Pontiac G5 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Pontiac G5 options? We analyzed 4 model years (2007–2010) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Pontiac G5 has 381 owner complaints and 21 safety recalls across model years 2007–2010. The most reported issue area is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. 2007 drew the most complaints; 2010 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Pontiac
- Model
- G5
- Model years analyzed
- 2007–2010 (4 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 381
- Safety recall campaigns
- 21
- Crash-related complaints
- 40
- Fire-related complaints
- 4
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2007 (188 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2010 (2 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Pontiac G5: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe PONTIAC G5 has 381 NHTSA complaints and 21 recalls on record. 40 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 381 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 21 federal recall campaigns
- 40 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
21 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007–2010. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 381 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
381 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. FOUND THAT A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE WAS IN PLACE. TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE THE PART (POWER STEERING MOTOR) HAD BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. CALLED THE GM LINE AND ONCE MORE THEY WOULDN'T GIVE AN ANSWER EVEN AFTER TALKING TO THE SUPERVISOR. VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP IN THE RECALL LOOKUP, BUT THE VIN NUMBER FALLS WITHIN THE RANGE OF COVERED VEHICLES ON THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN. IN MY OPINION, REPLACING A DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART IS NOT HONORING THEIR RECALL. 2010 PONTIAC G5 BULLETIN NO.: 10023 RECALL NO.: 10V073000 RECALL DATE.: 03/03/2010 VIN: [XXX] DATE OF FAILURE: 08/01/2019 PART: POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR NEWEST PART #: 19368293 THEY HAVE CHANGED THE PART # NUMEROUS TIMES. (WHICH I BELIEVE INDICATES A RECURRING ISSUE) WHEN CALLING THE GM LINE THEY COULD NOT GIVE A COMPLETE ANSWER. TALKED WITH THE SUPERVISOR, WHO SAID IT HAD TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE ADVISOR. I REQUESTED WHAT THE ANSWER WOULD BE IF IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE THAT WAS SPECIFIED ON THE RECALL AND STILL THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY CLEAR INFORMATION. BASICALLY, IT CAME DOWN TO EITHER SPEND THE $205 FOR THE PART AND REPLACING MYSELF, OR GAMBLING ANOTHER $200 TO TAKE IT IN AND HAVE IT POSSIBLY COVERED. ($400 QUOTED FOR PARTS AND LABOR.) I CHOSE TO REPLACE MYSELF. THEIR RECORDS SHOW THAT THIS CAR HAS HAD THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED INSTALLING THE NEWER "FIXED" PART. BUT HAVING THE EXACT SAME DEFECT HAPPEN STILL VERY EARLY IN THE PARTS LIFETIME MAKES ME QUESTION HOW MANY CARS THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FIXED THAT STILL HAVE THIS FAILURE HAZARD. THERE IS NO WARNING, POWER STEERING ASSIST JUST SUDDENLY STOPS. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G5. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING OFF WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ANOTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
All gauges on dash starting going up and down, Anti theft light, power steering light, low fuel light. Car slipping or having hard time going and possibly the key transponder ignition / chip key anti theft shut down.
The contact owned a 2009 Pontiac G5. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) and 14V171000 (Electrical System). The contact requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance.
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G5. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present. Upon inspection, it was discovered that fuel had leaked from above the fuel tank. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local unknown dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 129,000.
My 2009 Pontiac G5 was driven to work this morning 6-10-21and parked in a Michigan State vehicle garage. Security notified me at work that my vehicle had a puddle of gas under and near a rear tire. I removed vehicle frome parking garage and parked it in a remote open parking lot. A gas leak in a car is dangerous, and a safety issue for me and others , especially in a parking garage!!! The vehicle has always been maintained as I am the original owner of the car. The car will be delivered to the dealer for inspection on 6/14/21. There are no recalls on this car . Opon my own investigation after the incident, there are numerous complaints logged into NHTSA of a rust issue of the fuel line where it is clamped near the fuel tank. There is also reports of crack developing at the intank fuel pump connection. ALL Cobalts,G5 's and other variations of this vehicle should be recalled immediately and inspections of the fuel system be reported back to NHTSA. Was there a fire? My answer is "NOT YET".
Read 14 more owner reports
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE - GAS LEAKS OUT QUICKLY UNTIL THE TANK IS EMPTY. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A HUGELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 PONTIAC G5. A MASSIVE GAS LEAK IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL LINES ON DRIVER SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL WELL.
FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE ON THE DRIVER SIDE.
FUEL LINES CORRODED AT LEFT REAR WHEEL CAUSING A MAJOR FUEL LEAK.
FUEL LEAK. OVER DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL . FUEL FEED LINE IN AREA COVERED WITH MOON TAPE BEHIND HEAT SHIELD. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED A FUEL LEAK ON FEED LINE JUST BEYOND THE FUEL FILTER. NOW HAVE TWO FUEL LEAKS. FUEL RETURN LINE ALSO LOOKS CORRODED .
FUEL LINE IS LEAKING OVER DRIVERS REAR WHEEL ( FORWARD OF FUEL FILTER) FUEL LEAKS WHEN CAR IS RUNNING AND CONTINUES TO LEAK UNTIL FUEL LINE IS EMPTY.
AROUND 127000 MILES I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE, AND A SMALL DRIP FROM UNDER MY CAR, AFTER TAKING A CLOSER LOOK I NOTICED THAT IT WAS GAS, AND IT WAS COMING FROM THE RETAINING CLIP THAT HOLDS THE FUEL/BRAKE LINES IN PLACE, I WAS NOT FINANCIALLY STABLE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT THE TIME, AND IT WASN'T LEAKING TO BAD SO I LEFT IT GO, AFTER ABOUT 2-3 MORE WEEKS I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED THAT I COULD LITERALLY SEE MY FUEL GAUGE DROPPING, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE PROBLEM AREA AND SEE THAT THE CAR WAS DUMPING FUEL AND A VERY HIGH PRESSURIZED RATE, I ALSO TOOK NOTE THAT THE GAS WAS BEING SPRAYED ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST THAT IS ABOUT 4-6? AWAY FROM THE FUEL LINES, I GOT THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT, AFTER DOING HOURS OF RESEARCH I SEEN THAT 95% OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF GM HAVE THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE HEAT SHIELDING ON THE FUEL LINES AFTER SEARCHING MY VIN IT SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NO ACTIVE RECALLS BUT I'VE SEEN COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE, NOT ONLY THAT IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THAT GAS IS BEING STAYED OUT UNDER PRESSURE WHICH IS CAUSING IT TO VAPORIZE AND BECOME EVEN MORE OF A FIRE HAZARD, NOT TO MENTION IT IS INCHES AWAY FROM THE EXHAUST AND DIRECTLY BELOW THE FUEL TANK... THIS ISSUE SHOULD DEFIANTLY BE ADDRESSED WITH GM AND BE SUBMITTED FOR RECALL IN MY OPINION, THIS ISSUE ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON OR THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND THE FUEL PUMP IS PRIMED AND RUNNING TO CHARGE THE FUEL LINES, AFTER THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF THE LEAK STOPS AFTER THE FUEL LINE HAS DRAINED ONTO THE GROUND CAUSING ANOTHER FIRE HAZARD AND A ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD MAKING IT AN ISSUE TO START THE CAR AGAIN DUE TO NO GAS BEING IN THE LINES, IN MY CASE I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO ON AND GIVE THE FUEL PUMP ABOUT 15 SECONDS TO PRIME AND PUMP GAS INTO THE LINES, THIS ISSUE HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AS I DUMP A GALLON OF FUEL EVERY 2-3 MILES. *TR
MAJOR FUEL LEAK IN THE MAIN FUEL LINE BETWEEN TANK AND ENGINE DIRECLTY IN FRONT OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AND NEAR THE EXHAUST. THE LINE CORRODED FROM BEING COVERED WITH POOR INSULATION TAPE THAT ALLOWED MOISTURE BEHIND. EVAP LINE BAD TOO AND NOW CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
LEAK AT FUEL LINE AT HOLDING CLIP RIGHT AFTER GAS TANK. WHEN KEY IS TURNED ON AND FUEL PUMP START TO RUN. HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 2006 COBALT 2 YEARS AGO. IT IS LIKE THE SAME CAR
LAST NIGHT MY VEHICLE COULD TURN NORMALLY, BUT THIS MORNING THE NOTIFICATION SCREEN SAID POWER STERING. SO ITS REALLY HARD TO TURN NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
FUEL LINE IS LEAKING UNDERNEATH,BEHIND DRIVERS DOOR & IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL.ALONG WITH THE CHEVY COBALT (THE EQUIVALENT TO MY PONTIAC G5), THIS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM AS I HAVE RESEARCH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME LEAK FROM THE SAME LOCATION. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD & I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING THE REPLACEMENT FUEL LINES.
I WENT IN TO GET AN OIL CHANGE DONE FOR MY CAR AND ONE OF THE WORKERS SAID THAT THEY HAD TO STOP BECAUSE THEY WERE SMELLING GAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF MY CAR. I THEN LATER FIND OUT THAT MY CAR HAS A FUEL LINE LEAK. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN THE ONLY ONE AS IT ALSO HAPPENS TO CHEVY COBALTS, WHICH MY CAR IS PRETTY MUCH A COPY OF.
FUEL LINE RUSTED AT RETAINING BRACKET AND LEAKING FUEL
Showing 20 of 381 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Pontiac G5
These pages show model-year patterns across 4 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Pontiac G5, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Pontiac G5 has 381 complaints on record across 4 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Pontiac G5 has 21 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 40 of the Pontiac G5's 381 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Pontiac G5 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Pontiac G5 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Pontiac G5 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Pontiac G5 stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Pontiac G5 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Pontiac G5.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Pontiac G5 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Pontiac G5 reliable?
Poor. The Pontiac G5 has 381 NHTSA owner complaints and 21 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Pontiac G5 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2007 (188 complaints), 2008 (115 complaints), 2010 (2 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Pontiac G5 problems?
Top reported issues: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (97 complaints); STEERING (96 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (77 complaints).
Does the Pontiac G5 have recalls?
Yes — 21 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Pontiac G5. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.