2009 Pontiac Solstice Problems

Good Record

Used PONTIAC SOLSTICE shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Based on 36 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions the most reported area.

20085 years2010

Before you buy

This 2009 Pontiac Solstice has 36 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.

A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.

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36
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Fatalities
4
Recalls

2009 Pontiac Solstice Fuel Economy

✓ EPA Official Data

EPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2009 Pontiac Solstice trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.

19
MPG City
1919 range
25
MPG Hwy
2428 range
21
MPG Combined
2122 range
423
g CO₂/mile
Regular Gasoline
⚠️Costs $3,500 more than avg vehicle over 5 years

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.

2009 Pontiac Solstice Safety Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2009 Pontiac Solstice 2-DR.

Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.

Overall

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated
Stability Control: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2009 Pontiac Solstice has 36 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Good Record.

2009 Pontiac Solstice — key reliability facts
Make
Pontiac
Model
Solstice
Model year
2009
NHTSA owner complaints
36
Crash-related complaints
0
Safety recall campaigns
4
Top reported component
Airbag Malfunctions
Reliability signal
Good Record
EPA MPG combined
21
EPA MPG city / highway
19 / 25
Fuel type
Regular Gasoline
Electronic stability control
Standard

Common problems

Most common 2009 Pontiac Solstice problems

Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.

#1
32
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

#2
6
complaints

Electrical Faults

#3
3
complaints

Seat-Related Issues

Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Electrical Faults, Seat-Related Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.

Buyer verdict

Should you buy a used 2009 Pontiac Solstice?

This PONTIAC SOLSTICE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.

Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.

May Suit

This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.

May Want to Avoid

Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.

Pre-purchase

What to check before buying a used 2009 Pontiac Solstice

Inspection Focus

  • Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
  • Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
  • Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN

Before You Close the Deal

  • 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

Check the exact car

Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.

Before buying a used 2009 Pontiac Solstice, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.

AI verdict

What the complaint data suggests

Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

The PONTIAC SOLSTICE has 36 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recall context: 4 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.

Key Findings
  • 36 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 4 federal recall campaigns
  • No crash-related complaints on record
Top Concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume — popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Full breakdown

All 2009 Pontiac Solstice complaints by category

Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Airbag Malfunctions32
Electrical Faults6
Seat-Related Issues3
Transmission / Drivetrain1
Seat Belt Issues1

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

In their words

Real owner complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Showing 36 most recent complaints

Airbag MalfunctionsAug 14, 2023

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 defec…

Airbag MalfunctionsSep 7, 2022

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 ongo…

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 31, 2021

My Solstice had recall # 14092 & 14133 for service airbag to passenger seat completed on 4/27/2018. As of 10/25/2019 the service airbag light is once again on and indicates that the passenger airbag is off. The recall part has malfunctioned. Please contact with another recall…

Airbag MalfunctionsAug 2, 2021

Over the years I've received multiple info cards from dealerships concerning this recall. I return their request for having recall work scheduled. The dealerships then return my call usually in a few days saying they are unable to aquire parts for recall work. So far no dealer…

Airbag MalfunctionsApr 8, 2021

PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND IS ALWAYS ON. DRIVER INFO DISPLAY INDICATES "SERVICE AIRBAG" EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. PPS MAT RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE REINFORCEMENT REPAIR HAS FAILED. THE EXACT SAME PPS MAT IS USED ON THE CADILLAC CTS, AND THE…

Airbag MalfunctionsDec 18, 2020

PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ALWAYS ON. DRIVER INFO DISPLAY ALWAYS INDICATES "SERVICE AIRBAG" (WITH ALERT TONE) EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS RELATED RECALL 17V061000 FOR FAILURES IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR PPS MAT. SOLSTICE REPAIR WAS ADDED REIN…

Seat-Related IssuesJul 3, 2020

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 ACCOMODA…

Airbag MalfunctionsSep 14, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER (DON MEALEY CHEVROLET, 17185 FL-50, CLERMONT, FL 34711, 352-394-6176) WAS CONT…

Airbag MalfunctionsSep 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL …

Airbag MalfunctionsAug 8, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABL…

Airbag MalfunctionsMay 6, 2018

I PUTCHASED THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 25, 2015 FROM CYNTHIA WALKER. THE VEHICLE HAD 30,000 MI, EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (I RECEIVED ALL PREVIOUS SERVICE RECORDS. IN AUGUST, 2016 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND A "SERVICE AIR BA…

Airbag MalfunctionsFeb 6, 2018

RECALL ISSUED MARCH 2017, 17036 STILL NO FIX

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 27, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR T…

Airbag MalfunctionsSep 19, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LANCASTER MOTOR COMPA…

Airbag MalfunctionsMar 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONT…

Airbag MalfunctionsJul 22, 2016

AIR BAG SENSOR FOR PASSENGER SEAT WENT OUT WITH JUST OVER 30,000 MILES ON CAR. EVERYONE WHOM I KNOW WITH A PONTIAC SOLSTICE OR SATURN SKY HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND MAKES IT UNSAFE FOR PASSENGER TO RIDE IN CAR. SENSOR IN SEAT WENT OUT …

Airbag MalfunctionsJul 1, 2016

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED. OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND PUTS MY PASSENGERS AT EXTREME RISK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

Airbag MalfunctionsDec 22, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON BUT REMAINED OFF, WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PAS…

Airbag MalfunctionsSep 9, 2015

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND WHILE PARKED AT A LIGHT, THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASH, AND HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVER SINCE. IT IS NOT THE FUSE, AND IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. (SOLSTICES HAVE A LIGHT TH…

Electrical FaultsAug 3, 2015

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 W…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice.

Safety recalls

2009 Pontiac Solstice recalls

4 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Pontiac Solstice. 4 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.

Safety recall

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

#17V061000AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION26/01/2017
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V171000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONOct 4, 2014
Safety recall

AIR BAGS

#14V047000AIR BAGSOct 2, 2014
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

#14E021000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH30/04/2014

Across model years

Compare Pontiac Solstice model years

Compare complaint and recall volume across years to see whether 2009 lands in a lower-risk or higher-risk part of the model timeline.

Research more

Keep researching before you buy

Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.

Questions

2009 Pontiac Solstice buying FAQ

Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.

Is the 2009 Pontiac Solstice reliable?

Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 36 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. This PONTIAC SOLSTICE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?

#1: Airbag Malfunctions (32 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (6 complaints). #3: Seat-Related Issues (3 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2009 Pontiac Solstice?

Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2009 Pontiac Solstice, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 36 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2009 Pontiac Solstice have any recalls?

Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Pontiac Solstice. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION. 4 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.

Should I buy a 2009 Pontiac Solstice?

This PONTIAC SOLSTICE year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.

Wider context: See the full Pontiac Solstice reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Owner Reliability Rating

Rate the 2009 Pontiac Solstice based on your ownership experience.

Add your rating:

Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.

Before you buy

Check the exact vehicle history before you buy

Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.