Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Pontiac Solstice problems
Owners filed 243 complaints about the 2006 Pontiac Solstice with NHTSA between Jan 2006 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (178).
Complaints
243
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags178
- Electrical system28
- Power train28
- Seats8
- Engine7
- Seat belts4
- Service brakes4
- Suspension4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Exterior lighting2
- Steering2
- Equipment2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Structure2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
13
6
8
5
10
3
12
10
51
22
34
31
18
6
2
3
1
3
3
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 51 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
178 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“I have an alarm on my car that states the air bag needs service. I utilized a code reader which indicated there is a failure with the passenger air bag system. I checked for recalls and found one ( NHTSA : 17V061). The vehicle is a 2006 Pontiac Soltice. I contacted three local GM dealers about making a repair. All stated they do not make repairs only on types of vehicles they sell. Thet do not repair Pontiacs. I contacted GM at [XXX]. The representative stated the recall had been completed, which I strongly dispute. I told the representative I have no knowledge of any such repair being performed. The representative generated a case number, case #XXX. She told me it would be up to me to find a dealer to make the repairs. I am totally dissatisfied with the response from GM and its dealers and would ask for any assistance you can provide.”
Electrical system
28 reports3 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“The electric system appears to be unsafe, the ignition doesn't turn over and drains the battery every day. I'm also worried about the airbags and other recalls on this car. I contacted the dealer "Dave Kirk Automotive" in Crossville, TN weeks ago. They took the vin # and looked up the recalls. This was a month ago. They said they would get the parts and call me. No one at the dealer has contacted me again. They know there are serious recalls on this vehicle. I need help on this. I'm 74, the car only has 39000 miles on it. This needs to be fixed at once.”
Power train
28 reports1 crash1 related recall
“DRIVE AXLE SEAL LEAK. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LEAKING DUE TO A FAULTY PINION SEAL. I CHECKED ALL RECALL INFORMATION, AND YES, IT WAS RECALLED. I WILL NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE RECALL AND REQUEST THAT IT BE REPAIRED AT NO COST. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN I NOTICED THE LEAK. SMALL AMOUNT ON GARAGE FLOOR.”
Seats
8 reports
“my car had a recall on it when I bought it for the air bag sensor in the pass seat. I took it in and they patched it...not fixed it but a patch... it has been sat in about 20 times since and now has the light on. I will not pay them to repatch or fix this as they should of fixed it properly the first time, if you OKed the use of a tape patch than you can pay for the proper fix. these should never of been patched. they should of been fixed. it will not go back to the dealer that did the patch as I got the car back with grease on many portions of the neer new like leather as well as the new like exterior of the car along with scratch,dent etc. so somebody needs to find the correct fix and have these cars fixed!! not a patch that last 20 times sat in. this is a low millage car and garage or carport kept, still looks about like a 2 month old car. is is despicable that any body could be permitted to patch something like this!! it was patched by perston hood chevy in fortwalton beach florida.”
Engine
7 reports1 fire
“WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AND THE CAR GETS TO ABOUT 20MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKES HARD AND JOLTS. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE SEAT BELT ONE COULD GO INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THIS HAPPENS WITH EACH BRAKING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I SEE THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS...WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? THIS IS A SMALL CAR IF A SEMI OR JUST ANY MOVING VEHICLE WAS CLOSE BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS I AND MY PASSENGER WOULD PROBABLY BE CRUSHED. THE TWO ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHTS GO ON AND THE LOW ENGINE POWER LIGHT ALSO GOES ON AND STAYS ON. THE REPAIR FACILITY SEEMS TO BE STUMPED. SOMEONE MUST KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING.”
Seat belts
4 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED WHICH INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT LATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.