Most common 2009 Pontiac Solstice problems
Share of the 36 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Solstice complaints by model year
Best Solstice years: 2010, 2009. Years to avoid: 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2009 Pontiac Solstice recalls (3)
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.
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…
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 defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2009 Pontiac Solstice:
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…
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…
What 2009 Pontiac Solstice owners say
Air bags all 32 →
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Solstice. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact called the dealer, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that an electrical sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
My issue is with the initial recall of the air bag system. Why is the air bag replaced only one time when this is an ongoing problem. My air bag system needs replaced for the second time but it is not covered. I don't understand the logic behind not continually correcting an ongoing problem. Can you please help me? [redacted]
Electrical system
Service air bag notice displayed, red air bad warning idiot light on and the passenger air bag indicator light shows off even though a passenger was in the seat. Tried powering the car off and on with same result. This is a major safety issue is the passenger is not protected while riding in the vehicle. I have since read that many reports of the same issue have been reported and no safety recalls have been issued.
My Solstice is part of the ignition recall. Passenger air bag sensor light has been on since aug. 2014. Ignition replaced today 10/8/14. Dealership says that I have a faulty airbag sensor in the passenger seat and that neither side airbag will deploy should I have an accident. First I'm told it will cost me $800 to replace. My response was that I would be contacting GMC about this. Then I'm told to hold off that they would put their "GMC calculator" on it and let me know what GMC says. A few minutes later I get a call saying that GMC would cover $500 of the $800 charge. My complaint is that the faulty ignition has a direct affect on the proper operation of the airbags. This car is only 5 years old. In 2010 I had to have the ignition replaced "while it was still under warranty" because the car wouldn't turn off after turning the ignition to off. …
Seats
The passenger seat airbag weight sensor has failed on my Solstice. The passenger airbag is not currently functional due to this issue. This issue is effecting every single Solstice and sky built by GM from 2006-2010. The dealerships are charging nearly $1,000 to replace the sensors on these cars and most customers are choosing not to replace them due to high cost. The same issue was recalled on Cadillac cts models built in the same time period. The part was manufactured by the same company involved in the Cadillac recall. This is a serious safety issue that needs to be addressed. If it has not already been the cause of serious injury or death; it is only a matter of time. The negligence of these auto companies needs to stop. This is a 100% effected issue, where every one of these cars will experience this failure. …
Almost 36K miles and the service airbag light appeared on my dash while driving on a highway with a partner (adult over 150 lbs) and the passenger air bag turned off, I went out of the highway for his safety and drive slower our way back to work, but suddendly he kind of accomodate himself on the seat and the service airbag light disappered, so I asked him to move/change his sitting position on the seat and this way the light returned and then disappeard when he changed randomly his weight over the seat. Right now the light is permanent on my dashboard no mare ther is no weight on the passenger sit or someone over 150 pounds sits and changes sitting position. …
2009 Pontiac Solstice engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 27 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Pontiac Solstice a good car?
Based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Solstice rates better than average: 79% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Solstice at the same age. It is one of the best Solstice years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?
The air bags — 32 complaints, 89% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal › sensor/control module. Next are the electrical system (6) and seats (3).
How many recalls does the 2009 Pontiac Solstice have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice, the most recent from January 26, 2017 (occupant classification). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Solstice?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Pontiac Solstice years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Pontiac Solstice problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 33,000 miles; 75% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.