2008 Pontiac G5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 115 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Pontiac G5, 4% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car speeds up without pressing the gas petal and it's hard to stop it when in motion on interstate it stopped out of nowhere and turned off with an 18 wheeler behind me like to have killed me got car in neutral finally forcefully praying that jesus protect me because it would not shift into gear and pulled over to side of road. I'm scared to drive my car. Driving down road steering wheel locks up causes engine to shake whole car and backfires my car rides really rough. Messed up power steering has caused my blinkers not to work now. I'm really sad. …”
NHTSA complaint #11129639, filed 2018-09, 100 miles“As I was turning onto the highway, on my way to drop my son off at daycare before work, early march 27th, 2014, my car would not move from the stop sign I was stopped at. It was extremely scary, especially with my young son in the back seat. My car is a manual, and the stick shift would slip into each slot but not engage the gear, which lead me to assume that the transmission had gone out. My car remained running, even with my foot off the clutch, and in any gear, including reverse. I ended up having to push my car off to the side of the road and highway, with my son still inside. …”
NHTSA complaint #10576583, filed 2014-04, 142,000 miles“I have had acceleration issues several times with the G5. One incident happened while trying to pull onto a busy highway. As I was trying to accelerate to merge the car started jerking almost as if it were out of gas, yet I had a full tank. It has happened many times other than that, but that particular time frightened me and my passengers. I notice it most often while driving and attempting to accelerate to go up hills. When it happens going up hills, it is almost like I lose power. This problem seems to be extremely dangerous in heavy traffic situations. …”
NHTSA complaint #10376680, filed 2011-01, 50,000 miles“Transmission failure. The transmission began acting up and it felt like the transmission didn't know what gear to be in. Dealership replaced clutches that were binding and replaced many other parts. The transmission to this day still acts up and has a very noticeable jolt when letting off the gas pedal. It's only a matter of time before this car breaks down again.”
NHTSA complaint #10316255, filed 2010-03, 29,000 miles“2008 Pontiac G5. Consumer writes in regards to ignition recall issues. The consumer stated the original ignition recall was fixed in early november 2014, after the key would not come out of the ignition and the vehicle had to be towed. The consumer experienced another failure on january 20, 2015. It was towed the dealer. The dealer informed the consumer a shifter assembly was needed. However, the part was on national back order.”
NHTSA complaint #10694560, filed 2015-03Related service bulletins
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242061Aug 7, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10237387May 30, 2023This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 10237659May 15, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10222777Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Pontiac G5
35 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Pontiac G5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology