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2007 Pontiac Solstice Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Pontiac Solstice has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission hard downshift at low speed.” Every Pontiac is now 15+ years old, which changes the maintenance question from 'what mileage?' to 'how old is it?' — hoses, belts, coolant, and brake fluid age out even on low-mile cars. The G6 uses GM's Oil Life System (change oil when the message appears, at most every 12 months) with Dex-Cool coolant and either the 2.4L Ecotec four or the 3.5/3.9L pushrod V6. Parts remain cheap and plentiful through GM's shared platforms — these cars are inexpensive to keep healthy if the age-based items aren't ignored.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Pontiac Solstice.

Reported to NHTSA

Automatic transmission hard downshift at low speed

POWER TRAIN

15 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2023-09

“WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL DOWNSHIFT, ABRUPTLY AT EACH GEAR CHANGE CAUSING THE REAR TIRE RO LOCK AND SKID UNDER WET CONDITIONS. THIS HAPPENS AROUND 30-05 MPH. IT HAS ALSO TURNED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11080018
“WHEN SLOWING DOWN CAR SUDDENLY JERKS HARD LIKE BRAKES LOCK. TOOK TO DEALER GOT TROUBLE CODES P0700 AND P2735. I SEE THIS ALOT ON THE FORUMS AS WELL AS HERE. NO ACCIDENTS BUT CLOSE.COULD BE COSTLY REPAIRS AND DEALER SAYS MAY STILL EXPERIENCE SAME THING AFTER REPAIRS. DANGEROUS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10874402
“VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS HARD THROUGH ALL GEARS. STARTED AS OCCASSIONALLY, BUT PROGRESSIVELY HAS GOTTEN WORSE. UPSHIFTS ARE ENGAGING HARDER AS WELL NOW. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. LOOKING INTO THIS IT APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10938985

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch recall 14V171000 parts unavailable

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2014-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10632364
“RECEIVED A RECALL ON FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH DATED APRIL 2014. CALLED A DEALER TO INQUIRE ON APRIL 24, 2014. WAS TOLD THAT PART WOULD BE ORDERED AND WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN AVAILABLE. CALLED 5/19/14 AGAIN TO DEALER, NO PART IN YET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10609521
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER PERTAIING TO THE ENGINE AND THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10604543

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger presence sensor failure disables airbag

AIR BAGS

118 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2023-03

“THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED AT ABOUT 47,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10918670
“AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH AND REVIEW, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT CUSHION HAS FAILED DUE TO HORRIBLE DESIGN. MANY OTHERS HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT AND HAVE HAD NO RECALL. PLEASE HELP AS WE AS OWNERS HAVE TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR THIS ISSUE, SOME EVEN MORE THAN ONCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10888017
“THE OCCUPANT MODULE SENSOR (GM PART #19124219) LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED AFTER ONLY 52,000 MILES. THIS MODULE, WHEN FAULTY, CUTS OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683133

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag recall 17V061000 remedy parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

40 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2022-07

“DELIVERED CAR TO DEALER TODAY FOR SCHEDULED SAFETY RECALL REPAIR FOR FAULTY AIR BAG SENSOR. TOLD BY DEALER THAT REPAIR PART IS UNAVAILABLE, AND DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. VEHICLE AIRBAG INDICATOR INDICATES FAULT AND AIRBAG ALERT IS TRIGGERED. CAR IS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11111734
“TAKATA RECALL. I SPENT JUST UNDER A $970.44 REPAIRING THE PASSENGER SAFETY BELT ON MY 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE WILL I EVER GET REIMBURSED OR NOT ITS GOING ON A YEAR AND A HALF NOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11101770
“LETTER FROM SENATOR BALDWIN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2007 PONTIAC SOLTICE RECALL #17V-06, UNAVAILABLE PARTS FROM GM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11072588

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear axle pinion seal leak under recall 07204

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2026-03

“Rear differential fluid leak The 07204 recall pertains to certain Pontiac vehicles, specifically the 2007 Pontiac Solstice, where a faulty rear axle pinion seal may leak, potentially causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11723150
“I SOUGHT OUT THE PONTIAC SOLSTICE FORUM AND FOUND THAT THE POWER TRAIN PINION ISSUE (RECALL # 07204) IS EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10714049
“RECALL 2007 FOR REAR AXLE PINION SEAL AND FOR AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AN GOING ISSUE FOR THESE VEHICLES WHICH GM REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. BOTH WERE "REPAIRED" IN ORIGINAL RECALL BUT ARE RECURRING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10730536

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbags failed to deploy in crash

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2020-06

“OUR VEHICLE IN MOTION TURNING LEFT FROM TURN LANE WITH GREEN ARROW WHEN WE WERE HIT BY DRIVER WHO RAN RED LIGHT. OUR CAR SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGE (TOTALLED) BUT NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10837672
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN THREE TIMES AND LANDED AGAINST A SIDEWALK. THE TIRES WENT FLAT AND THE RIMS AND ROTORS WERE SPLIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11205663
“I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM THE DOCTOR ON THE HIGHWAY AND A GIRL DIDN'T SEE OR STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AS SHE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT HER BROADSIDE AT 70MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO ALMOST COME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11330595

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 5,000 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it, and at least every 12 months. On engines this age, many mechanics suggest a practical 5,000-mile ceiling — aging seals and PCV systems contaminate oil faster.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check tire date codes too — sidewall age (6+ years) retires tires on old cars before tread wear does.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and especially brake hoses and hard lines at every service — line corrosion is a real failure mode on 15-year-old northern cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. Decade-old fluid is the hidden cause of soft pedals and seized calipers on aging GM sedans.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (4T45-E / 4T65-E)

Every 45,000 mi

Drain-and-fill every 45,000 miles with Dexron VI. On high-mile units that have never been serviced, prefer repeated drain-and-fills over a pressure flush.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium plugs at 100,000 miles on the G6's engines. Replace wires/boots on the pushrod V6 at the same time — they're brittle at this age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

At this age, replace the belt AND tensioner as a pair on any evidence of cracking or noise — a weak tensioner eats new belts.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles — a cheap, 5-minute job on the G6.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 100,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles — but on cars this old the interval is effectively 'every 5 years.' Check for intake and water-pump seepage while it's drained; use Dex-Cool only, never mixed with green coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator annually. Parasitic drains from aging body modules are common on this era of GM — a healthy battery masks them until it doesn't.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

29 crashes 1990–2024

How the 29 occupant deaths break down

28

driver deaths

1

passenger deaths

29

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

12

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Pontiac Solstice reflects Pontiac's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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