Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Drive axle seal leak. The rear differential is leaking due to a faulty pinion seal. I checked all recall information, and yes, it was recalled. I will notify the dealer of the recall and request that it be repaired at no cost. The vehicle was parked when I noticed the leak. Small amount on garage floor.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Solstice. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and the check engine and thermostat warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failures, but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Pontiac safety recall 07204 2006 Pontiac Solstice rear axle seal leak, the failure occurred soon after the car was purchased and was taken to the dealer for repairs, axle seal was replaced, upon return of the car it was noticed the rear axle was making a whining noise that was very pronounced and unable to talk over. Car was returned to the dealer and they changed the axle fluid and put an additive in for the whine. Noise did not go away and is still present to this day. I returned the car to the dealer 5 more times and was told the noise was normal. …
My wife suggested to me that the accident May have been caused by a malfunction to the car. I didn't really consider that a possibility. However, she has never been able to explain the accident beyond saying "all of a sudden I lost control of the car". While I was looking for the car title, which I've still not found by the way, I discovered a recall notice from early 2008. I reviewed the document and discovered the 3rd condition which May occur sounds like a possible cause of this accident. I'm not sure of the best course of action at this point. I'm not a mechanical expert but it seems to me we could easily discover if the differential is jammed. If so, I suspect the cause of the accident was not my wife. If not, I don't know if these things can jam and release or not. …
Immediately after purchasing my 2006 Pontiac Solstice in 2006, I begin experiencing a noise in the rear end of the vehicle. I took it in several times for repair until finally in 2007, Pontiac recalled the vehicle for the power train being defective as listed below. I did not have any more problems until 2010 when the vehicle begin to make the same noise. I took the vehicle to another GM dealership as the one I purchased from had closed. They told me there was nothing they could do. This problem has gotten progressively worst and now the noise if getting very bad as I am decelerating and braking. The gears get more difficult to change when this happens. This is the same way it was acting before the drive train replacement. I took it to another GM dealership and was told they only replace them once under a recall. I don't understand if they are defective they should replace regardless. …
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. …
Transmission makes high pitched whining noise during acceleration in 3rd, 4th and 5fth gear. Constant high pitched whine in 4th and 5th gear. Problem developed within 3 months of owning the car. Took the car into the service shop in August of 2006. Was told that the noise was normal and sent away. Complained to the service manner, mr. Stone. He failed to respond to my complaints. Contacted owner of dealership, mr. Robert hess. He drove in the car in September of 2006. Noted the noise but could not identify. Was told that he would test drive a new car to see if the noise was present. Contacted owner (mr. Hess) in October of 2006 was told GM rep would come look at car. Took car in on the 23rd of October. Was told that car was making a louder noise than normal and they would keep car for repair. Was contacted on the 25th of October. …
Dt*: the contact stated the day after purchasing the vehicle, with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle began to jump. Once getting to the destination, the ignition was turned off, upon entering the vehicle, the vehicle jumped when in put in drive. The dealership was contacted and suggested the vehicle be driven in. While in route to the dealership, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to the dealership. The dealership determined the computer listed the o circuits for the transmission was inoperable. The next day the dealership alerted the contact contaminated transmission fluid was put in the vehicle at the factory causes the transmission to completely fail.
I purchased my Pontiac Solstice in November, 2005. Since then the rear differential has gone out twice (the first time approx. 3 months after purchase) and has been repaired once for a leaking diff seal (shortly after the first replacement). It was replaced twice since it was under warranty. However, I am concerned once the warranty has expired I will be left "holding the bag" for this problem. I am on my third diff for this car and have met other Solstice owners with the same problem. In fact, I have not met a Solstice owner who hasn't had a diff problem. I think Pontiac needs to recall this diff and provide a reliable one! (incident date provided is a "guess" of the last replacement.)
Vehicle was purchased on 1/8/06. Pinion seal on rear differential leaking 10 days later. Took vehicle to dealership for repair on 1/19/06. 1/31/06 dealership replaced the pinion seal and returned the car to me. 3/8/06 pinion seal began leaking again, heavily. Took back to service department on 3/9/06. 3/16/06 dealership replaced differential assembly (GM case #8733080). 7/10/06 rear differential leaking differential fluid again (for the 3rd time). 7/11/06 took back to dealership service department for diagnosis. As of today waiting for info from service department.
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and May experience a fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2008. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.Cadillac.com; Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.Pontiac.com;…
NHTSA investigations
Failure of the rear differential
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.GM is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect.
Transmission complaints in other Solstice years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Pontiac Solstice?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice, 12% of the model year's 243 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Pontiac Solstice transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-589 (seal, Dec 20, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Pontiac Solstice transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.