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 2006 Pontiac Solstice owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased a 2006 Pontiac Solstice from a Lexus dealership in 2020. No known issues were discussed when I purchased the vehicle. The ignition switch turned off while I was driving around a curve which caused engine to stall, and my steering wheel to locked up preventing me from turning. I crashed into a guardrail at 60 mph and my car spun, hitting the back as well. The car is totaled. My airbag did NOT deploy in the crash, resulting in worsened injuries. Thankfully no other cars were involved, but the faulty ignition switch put my safety at risk. The car is available for inspection, and is currently in the hands of my insurance agency who has inspected and totaled it. I did not drive much, and had not experienced this issue prior with my car.
The electric system appears to be unsafe, the ignition doesn't turn over and drains the battery every day. I'm also worried about the airbags and other recalls on this car. I contacted the dealer "Dave Kirk Automotive" in Crossville, TN weeks ago. They took the vin # and looked up the recalls. This was a month ago. They said they would get the parts and call me. No one at the dealer has contacted me again. They know there are serious recalls on this vehicle. I need help on this. I'm 74, the car only has 39000 miles on it. This needs to be fixed at once.
Blower motor resistor shorted out and melted and also melted the wiring harness as well. This occurred while driving down the highway. I smelled smoke and then seen it coming out from under the dash on passenger side. This seems to be a common problem see link. Http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f62/heater-ac-blower-stopped-working-68002/ there was a recall on the h3 Hummer for this same problem. The Hummer and pontiacs use the same part # from factory. Http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f11/new-recall-looming-blower-wiring-harness-115465/ these links outline many people that have the same issue as myself. I dont understand why GM knowingly uses same parts on various vehicles and only recalls one in specific. It is obvious there is a problem. I hope this will
Daughters in 2006 Solstice. Drunk driver ran red light going 50 MPH and hit our daughters making a left turn. Severe impact on an angle (front/left side) with 2 foot intrusion into occupant compartment. Airbags did not deploy. Required prolonged extrication; serious injury with bayflight to hospital. 2006 Solstice is a GM recall vehicle for defective ignition switch.
When I apply the brakes to slow down or stop and the car gets to about 20mph the car suddenly brakes hard and jolts. If it were not for the seat belt one could go into the windshield. This happens with each braking. This is extremely dangerous. I see through research online that people have been reporting this issue with this car for years...why isn't there a recall? What is the problem? This is a small car if a semi or just any moving vehicle was close behind me when this happens I and my passenger would probably be crushed. The two engine indicator lights go on and the low engine power light also goes on and stays on. The repair facility seems to be stumped. Someone must know what causes this because it is not an isolated problem that we are experiencing.
Letter from senator brown on behalf of constituents re GM ignition claims. 2006 Pontiac Solstice. The consumer stated in August 2006, she experienced an incident involving the ignition switch where the keys locked up in the auxiliary position rendering which caused the key to become stuck in the ignition. In January 2011, the same issue occurred. On October 11, 2012, the consumers husband was involved in an accident while driving the vehicle. Also, the air bag did not deploy. The consumers husband was injured.
Same problem as stated by many Solstice customers...air bag warning light for passenger side is constantly on...certified dealer says passenger side air bag sensor is defective...this is a severe liability issue that can result in serious injury or death...GM should announce an immediate recall to have this defect repaired before injury or death is caused by their negligence...lawsuit waiting to happen.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that the air bag, anti-theft, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to start because the anti-theft system activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Vehicle was in dealership for ignition switch recall work (recall 14063 and 14113). When vehicle was returned to me upon completion of the work, the vehicle would sometimes start, and sometimes not. I start with the transmission in gear, clutch depressed. This May or May not have any impact on the issue, which the service technician reported was an issue with the hall effect devices in the key head. I am an ex GM electrical engineer - I understand neutral safety. This is not a clutch/transmission neutral safety issue, this is a key switch failure to engage crank issue. The old ignition switch always started in this crank configuration. At this time, I have my vehicle at home, and both recall keys have demonstrated a refusal to start the car at times. Turn the key, no crank. …
On nov 2014 I bought this Pontiac roadster from the original owner with the air bag lights on with a mere 32500 miles on it, I drove the car 1 month & parked it for the winter, last week 3-30-2015 I took it to my shop to have the air bag lite code scanned & it read faulty seat rear seat belt module GM part # 15874981-15838918 & would not clear, I called GM to find out it was not under warranty or recall & it was over a 800 $ fix, I was shocked ! I looked up this problem on the internet only to find alot of the same complaints from the 3 years in service on the Solstice & sky's all saying the same thing, faulty air bag passenger seat module, this is a GM problem that is totally unsafe car to drive, it needs recalled asap as I understand I have no air bags & no seat belt tensioner also , im scared of this car & I am on a fixed income and can not afford to fix it, there gotta be a way GM …
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…
NHTSA investigations
HVAC Blower Motor Connector
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Defect Petition received December 12, 2019 requesting an investigation into the possibility of passenger compartment fires attributed to overheating HVAC blower motor connectors in Model Years (MY) 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles.An analysis of General Motors (GM) complaint data and information in NHTSA?s databases identified…
Electrical complaints in other Solstice years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Pontiac Solstice?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice, 12% of the model year's 243 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Pontiac Solstice electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-171 (ignition, Apr 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Pontiac Solstice electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries 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.