Sell your Pontiac Solstice as it sits

A Solstice with a dead engine, a bad top or a warning light you're tired of chasing can go as it is. We buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

One short run, four model years of complaints

Wikipedia calls the Solstice Pontiac's first two-seater since the Fiero, which ended in 1988. It was built at GM's Wilmington Assembly plant in Delaware, on the Kappa platform shared with the Saturn Sky, Opel GT and Daewoo G2X. The engines were a 2.4-liter Ecotec LE5 and a 2.0-liter Ecotec LNF turbo, with a 5-speed Aisin manual or a 5-speed 5L40-E automatic. A hardtop targa came for 2009. The Wilmington plant closed in July 2009.

About the recall figures: a vehicle count describes the entire campaign, and Solstice campaigns often reached other GM models too.

Every year: the passenger air bag sensor

Recall 17V061 covers 2006-2010 Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky cars. The sensor that decides whether the passenger air bag should be switched off sits inside the front passenger seat, and it may get bent or damaged. The campaign counts 91,007 vehicles, Sky included.

What makes this one unusual is the fix. The NHTSA summary in our data says a permanent remedy was still under development, and that the recall began February 26, 2018. Wikipedia's sources include a 2015 thetruthaboutcars.com piece titled "Why Is GM Not Recalling Solstice, Sky For Airbag Failures?"

Every year: the ignition switch

Two 2014 campaigns cover 2006-2010 cars. Under 14V047, GM asked owners to strip their key rings down to the ignition key alone, fob included, until the switch was replaced, because the fault could affect the air bag system. Campaign 14V171 covers the ignition cylinder. The two campaigns, at 2,190,934 and 2,191,014 vehicles, also take in the Cobalt, HHR, G5, Ion and Sky.

2006-2007: the rear axle seal

Power train complaints are highest on the first two years: 25 on the 2006 and 20 on the 2007. Recall 07V589 covers a rear axle pinion seal that may leak fluid. Dealers replaced the seal. The notice gives a Cadillac phone number, and its 275,936-vehicle count covers far more than Solstice cars.

2008-2009

On the 2008, hydraulic service brakes come in second with 29 of 159 complaints. Recall 07V454 hit a small group of 2008 cars, 1,482 vehicles, whose inboard seat studs needed checking for the seat belt anchorage. The 2009 drew 36 complaints, 30 of them about air bags.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Owner reports to NHTSA through October 10, 2026. The 2009 is the youngest car here and has had the fewest years for owners to write in. One campaign may cover several model years.

Worth fixing?

Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup first. The ignition and axle seal campaigns were dealer fixes at no charge. For the passenger sensor recall, call a GM dealer and ask what they can do today.

Next, set the shop's estimate beside the asking price of a Solstice that runs, same year and engine. When the estimate nears that price, selling it broken usually makes more sense. Wondering whether pulling parts off first pays more? Part it out or sell it whole lays out both sides.

Selling the Solstice whole

1. Gather what you know: VIN, mileage, what's broken, and whether it rolls.
2. Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us its spot, be it a garage bay, a carport or the back of a repair shop. Low cars matter for loading, so mention if a wheel won't turn. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Leave it whole, top, wheels and all. Anything gone already? Flag it in your request.
5. Bring out the Solstice title and your ID when the driver arrives. After you sell covers plates and insurance.

Other Pontiacs: the Fiero, Firebird and G6.