PONTIAC G8 Recalls

The Pontiac G8 has 6 recalls covering the 2008-2009 production run, with the most serious being an ignition position defect on 2008-2009 models where the key can shift out of the run position, preventing airbags from deploying in a crash. That ignition issue spans both production years and has two related dimensions: the key can move unintentionally if bumped by a driver's knee, and when not in the run position, the airbags may not fire when needed. The 2008 model year carries additional restraint concerns. A flexible steel cable connecting the front outboard seatbelts to the vehicle structure can fatigue and separate over time, leaving occupants without effective belt attachment in a crash. There is also a passenger seat position sensor that, when the front seat is pushed all the way forward, can delay the second stage of the dual-stage passenger airbag. A separate airbag timing issue on 2008-2009 vehicles means certain front seat occupants can receive increased head loading in a frontal impact because the airbag does not deploy within the timing window required by federal safety standards. On the 2009 model year, a brake pedal position switch that was incorrectly programmed during assembly can leave the brake lights on after the pedal is released, giving following drivers a false indication that the vehicle is slowing and removing a reliable signal when the brakes are actually applied.