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 2007 Pontiac Solstice owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Rear differential fluid leak The 07204 recall pertains to certain Pontiac vehicles, specifically the 2007 Pontiac Solstice, where a faulty rear axle pinion seal may leak, potentially causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge, and the recall began on February 1, 2008. [redacted] Overview of Recall 07204 Vehicle Affected Model: 2007 Pontiac Solstice Manufacturer: General Motors (GM) Recall Details Recall Number: 07204 NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V589000 Date Announced: December 20, 2007 Total Vehicles Affected: Approximately 275,936 Issue Description The rear axle pinion seal may be faulty, leading to a potential fluid leak. This leak can cause rear differential failure, resulting in loss of motive power and possibly loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash. …
While applying the brakes the car down shifts hard, locking up and jerking. Many others had reported this problem in online forums. Stating a power train or module issue. Very dangerous not knowing if your car my jerk into someone or something out of your control.
As I began to brake to come to a stop, my car jerked really hard. At first I wondered if my brakes were not applying. This happened maybe once or twice more that day. I took the vehicle to the dealer and had new brakes installed. But I told them the issue that I was having. A couple of weeks later the problem appeared to be getting worse so I took the vehicle back to the dealer for a diagnosis. They gave me a laundry list of issues totaling in the excess of $1,800.00. None of the issues specifically addressed what was wrong with my vehicle. The jerking has gotten worse. I sought out the Pontiac Solstice forum and found that the power train pinion issue (recall # 07204) is exactly what is going on with my car. …
Tl contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Solstice. The contact received a recall notice in December of 2007 regarding the power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:seal. In February of 2008, she went to the dealer and had the vehicle repaired. In March of 2008, while driving 58 MPH in wet conditions, the wheels suddenly locked. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete wall. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and she believed that the recall was repaired improperly. The powertrain and recall number were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 40,000.
I was driving (Pontiac Solstice 2007)and the car went out of control. The front end had some damage to the driver's side after coming in contact with a cement barrier. I contacted Pontiac customer assistance to report the accident. GM sent an investigator to review the car. He found nothing wrong with the car. However, the Pontiac dealership that I had the car sent to after the accident, replaced the rear differential assembly (under warranty) along with the front-end damage that my insurance company covered. I received the recall in feb. 2008 for the rear pinion seal leak and had the required work done at that time, also.
While driving my 2007 Pontiac Solstice my car jerks hard when I slow down to around 20-30 MPH. When the car down shifts while slowing down it feels like my car is braking hard when the transmission shifts gears. It is absolutely terrifying!!! While driving to work or with my child I never know when its going to happen and I know that eventually it will lead to me or one of my loved ones being seriously injured or killed!!! I cannot afford a new vehicle, but I do not know what to do. Hopefully GM can help me and fix the problem with there vehicle they sold me.
While driving my 2007 Pontiac Solstice my car jerks hard when I slow down to around 20-30 MPH. When the car down shifts while slowing down it feels like my car is braking hard when the transmission shifts gears. It is absolutely terrifying!!! While driving to work or with my child I never know when its going to happen and I know that eventually it will lead to me or one of my loved ones being seriously injured or killed!!! I cannot afford a new vehicle, but I do not know what to do. Those it have a recall.
Vehicle was parked in a private driveway on an incline and left with engine off, parking brake engaged and in 1st gear. Vehicle was found after it rolled down the incline approximately 50 feet and was stopped by having run into a group of 7 foot height hedges. The vehicle was still in first gear with the emergency parking brake still engaged when recovered.
Vehicle downshifts hard through all gears. Started as occassionally, but progressively has gotten worse. Upshifts are engaging harder as well now. Automatic transmission. Looking into this it appears to be a fairly common problem. Is this being investigated? How should I address this? Seems it could be dangerous especially on wet pavement.
When slowing down car suddenly jerks hard like brakes lock. Took to dealer got trouble codes p0700 and p2735. I see this alot on the forums as well as here. No accidents but close.could be costly repairs and dealer says May still experience same thing after repairs. Dangerous. Costly. And May not fix problem.great deal..
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 2007 Pontiac Solstice?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Pontiac Solstice, 8% of the model year's 290 complaints. The component named most often is axle assembly › axle shaft › seal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Pontiac Solstice transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-589 (seal, Dec 20, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Pontiac Solstice transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 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.