2007 Pontiac G5 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Pontiac G5 most often describe two problems: fuel leaks and strong gasoline odors traced to the fuel pump, tank fittings or fuel lines, and intermittent loss of power steering assist. Both appear across a wide mileage range, and many complaints note that their vehicle was not covered by the regional fuel-pump recalls or by the power steering recall. Airbag warning lights and brake vibration are also reported regularly.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks and gasoline smell from pump, tank or lines

   • 59 complaints (31%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (53 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2023

   Complaints describe a strong gasoline odor inside and outside the car, sometimes with fuel pooling or dripping under the vehicle, often noticed after parking or after filling the tank. Mechanics and dealers reportedly traced these to a cracked return port or cracked housing on the fuel pump module, cracks at the tank inlet where the filler hose connects, or rusted and cracked fuel lines. Several owners say the vehicle was excluded from regional fuel-pump recalls and no assistance was offered. Reported from roughly 25,000 to 160,000 miles, commonly after several years of use and often noticed when parked or just after refueling.

   Recall 12V459000Recall 09V419000

   What to check: Inspect the top of the fuel tank and the pump module area for cracks or dampness, and look for fuel smell after a fill-up. Ask whether the regional fuel-pump recalls were performed on the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I noticed a strong gas smell while the vehicle was off and while driving. I took it to a repair shop and they said I have a gas leak. I see that there was a recall for gas leaks in warm weather states for a gas leak issue. I live in colorado and was never notified of the issue. I think it may be related to the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10660153, filed 2014-11, 43,000 miles

   “Starting smelling gas. The gas smell was mild at first. Mostly only smelling it when the car was parked. Then the gas smell kept getting stronger. The smell of gas could be smelled as driving it. The gas could be seen eventually dripping out onto the ground. There was a recall on fuel pumps for this make and model and year, but not for my area. I believe all the makes and models should of been recalled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10596963, filed 2014-06, 138,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out

   • 39 complaints (21%)
   • median 55,852 mi at 3.4 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2026

   Owners report the steering suddenly becoming very heavy, sometimes with the power steering warning light on, and steering effort returning after the car is shut off and restarted. Several describe the assist dropping out again after a short drive or at low speed, and some say a dealer replaced the power steering motor or column yet the problem came back. Complaints frequently mention that the vehicle was told it was not covered by the power steering recall. Most often reported between roughly 30,000 and 90,000 miles, though some appear past 120,000; it can happen at any speed, including low-speed turns.

   Recall 10V073000

   What to check: On a test drive, turn the wheel at low speed and while stationary and watch for a power steering warning light. Ask whether campaign 10V073000 was completed and whether the steering motor was ever replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2007 Pontiac lost power steering and I couldn't turn the wheel and hit a bank. Gm had a independent person look at it. Then a GM rep looked at the report and said it wasn't their fault. I ask what kind of education she had and she said that didn't matter. They looked at the car for 4 hours and no mileage.”

   NHTSA complaint #10339067, filed 2010-06, 32,000 miles

   “Steering gets so hard, I at 220lbs can barely steer the car going forward or reverse. My daughter is learning on this car for her license but I am no longer letting her drive it since the steering randomly gets hard and the electronic stability control and ABS lights have come on also. It also says in the information section traction control service. Something needs to be done from GM for these problems before they kill people.”

   NHTSA complaint #10630889, filed 2014-09, 102,500 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and passenger airbag off

   • 29 complaints (15%)
   • median 83,500 mi at 7.4 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2019

   Complaints describe the service airbag message or the passenger airbag off indicator staying on, sometimes coming and going over weeks. Owners say the car had not been in a collision, and that diagnosis was quoted at a fee; in several cases the message remained after unrelated recall work was done. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 130,000 miles, often appearing without any prior event.

   Recall 14V047000

   What to check: Turn the key on and confirm both the airbag lamp and the passenger airbag status indicator behave normally, and ask whether airbag-related recalls were performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Service air bag light on dashboard was on and passenger airbag off light on ever since I owned the car. The car was bought used with 122k miles on it so I'm not sure when this issue first arrived on this make and model. I have done some research into the issue and it seems recalls are out for this issue on lots of 2007 Pontiac g5s I also had experienced the key getting stuck in the ignition in november 2016”

   NHTSA complaint #10946832, filed 2017-01, 122,000 miles

   “We own a 2007 Pontiac G5 and about 4 months ago we started noticing the air bag light coming on, but then it would go back off on its own. It has exhibited this on and off pattern for 4 months now and there is no rhyme or reason for it. We have owned the car for approximately 4 years and have never had this air bag light problem before. The car has never been in any accidents. Today we had our Pontiac G5 in to the dealership for a recall on the ignition switch, so we asked the dealership to take a look at the air bag light situation as well. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10611395, filed 2014-07, 120,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Key stuck in ignition / ignition switch concerns

   • 21 complaints (11%)
   • median 89,900 mi at 7.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2026

   Owners report the key cannot be turned back to the off position or removed, sometimes soon after warranty coverage ended, and that the shifter button or ignition cylinder was implicated. Some say a service bulletin covers the symptom but the repair was at their own cost, and others describe long waits for recall parts. Reported from very low mileage (under 20,000) up to about 160,000, with several cases shortly after the warranty period.

   Recall 14V171000Recall 14V0470002 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the car running, cycle the key through the positions and confirm it returns freely and releases; ask whether the ignition recall campaigns were completed on this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Less than 100 miles after my bumper-to-bumper coverage ran out, the button on shifter became stuck in. My key cannot be removed because it won't turn back to the right position.”

   NHTSA complaint #10225825, filed 2008-04, 36,087 miles

   “1. We own a 2007 Pontiac G5 with 17,000 miles on it. The key stuck in the ignition and we couldn't get it out! We found out that there is a service bulletin for this problem (#09-02-35-005b) dated february 4, 2010. However, because this is not a recall and the vehicle is no longer under warranty (36 month/36,000 miles expired on august 11, 2010) we will be required to pay for this repair ourselves. Our local dealer (now the chevrolet dealer in fayetteville, arkansas) wants $45.00 just to look at it! 2. Key stuck in the ignition. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10354890, filed 2010-09, 17,500 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake shudder and repeat rotor wear

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2014

   Owners describe the steering wheel or whole car shaking when braking from highway speeds, with rotors machined or replaced and the vibration returning after a few thousand miles. Some complaints mention worn pads, warped rotors or leaking caliper boots found during the work. Reported from under 10,000 miles up to about 65,000, often recurring within months of a repair.

   What to check: Brake firmly from highway speed during a test drive and feel for steering wheel shake; check rotor and pad condition and ask about past brake work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My G5 had only 8,311 miles and when stepping on brakes, the steering wheel shakes. The bunnin dealer had to machine my rotors. 8,000 miles later, it started shaking again and pulling to side. Bunnin placed a shim kit on car. I have 4-5 different rcpts that I've taken car in ..didn't do any good.. But now they want me to pay $800 to replace my rotors and brake pads car now has 27,000 miles.. And brakes barely work.. Almost hit someone other day..”

   NHTSA complaint #10263115, filed 2009-03, 8,311 miles

   “While brake applied on my G5 the steering shakes. Told rotors needed turning . When mechanic went into the brakes he found no brake pads and rotors warped and calipers had a rip in the rubber boot leaking fluid! Then he tells me I'm lucky I didn't lose brakes and crash!! I have 3 kids and I'm an firefighter/emt who needs to get to where she's going when someone life is on the line!! Would appreciate it not being my own!! Now I know why Pontiac is out of business!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10319120, filed 2010-03, 51,000 miles

Buying note. Check the fuel system and power steering carefully on a test drive, and confirm by VIN which recall campaigns were completed, since several complaints describe vehicles excluded from the regional fuel-pump recalls. Service records for steering and brake work are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.