Pontiac Grand Prix Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 5,411 consumer complaints across the 21 model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix (1988–2008) that have at least 5 complaints. 1997 has the most, with 810. Across all years, the part named most often is engine cooling (894 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Grand Prix years →
All Grand Prix model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 143 | 81,000 | 1 | 871 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2007 | 220 | 90,000 | 3 | 814 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 239 | 91,162 | 1 | 702 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 148 | 70,250 | 1 | 567 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 454 | 72,975 | 7 | 420 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 106 | 100,000 | 3 | 339 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 330 | 92,100 | 3 | 304 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 308 | 97,000 | 6 | 275 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 461 | 97,000 | 5 | 235 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 412 | 94,685 | 4 | 39 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 499 | 94,000 | 4 | 34 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 810 | 104,352 | 5 | 29 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 79 | 39,153 | 1 | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 169 | 116,379 | 3 | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 213 | 127,500 | 1 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 131 | 130,000 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 114 | 130,000 | 1 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 172 | 126,000 | 4 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 176 | 73,518 | 8 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 139 | 122,500 | 9 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 88 | 154,000 | 11 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine cooling894 17%
- Electrical system888 17%
- Brakes783 15%
- Steering671 13%
- Exterior lighting627 12%
- Engine575 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain407 7.8%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)358 6.9%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2006: “My car started on fire while on a city road because of the power steering pump pulley completely sprung off serpentine belt melted coolant reservoir melted fuse box be melted from the fire how many other things something to do with the power steering pump leaking fluid and hitting my exhaust causing a fire in my car”
NHTSA complaint #11389713, filed 2021-01, 160,240 miles2004: “My vehicle ignition turns to on mode when driving and I loose all power. I have already had the recall replaced. This car has died on me several times on the highway, on the streets and just pulling up in my own driveway. I now cant enjoy my car because for me this is a major safety issue. Gm should have replaced the entire ignition switch.”
NHTSA complaint #11216970, filed 2019-05, 143,000 miles2002: “Ii had a no engine crank-no dashboard lights, intermintent start. Cwas parked nad not moving. The problem I caused by the the ignition switch and pass key system. Gm had this problem in 2004 on the colbolt. 6deaths due to loss of enginepower, steering and power brakes. I will not drive this car,till iget it repaired. I am the origional owner with 40000 miles use.”
NHTSA complaint #11266767, filed 2019-10, 40,000 milesOther Pontiac models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology