14
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

This Problem Across All Years

All Exterior Lighting Complaints

Showing 14 of 14
Aug 8, 2023

7/17/21 (about 94500 miles) - While driving in heavy rain on a congested highway, with my windshield wipers turned on (of course), the wipers suddenly stopped working. This could have easily killed me and my family. The wipers would not turn back on, no matter what I did. At a rest stop that afternoon, and then later during extensive testing, I found that turning the wipers on would never actually make the wipers activate--but it would cause the engine to shut off and caused the car to issue numerous, varying error codes related to numerous vehicle systems (including ABS). Through much difficulty, I was able to find that this was caused by a faulty electrical ground at what's known on the Pontiac G8 as ground point G102. The electrical ground was restored via ground connection elsewhere, and the wipers resumed functioning. Roughly 2 years later (July/August 2023, about 104,000 miles), my low-beam headlights didn't function at ignition one day. Obviously, lacking headlights is a core safety issue. I learned that the low-beams also use ground point G102. Once again, with the electrical ground restored via a connection elsewhere, the low-beams started working again. Two different service stations were unable to figure out the windshield wiper issue. I only solved it by reading what others wrote on a Pontiac G8 enthusiast message board. On those message board threads, you can see that many people have had these same exact issues with the Pontiac G8--all related to the G102 ground point. Obviously, having the windshield wipers and/or headlights fail suddenly and without warning (neither failure gave any warning in advance) in a situation where the wipers or lights are needed could have catastrophic consequences. Since I'm unaware of any other ground point failing on the Pontiac G8, I am wondering if G102, in particular, needs a recall and a repair, to address this. (I am the original owner. The car has been stored outside, in the Northeast.)

Aug 8, 2023

7/17/21 (about 94500 miles) - While driving in heavy rain on a congested highway, with my windshield wipers turned on (of course), the wipers suddenly stopped working. This could have easily killed me and my family. The wipers would not turn back on, no matter what I did. At a rest stop that afternoon, and then later during extensive testing, I found that turning the wipers on would never actually make the wipers activate--but it would cause the engine to shut off and caused the car to issue numerous, varying error codes related to numerous vehicle systems (including ABS). Through much difficulty, I was able to find that this was caused by a faulty electrical ground at what's known on the Pontiac G8 as ground point G102. The electrical ground was restored via ground connection elsewhere, and the wipers resumed functioning. Roughly 2 years later (July/August 2023, about 104,000 miles), my low-beam headlights didn't function at ignition one day. Obviously, lacking headlights is a core safety issue. I learned that the low-beams also use ground point G102. Once again, with the electrical ground restored via a connection elsewhere, the low-beams started working again. Two different service stations were unable to figure out the windshield wiper issue. I only solved it by reading what others wrote on a Pontiac G8 enthusiast message board. On those message board threads, you can see that many people have had these same exact issues with the Pontiac G8--all related to the G102 ground point. Obviously, having the windshield wipers and/or headlights fail suddenly and without warning (neither failure gave any warning in advance) in a situation where the wipers or lights are needed could have catastrophic consequences. Since I'm unaware of any other ground point failing on the Pontiac G8, I am wondering if G102, in particular, needs a recall and a repair, to address this. (I am the original owner. The car has been stored outside, in the Northeast.)

Mar 15, 2019 32,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. BUICK, GMC, CADILLAC DONOVAN AUTO & TRUCK CENTER (5800 W KELLOGG DR, WICHITA, KS 67209, (316) 768-4891) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES) AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERS: 09101 AND 09046. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Mar 15, 2019 32,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. BUICK, GMC, CADILLAC DONOVAN AUTO & TRUCK CENTER (5800 W KELLOGG DR, WICHITA, KS 67209, (316) 768-4891) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES) AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERS: 09101 AND 09046. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Sep 4, 2018 71,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.

Sep 4, 2018 71,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.

Jan 14, 2017 108,000 mi

BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHOLE DRIVING AND PARKED, AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND OUT IT WAS A GM RECALL NO. 09101 & 09046 BUT MY VEHICLE'S VIN DOESN'T FALL UNDER RECALL LIST.

Jan 14, 2017 108,000 mi

BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHOLE DRIVING AND PARKED, AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND OUT IT WAS A GM RECALL NO. 09101 & 09046 BUT MY VEHICLE'S VIN DOESN'T FALL UNDER RECALL LIST.

Jun 9, 2016 70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD INDICATING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Jun 9, 2016 70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD INDICATING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V172000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, TIRES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

May 17, 2010 12,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIFFICULT TO REACH AND CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BUMPER AND HEADLIGHT FIXTURES WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN OFF TO GET TO THE BELT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CHANGE COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

May 17, 2010 12,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIFFICULT TO REACH AND CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BUMPER AND HEADLIGHT FIXTURES WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN OFF TO GET TO THE BELT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CHANGE COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BY THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

Mar 8, 2010 4,400 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT HAS SPOKE WITH BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER. BOTH STATED THAT THEY CAN NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM CAN BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER DID INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER. THE LAST TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS LAST WEEK AND STILL HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS TO KEEP RESTARTING THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE THE ENGINE AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEEP SHUTTING OFF, WHICH PREVENTS HIM FROM DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5444.

Mar 8, 2010 4,400 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT HAS SPOKE WITH BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER. BOTH STATED THAT THEY CAN NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE PROBLEM CAN BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER DID INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER. THE LAST TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS LAST WEEK AND STILL HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAS TO KEEP RESTARTING THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE THE ENGINE AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS KEEP SHUTTING OFF, WHICH PREVENTS HIM FROM DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5444.