Makes›Pontiac›G5›2008

2008 Pontiac G5

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe FWD /Se/GT, 4dr Sedan FWD /Se/GT
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
29 combined · 25 city / 35 hwy
Length
180.3 in
Curb weight
2,855 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 37% better than the average 2008 subcompact car (21.1 MPG).

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Pontiac G5 is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (2.2L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 180 inches long and 68 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,855 lb (2dr Coupe FWD /Se/GT).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 35 highway), 37% better than the 2008 subcompact car average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.

What changed for 2008

  • Best combined MPG up from 25 to 29

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 G5 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe FWD /Se/GT180.3 in68.1 in57.1 in103.1 in58.7 / 58.3 in2,855 lb60/40
4dr Sedan FWD /Se/GT180.3 in68.1 in57.1 in103.1 in58.7 / 58.3 in2,855 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
G5 XFE2.2L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 35 / 29+37%$2,300306
G5/Pursuit2.2L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 33 / 27+28%$2,500329
G5/Pursuit2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 26+23%$3,150342
G5/Pursuit2.2L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+23%$2,600342
G5/Pursuit2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25+18%$3,300355
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.1 MPG2008 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Pontiac G5 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Pontiac G5 (this car)29 MPGNot rated4
2008 Toyota Corolla31 MPGNot rated7
2008 Honda Civic42 MPGNot rated6
2008 Toyota Camry34 MPGNot rated6
2008 Toyota Prius46 MPGNot rated3
2008 Hyundai Elantra28 MPGNot rated5
2008 Ford Focus28 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Electrical System › Ignition · Apr 10, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V171000 · 2,191,014 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Risk
If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Fix
General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Air Bags · Feb 10, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles

Problem
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Sep 19, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V459000 · 49,768 vehicles

Problem
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Mar 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V073000 · 1,050,889 vehicles

Problem
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Risk
IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Pontiac G5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

50Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
89,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Fuel/Propulsion System19
Air Bags13
Electrical System10
Steering7
Engine3
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Power Train2
Seat Belts2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/06: 117/09: 118/03: 118/06: 118/07: 118/09: 118/11: 119/03: 119/04: 119/05: 119/09: 119/11: 120/03: 120/04: 120/05: 120/10: 122/04: 123/02: 123/05: 123/10: 124/04: 125/03: 126/04: 126/07: 117/0618/0618/1119/0520/0320/1023/0525/03max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Pontiac G5 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Fuel/Propulsion System — 19 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  3. Air Bags — 13 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 89,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Pontiac G5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other G5 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2010 G530180.3 inNot rated32
2009 G530180.3 inNot rated440
2007 G525180.3 inNot rated455

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Pontiac. How we calculate this →