2009 Pontiac G3 Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 45,224miles, 16 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Pontiac G3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2009 Pontiac G3. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine (4) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,224 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 820 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 167 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 51 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system4 22%
- Engine4 22%
- Brakes3 17%
- Air bags2 11%
- Other or unknown2 11%
- Engine cooling1 5.6%
- Exterior lighting1 5.6%
Also reported: Interior lighting (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “I had a couple electrical problems with this vehicle. Fist had to repair the AC 3 times, radio twice (replaced it on the second time). Two months ago breaking lights stopped working. Went to the dealer and got it fixed (took it to midas but they could not figure out what the problem was). Then I notice that it would work only when I push the break pedal strongly and sometimes it would not work at all. Now they are not working again and I will take it to the dealer to repair. All the 3 braking lights do not work. It is not the fuse that you can easily access. …”
NHTSA complaint #10513559, filed 2013-05, 15,239 milesEngine: “I was driving and the vehicle started overheating and smoking a lot. I pulled over and there was slushy fluid flowing from the car and I had to have it towed. I towed it to a nearby auto repair service professional for testing, and the test showed that the coolant was contaminated with transmission fluid and the transmission had coolant fluid in it. According to them, there was a malfunction of the coolant hose that allowed the coolant to mix with transmission fluid and as a result the car does not drive anymore. …”
NHTSA complaint #10679610, filed 2015-01, 73,621 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Three times now I have been driving and have lost power (acceleration) of my vehicle . The first time I was on the freeway and almost was killed by a truck and the other two times I was in driving in walmart parking lot. Secondly, my lights have twice flashed (dome light and dashboard) for no reason. Thirdly,the passenger sign speaker has now been replaced three times and still does not work correctly. Fourthly, one time the car did not want to start -up. I am very disappointed since this was my first new car purchase!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10398182, filed 2011-04, 17,000 milesBrakes: “The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac G3. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake warning light illuminated and the brakes failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v460000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10778137, filed 2015-09, 68,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,239 and 69,325 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Pontiac G3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G3 · hatchback FWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2009 Pontiac G3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G3 Wave FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 34 | 30 | $2,250 |
| G3 Wave FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
| G3 Wave 5 FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 34 | 30 | $2,250 |
| G3 Wave 5 FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 25 | 34 | 28 | $2,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 14V460000Jul 29, 2014Service brakes, hydraulic › FluidCovers: Pontiac G3 2009, Chevrolet Aveo 2009–2010
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the valves inside the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module…
Recall details for the 2009 Pontiac G3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 820 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
- 11011782Dec 7, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is…
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024Engine. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
Other model years of the Pontiac G3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 18 | 45,224 | 1 | — | 30 | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Pontiac G3 have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2009 Pontiac G3 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Pontiac G3 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine with 4.
Has the 2009 Pontiac G3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Pontiac G3 get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Pontiac G3 (G3 Wave, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Pontiac G3 reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,224 miles and the middle half falls between 15,239 and 69,325 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.