1988 Pontiac Grand Prix Recalls
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Body and structureCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991, Buick Regal 1988–1991, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1988–1990 +2 more
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, where road salt use is heavy. A condition where one or both front engine…
Possible consequence: If both bolts pull through, the front of the cradle would no longer be supported at the mounting locations and the steering intermediate shaft could separate from the steering gear.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front and rear frame/cradle bolts and retainers.
- Body and structureCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1991, Buick Regal 1988–1991 +5 more
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. The rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer. If both bolts pull through, the rear cradle would not…
Possible consequence: If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
- WheelsCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1990, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1990, Buick Regal 1988–1990 +1 more
Reported issue: Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Possible consequence: If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle is in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
- WheelsCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1990, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1990, Buick Regal 1988–1990 +1 more
Reported issue: Cracks develop in the wheel mounting surface. If these cracks become severe enough, the wheel will completely separate from the vehicle.
Possible consequence: If wheel separation occurs while the vehicle is in motion, loss of steering and brake control of the vehicle occurs, and a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the manufacturing codes stamped on each wheel of the vehicle and if a wheel falls within the specified date code range, the dealer will replace that wheel assembly.
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1989
Reported issue: Brake stoplamps may not illuminate or, in some cases, stoplamps may not stay illuminated all the time when brakes are applied due to a faulty stoplamp switch. Also, in vehicles with cruise control, a faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the brake pedal.
Possible consequence: A trailing vehicle may not recognize a braking actionin time to respond appropriately. Also, cruise control will reengage uponrelease of the brake pedal and resume the set speed. In either case, it couldresult in a crash without prior warning.
Remedy: Install an improved design stoplamp switch.
- Seat beltsCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1990, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988–1990, Buick Regal 1988–1990 +1 more
Reported issue: Front shoulder belt guide loop attachment fastener may pull through door mounted anchor plate.
Possible consequence: Seat belt may not sustain loads required by fmvss 210, and in a vehicle accident, the seat belt may not properly restrain a passenger, resulting in increased risk of greater injury to an occupant.
Remedy: Replace front shoulder belt guide loop attachment nuts and install new guide cover.
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cableCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988, Oldsmobile Cutlass 1988
Reported issue: The parking brake cable may be disconnected from the left rear brake caliper.
Possible consequence: Parking brake cannot be properly applied and vehiclewill not meet the grade holding requirements of fmvss 105.
Remedy: Install a retainer on left rear caliper if cable is not already retained with a cotter pin and adjust parking brake system.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988, Buick Regal 1988
Reported issue: The secondary hood latch may not properly engage.
Possible consequence: If primary latch disengages, hood could unexpectedlyopen. If car was in motion, hood could contact the windshield, reduce thedrivers forward vision area, and could result in an accident.
Remedy: Replace secondary latch with a new latch.
- Seat belts › Front › WebbingCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988
Reported issue: The front shoulder belt guide loop attached to the upper rear corner of the door may interfere with the garnish molding.
Possible consequence: This interference could limit the rotation of the guideloop. If this condition exists and vehicle is involved in a crash it could bepossible for the shoulder belt welding to be cut by the guide. Loss of theshoulder belt function during a vehicle crash could increase the risk ofinjuries to occupants.
Remedy: A newly designed guide loop nut and spacer will be installed to eliminate the potential for interference conditions.
- Power train › Manual transmission › Column shift assemblyCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988, Buick Regal 1988
Reported issue: An interference between the transmission shift cable and the bellcrank clip in the steering column can result in disengagement of the transmission cable.
Possible consequence: This condition could allow the transmission to be in agear other than that displayed by the shift indicator. The vehicle could movein an unexpected direction and cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.
Remedy: A newly designed bellcrank clip will be installed.
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studsCovers: Pontiac Grand Prix 1988
Reported issue: Wheel lug nuts were not properly torqued to specifications.
Possible consequence: Wheel lug nuts could loosen and/or come off the wheelstuds. This could eventually result in wheel separating from the vehicle.loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy: Inspection of vehicle and assure proper torque replaces any missing lug nut or loose stud.
NHTSA investigations
- EA91051Brake light switch failureClosed · Nov 26, 1991
← All problems reported for the 1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
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.