2006 Pontiac Solstice Problems: 7 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2006 Pontiac Solstice Problems: 7 Issues Every Owner Should Know | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls6 recalls

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.

Campaign #17V06100026/01/2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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.

Campaign #14V17100010/04/2014

AIR BAGS

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.

Campaign #14V04700010/02/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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.

Campaign #14E02100030/04/2014

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Campaign #07V58900020/12/2007

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Pontiac Solstice problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2006 Pontiac Solstice has 7 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Passenger airbag suppression (PPS) sensor mat fails, disabling passenger airbag, Ignition switch can move out of "run," stalling the engine, No interior trunk release - trunk becomes impossible to open with a dead battery. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Pontiac Solstice reliable?

The 2006 Pontiac Solstice has 7 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Passenger airbag suppression (PPS) sensor mat fails, disabling passenger airbag and Ignition switch can move out of "run," stalling the engine. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Pontiac Solstice problems?

Repair costs for known Pontiac Solstice issues range from $0 to $400, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice Passenger airbag suppression (PPS) sensor mat fails, disabling passenger airbag?

The Solstice passenger seat uses a flexible PPS sensor mat that decides whether to suppress the front passenger airbag (e.g., for a child). Repeated occupant weight in the same spot bends and cracks the printed conductor in the mat, which can create an open circuit. With an open… Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice Ignition switch can move out of "run," stalling the engine?

The low-detent-torque ignition switch can be jostled out of the run position by a heavy key ring, knee contact, or a rough road, shutting off the engine while driving. When the switch drops to accessory/off, the car loses power steering and power brake assist and the airbags are… Severity: high.

What is the 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice No interior trunk release - trunk becomes impossible to open with a dead battery?

The Solstice has no conventional mechanical/interior trunk (rear deck) release; it opens only electrically via the key fob or door-mounted button. If the battery dies, owners commonly find the trunk locked shut with jumper cables or the battery itself trapped inside. The fob butt… Severity: medium.

What is the 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice "Reduced Engine Power" limp mode from throttle body coking / TAC faults?

As the car ages, carbon "coking" builds up in the electronic throttle body, slowing the throttle plate response. The throttle actuator control (TAC) system detects a correlation fault between pedal and throttle and drops the car into Reduced Engine Power limp mode. A weak battery… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2006-2009 Pontiac Solstice Solstice Trunk Leak with Top Down (Kappa Platform)?

2006-2009 Solstice (and Saturn Sky/Opel GT — all Kappa platform) has the trunk lid integrate with the soft top stowage; with the top down, the trunk seal is exposed and frequently leaks in rain. Tiny trunk space (only 3.8 cu ft with top stowed) compounds the issue. Water pools at… Repairs typically run $0-$200. Severity: low.

What is the 2006-2008 Pontiac Solstice Rear differential/driveline clunk and gear whine?

Early Solstices are widely reported to develop a driveline clunk on take-up and shifting at low speed, plus a gear whine from the rear differential that changes with throttle. The clunk is partly an inherent design characteristic, but axle clunk/chatter on turns is caused by stic… Repairs typically run $50-$150. Severity: low.

What is the 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice Convertible top water leaks into trunk and around rear window?

The folding soft top is finicky and a frequent source of leaks. Water enters the trunk through the holes in the rear deck that accept the top's buttress pins (the seals don't fully seal) and through a slit in the trunk-lid hose that hides the top's flip cable. Owners also report… Severity: low.

All 7 Known Issues

2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice: Ignition switch can move out of "run," stalling the engine#

2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice: "Reduced Engine Power" limp mode from throttle body coking / TAC faults#

2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice: Passenger airbag suppression (PPS) sensor mat fails, disabling passenger airbag#

2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice: No interior trunk release - trunk becomes impossible to open with a dead battery#

2006-2009 Pontiac Solstice: Solstice Trunk Leak with Top Down (Kappa Platform)#

2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice: Convertible top water leaks into trunk and around rear window#

2006-2008 Pontiac Solstice: Rear differential/driveline clunk and gear whine#

Other Pontiac Models