure; however, the contact was informed that the part was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
The airbag warning light came on having no prior issues with the car. The car was taken to the local GM dealer, [redacted]. Diagnostics have revealed the Passenger Presence Module may be defective and was not communicating with the SDM. The passenger airbag goes into default mode and turns the airbag off, posing a safety threat to a front passenger. This symptom first appeared August 2022. The vehicle had approximately 120,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that the daughter stopped at a stop sign and attempted to accelerate the vehicle forward, the vehicle then violently accelerated causing the rpms to increase excessively. The driver steered the vehicle into a medium and crashed head on in order to avoid crashing into other vehicles. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was unable to verify if a police report was filed. The driver did not receive any injuries. The vehicle was cleared safe to drive by the dealer however the failure recurred and in order to stop the vehicle it would have to be turned off. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer again however failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. During the crash, the seat belts failed to retract and the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a concussion and upper torso trauma and the front passenger suffered a fractured neck, vertebrae, and a concussion. Both occupants required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
I was in a motor vehicle accident, my vehicle was totaled and the air bag did not deploy. I was cut off by another vehicle that then slammed their brakes, I hit the rear of that vehicle it was a 2011 Ford focus that vehicle was not damaged and the driver was not hurt. My vehicle was deemed a total loss and I suffered a neck/back/shoulder injury.
My wife was driving our 2008 Pontiac G5, she was involved in a 3 vehicle accident. A car impacted a Mini van on the side causing the car to bounce off the minivan and traveling sideway into our Pontiac G5. The G5 was struck on the driver door sending the G5 sideways and almost turning over. A tree stopped the vehicle from turning over. We purchased the car because the dealer and GM stated the vehicle had front, side and curtain airbags. The vehicle did not have side airbags and the curtain airbags did not deploy. GM stated that they only deploy in rollovers, but that's not what there brochures, website and other items I have said. Also they state that all 2008 Pontiac's have OnStar and this car does not. GM sent a independent engineer to check the vehicle's recorder and now they state that everything is OK. …
Paul mutersbaugh's 2008 Pontiac g-5 was t-boned. He remembers trying to stop the car by pressing the brake, to no avail. The air bags in the back seat did not deploy. After impact, the car caught on fire. The fire spread so quickly that there was only enough time to get the occupants from the back seat out. Not even enough time to save anything in the car. The car burnt to the ground. Nothing but a shell is left. I met a gentleman at the las vegas truck show on June 25th. He said you could send someone out to look at the car to see what happened. The insurance carrier is keeping the car at: copart salvage yard, lot 13749849, 1475 bluff city blvd., elgin, il. 60120. We would greatly appreciate someone verifying that the air bags did not deploy, the car should never have burnt to the ground with out something being defective with the car and to see if the brakes failed. …
I hit an oil spot on I-24 which resulted in a total lost of a 2008 G5 in 9/09 ; the cars front hit head on @ 55 miles an hr.the outside guard rail , then the car turn serveral times hitting the inside concrete wall on both sides and rear , the car had side and front air bags which did not deploy, the state trooper said that I was lucky to be alive. My wife called the Pontiac dealer were the car was towed to. My wife was asked how bad was I hurt since the air bags didn't deploy,we were told we needed to file a complaint someone else May not be so lucky.
Related recalls
Air bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect.
Airbag complaints in other G5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Pontiac G5?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Pontiac G5, 23% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Pontiac G5 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-047 (air bags, Feb 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Pontiac G5 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 17 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.