The Pontiac G8 spans 1995–2026 with 9 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2009, 2008, 2010 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1995, 1996, 1997. It delivers up to 20 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Pontiac G8 a good car?
Short answer: yes, with the usual caveat about model years. Our score for the Pontiac G8 is 4.0 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the air bags — 94 of the 216 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 1995, 1996, 1997 score best in our data, and 2009, 2008 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Pontiac G8 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Pontiac G8 VIN — every digit explained
Every Pontiac G8 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Pontiac and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this G8.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. To decode a VIN number position by position, including the year-code table and where to find the number on a G8, use our free tool.
How many recalls does the Pontiac G8 have?
The Pontiac G8 has 9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2009 Pontiac G8 recalls 4
Seat Belts
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 15206.
Electrical System:ignition
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on December 31, 2014. The recall began on February 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14445. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Fix. GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR AND THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK RECEIVER WITH THE CORRECT VALUES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JUNE 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
2008 Pontiac G8 recalls 4
Electrical System:ignition
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on December 31, 2014. The recall began on February 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14445. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.
Seat Belts
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 15206.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Fix. GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. INAPPROPRIATE, NON-STANDARD LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR DRIVING ON A SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-INFLATED TIRE CAUSES THE TIRE TO OVERHEAT AND CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE BRAKE POSITION SENSOR AND THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK RECEIVER WITH THE CORRECT VALUES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JUNE 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Best and worst years for the Pontiac G8
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 32 tracked years, the worst years are 2009, 2008, 2010 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1995, 1996, 1997.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 G8 | — | Best | |
| 1996 G8 | — | Best | |
| 1997 G8 | — | Best | |
| 1998 G8 | — | Average | |
| 1999 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2000 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2001 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2002 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2003 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2004 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2005 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2006 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2007 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2008 G8 | Air Bags | Avoid | |
| 2009 G8 | Air Bags | Avoid | |
| 2010 G8 | Steering | Avoid | |
| 2011 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2012 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2013 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2014 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2015 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2016 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2017 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2018 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2019 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2020 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2021 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2022 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2023 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2024 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2025 G8 | — | Average | |
| 2026 G8 | — | Average |
What are the most common Pontiac G8 problems?
The most-reported Pontiac G8 problems are Air (1 reports), Other (1 reports) and Seats (7 reports) — out of 216 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Pontiac G8 specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Pontiac G8. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Pontiac G8 window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Pontiac G8 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the G8 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 107 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Pontiac G8 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Pontiac G8 get?
The Pontiac G8 returns up to 20 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,000/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2009 Pontiac G8 (3.6L 6-cyl) gets 20 mpg combined and costs about $3,100/yr to fuel, emitting 444 g/mi CO₂ (smog 5/10) — about $4,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 G8 | 17 | 25 | $3,100 | 444 | 5/10 | 3.6L 6-cyl | |
| 2008 G8 | 17 | 25 | $3,100 | 444 | 5/10 | 3.6L 6-cyl |
The 2009 Pontiac G8 (6L 8-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $3,450/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ (smog 5/10) — about $6,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 G8 | 15 | 24 | $3,450 | 494 | 5/10 | 6L 8-cyl | |
| 2008 G8 | 15 | 24 | $4,300 | 494 | 5/10 | 6L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the G8 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this G8's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Pontiac G8 have? Power & range
The Pontiac G8 is offered with 2 powertrains — 3.6L 6-cyl, 6L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.6L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | RWD | Regular |
| V8 | 6.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Pontiac G8 cost to own?
A Pontiac G8 depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this G8 loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $15,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the G8 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Pontiac G8 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the G8 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Pontiac G8 last?
A well-maintained Pontiac G8 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Pontiac G8’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this G8’s VIN free →All Pontiac G8 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Pontiac G8 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2025 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2024 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2023 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2022 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2021 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2020 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2019 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2018 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2017 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2016 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2015 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2014 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2013 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2012 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2011 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2010 G8 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2009 G8 | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2008 G8 | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2007 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2006 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2005 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2004 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2003 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2002 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2001 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 2000 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 1999 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 1998 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 1997 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 1996 G8 | 0 | — | |
| 1995 G8 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the G8?
By owner-complaint volume, 2009, 2008, 2010 drew the most reports. 1995, 1996, 1997 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the G8 have?
9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Pontiac recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the G8 get?
Up to 20 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a G8 last?
A well-maintained G8 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the G8 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the G8 is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Pontiac G8 warranty?
New Pontiac models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Pontiac dealer.
Where is the Pontiac G8 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your G8's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Pontiac may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the G8 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.