AI DamagePontiac Grand Prix: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Pontiac Grand Prix across 29 model years: 5,435 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9999 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 143 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 220 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 239 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 148 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 454 | 46 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 106 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 330 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 308 | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 461 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 412 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 499 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 810 | 34 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 79 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 169 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 213 | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 131 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 114 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 172 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | 176 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 139 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | 88 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 12% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 901 complaints (17% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 890 complaints (16% of all), 31 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 777 complaints (14% of all), 65 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 673 complaints (12% of all), 50 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 629 complaints (12% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1990–1991
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1988–1989
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1989–2003named in 10 complaints
- 3.1 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 1989–1990
- 3.4 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1991–1996named in 3 complaints
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1984–2008named in 33 complaints
- 3.8 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 1998–2007named in 21 complaints
- 4.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1986–1987
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1984–1987
- 5.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2005–2008named in 4 complaints
- 5.7 L · diesel · 8 cyl 1984
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1993
- automatic, 4-speed 1984–2008
- manual, 5-speed 1988–1993
Drive: FWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5,435 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 901 | 10 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 890 | 31 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 777 | 65 | 0 |
| Steering | 673 | 50 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 629 | 8 | 0 |
| Engine | 575 | 10 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 408 | 15 | 0 |
| Visibility | 358 | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 272 | 150 | 0 |
| Structure | 243 | 19 | 0 |
| Suspension | 164 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 162 | 24 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 155 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 113 | 31 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The steering locked up, the abs did NOT kick in and the airbags did NOT deploy. we hit a median at 70mph and no airbags?! I was point of impact. It hit the front drivers side, destroying the light and entire front. the car spun around and it hit again but this time it was the back passenger side/light.
The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt snapped as the vehicle flipped. The contact and other driver were both evaluated at the scene. The contact later sought medical attention for a broken arm. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to a tow yard and then to the contact's home.
Knocking out my drivers light assembly, front fender, bumper, disabling thehoodof my car, tilting my radiator. Nothing ofthenight should of skinny tires,nor mademefail to maintain my vehicle.
My airbag did not deploy and my vehicle was totalled. I sustained body injuries such as back and neck and financial hardship. I have never recovered from these injuries.
While driving 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the contact struck the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
My vehicle was struck in the front, and back, my air bags never deployed. Wanting to report: break problem with my vehicle, and non-deployment of air bags. (can not send you pictures as you only allow 5mb files, and I guess, my pics are larger, and they will not let me send them to you.)
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.