G8 (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
L76
6.0L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LY7
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Pontiac G8 Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
LS3
6.2L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LE5
2.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LZ4
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Pontiac G8, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2008-2009 Pontiac G8
On a used 2008-2009 Pontiac G8, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (94), the electrical system (40) and the suspension (30). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 94 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 40 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 about the electrical system.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 about the suspension.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 about the steering.
Recalls (4)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 2, 2007 THROUGH JANUARY 22, 2009. A 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DEVICE (ATD) IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST EXCEEDED THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA (HIC) REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITIONED FULL FORWARD, THE SEAT POSITION SENSOR WILL CAUSE A 30 MILLISECONDS DEPLOYMENT DELAY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES OF THE DUAL-STAGE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG.
GM IS RECALLING 35,038 MY 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT" AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS". THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PROGRAMMED. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BRAKE LAMPS MAY BE CONTINUALLY ILLUMINATED AND FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING. ALSO CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCORRECT VALUES PROGRAMMED INTO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE TELLTALE UNTIL TIRE PRESSURE FALLS BELOW VALUES REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 complaints?
Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the electrical system and the suspension.
Is the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 have?
NHTSA has 215 owner complaints on file for the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Pontiac G8?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the electrical system and the suspension, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the G8 have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2008-2009 Pontiac G8. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 215 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.