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American make · Discontinued

Pontiac Car Guide: Common Problems, Maintenance & Best Used Models

What Pontiac owners report most, model by model, drawn from 13,134 complaints filed with the U.S. safety regulator. Plus recalls, a service schedule and the model years to check carefully.

Data as of 2003 to 2010 model years

Quick facts

Pontiac

Origin
American
Status
No longer sold new in the U.S.
Most complaints
G6 (5,888)
Most-reported area
Steering
Busiest model year
2006 (3,062 complaints)
owner complaints on file with NHTSA
13,134
models with at least one complaint
16
of complaints mention steering
28%
recall campaigns covering the G6
11

01Common problems by model

Pontiac Common Problems by Model

The 8 Pontiac models with the most owner complaints, and the part of the car each complaint was about.

Pontiac models with the most NHTSA complaints, 2003 to 2010 model years
ModelComplaintsMost-reported areasModel year with the mostRecalls
G65,888Steering and electrical system2006 (1,910)11
Vibe1,862Airbags and visibility or wipers2009 (528)22
Grand Prix1,310Electrical system and engine2004 (454)15
Solstice728Airbags and electrical system2007 (290)6
Grand Am720Electrical system and exterior lighting2003 (325)7
Torrent625Fuel or propulsion system and airbags2007 (243)4
GTO615Suspension and tires2004 (245)0
G5381Fuel or propulsion system and steering2007 (188)7
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases, read on October 12, 2026. Complaints are reports filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so best-selling models appear higher.

The G6 leads with 5,888 complaints, most of them about steering and electrical system. That does not make it the worst Pontiac. A model that sells in large numbers collects more reports, and these counts are not adjusted for sales.

Use the table to know where to look. If you own or are buying one of these models, ask about the area in the third column first, and price the repair with the repair cost estimator.

02Problem areas

Where Pontiac Problems Concentrate

Every Pontiac complaint names the part of the vehicle involved. These are the areas named most often across all 16 models.

By part of the vehicle

  1. Steering3,618 · 28%
  2. Airbags2,450 · 19%
  3. Electrical system2,306 · 18%
  4. Exterior lighting1,427 · 11%
  5. Brakes1,137 · 9%
  6. Engine1,073 · 8%

One complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

By model year

  1. 20031,084
  2. 20041,426
  3. 20051,596
  4. 20063,062
  5. 20072,344
  6. 20081,757
  7. 20091,532
  8. 2010333

Recent model years have had less time to gather complaints, so a short bar at the bottom is not yet good news.

03Best and worst used models

Pontiac Model Years to Check Carefully

The model years of each popular model that drew the most complaints. Start your questions there when you shop used.

How to choose a used car

  • 5,888 complaints

    Pontiac G6

    1. 20061,910 complaints
      7 recalls
    2. 20071,232 complaints
      5 recalls
    3. 20081,079 complaints
      5 recalls

    Mostly about steering and electrical system.

  • 1,862 complaints

    Pontiac Vibe

    1. 2009528 complaints
      9 recalls
    2. 2005301 complaints
      5 recalls
    3. 2003298 complaints
      8 recalls

    Mostly about airbags and visibility or wipers.

  • 1,310 complaints

    Pontiac Grand Prix

    1. 2004454 complaints
      9 recalls
    2. 2006239 complaints
      2 recalls
    3. 2007220 complaints
      4 recalls

    Mostly about electrical system and engine.

  • 728 complaints

    Pontiac Solstice

    1. 2007290 complaints
      5 recalls
    2. 2006243 complaints
      5 recalls
    3. 2008159 complaints
      5 recalls

    Mostly about airbags and electrical system.

A year with many complaints is one to inspect closely, not one to rule out. The fault may have been fixed under recall, and a well-maintained car from a busy year can be a better buy than a neglected one from a quiet year.

Before you buy any used Pontiac, decode the VIN, check it for open recalls and follow the inspection checklist. A complaint count cannot tell you about the one car in front of you.

04Recalls

Pontiac Recalls by Model

The number of safety recall campaigns that cover each model, with the most recent ones listed.

  • Pontiac G6 recalls

    11

    recall campaigns, 2003 to 2010 model years

    1. Feb 4, 2015Steering: electric power assist system15V064000
    2. Jul 21, 2014Steering14E044000
    3. May 14, 2014Electrical system: wiring14V252000
    4. Apr 30, 2014Powertrain: automatic transmission14V224000
    5. Mar 31, 2014Steering: electric power assist system14V153000

  • Pontiac Vibe recalls

    22

    recall campaigns, 2003 to 2010 model years

    1. Jan 23, 2020Airbags: frontal20V039000
    2. Aug 28, 2019Airbags: frontal19V627000
    3. Dec 12, 2018Airbags: frontal18V883000
    4. Jan 9, 2018Airbags: frontal18V024000
    5. Jan 9, 2018Airbags: frontal18V025000

  • Pontiac Grand Prix recalls

    15

    recall campaigns, 2003 to 2008 model years

    1. Oct 26, 2015Engine and cooling: engine15V701000
    2. Aug 14, 2015Exterior lighting: headlights15V519000
    3. Apr 6, 2015Engine and cooling: engine15V201000
    4. Jul 3, 2014Electrical system: ignition14V400000
    5. May 11, 2009Exterior lighting: headlights09E025000

  • Pontiac Solstice recalls

    6

    recall campaigns, 2006 to 2009 model years

    1. Jan 26, 2017Airbags: sensor17V061000
    2. Apr 30, 2014Electrical system: ignition14E021000
    3. Apr 10, 2014Electrical system: ignition14V171000
    4. Feb 10, 2014Airbags14V047000
    5. Dec 20, 2007Powertrain: axle assembly07V589000
Check your VIN at NHTSA

A recall is free to have repaired at a dealer of the parent manufacturer. The lookup shows only the recalls still open on your vehicle.

05Maintenance schedule

Pontiac Maintenance Schedule

Typical service intervals for a gasoline Pontiac. Your owner’s manual has the exact figures for your engine.

Build a schedule for your mileage
Typical maintenance intervals for a Pontiac
ServiceTypical intervalGood to know
Engine oil and filter5,000 to 10,000 milesFull synthetic sits at the long end. Short trips and towing shorten it.
Tire rotation5,000 to 8,000 milesEasiest to do at every oil change.
Cabin air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesSooner in dusty or high-pollen areas.
Engine air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesInspect at every oil change and replace when dirty.
Brake fluidEvery 2 years or 30,000 milesIt absorbs moisture with age, whatever the mileage.
Transmission fluid30,000 to 60,000 milesVaries widely, and some manuals allow longer. Use only the specified fluid.
Engine coolant30,000 to 60,000 milesLong-life coolants can go further. Never mix types.
Drive belt inspection60,000 to 100,000 milesReplace at the first cracks, fraying or squeal.
Timing belt, if fitted60,000 to 100,000 milesEngines with a timing chain do not have this service.
Spark plugs30,000 to 100,000 milesCopper plugs wear fastest. Iridium and platinum last longest.
Typical intervals drawn from AAA's maintenance guidance, not Pontiac's own schedule. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and use its severe-service intervals if you tow, make short trips or drive in extreme heat or cold.
Maintenance by mileageOil change calculatorWhat each service costs

06Manufacturer OBD2 codes

Pontiac OBD2 Codes

How to read the codes a Pontiac stores, and why some of them mean something different on another make.

A Pontiac stores two kinds of trouble code. Generic codes, which have 0 as their second character, mean the same thing on every make: P0420 is a catalyst efficiency fault on a Pontiac exactly as it is on any other car. Manufacturer-specific codes, which have 1 as their second character, are defined by Pontiac and can mean something different elsewhere.

We do not publish a list of Pontiac’s own P1 codes, because we could not verify one against Pontiac’s service information. For a P1 code, use a scanner that reads Pontiac codes, or ask a specialist to look it up.

Free toolLook up a generic codeMeaning, common causes and whether it is safe to keep driving.
How OBD2 code types work

07Related guides and tools

Next steps for Pontiac owners and buyers.

Guides

Free tools

All car brandsUsed car buying guide

08Questions

Pontiac: common questions.

What are the most common Pontiac problems?

Among 2003 to 2010 model-year Pontiac vehicles, the areas owners report most often to NHTSA are steering (28% of complaints), airbags (19% of complaints) and electrical system (18% of complaints). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.

Which Pontiac model has the most complaints?

The G6, with 5,888 complaints on file for 2003 to 2010 model years. Its 2006 model year has the most, at 1,910. Popular models attract more complaints simply because more of them are on the road.

How do I check a Pontiac for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that exact vehicle, and recall repairs are carried out by the manufacturer's dealers at no charge.

How often does a Pontiac need servicing?

Most gasoline cars need an oil change and tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles and brake fluid every two years. Your Pontiac owner's manual gives the exact schedule for your engine.

Is Pontiac still sold in the United States?

No. Pontiac is no longer sold new in the United States, so every Pontiac on the market is a used car. Check its history, its recalls and its condition carefully before you buy.

09About this guide

Where the figures come from.

Every count on this page comes from records published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was read on . We count the records. We do not reproduce owners’ statements, and we do not rate or rank models ourselves.

CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Pontiac. The Pontiac name and logo belong to their owner and are used only to identify the make. Full disclaimer.

Sources

  1. [1]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle owner complaints database
  2. [2]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safety recalls by vehicle
  3. [3]AAA Automotive, Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist

Complaint counts cover 2003 to 2010 model years. Each complaint is counted once and assigned to the model named in the complaint. Counts change as new complaints are filed.