2008 Pontiac Grand Prix: common problems

Owners of the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix filed 143 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 143
involving a crash: 9

What fails most often

1 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
2 Exterior lighting 21% of all complaints
3 Air bags 15% of all complaints
4 Engine 13% of all complaints
5 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
7 Steering 6% of all complaints
8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Electrical system: 43 complaints (30% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Exterior lighting: 30 complaints (21% of all).
Air bags: 22 complaints (15% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engine: 19 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Powertrain: 18 complaints (13% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
5.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl
automatic, 4-speed

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 143 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

warning lights, check engine25 · 17%
headlights and tail lights20 · 14%
stalls while driving15 · 10%
steering or power steering problems9 · 6%
jerking, harsh shifts8 · 6%
smoke, burning smell, fire7 · 5%
airbag warning light6 · 4%
airbags did not deploy6 · 4%
vibration6 · 4%
knocking, grinding or other noise5 · 3%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Electrical system	43	1
Exterior lighting	30	0
Air bags	22	8
Engine	19	1
Powertrain	18	0
Service brakes	12	0
Steering	9	1
Vehicle speed control	9	0
Structure	6	2
Engine and cooling	5	0
Fuel/propulsion system	3	0
Tires	3	0
Electronic stability control	2	0
Fuel system	2	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

I hit the brakes didn't work made clicking sound. I rearended a vehicle, they slightly hit a car infront of them. My airbag, shot my hand through the windshield. I had extreme arm pain. I had seen a gray piece of metal in my arm, I went to the er. I still feel movement in it. I'm following up with my dr.
Air bags · crash · 2015-05-26 · NHTSA complaint #10721450
On august 7, 2010 afternoon my mother let me borrow her car to run some errands when a young man ran a red light and t- boned the car and it almost flip the car over I hit my head on the windshield the airbag didn't deploy until after I hit my head , due to the accident I have been off work for almost five years .due…
Air bags · crash · 2015-05-22 · NHTSA complaint #10721043
Consumer writes in regards to front and side airbags did not deploy during accident and vehicle on star issues. The consumer stated as she was turning left, the vehicle stopped and a truck hit her vehicle on the side front.
Electrical system · crash · 2015-05-04 · NHTSA complaint #10701574
While driving approximately 60 mph attempting to avoid crashing into a deer, the contact tried to regained control but the vehicle stalled causing the power steering and brakes to malfunction. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a ditch and the air bags failed to deploy.
Air bags · crash · 2014-09-25 · NHTSA complaint #10639042
Took it in to Valvoline for an oil change and they checked the headlights,blinkers etc.They could not get main headlights to come on so they replaced them and they still would not come on.Told me I was going to have to take it to a mechanic.High beams and fog lights work but replaced bulbs and still no low beam…
Exterior lighting · 2026-10-02 · NHTSA complaint #11768598
The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ignition switch unintendedly turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to immediately restart the vehicle. Occasionally, the contact had to wait for several minutes before the vehicle restarted and was able to be driven.
Electrical system · 2025-10-02 · NHTSA complaint #11690909
I was riding on the highway and a car infront of me slammed on brakes avoiding a deer causing me to slam on brakes ever since I have had a oil leak running down the manifold. I never wrecked into the vechile in front of me I seen on diffrent year poniac were simular recalls were made.
Engine · 2020-10-12 · NHTSA complaint #11364028
Engine power reduced warning light came on and car has minimal acceleration not allowing to go over 40 mph. Antilock break and traction control lights both on. Breaking issue when this happens causing breaks to hesitate.
Service brakes · 2020-05-26 · NHTSA complaint #11326033

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20083
20093
20105
201110
20129
20136
201448
201527
20168
20179
20183
20193
20203
20211
20242
20251
20262

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 2,746 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Grand Prix has 187 complaints (29 years in the data). This year has 143, below average.

What to check before buying

Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, exterior lighting, air bags. Total complaints: 143. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%), headlights and tail lights (14%), stalls while driving (10%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2008 models

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 2026-11-05.