Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Not sure if ignition has ever been changed but I've been reading that there is a recall on my eps system as to that matter I have no power steering and would like to kno if it will be covered if I take it to gm dealership close to me
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.
Reference NHTSA id number10850549--loss of left front speaker chimes and radio sound --OK after both speakers were replaced--after a while problem returned intermittently on the left front speaker again-- finally had an "epiphany" and removed corrosion on the harness pigtail connector which pushes onto the left front speaker lugs using q tips, small screwdriver and great care using contact cleaner liquid from a small 2 ounce spray can of deoxit-d100 made by caig lab inc of poway, cal.--website www.caig.com--I got my can from you-do-it electronics in needham mass.-tel:[phone]--suggestion-after removing the pigtail connector from the speaker place an old towel between the pigtail connector and the speaker to prevent overspray from landing on anything but the pigtail connector--fortunately the can has a metered "one shot" type spray every time you press the button on the can--after wetting …
While driving in town around other vehicles namely those with bright lights and at stop lights. It felt as though there was a ton of pressure inside my vehicle almost like the the windows were going to explode. Im not sure how to explain it maybe a gravataional downward pull? Almost like a chemical burn from the brightness of other headilghts and the vehicle mirrors mixed chemical nomenclature were having a bad reaction. This caused me to become aware of an issue. I took the vehicle in and had the battery tested noticing the battery was located in the trunk with no protection surrounding the battery and wires semi exposed placed next to fuses and sheet metal. Who designes things like that? Thats a disaster waiting to happen. Today my head still hurts and I will be seeking a medical professional.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. While attempting to shut off the vehicle, the key could not be removed from the ignition switch. The contact indicated that the key turned enough to shut the engine off, but did not turn enough to shut off the electronics and lights. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch was faulty. The ignition switch was replaced, but the failure recurred two months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and oil was applied to the ignition switch. After retrieving the vehicle, the contact discovered that the failure was still present. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. While driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. All warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to a dealer who repaired the vehicle under the recall; however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, it would not start. After several attempts for approximately 20 minutes, the vehicle was able to start. The contact mentioned that the ignition switch was replaced in 2014. The failure occurred on approximately six occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
Service air bags shows on dash on startup, bought this way from holz Chevy in hales corners, wi. Was told it was a non issue. Electrical- changes from radio to aux randomly, the back speakers work constantly, the driver side never works and the passenger side works on occasion (if you hit a pot hole hard enough it'll go on/off). Fuel- fuel line was leaking from driver side, in front of rear wheel. Right by the heat shield.
The engine compartment of my sons 2008 Pontiac G5 burnt up today. It was parked outside our home. The fire department said it was electrical in nature and that it appeared to start in an area near the drivers side wheel. It appears to be a total loss.
I'm experiencing issues with my airbag light. It keeps coming on and off at random times. After much research I have found that many people with the Pontiac G5's have the same issue that I am having and this is due to improper wiring under the passenger side seat of the car. I have contacted the Pontiac dealership and the GM dealership and they both claim that they do not know what would be causing my airbag light to be going on and off and the only way to diagnose the issue is to pay $100.00 just to tell me whether or not faulty wiring is the issue. I'm paranoid to drive my car because I'm afraid that there could be something wrong with my airbag or maybe it is just faulty wiring. I think this is something that should be recalled since there are so many people with this same exact issue. As a matter of fact there is an entire website devoted for people who have this issue. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the…
Electrical complaints in other G5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Pontiac G5?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Pontiac G5, 21% of the model year's 115 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Pontiac G5 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-171 (ignition, Apr 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Pontiac G5 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries and 5 deaths to electrical system 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.