PontiacSolstice2009Overview/pontiac/solstice/2009/base/

2009 Pontiac Solstice

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Solstice.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2009 Pontiac Solstice is a two-seat passenger car that, with its 4.5-quart oil capacity requiring 5W-30 API viscosity, represents the final model year of a generation that ran from 2006 to 2010. While the model’s overall complaint history peaked in 2007 with 289 owner grievances, the 2009 Solstice recorded the fewest complaints of any year—just 36—though its top trouble area remains the air bag system, and the vehicle carries four recalls. This low complaint count suggests that by 2009, many of the earlier teething issues had been addressed, making this year a relatively stable choice within the Solstice’s short production run.

Model year20102009200820072006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 86 · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12580255. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 86 · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12580255 alt 12605566
Engine air filter15925738 alt 15287103
Spark plug12681663 alt 12681658
Front wiper blades15214346 alt 25788743
Serpentine belt12634321 alt 12585310
Thermostat12622410 alt 03522676

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length157.1 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height50 in
Wheelbase95.3 in
Curb weight2859 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Solstice of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.2–5.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2009 GXP Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009GXP Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-45.20 sec13.70 sec260 hpRWD
2009GXP Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-45.40 sec14.00 sec260 hpRWD
2007GXP Roadster 2.0L Turbo I-45.50 sec14.10 sec260 hpRWD
2007GXP Roadster 2.0L Turbo I-45.60 sec14.20 sec260 hpRWD
2007GXP Roadster 2.0L Turbo I-45.80 sec14.40 sec260 hpRWD
2006Roadster 2.4L I-46.70 sec15.40 sec177 hpRWD
2006Roadster 2.4L I-46.70 sec15.30 sec177 hpRWD
2006Roadster 2.4L I-47.00 sec15.60 sec177 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.03 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number86
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca
Standard BCI Group Number86

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature185-205 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature185-205 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-60.0
Injector Primary Resistance11-14 @ 50-90 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.023 in / 0.465 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.023 in / 0.465 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.925 in / 0.413 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 12574 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 12574 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2155 degrees.155 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Bolts 1-10:

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2155 degrees.; Front cylinder head bolts; 26155 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data shows owner complaints peaked at 289 in 2007 before falling to 159 in 2008 and dropping to just 36 in 2009, while recalls followed a parallel downward path from five in 2006–2008 to four in 2009, and investigations eased from three to two. Within the generation’s arc, 2009 represents the final model year with registered complaints before volume fell to zero in 2010, placing it well after the period of highest owner reporting. Air bags dominated the 2009 record with 26 complaints, followed by electrical system and seats, though the federal record does not specify the root cause of those air bag reports. The 2009 model also recorded zero crash complaints and zero fire complaints. Given the steep decline in complaints, reduced recalls, and absence of crash or fire incidents in the federal data, the 2009 Solstice presents a far cleaner federal profile than earlier model years and is a sound year to buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
929
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
36
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags26
Electrical System3
Electrical System,Air Bags2
Seats1
Electrical System,Air Bags,Seats1
Air Bags,Seats1
Power Train,Air Bags1
Air Bags,Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V061000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 26/01/2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger… Remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer…

14V171000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 10/04/2014

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 929 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
135982025-09-09Unknown Or OtherNew Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
PIC5650M2025-08-06Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Solstice. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Solstice take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Solstice have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.