Makes›Pontiac›G8›2008

2008 Pontiac G8

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

Class
Large Cars
Body styles
Base 4dr Sedan RWD, GT 4dr Sedan RWD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 17 city / 25 hwy
Length
196.1 in
Curb weight
3,885–3,995 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints30 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 155 for similar models.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Pontiac G8 is a large car offered with 2 engines (3.6L 6-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 196 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,885 lb (Base 4dr Sedan RWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 25 highway), 10% better than the 2008 large car average of 18.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Base 4dr Sedan RWD196.1 in74.4 in57.9 in115 in62.2 / 63.4 in3,885 lb50/50
GT 4dr Sedan RWD196.1 in74.4 in57.9 in115 in62.2 / 63.4 in3,995 lb50/50

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
G83.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)Rear-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20+10%$3,350444
G86.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive15 / 24 / 18-1%$4,550494
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.2 MPG2008 Large 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 G8 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Pontiac G8 (this car)20 MPGNot rated3
2008 Ford Mustang20 MPGNot rated4
2008 Honda Accord25 MPGNot rated8
2008 Chevrolet Impala22 MPGNot rated2
2008 Toyota Camry34 MPGNot rated6
2008 Dodge Charger21 MPGNot rated3
2008 Chevrolet Malibu27 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (3)

Seat Belts · Jun 23, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V399000 · 47,042 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to October 22, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
Risk
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt tensioner assembly which includes the steel cable, free of charge. These replacement parts reposition the tensioner cable out of the path of entry into the vehicle and uses a more flexible cable, set at a more upright angle. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 15206.
Electrical System › Ignition · Sep 9, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V540000 · 47,043 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles manufactured October 15, 2010, to December 6, 2013, and 2008-2009 Pontiac G8 vehicles manufactured July 25, 2007, to February 18, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.
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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position could cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the key blade from the original flip key/RKE transmitter assemblies, and cut and fit a revised key blade and housing assembly, in which the blade has been indexed by 90 degrees, to the original RKE transmitter assembly. GM issued an interim notification to owners on December 31, 2014. The recall began on February 4, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14445. Note: Until the recall has been performed, it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · Nov 4, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V534000 · 38,444 vehicles

Problem
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 2, 2007 THROUGH JANUARY 22, 2009. A 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DEVICE (ATD) IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST EXCEEDED THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA (HIC) REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITIONED FULL FORWARD, THE SEAT POSITION SENSOR WILL CAUSE A 30 MILLISECONDS DEPLOYMENT DELAY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES OF THE DUAL-STAGE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG.
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Fix
GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Pontiac G8 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

30Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
94,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags15
Electrical System11
Steering4
Seats2
Engine2
Unknown Or Other2
Seat Belts2
Service Brakes2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/01: 115/02: 615/04: 115/05: 115/06: 215/09: 216/02: 116/03: 116/06: 116/07: 116/08: 316/09: 116/10: 117/01: 119/01: 219/10: 119/11: 120/06: 121/07: 125/10: 115/0115/0516/0216/0716/1019/1021/07max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Pontiac G8 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Steering — 4 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 94,000 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 G8. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other G8 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2009 G820196.1 inNot rated370

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