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Pontiac SolsticeModel year report

2006 Pontiac Solstice Problems

Complaints
243filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
36,000miles, 177 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns 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
21 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice most often report a failure of the passenger seat occupant sensor, which triggers a "Service Air Bag" message and leaves the passenger-side air bag turned off even when an adult is seated there. Many of these complaints appeared after the car was several years old but at moderate mileage, and several come from recalled vehicles where the repair was unavailable or the fault returned. A second, smaller group of reports concerns the rear axle pinion seal on the differential, where leaks and rear-end noise were described by owners.

  1. Air bags

    Passenger air bag "Service Air Bag" message / sensor failure

    • 161 complaints (66%)
    • median 40,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (117 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 31 quotes)
    • filed 2006–2026

    Owners describe a "Service Air Bag" or "Service Airbags" message appearing on the instrument cluster, often along with a red air bag indicator, while the passenger air bag status reads "off" even with an adult in the seat. Several say the sensor works intermittently, recognizing a passenger one moment and not the next. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing a failed passenger presence module or seat sensor and quoting repairs in the several-hundred-dollar range, and some owners report the fault returned after the recall remedy or a sensor replacement. Mostly reported between roughly 10,000 and 90,000 miles, with many appearing under 50,000 miles.

    Recall 17V061000

    What to check: With the engine running and an adult seated in the passenger seat, confirm the passenger air bag indicator reads "on" and that no "Service Air Bag" message is present. Ask whether the occupant sensor or passenger presence module has been replaced and whether recall 17V061000 was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The air bag sensor, for the passenger, in my vehicle failed. I had a passenger in the seat when the light came on. Any passenger in the car faces added risk if an accident were to occur. It is my understanding that the owner's cost to fix this item is prohibitive ($500 - $800), and that the early failure of this part is somewhat common for this vehicle.”

    NHTSA complaint #10549226, filed 2013-10, 40,000 miles

    “My 2006 Pontiac Solstice has a recall notice (GM safety recall notice 17036). A couple of months ago I took it to the chevrolet dealer (sunset in sarasota fl) attempting to get this problem repaired. Service said it was repairable and quoted $150.00. I choose to wait and drive another car. Since then I received the a recall notice. I called the dealer and they said I have to wait until the parts are available pertaining to the recall. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10979790, filed 2017-04, 37,000 miles
  2. Transmission and drivetrain

    Rear differential pinion seal leak and rear-end noise

    • 26 complaints (11%)
    • median 12,500 mi at 2.5 yrs old (20 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2019

    Complaints describe fluid leaking from the rear differential pinion seal, sometimes noticed as spots on the garage floor or found during an oil change. Owners also report a whining or howling noise from the rear axle that persisted after the seal was replaced, with some dealers telling them the noise was normal. Several mention repeated seal replacements and, in a few cases, differential or axle assembly replacement. Reported from very low mileage (a few hundred to a few thousand miles) up to around 58,000 miles, often shortly after purchase.

    Recall 07V589000

    What to check: Look for oil residue or wetness around the rear differential and pinion area, and ask whether the axle seal recall (07V589000) was performed. A test drive with the windows down can reveal rear-end whine or howl.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Drive axle seal leak. The rear differential is leaking due to a faulty pinion seal. I checked all recall information, and yes, it was recalled. I will notify the dealer of the recall and request that it be repaired at no cost. The vehicle was parked when I noticed the leak. Small amount on garage floor.”

    NHTSA complaint #11246587, filed 2019-08, 58,000 miles

    “I purchased my Pontiac Solstice in november, 2005. Since then the rear differential has gone out twice (the first time approx. 3 months after purchase) and has been repaired once for a leaking diff seal (shortly after the first replacement). It was replaced twice since it was under warranty. However, I am concerned once the warranty has expired I will be left holding the bag for this problem. I am on my third diff for this car and have met other Solstice owners with the same problem. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10203340, filed 2007-09, 5,000 miles
  3. Seats

    Air bag warning light after ignition recall work

    • 33 complaints (14%)
    • median 37,343 mi at 10.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • filed 2013–2024

    Several owners link the appearance of the air bag warning to time spent at the dealer for ignition recall repairs, reporting the light came on shortly afterward. Complaints describe the seat-mounted sensor as a thin mat that can crack, and note the vehicle is a two-seater where the passenger seat is often unused yet the sensor still fails. Dealer responses ranged from quoting a replacement to saying parts were not yet available. Reported from about 7,500 to 50,000 miles in these accounts, sometimes within a couple of years of purchase.

    Recall 17V061000

    What to check: Ask for the service history showing whether the seat sensor or passenger presence module was replaced, and confirm the air bag light is off during a test drive with and without a passenger.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Passenger side airbag switch in seat stopped working only after two years, out of warrantee and will cost over $900.00 to replace. Drove solo for most of that time so why did it happen?”

    NHTSA complaint #10870957, filed 2016-05, 7,500 miles

    “Pontiac Solstice passenger presence sensor has failed thereby causing a failure of the passenger airbag system and the continual illumination of the airbag failure light.”

    NHTSA complaint #10790205, filed 2015-11, 76,000 miles

Buying note. Check the passenger air bag status light with someone seated in the passenger seat, and confirm which of the open recalls for this model year have actually been completed. Also inspect the rear differential for leaks and listen for axle noise on a test drive.

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.

NHTSA recorded 243 consumer complaints for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice. 177 of the complaints include a mileage, and 69% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,000 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 700 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Engine cooling (2), Exterior lighting (2), Steering (2), Body and structure (2), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Almost immediately (within a couple hundred miles) after receiving product safety recall 17036 passenger presence system to add a reinforcement strip to the passenger pps sensor mat, my service air bag light came on. When I visited my dealership, they denied that their service could have had any impact on the failure and attempted to charge me a diagnostic fee that would not be applied to a repair.”

NHTSA complaint #11166065, filed 2019-01, 60,000 miles

Electrical system: “When I apply the brakes to slow down or stop and the car gets to about 20mph the car suddenly brakes hard and jolts. If it were not for the seat belt one could go into the windshield. This happens with each braking. This is extremely dangerous. I see through research online that people have been reporting this issue with this car for years...why isn't there a recall? What is the problem? This is a small car if a semi or just any moving vehicle was close behind me when this happens I and my passenger would probably be crushed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11124351, filed 2018-09, 35,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Car has an unbelievable clunking noise when shifting mostly from 1st thru 3rd gear since I purchased it. After 2 multi point inspections(results fine) I took it back to the dealership I purchased it from(it was under its 30 day front to back warranty), when they drove it for 50ft said yes there is a definite clunking noise going on and we'll look into it. They took it to their Pontiac/GM dealership for investigation. That dealership said it was the rear end and it was normal, however mine was excessive so they re-placed the rear end/driveshaft and differential. …”

NHTSA complaint #10606650, filed 2014-06, 25,800 miles

Seats: “The service air bag light came on while driving down the road. I took the car to the dealer, they diagnosed a faulty passenger presence module. They said the passenger side air bag probably won't work in an accident. The repair estimate was over $800.00. This vehicle has only 33,598 miles on it. This is a huge safety issue and after reading numerous websites, there are a lot of other concerned owners out here. Can you please help get a safety recall for this problem ?”

NHTSA complaint #10905170, filed 2016-09, 33,550 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

69% of the 177 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,700 and 55,000 miles.

12%0–1019%10–2538%25–5016%50–759%75–1004%100–1501%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (177 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 36,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’08’11’1451’17’20’23’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Pontiac Solstice version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Solstice RWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual172621$3,900
Solstice RWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed automatic192421$3,900

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

Recall details for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 700 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 700 bulletins →

Other model years of the Pontiac Solstice

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20093631,7303—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200815927,1004—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200729040,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200624336,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Pontiac Solstice model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac Solstice?

Owners of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice most often report a failure of the passenger seat occupant sensor, which triggers a "Service Air Bag" message and leaves the passenger-side air bag turned off even when an adult is seated there. The issues reported most often: Passenger air bag "Service Air Bag" message / sensor failure; Rear differential pinion seal leak and rear-end noise; Air bag warning light after ignition recall work.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Pontiac Solstice have?

NHTSA recorded 243 consumer complaints for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 178 complaints (73% of the total), followed by electrical system with 28.

Has the 2006 Pontiac Solstice been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Pontiac Solstice get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Pontiac Solstice (Solstice, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 17 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Pontiac Solstice reported?

Among the 177 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,000 miles and the middle half falls between 21,700 and 55,000 miles; 69% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.