Research · Subcompact Cars

2009 Pontiac G5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 76 owner complaints for the 2009 Pontiac G5. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (27) and electrical system (22). The EPA rates it 26–30 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
26–30mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
76
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Air bags

Remedy pending

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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2014NHTSA 14V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

76 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2008 – Apr 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system27
  2. Electrical system22
  3. Steering12
  4. Air bags10
  5. Power train6
  6. Fuel system, gasoline5
  7. Engine4
  8. Vehicle speed control3
  9. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each G5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200976
20102
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

27 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11729573

Electrical system

22 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11642009

Steering

12 reports1 crash
“CAUSE UNKNOWN. NOTICED PROBLEM SOMETIME IN 2017. CAR RATTLES (IN FRONT OF CAR) OFF AND ON. DETERMINED IT'S NOT THE WHEELS OR TIRES. RATTLING COMES AND GOES. DRIVER CAN MAKE THE RATTLING GO AWAY BY CHANGING SPEEDS OR WITH A SLIGHT TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. (E.G. LANE CHANGE) DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NEITHER A TIRE NOR RACK AND PINION PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2018Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11060725
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
G5 XFE
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253730$2,150296
G5
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253529$2,200306
G5 GT
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253529$2,200306
G5
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243327$2,400329
G5 GT
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233226$2,450342
  • G5 XFE
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    25 city · 37 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • G5
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    25 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • G5 GT
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    25 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • G5
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • G5 GT
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    23 city · 32 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Pontiac G5 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 5085
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 G5 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Pontiac G5 have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Pontiac G5 problems?

Owners filed 76 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (27), electrical system (22), steering (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Pontiac G5 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Pontiac G5 at 26–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026