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 2007 Pontiac Solstice owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated while a passenger was seated in the seat. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated they needed to order parts for a switch for the passenger's side air bag failure. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that they would order the parts and contact him when the parts arrived. The contact stated that he had been waiting for several months. The contact stated that he notified the manufacturer of the failure and they called the dealer who stated that they were still waiting for the parts. The contact stated that this was over 6-months ago. …
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Solstice. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact verified that the key could be removed while the ignition was not in the "OFF" position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times over the years, but the contact was informed that the parts were not available for the recall repairs. Recently, the dealer informed the contact that the parts would not be available, and the recall repairs would never be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired under the recall; however, DTC: B008171 (Passenger air bag Suppression System) warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the warning light was illuminated prior to the recall repair being performed. The vehicle remained at the dealer; however, no further repairs were made. The dealer suggested that additional diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the warning light being illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the failure was linked with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags); however, the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
New in 2007 Pontiac Solstice. In May of 2018 the recall 17036 was completed at 28,000 after waiting several months for the solution and then several months for the part to arrive. PPS passenger seat weighted sensor module failed again August 2023 at 36,000 miles. Repair only lasted 8,000 miles. I was told this module controls the passenger seat air bag. I was also told that if module fails the passenger seat air bag will not deploy putting the passenger in an unsafe position. The passenger present light will be off when seat is occupied. The DIC (information display) will only read service air bag until the fault code is corrected. I use this to mainly to monitor coolant temperature of the engine although it has other functions. There will also be a red warning light on in the middle of the dash cluster. Visiting the forums there are many on their third and fourth repair. …
There was a recall regarding the airbag sensor. My airbag light was not on, but I brought it into my dealer for repairs. This car is only driven in the summer months and was driven only a few times after the recall was performed. I park it during the winter. The second time I drove it in the spring, the airbag light came on. I called my dealer and informed them of the issue. They told me that the sensor they had installed was defective and I needed to replace the sensor. The only problem is they refuse to fix it. They said they fixed the recall and that I would have to pay to fix it. They installed a defective part and now want to charge me 733.53 to replace said defective part. It was bad enough that they charged me 193.75 to tell me this. So now I have a car that does not recognize that there is a person in the seat, so the airbags won't deploy. …
Had a recall for the airbags a few years ago. I got it "fixed" at that time but soon after getting it done, the "check airbags" light came back on. I've been chancing it each time I get behind the wheel because of the hassle I went through with dealing with the recall. The first GM location I went to wanted to charge me. The second GM location that "fixed" the airbag was over an hour away so I had to inconvenience someone to go back and forth with me to drop off and pick up the car days later. Then as mentioned, soon after the "repair", the light was back on so I believe they just put a band-aid on the problem but didnt really fix it. Now after coming very close to a collision, I want to get this repaired but do not feel I should pay for it. This is a safety concern and reading through the complaints, it appears many are having the same reoccurring issue. Car only has 55,000 miles.
Passenger Presence System Issue Started Solstice in garage and backed out on to driveway (PPS indicates passenger air bag off. This is Correct) Stop car on driveway and put transmission in park. Passenger enters vehicle sits down and buckles belt. (PPS indicates passenger air bag off This is incorrect) Back out of driveway and put in Drive. PPS still indicates no passenger This is incorrect. Stop car put in park. PPS still indicates no passenger. Turn off ignition and restart car. PPS reads passenger in car and AirBag armed This is correct. Originally noticed on July 2, 2021, Repeated on July 9th. If both passengers start out in car system works correctly. If passenger enters after car is started and moved it doesn't recognize passenger presence unless ignition is recycled. Recall repair was performed 11 May 2018 at 13635 miles.
I bought a 2007 Pontiac Solstice recently from an individual. I saw online that there was an airbag recall. I called my local Chevy dealer and they ordered the recall kit. I brought the car in and they did the fix. However, the airbag, on the passenger side, problem still existed. Sometimes, when my 110 lb. wife got in the passenger side, the airbag would read "ON", and sometimes it would not. So I took my car back to the dealer today. The service manager showed me a bulletin from General Motors, that said the passenger, had to weigh at least 150 lbs. for the airbag to work. I feel this is a real safety concern and need to know how to get this safety issue resolved.
The airbag safety indicator shows a fault, indicating the passenger airbag is not operational. I researched the cause since we have no local GM dealers and the forums show this issue was addressed by a recall notice. However, this care was not part of that recall. I will be happy to have it inspected but don't want to pay the outrageous prices for a dealer inspection, especially since the closest shop is 25 miles away and I don't want it left outside (never been in rain).
Related recalls
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.
Remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the subject vehicles.The petitioner raised the issue of failure of the Passenger Sensing System for the front passenger seating position.On January 26, 2017, General Motors filed a defect information report recalling the…
Airbag complaints in other Solstice years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2007 Pontiac Solstice?
NHTSA has 226 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 Pontiac Solstice, 78% of the model year's 290 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Pontiac Solstice airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-061 (occupant classification, Jan 26, 2017); NHTSA recall 14V-047 (air bags, Feb 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Pontiac Solstice airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 7 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.