Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Pontiac G8 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have gotten a "airbag fault" warning every time I start my car. Apparently this is due to a censor giving out and to repair the issue costs about $1000. This is highly unsatisfactory as many users of this particular vehicle have reported this issue when operating this type of vehicle under normal conditions. This in a sense renders the vehicle unsafe to operate as drivers (some unaware), whivh I was not, are operating the vehicle without any operable airbags. The cost to repair is very high for a feature that is a safety standard across the industry. The airbag system of a vehicle should never have any faults or failures unless it has been deployed or tampered with. It is quite disappointing that a system that has never been used or tampered with can have such costly faults/failures. This is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. This is scary. …
Passenger seat occupancy module - failure the failure of an electronic module located under the passenger seat, defaults the airbag system to "off". Cost is just under $1,000 for dealer replacement. Dealer indicated there was no method to turn on the airbag system - regardless of passenger or not. Because of this failure (many failures recognized since the 2006 solstice model) any passenger is subject to an unsafe condition without active airbag. The value of the vehicle negates the dealer cost to repair. Complaint filer feels the cost of the replacement module should be half of that quoted by the dealer since genuine GM parts are available at $275 instead of dealer cost of $417 and that labor of 2.5 hours to replace module under the seat is excessive based on time taken by others self-correcting the problem. (times indicated ran from 20 minutes to 45 minutes for most). …
Passenger airbag light fault remains illuminated indicating that the system is disabled. The passenger airbag sensor is known by GM as being defective and they would not replace it under warranty. The ABS, traction control, and stability control indicators are illuminated and will not function. The manufacturer suggested to check all fuses, the wiring harness, replace wheel bearings, and change all wheel sensors. All items were replaced and the failed system remains inactive. The airbag sensor in the passenger seat is recommended to be replaced by removal of the seat, cutting into the seat and installing a new sensor. Then the vehicle must be reprogrammed by an authorized GM service facility. This repair is in excess of $1,200.00. The failed systems occur if moving or not and is a life safety concern.
My car has just over 100K and the airbag light came on with codes b0081 and u0170. The airbags are now not functioning because of a faulty passenger presence module. It happens almost every time I start the vehicle (about 95% of the time). The airbag light illuminates, stays on, and the vehicle shows an airbag fault warning. From the research I've done, this is a very common issue with the Pontiac G8 and the entire airbag system is inoperable once this module needs to be replaced. There are dozens, if not hundreds of complaints regarding this module and the fact that it disables the airbag system. This is a serious safety issue and the end consumer should not have to foot the bill to replace this module, considering that GM knows about this defect and the numerous complaints.
Ever since I went to have the reprogram done on my air bags system I have gotten a "airbag fault" warning every time I start my car. Since is has happened I just always ignored it until I recently found out that because it does that, my entire air bag system is shut down and my air bags will not deploy in the case of an accident. This upsets me very much, since I caring my family in this vehicle. I feel like some thing needs to be done to fix the problem. GM needs to recall the module that will fix this issue. This air fault is putting many families at risk of loss of life!!! Please do something about this !!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated soon after the vehicle was purchased three months ago. The light has remained illuminated ever since. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that there were no recalls. The failure was not remedied. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000. ...updated 03/31/16 the consumer stated the problem was solved. It was due to a loose wire under the seat. Updated 04/05/16.
Air bag fault light comes on when car is started, which means that the air bags will not work. There is an air bag recall to this car, but they will not fix my car's fault light problem. This is a big safety defect that many GM have, according to your website. Thank you my car has 30,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac G8. While the vehicle was stationary, the air bag indicator remained illuminated without warning. The vehicle was repaired, but the issue recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Air bag fault light comes on immediately upon turning vehicle on and system checks run through. After this occurs, the air bag dummy light indicator turns on as well and regardless if a passenger is sitting on the passenger seat, the passenger side airbag does not turn on.
Keep getting air bag light on code u0170 and b0081 seems like this is a big safety problem with the Pontiac G8 needs a recall on this problem and replaced the rear ABS sensors and still have the issue with it not working and replaced them 2 times with new sensors
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
General motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Pontiac g8 vehicles manufactured from November 2, 2007 through January 22, 2009. A 5th percentile female anthropomorphic test device (atd) in a 30 MPH frontal barrier test exceeded the head injury criteria (hic) requirements of the standard.
Remedy: GM dealers will reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The safety recall began on November 30, 2011. Owners May contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Airbag complaints in other G8 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Pontiac G8?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Pontiac G8, 35% of the model year's 71 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Pontiac G8 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-534 (sensor/control module-inactive, Nov 4, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Pontiac G8 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
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.