Selling a dead or damaged Pontiac G8

If your G8 needs more than it's worth to you, we buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The car in four lines

• Rear-wheel drive on GM's Zeta platform. EPA classes it as a large car.
• Wikipedia lists a 3.6-liter V6, a 6.0-liter L76 V8 and a 6.2-liter LS3 V8, and a 5-speed 5L40-E automatic in its infobox.
• It followed the Bonneville. Wikipedia names the Chevrolet SS as its US successor.
• A G8 ST coupe utility was slated for 2010, but G8 production stopped in mid-2009.

Where the complaints cluster

Up to October 10, 2026, every NHTSA owner complaint about the Pontiac G8 is counted in our totals. One complaint can name several components.

Air bags: 90

Air bags come up in 66 of 144 complaints for the 2009 G8, and 24 of 71 for the 2008. Recall 11V534 covers 2008-2009 G8s built from November 2, 2007 through January 22, 2009. NHTSA's notice refers to a 30 mph frontal barrier test with a small female test dummy. Dealers reprogrammed the sensing and diagnostic module, free of charge at the time. The campaign counts 38,444 vehicles.

Suspension: 27, and electrical: 19

Suspension is second overall, with 17 complaints on the 2009 and 10 on the 2008. None of the four recalls covers the suspension. The electrical system draws 10 complaints on the 2008 and 9 on the 2009. Power train (13), steering (9) and engine (5) trail well behind.

The key and the seat belts

Two late campaigns cover G8s built July 25, 2007 to February 18, 2009, plus 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice sedans. So their counts, 47,043 and 47,042 vehicles, are not G8s alone.

• 14V540, filed under the ignition: dealers removed the key blade from the original flip key and fitted a revised key.
• 15V399: dealers replaced the seat belt tensioner assembly, including its steel cable.

Lamps, filed under tire pressure

Recall 09V172 covers 35,038 G8s from 2008-2009. Its notice cites the federal lamp standard, No. 108, though NHTSA files it under tire pressure monitoring. Dealers reprogrammed the brake position sensor and the remote door lock receiver.

By model year

All four recalls cover both 2008 and 2009. The 2009 drew about twice the 2008's count despite a year less on the road for owners to write in, which usually pulls a newer year's number down. EPA has no 2010 G8, yet one complaint sits under that year.

Repair or sell?

1. First, look up the G8's VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. The air bag module, key and belt tensioner were dealer fixes, and our open recall page explains selling with one still open.
2. Air bags already went off? A deployed bag often turns a repair into a sale. See airbags deployed.
3. Suspension or another big job? Price the job in writing, then look up asking prices for running G8s with your engine. Broken suspension walks through it.

Selling a G8 as it sits

Gather the VIN, mileage, the engine (V6 or V8) and the problem. Then request an offer online, or phone (877) 421-6008. Tell us if the G8 rolls and whether it's in a driveway, garage or shop lot. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.

Leave the wheels, converter and battery on. If anything is gone, say so up front. When the truck comes for your G8, have the title and ID out; after you sell explains plates and insurance state by state.

Other big Pontiacs: the Bonneville and Grand Prix, or every Pontiac we cover.